The light cast by the lamps and the candles that surrounded the room bathed Isabelle in a warm glow. She was more beautiful than ever, and it would be impossible not to notice.
It would also be hard to ignore the fact that all the attention in the room was fixed upon her.
He would be a fool if he thought there wouldn’t be a line of suitors at his drawing room door the following morning waiting to meet her.
Felix didn’t know why that left a sour taste in his mouth and he didn’t care to analyze it.
He leaned closer to her, his mouth hovering near her ear. “Do not look now, but I think we have reduced him to tears in the corner. You will have to do your best to look sad and remorseful when he speaks to you next.”
Isabelle laughed and put her hand on his chest as she again stumbled over her own feet. “You cannot be cruel when you have stolen what he valued most.”
“You?” His tone was teasing as he pulled back to gaze down upon her, his blood rushing in his ears.
Her cheeks turned a rosy shade of red. “You are horrible. I was simply saying that what he valued most would be the attention of everyone else in the room and he would have that if he was the man dancing with the American.”
Felix chuckled. “No, they would be staring at you because you happen to be the most beautiful woman in attendance.”
He paused, not knowing where that came from. It was the truth, but he hadn’t meant to voice it. Not when she was standing in front of him in a pale blue silk that complemented her sun-kissed skin, making her ocean eyes appear an even deeper shade of blue.
Those eyes were now dragging him out to sea and he was doubtful that he would ever return to shore.
He wasn’t sure he wanted to, even if he could.
Isabelle’s tongue darted out to lick her lower lip. “You are teasing me, though I must say you are quite handsome tonight, Windham.”
“Isabelle, I wouldn’t joke about such matters,” he said, relishing her name on his tongue and hearing his when she spoke.
She spoke it softly, with the lightest caress of her mouth, as though her fingers were trailing down the sides of her words. Everything about the way she said it made him want to hear it over and over again.
She is not mine.
His job was to see her married, but they could happily remain friends in the meantime.
Just being friends with her is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
He forced the thoughts from his head. Although it might be a night to get lost in the fantasy in his head as they were dancing, it wasn’t the reality he was faced with.
The first song led into a second, though this one was livelier. Isabelle looked up at Felix with panic in her eyes before stepping out of the way as couples began dancing between them.
Felix studied the look on her face before taking her by the hand and pulling her back out onto the floor. “You are going to dance. Just follow my lead.”
Isabelle shook her head. “I do not think I can do this without looking foolish. I do not know any of the steps.”
“Just stay light on your feet and everything else will be fine.”
“Easy for you to say,” she muttered as he whisked her out on to the dance floor.
He began the steps of the country dance, demonstrating them to her at first, then guiding her slowly so she could pick them up. They moved together with an easy grace that seemed as natural as walking.
When a radiant smile lit up her face, he could not stop himself from grinning back at her with equal delight.
As the song concluded and Lord Stanford came to collect the third dance from Isabelle, Felix smiled and waved him away. If this was the time that he had allowed himself with her, then he was determined to draw it out for one more dance.
“People will begin to think that you have a soft spot for me,” Isabelle whispered in a playful tone as they began the waltz. “Rumors will be flying throughout thetonthat you have given up finding a husband for me and intend to marry me yourself.”
He faltered in his steps. “I still intend to find you a husband.”
She giggled with an impish look on her face. “I did not say that you have given up your quest. I just told you what thetonwill be whispering about in the morning. We will be the talk of the mamas and their daughters.”
