None of it had gone the way he’d planned, however. At least he’d managed to demonstrate to Delilah that he was both eligible and kind. Well, hopefully, she already knew he was kind, but it didn’t hurt to reiterate it, especially when she was in the market for a husband and had a specific list of qualities she wanted. He hoped she’d piece it together and figure out thathewas all the things she’d been looking for. What was next on her list? Oh, intelligence. Hehadto have Branville there.
Thomas was contemplating whether he should ask Lady Emmaline to dance once more before giving up his halfhearted courtship of her for the night when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“There you are, Your Grace,” Lady Rebecca said when he turned. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Thomas gave her his widest smile. “You have?”
“Indeed. I was hoping you’d ask me to dance.”
Thomas arched a brow. She was bold. He liked that about her. She was friendly and bright and pleasant as well. Too bad he didn’t feel much for her other than friendship. He hated to turn her down, but he also didn’t want to give the lady false hope. His decision was made, however, when he glanced over to see Delilah watching them. Suddenly, he decided he would indeed like to dance with Lady Rebecca.
Thomas led Rebecca to the floor, and as they danced a quadrille, he surreptitiously darted glances at Delilah to find her staring at them, arms crossed over her chest. She looked none too pleased with being left on the sidelines. A smile threatened. Dare he hope she was… jealous? There was one way to find out. As soon as thedance ended, he maneuvered Lady Rebecca toward where Delilah stood.
“Good to see you, Rebecca,” Delilah said, her voice prim.
“How did we look dancing together?” Rebecca asked Delilah, fanning her flushed, happy face and smiling up at Thomas.
Delilah’s face turned slightly purple, and it seemed for a moment as if she might choke, but she quickly regained her wits. “Lovely. Quite lovely,” she managed in a strained voice, studiously avoiding Thomas’s gaze.
“I saw you dancing with the Duke of Branville,” Rebecca continued.
“Yes, he asked about you, actually,” Delilah said. “I believe he intends to ask you to dance.”
Surprise registered on Rebecca’s pretty face as the Duke of Branville himself materialized at her side.
“Lady Rebecca,” Branville said. “May I have this dance?”
Rebecca agreed, and the two took off toward the dance floor as a cotillion began to play. Left alone together, Delilah and Thomas stood silently watching the couple dancing. Thomas resisted the urge to fidget like a child, painfully aware of her presence so close to him as never before, the soft fragrance of her perfume.
Finally, Thomas cleared his throat. “The waltz dates back to the sixteenth century, you know. It was recorded in 1580 in Augsburg.”
When he glanced at her, Delilah frowned. “I thought it came from Vienna.”
“No. I believe Vienna was where the name was changed, but the actual dance is really much older.”
“I never knew you to have such an interest in the history of dancing, Thomas,” she said with a hint of a smile.
He folded his hands behind his back. “I may not have finished my schooling, but I greatly enjoy reading.”
“Of course you do,” she replied. “I daresay you’re more educated than those who took a first with all the reading you’ve done.”
Thomas nodded and willed his cheeks not to warm. Delilah had always known he had a sore spot over not officially finishing his work at Oxford.
“They do make a lovely couple, don’t they?” Delilah said after another awkward silence, watching Lady Rebecca and Branville dancing.
“Careful,” Thomas replied. “You may have more competition there.”
“No, I don’t. Rebecca is merely trying to make you jealous.” Delilah sighed. “She already told me she intended to do it. She knows I’ve got my sights set on him.”
“She’d best watch herself. Lady Emmaline may well scratch out her eyes. She couldn’t keep her attention off Branville while she was dancing with me. I’m afraid Lucy’s little plan to keep her away from him isn’t working well.”
“How did you find Lady Emmaline?” Delilah asked, her eyes still trained on Branville and Rebecca.
“She’s quite lovely for a woman who is obviously in love with another man,” Thomas replied aridly.
As he’d known she would, Delilah glanced around the ballroom and immediately zeroed in on Lady Emmaline, who was staring longingly at Branville as he danced with Lady Rebecca.
Delilah shook her head. “Why must everything be so very complicated?”
