Looking alarmed, Foxford straightened. “I am a quick study. I promise I shall be teachable and malleable and entirely redeemable. Allow me to claim a dance or two. Or three,” he added.
“Not three,” she snapped. “By the way, can you dance?”
“Yes,” he said. “In that, I shall not let you down.”
“It won’t be me who is disappointed at the end of the Season if you don’t smarten up.” Glancing at her empty card, she realized she had better make the rounds or she would be the one disappointed by a lack of partners.
“I am putting you down for the third dance as the first looks to be a march leading into a quadrille.”
“And the one before dinner?” he prompted.
She paused. He knew that custom well enough, it seemed.
“We have already eaten a long meal together. Tonight, you ought to dine with a potential spouse. It’s hard to guess at the outset, but I suggest you find a lady who interests you and secure the eleventh dance.”
She wrote in his name with a tiny pencil from her reticule. “I shall, however, be your partner for the first danceafterdinner so you can tell me how well you did.”
He didn’t look pleased. Perhaps Foxford was nervous about minding his manners.
“Remember to ask a lady for ‘the honor of a dance’ and don’t tell any mother she might be the young lady’s sister. That is absurdly fawning.”
“Very well.” He remained there, staring at her.
“And ask the young lady questions at dinner unless she’s the quiet type, in which case amuse her as you did me at the Fenwicks’ party. Whatever you do, do not touch her during the meal and guard against using vulgarisms.”
“I shall do so and hope not to be a buffoon.”
“Good,” Purity said. “I must move along, or I shall have you as my only partner tonight.”
He bowed. She nodded, and then she headed toward her mother.
“Don’t forget the second dance,” Foxford called after her, making her cringe although she didn’t turn around. A few young ladies nearby giggled.
Sweet Mary!She had her work cut out for her.
Matthew thought thingswere going well, and he didn’t care what a grinagog he appeared to any of the other ladies present. His actions were a mere means to an end, and that end was Purity Diamond.
For the life of him, he couldn’t discern why he’d fixed his sights upon her, beyond the fact that she was beautiful. Yet he had. It might be because their kisses were bloody outstanding. He was certain she hadn’t let other rogues kiss her, at least not the way he had. Her high morals and adherence to propriety dictated otherwise.
Thus, despite slapping himaftershe’d melted against him like warm butter, Lady Purity must feel some attraction. He could almost believe their bodies recognized they were meant for one another before their brains and hearts.
Even if he was unable to win over the former until much later, he hoped to win over the latter soon. Once he had her heart, then he could convince her to marry him. Then he would introduce her to Diana.
Not that he was ashamed of the girl. However, her existence in his life and in his home might put off someone with Lady Purity’s affinity for correctness. Therefore, better that he completely captivate her before she learned of the child’s existence.
To that end, when the time came, he swept her into his arms for their first dance, and it was as memorable as he’d hoped. She was skilled at the waltz, easy to lead, and graceful as a butterfly.He couldn’t bring himself to ruin the effortless flow, nor the enjoyment of being close to her, by making a purposeful misstep.
Besides, he’d told her he knew how to dance. This part of the evening he would allow her to think him as capable as he truly was.
After returning her to Lady Diamond, who wore a wary expression, the long evening ahead seemed interminable. He dallied a moment. Perhaps between dances he’d dazzle her with some stories.
Her mother excused herself to the retiring room with a sable feather that would not stay in place in her coppery-red coiffure. Or maybe she wanted to be away from him.
“Do you see someone here tonight with whom you might be interested?” Lady Purity asked him.
“Very much so,” he said, giving her his best come-hither expression.
Instantly her cheeks pinkened. He loved doing that to her. The women he spent time with were not those who blushed easily, if at all.
