“W-w-what?” she stammered out in a horrified croak, her cheeks flaming. She stopped, attempting to stifle further embarrassment. “You are both absurd.” Rose pulled on every ounce of her father’s haughtiness she’d learned at his knee and addressed her host. “Maeve, do forgive my sister and the duchess. They’ve clearly forgotten their manners.”
Lady Harlowe waved out a hand, her eyes glittering with amusement. “Think nothing of it, Lady Stanford. I’m so happy you thought of me to assist you in your philanthropic efforts.”
“We truly appreciate it, dear,” Gabriella said.
“Ah, I see the Kimptons and the Brockways have arrived. I shall talk to you soon. Let us raise thousands of pounds whilst enjoying ourselves. The dancing is soon to commence.”
Indeed, just then the quartet struck up a soft waltz. Rose’s gaze went to Emerson, and she nearly fainted at the intensity in his eyes. The doubts assailed her, however, in the rigid line of his jaw and compressed lips.
“Lady Stanford.” Emerson’s deep voice spun up her spine with a ripple of electrified warmth. “Would you do me the honor of taking a turn about the dance floor?”
“Of course, sir.” Her face still burned with mortification, but he was preferable than facing the knowing humor she was certain to find in her sister’s and the duchess’s eyes. Rose set her hand atop his forearm and accepted his escort to the parquet floor.
She drew a steadying breath, which leached the oxygen from her lungs without replenishment as the bergamot and male scent of him inundated her.
The farther she moved away from her family, the quicker the mortification shifted to…to a feeling of pride, stunning her to a stumble.
Emerson quickly righted her, his strength emitting an aura of power that enveloped her within a shielded confine. Next to him, she faced no danger. Her spine straightened, and she held herself tall becausehere, next to him, she was safe.
He turned her to face him and bowed. She was too surprised to curtsy as he swung her into the fray of other couples. She forgot her shock within his sure guidance on the dance floor that left her breathless and unsettled. She had eyes for no other. His movements were skilled, effortless.
The world tilted. The room murmured with words she had no desire to make out.
“Mr. Whitmore?”
“Take a moment to enjoy the music,” he said, his voice low and dangerous against her ear. “This dance belongs to me.”
“Us!” She gasped as he led her into the next turn, his hold firm, his body a wall of controlled strength. He moved with precision, each step flawless.
After a minute’s pause, the tension coiled beneath his composure released. “Us,” he agreed softly, his breath feathering her brow.
Inside Rose’s chest, her heart thundered, traitorous and wild. She had never felt so utterly…claimed, yet respected.
Rose attempted to slow her breath, but his nearness unraveled her thoughts. His hand warm at her waist, steady, his presence all-consuming.
But reality eventually seeped in. It wasn’t her he was here for, despite his words to Lord Harlowe in keeping her out of trouble, not entirely. He was there to find a blackmailer. It would behoove her to remember his use for her, andhim!
“I shall create a diversion,” Rose murmured, her pulse leaping, her mind spinning faster than her feet.
~~~
“Beg pardon?” Emerson found his thoughts distracted by a woman named Rose who smelled of orange blossoms and danced with a grace that would haunt his dreams for years to come. If this attraction were but a pretense, he wished his body had been informed—
“So you’ve time to locate the library. That is why you accompanied me after all. Or had you forgotten?”
He dropped his eyes to hers, startled. Blast it. He had forgotten.
“I could spill ratafia on Lady Martindale’s gown perhaps, and while the company fusses, you could vanish—”
“Lady Stanford,” he hissed. “Enough.” But, of course, she was not done. When had she ever listened to a word he said?
“Or, better still, perhaps we take an opportunity to lure Lord Harlowe into conversation about his lake at Spixworth. He’ll drone on an hour on how he’s taught his children to swim. No one will notice your absence. Or—or—”
“Rose.” His voice cut through her excitement, dark as thunder.
She blinked up at him, startled.
Good.“Every scheme you just laid out will have me clapped in irons before the last chord of this waltz.” His hand tightened fractionally at her waist. “Do not meddle, darling. I shall find the study without your theatrics.”
