From across the room, a light blue gown drew his attention. Lady Jane swept into the room, followed by two of her closest friends, Margaret and Lilly. Jane looked his way and smiled with shy demeanor. Tristan knew her well enough to know this was all an act. Jane was far from being shy. Fluttering her eyelashes and giving men that sensual pout made her extremely popular with the young swains.
He had once been fascinated by the woman, but when his mother and Lord and Lady Hastings started pushing them together, Tristan lost interest. Thankfully, papers hadn’t been signed and no betrothal agreed to, however he knew his family was in hopes of a match with their daughter.
As he studied Jane and her followers, he couldn’t help but notice the glares and smirks aimed toward someone only a few feet from them. Tristan switched his attention to the target of Jane’s unscrupulous ministrations. Standing beside her mother was the same young lady he’d met earlier today. Miss Diana Baldwin.
A grin tugged his mouth wide. This afternoon had been entertaining when he watched her. At first she hadn’t noticed him, but when she did, he detected a sparkle in her eyes. Then when she started blowing kisses his way…
He chuckled. When he’d seen her doing this, it had taken him by surprise. At first he thought her extremely forward, yet she didn’t act as if she was purposely trying to flirt with him. That, in itself, made him more interested in her. When their gazes finally met, she had actually blushed! Now he wondered if she blew kisses to someone else, but he knew she hadn’t.
Miss Baldwin fidgeted as she stood next to her mother, the young lady’s eyes downcast as she clutched her hands in front of her. Beautiful auburn ringlets hung by her ears while the bulk of her hair wound in a coil at the back of her head, a light blue ribbon woven around it. The blue gown she wore accentuated her womanly figure better than any other woman here.
Indeed, she was a sight to behold, much lovelier than the other ladies. He didn’t think it was her first Season, only because she didn’t have that innocent, wide-eyed stare. There was something reserved about Miss Baldwin.
He glanced again at Lady Jane and her friends, still laughing behind their fans at Miss Baldwin. Did she know what the other girls were saying?
Anger rose inside him. Nobody should be the subject of ridicule. Jane and her friends acted as if they were still schoolgirls in the nursery instead of grown,maturewomen. He was certain they were acting this way because they felt threatened by Miss Baldwin’s beauty. Still, that didn’t give them cause to make a spectacle.
He pulled away from the wall and walked toward the three, ready to set them straight. Before reaching them, he changed his mind. Perhaps words were not the key in helping these girls learn a lesson. Instead, he wouldshowthem how ridiculous they were being, and that men didnotlike a gossiping female!
Decision in mind, he turned sharply on his heel and headed toward Miss Baldwin. Just before he reached her, she raised her gaze and looked at him. Slowly, her eyes widened.
He stopped in front of her and bowed. “Good evening. Miss Baldwin, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
“Uh… um… well…” she stammered.
Her mother bumped an elbow into her daughter’s side and smiled wide. “My daughter would be delighted, my lord.”
He passed Miss Baldwin a charming smile, then said to the older woman, “My dear Baroness, the delight would be all mine.”
The older woman giggled and fanned her face. Just then the music stopped and couples left the center of the dance floor.
Tristan offered a hand to Miss Baldwin. “Shall we?”
Hesitantly, she slipped her white-gloved fingers across his palm. Heat from her touch jolted through him, and he caught a quick breath. She must have felt it as well because her gaze bounced up and met his. Her cheeks bloomed with color.
He turned and led her to the middle of the floor, and on his way, took a peek at Jane and her friends. All stood staring at him with wide eyes of unbelief. He should snub them as they were snubbing Miss Baldwin, but he wanted them to see how he preferred to be with Miss Baldwin instead of them.
A heavenly aroma of flowers attacked his senses. He inhaled deeper.Lilacs.Not only did Diana’s beauty take his breath away, her fragrance made him want to bury his nose in her neck and never leave.
The dance began and as they moved together in unison, her eyes stayed on him. She didn’t look upon him as most women did. In fact, the way she studied him caused him to worry that something wasn’t right. Was there food on his teeth? Perhaps he’d not used his linen napkin properly during the meal and food was on his face instead.
He gave her a charming smile. “Miss Baldwin, I wish you’d cease looking at me as if I have grown two heads.”
That seemed to break the spell because she blinked and chuckled, appearing more relaxed.
“Forgive me, my lord. I didn’t mean to stare so openly. Pray, don’t think I am rude.”
“I know you are not. But I’m curious to know why you act the way you do sometimes.”
“Pardon?”
He chuckled. “Well, I must say you are a peculiar woman, but only in a good way, I assure you.”
“Why do you think I’m peculiar?”
“Because one moment you are shy and innocent, and the next moment your gaze devours me while you blow kisses my way.”
She stumbled but quickly righted herself. Panic crossed her expression for a brief moment. “Pray, my lord, what are you referring to? I promise you I have neverdevouredyou with my gaze or blown kisses to you.”
