He gazed down at Carrie. “These affairs are always overheated. Are you enjoying your first ball?”
“I am, thank you.”
Nicholas held out his hand. “I believe this dance is mine?”
She rose and took his arm with a smile. “We Leemings are such a bother.”
He laughed. “To have the prettiest young debutante at the ball on my arm? I consider myself most fortunate.”
“And I am fortunate to dance with you when the other debutantes can only sit and watch.”
She teased him, but an expression in her eyes disturbed him. He’d expected her to be excited, aglow with her success. Wasn’t she happy? “Have you enjoyed the dances?”
“Yes. But one older gentleman who partnered me tonight hopped about in a spritely fashion, and another younger man trod on both of my feet.”
“What’s Gwen about, accepting an old fellow to dance with you?” he said as the orchestra struck up.
She smiled impishly as he took her in his arms. “It’s said some older men are steadier and more reliable.”
“As long as they’re not in their dotage,” Nicholas said. “That won’t do for you, Carrie.”
“What will do for me?” she asked, suddenly serious.
He smiled. “This is your first ball, Carrie. Shall we wait awhile?”
Nicholas was silenced as he settled Carrie in his arms. He breathed in the sweet flowery fragrance of her hair, his hand on her slender back. Her small-gloved hand rested in his. He abandoned any flippant response he might have made and surrendered to the waltz.
His hand spanned her narrow waist as he guided her through the steps to the strains of a sublime Mozart sonata. It might be the only time he danced with her. Aware they were on view, he raised his chin to avoid staring at the beguiling view of her bosom peeping from a froth of lace.
“I suspect some men find dancing a bore. Do you, Nicholas?” Carrie’s question drew his gaze down to meet hers.
“When my partner is as light as a feather? Certainly not.”
A small frown marred the skin between her eyebrows. “I have had a surfeit of compliments tonight.”
“Poor fellows. Most likely, they are not of a poetical persuasion,” he said, amused.
“It’s as though they feel obliged to praise me.”
“You are too harsh, Carrie.”
“I find some people’s behavior quite shocking.”
He resisted a smile. “Oh?”
“A lady encouraged the attentions of a man who is not her husband. She handed him a note which was hidden behind her fan. And her husband was standing nearby.”
“It goes on, Carrie. But much of it is harmless.” He nodded to a lady who swept past them on Lord Cresborne’s arm. “Mrs. Browning is a contented wife but see how she laughs and indulges her partner in a light flirtation. It is a sport in which thetonindulge.”
“Not if it’s dishonest and can cause mistrust…and hurt.”
“It won’t if you understand the rules.”
“Which rules?”
She was youthfully idealistic but right in some respects. The behavior of thetonwas too often hurtful and cruel. “One must be discreet.”
“So, after I’m married, as long as I’m discreet, it’s acceptable for me to have affairs?”
