His expression turned instantly somber as he took her by the hand and led her in a small circle at the end of the colonnade. “A mistake, on my part, for which I can only hope that you will eventually forgive me.” There was a brief pause, and then, “I have known you since you were a little girl, Lady Mary. Admittedly, it has taken some time for me to realize that you have grown into a beautiful young woman.”
They drew apart, joining the colonnade while other couples danced between them. Standing across from her, Rotridge regarded her with heated interest. She waited, expecting to feel something in return, but soon discovered that she felt nothing at all. Again, she chanced a look toward the far corner of the terrace, disappointment surging through her when she found only empty darkness.
“Perhaps you would care to go boating with me some time,” Rotridge inquired when they stepped toward each other again and spun around the floor. “Or if you prefer a picnic, I shall be happy to make the arrangements.”
“Afternoon tea on the terrace would be equally nice,” Mary said. She might not be any more interested in him than she would be in a rock, but at least he was finally making an effort.
Rotridge frowned. “Is that not too mundane?”
“I do not know,” Mary hedged. “I quite enjoy my afternoon tea and the terrace here is so lovely, filled as it is with the scent of roses and jasmine.”
“But you can have tea on the terrace whenever you please,” Rotridge protested. “It does not seem special enough and I...” He offered her a broad smile. “I was hoping to do something special for you—something that might convince you of my high regard.”
Mary attempted a smile in return. “That is very kind of you, my lord. Perhaps you are right. A boat ride does sound like an enjoyable way in which to pass the afternoon.”
“Splendid!” His eyes flashed brightly. “It will give us a chance to make up for lost time.”
“I suppose so,” Mary said as they stepped apart once more. Watching him, she could not deny his good looks. But ever since he’d inherited the property neighboring her grandfather’s almost ten years ago, he’d done little more than greet her politely whenever their paths had happened to cross during her annual visits. True, she had been a child then while he had been a young man affected by his father’s early passing, but his keen interest in her now still seemed odd.
The music faded and she dropped into a curtsy while Rotridge bowed elegantly in response. Rising, Mary accepted the arm that he offered and allowed him to lead her toward the refreshment table. “My lord, may I ask you a question?”
Glancing down at her, Rotridge raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”
They reached the refreshment table where Rotridge picked up a glass of champagne and offered it to Mary. “Thank you, but I would rather have some lemonade, if it is not too much trouble.”
“Lemonade?” Turning his head, he glanced down at a large glass jug, his mouth twisting into something of a grimace. Returning his attention to Mary, he said, “Only spinsters and wallflowers would ever think to drink lemonade at a ball, and you, my lady, are neither.” He held the champagne toward her with greater insistence.
Mary’s back went rigid. “My lord, there is nothing wrong with being a spinster or a wallflower, and there is certainly nothing wrong with drinking lemonade, not even at a ball.”
For the briefest of seconds, his eyes narrowed into two dark slits, but it happened so quickly and was rapidly replaced by the most understanding expression, that she wondered if she’d imagined the anger she’d seen there. Her doubts only grew when he said, “Please forgive me. I only mean for you to enjoy the evening as much as possible. If lemonade is what you prefer, then by all means...” Lifting the jug, he proceeded to fill a glass for her.
“As to the question I was going to ask you before,” Mary said as soon as he’d handed her the glass and she’d allowed herself a sip.
“Yes?”
“Why your sudden interest in me?”
Rotridge went completely still for a moment, his glass of champagne halting en route to his mouth. But then it passed, he sipped his drink, and smiled benignly. “As I said, it took me a while to realize how grown up you are now, perhaps because you never seemed interested in encouraging the attentions of any gentleman. So while I have noticed your attendance at various balls, I also believed you were out of my reach—that asking you to dance would have been a wasted effort.”
“Out of your reach?” The man was either mad or lying through his sparkly white teeth. “But you are an earl, my lord. I would have been a fool not to consider you if you had shown an interest.”
“You say so now, but I can assure you that I have known plenty of women who wish to cling to their independence. I suppose I assumed that you shared their sentiment based on your lack of effort.”
Mary’s mouth dropped. “My lack of effort?”
“Until tonight of course. Tonight you have clearly proven that you are ready to consider a courtship.”
“I...” She could scarcely speak, she was so shocked by his presumptuousness. Swallowing the anger that simmered inside her, Mary tried to concentrate on slow and steady breaths. “You are entirely mistaken, my lord, for I consider my independence to be my greatest asset. Consequently, I am no more eager to lose it through marriage now than I was yesterday.”
“Your choice of gown and your long flowing hair say otherwise.”
Mary shook her head. “Why would you suppose such a thing?”
Tilting his head, he grinned down at her. “Come now, my lady, there is no need for you to play games with me.”
“I can assure you that I am not trying to do so.”
Frowning, he studied her a moment. “Are you not aware that by wearing not only the plainest gown but theonlygown cut in this particular style...” he waved his hand in her general direction, “you have made yourself the center of attention? Additionally, you are also the only lady here tonight who has chosen not to dress her hair.”
