“However, I apologize for the hurt it caused you. I ought to have been honest from the beginning. I apologize for making light of your anger. I apologize for everything I’ve done that has brought you even the slightest bit of pain, for I wish you nothing but joy.”
Mr. Tate stopped them there, and he faced her, his eyes shining with such sincere concern and hope that Rosanna’s breath caught. “Can you forgive me?”
Chapter 31
Rosanna’s mouth opened slightly, though she didn’t know what to say. Not that she wished to withhold absolution, but there was so much more meaning to that question than mere atonement.
“Mr. Tate—”
“There you are,” said Mr. Isaacs, coming up beside Mr. Tate with a bright smile. Then, holding out his hand for her to take, he said, “The first set is about to begin, Miss Leigh.”
It was as though the very breath had been stolen from her lungs. Her gaze remained affixed to Mr. Tate, whose crystalline eyes pleaded with her.
“I fear we are going to miss the beginning if we do not hurry,” said Mr. Isaacs.
Rosanna tore her gaze from Mr. Tate’s, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to clear her thoughts. Glancing at the proffered hand, she attempted a smile, but she was certain it failed miserably, for Mr. Isaacs’s brows pinched together.
Even if her thoughts functioned enough to give her a decent excuse for being indisposed (which was unlikely, as she didn’t wish to sit out the rest of the evening because of the fabrication), Rosanna wasn’t certain what she wanted to do at that moment. Remain with Mr. Tate or leave with Mr. Isaacs?
If only her wretched mind would do something useful.
But the truth was there was no choice at all, for she had promised this set to Mr. Isaacs. One’s word was one’s bond, after all.
Forcing air into her lungs and relaxing her expression, Rosanna managed a proper grin and took his hand. “Yes, of course.”
Mr. Isaacs guided her into the rows of dancers, but she couldn’t help but cast a look over her shoulder. Mr. Tate remained rooted where he was, staring after her with that same pleading gaze, and his apology echoed in her mind. Had that truly happened?
Once in place, Rosanna had no choice but to turn her attention to the task at hand. The musicians struck the opening chords, and she donned a smile as she focused on Mr. Isaacs. Despite the speed of the dance, she moved between the other couples in the set with ease, and she didn’t know whether to be grateful for the familiarity or dismayed.
Turning and chasséing, she easily moved through the skipping steps. Mr. Isaacs was not as skilled a dancer, and he kept much of his attention on the action at hand, leaving Rosanna with nothing to occupy her thoughts but Mr. Tate’s confession.
What did it mean?
Good heavens, when Rosanna had imagined this evening, she had never anticipated such a display. No prevaricating or dissembling. Simply a pure and honest expression of guilt and sorrow. She hadn’t thought him capable of such a thing. Mr. Tate’s previous behavior certainly hadn’t indicated a propensity for humility.
The partners came to a stop as the others in their set completed their part, but though Rosanna’s gaze was pointed towards Mr. Isaacs, her thoughts were far from the gentleman.
“I have long wished to express my gratitude, Miss Leigh,” said Mr. Isaacs, but Rosanna was forced to ask him to repeat himself before she heard his words. Even then, she still did not understand his meaning.
“Gratitude? And what have I done to earn such lofty recognition?”
“Your kindness to my sister.”
Rosanna’s head cocked to the side, and her brows furrowed. “I do not know what you mean.”
In truth, she couldn’t even recall the gentleman’s sister.
“She is a sweet girl who, unfortunately, was all too fixated on her flaws. Or perceived flaws, I should say,” he added with a frown, his gaze lowering. “I have never understood why anyone thinks her plain.”
Quickly, Rosanna sifted through her memory, attempting to draw up anything she recalled about the young lady in question.
Mr. Isaacs sighed and shook his head, turning his eyes back to her. “She is forever praising you to the skies and speaking of how your kindness helped her.”
Something about that clicked within her thoughts, and Rosanna saw the young Miss Issacs in her mind’s eye. Truly, the praise was more generous than she deserved, but her heart warmed nonetheless.
“And how is she faring?” asked Rosanna with a smile.
“She and her husband are eagerly anticipating another addition to the family.” The gentleman puffed out his chest like the proud uncle he was, his grin growing to match Rosanna’s.
