“I would love some lemonade before the next dance,” she announced. “Do you think there will be five minutes?”
Lord Payton responded immediately. “I shall see what is being offered. No wine tonight, Miss Talbot?”
She glanced at James, then back at Lord Payton. “No, thank you, my lord. I’ll stick to lemonade or barley water if that is what they’re offering.”
He went toward the refreshment table.
James watched him go. When he turned to her, he looked as if he had something to say but kept his mouth firmly shut. She didn’t want to ask. If he was going to warn her away from Payton for some reason, she would ignore him. In fact, she had quite the opposite plan.
“Prince George seems happy,” she remarked.
He nodded. “Almost his birthday masquerade. Every other assembly has merely been a rehearsal to the main entertainment.”
“I can hardly credit it can be a more spectacular party than those we’ve already attended. So much food and drink have recently been consumed. No wonder the local merchants are always thrilled when the prince and his toadies come to town.”
Lord Payton returned with a servant behind him carrying three glasses of orangeade.
“What a treat!” she exclaimed, after taking her first sip and then, while trying not gulp it, she drained the glass. It quenched her thirst and revived her flagging energy.
“Interesting,” James said, tilting his back.
“Could be improved with a splash of brandy,” Lord Payton suggested, “but then most things can be.”
A single note was played indicating the dancers should line up. A thrill went through her as James took her glass and set it down before taking her hand.
“Let us dance,” he said, catching her eye.
Her treacherous body went hot all over as she imagined them together, bare as babes, doing something more intimate than dancing. But dancing would have to do.
Lining up opposite him, when they stepped together, Glynnis forgot all else except James Lambert. And even when she briefly touched palms with another, she kept coming back to him, and it felt perfectly natural. It felt right.
Yet an hour later, when Lord Payton invited her to leave the ballroom to see the musicians’ balcony and even tour the royal box, she tamped down her regret and went with him. Up the stairs in the hallway outside the ballroom, they went first to where the musicians were taking a break. Twelve men were eating and drinking in good humor. Still, they didn’t mind the interruption for her compliments and praise.
Then they went farther around the perimeter of the second-floor gallery that circled the ballroom below, and came out in the royal box, overlooking the dancers.
“It reminds me of the upper-floor balcony of Marlborough House,” she said. “I only went there once, but it was a unique view to be able to watch the dancers from above. Shall we stay up here until the music starts again so we can watch?”
Lord Payton wasn’t looking at the dance floor but at her. “Perhaps the next time you are at Marlborough House, Miss Talbot, I shall be with you, and we’ll remember this night fondly.”
Glynnis felt the possibility of victory within reach.
“That would be lovely,” she said.
He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. “I’ve enjoyed the past few days with you. I know we haven’t known each other for long at all, but you are an easy woman to spend time with.”
“Thank you. I feel the same way about you.” Truthfully, she felt at ease with Lord Payton, extremely comfortable like donning her most well-worn nightdress.
All at once, the murmurings from below reminded her anyone could look up and see them, standing close. Then it struck her — that was exactly what she had wanted to happen!
Glancing out over the other guests, however, no one was taking any notice of them. Except one.
James’s blue stare caught her own, and she would vow he knew what was in her thoughts. As if on a stage with an audience, she could grab Lord Payton by his jacket, draw him close, and kiss him. As long as she made some noise, perhaps a stamp of her foot, someone would look up and witness the act of bold indiscretion.
Yet with James watching, she couldn’t do it.
“Shall we go?” Glynnis asked. “Perhaps obtain another glass of that delicious orangeade.”
“Yes, of course.” Lord Payton looked around as if just realizing where they were. Releasing her hand, he gestured for her to precede him. In the hallway, however, in the space between the royal box and the entrance to the musician’s balcony, he halted.
