Let them watch.
“Strange,” Ash mused, his voice low as he guided her effortlessly through the first turn. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you look nervous before.”
Her spine straightened instantly. “I am not nervous.”
He bit back a smile. There was her spirit again. “Good. I’d hate to think I was intimidating you.”
She scoffed. “You? Never.”
This time, he did smile.
They moved in perfect synchrony, as if they had danced together a hundred times before. As he spun around, he caught his sister’s gaze on the sidelines and gave her a very smugsmile. Meredith’s mouth was gaping open. He blinked at her innocently.
“Thank you for dancing with me,” he said to Clare.
Her grip tightened on his shoulder. “Thank you for asking. I do hope you realize how much gossip we’re causing.”
“Better to be the cause of gossip than the gossiper,” he said, grinning down at her.
Clare smiled and shook her head. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone with less regard for what others think of them.” She paused for a beat. “Besides myself, that is.”
Ash threw back his head and laughed. “Then we are clearly a well-matched pair.”
“Don’t look now, but Lady Julia Fairbanks’s glare may burn a hole in your coat.”
Ash sighed. “Ah, that is the second time Lady Julia’s name has been mentioned to me today, and I can’t say I care any more now than I did the first time I heard it.”
“She’s considered the catch of the Season,” Clare informed him.
“Good for her.” Ash’s smile was droll.
Clare slapped his shoulder and gave him a fake-stern stare. “Your sister went to great lengths to bring these ladies here. The least you could do is pretend to be interested.”
“Never.” His stare penetrated her. “When I am truly interested, a lady knows it.”
Clare glanced away. Her throat worked as she swallowed.
“So,” he murmured, bending slightly to whisper in her ear, “am I to expect you in the study again tonight?”
She lifted her chin, lips curving up. “I did not think we had an appointment, my lord.”
His grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly. Oh, she was an intriguing one, to be sure. “We don’t. Yet. I’m asking you now.”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement…and curiosity. “Don’t you think that dangerous?”
“Oh, I know it’s dangerous. But I was under the distinct impression that you and I aren’t dissuaded by danger.”
She gave him a reluctant smile. “I do not like to tempt fate.”
He allowed a hint of skepticism to touch his lips. “Don’t you?”
Clare’s observant eyes darted about the enormous room. “We’re already causing gossip. We’re certain to be watched more closely after this.”
Ash blew out a frustrated breath. He lowered his voice to a sultry whisper. “So that’s it? One kiss? That’s all you wanted from me?”
One of her elegant brows shot up. “Oh, now. Ineversaid that.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
