With those opening strains of music, he felt himself shift into another childish version of himself. It felt as though he were staring at a package all wrapped up, uncertain of what lay beneath the brown paper and twine but knowing it was something delightful. Waiting and desperate to open it.
His attention was fixed on the lady flitting through the dance. Despite how often she was lost amongst the sea of people, it was as though the rest were simply accessories to her movements; Miss Leigh stood center stage, demanding all gazes be fixed on her by the sheer magnetism of her personality and liveliness.
“There you are,” said Molly, poking her head around the tree-like decoration.
Hushing her, Malcolm pulled her up beside him. The space was not quite large enough for the pair, but at least she wasn’t quite so conspicuous.
“I see you are hiding,” she said in a dry tone.
“You would, too, if you had been hounded every moment since you’d arrived.”
But Molly waved the excuse away. “I didn’t come to chat with you. I came with news.”
Malcolm raised his brows, but before he could ask her what it was, she leapt into an explanation.
“I am not one to gossip.” Molly paused and then waved a hand as though to dispel those words. “Well, I suppose I do enjoy a bit of scandal as much as anyone, but I am not one to bandy about secrets or spend my days hoarding rumors and whispering behind people’s backs. And I would never dream of breaking a confidence, but I did disclose something to Miss Leigh about you, so telling you something in return is only tit for tat, so to speak—”
“What did you tell her about me?” Malcolm’s brows shot upwards, but the lady didn’t seem to hear him at all.
“—And this wasn’t a confidence per se. More like sharing something I overheard, which isn’t the same at all.” Though the lady spoke at him, Molly was certainly not talking to him, for her eyes drifted away as she continued to babble.
“What is it?” asked Malcolm.
“I cannotnottell you,” she added in a distracted tone. “For you two are so well-suited for each other, and it’s clear that you need a helping hand to keep you from bungling this once more.”
“Out with it, Molly.”
The lady’s gaze snapped to focus on him, and she blinked as though surprised to find him standing there.
“Between the last two sets, I overheard Miss Leigh speaking to Mrs.…” Molly’s brow furrowed, her words drifting off. “What is her name? I have met so many people of late, and I cannot seem to keep them straight.”
“Does it matter?” For all that he adored his friend’s wife, Malcolm fought to keep his temper in check. The jerkiness in her movements and the rapidity of her words added fuel to his own agitation.
Molly seemed to shake free of her rambling and focused fully on Malcolm. “The ladies were all commenting about the happy news of your courtship—congratulating her and the like.”
She paused as though waiting for him to guess what might come next. Malcolm couldn’t help but prod her along. “And?”
“And she said nothing.” Molly announced this with a broad grin and a bright tone as though this were the grandest of declarations, rather than a sad commentary on his attempts to woo Miss Leigh. As much as Malcolm wanted to sigh and slink away, he forced himself to recall to whom, precisely, he was speaking. Clearly, she thought this momentous, though he saw nothing to celebrate.
Molly straightened, her brow furrowing. “Do you not understand how significant that is? She didn’t correct them. Everyone has assumed you two were sweethearts from the very beginning, despite her objections. If her heart were determined never to have you, she would’ve held her ground.”
“So, she has grown tired of correcting people. Such rumors must die away naturally, and no amount of telling people otherwise will convince them they are wrong any sooner—”
“I swear to you that is not it,” said Molly with a vehement shake of her head. “Our friendship may be new, but I have spent much time with her over the past fortnight, and she has never failed to quash any statement that ties you two together. Her answer is always quick and unshakeable. People do not believe her, but she’s never hesitated. If anything, she has grown more vehement. But just now, she remained conspicuously silent.”
Molly paused yet again as her smile broadened. “She cares for you!”
Malcolm’s gaze darted to the dancers, and he found her in a heartbeat, knowing as if by instinct where she was in the crowd. Of course, she was occupied with her partner and the steps, so her attention was far from him, but Malcolm studied her, hoping for any sign that Molly’s assertions were true.
“You truly think this is significant?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t.” Drawing closer, Molly lowered her voice. “Trust me when I say something has changed. She is warming to you.”
And didn’t that cast the evening in a new light?
Malcolm turned his attention back to Miss Leigh, and he longed for the others to clear from his view so he could study her better. Was there some alteration there? A shift in her sentiments?
As much as he longed to spend a little more time collecting his thoughts, her current set finished, leaving the time all his, and he wouldn’t waste a moment of it. Malcolm emerged from his hiding place and wove through the dancers, taking his place at her side before she and her current partner finished their final bow and curtsy.
