“And you don’t think he feels the same?”
She shook her head. “I am certain he does not.”
“I think you’re wrong,” Cassandra said. “The way he looks at you suggests he cares for you deeply.”
“Then why not tell me?” Mary asked.
Cassandra chuckled and reached past Mary to retrieve the white muslin gown. “As you have told him?” Mary bit her lip in response to that pointed remark. “Perhaps he is just as afraid of doing so as you are.”
“But he’s leaving,” Mary said. She accepted the gown Cassandra offered and held it limply between her hands.
“Have you given him a reason to stay?” Mary shook her head slowly. “Get dressed and I’ll do your hair. I want Mr. Crawford to be rendered speechless the moment he sets eyes on you.”
She was stunning. So stunning it took Caleb a moment to find his tongue when she entered the dining room. Dressed in layers of sheer white muslin with tiny puff sleeves and a décolletage so low it showed off more skin than it hid, Miss Clemens looked divine. Even the children took notice with Daphne likening her to a princess and the boys staring at her with the kind of wonder one felt when coming face to face with a goddess.
Stepping closer to her, Caleb offered his arm and guided her to her spot at the table. “You are a feast for the eyes, Miss Clemens,” he whispered close to her ear while helping her into her seat.
She inhaled deeply, drawing his attention to the swell of her breasts which rose like delectable treats placed on daring display. Unable to resist, he brushed his knuckles across her back before removing himself to his own seat. There were children present, for Christ sake! He had to stay on his best behavior, or he’d be damned to hell for all of eternity. Which was probably what he deserved by now, all things considered.
“Will you dance with Mr. Crawford tonight?” Penelope asked Miss Clemens after taking a bite of her food.
“If he asks,” was Miss Clemens’s reply. She smiled prettily at the girl before taking a sip of her wine.
“I have every intention of doing so,” he said, meeting Miss Clemens’s gaze. “The waltz perhaps, if at all possible.”
Her cheeks colored and she lowered her lashes, giving her attention to the food on her plate. She didn’t look at him for the rest of the meal, but Caleb knew with instinctual certainty that the dance they would share was at the front of her mind. It was as if every interaction they’d had with each other since his arrival, each glance, each touch, each intimate conversation, had been leading to this, pushing them forward until they collided. And they were destined to collide, no matter how hard they tried to fight it; the pull between them was simply too great.
For the past week he’d been struggling with what he’d learned during dinner with the Townsends. Discovering George had kissed Miss Clemens had been difficult to accept. But then he’d reminded himself that George hadn’t cared about her. And as angry as that had made him, it had also put everything into perspective, because it meant that the kiss George had shared with Miss Clemens would never be as meaningful as the one he would share with her. And hewouldkiss her. He’d decided that much this morning when his resolve had crumbled in response to her accusation. In spite of what he’d said before, she’d somehow managed to convince herself that he didn’t want her.
Well, he would prove her wrong on that score and see where that led. To a whole heap of trouble, no doubt, but he cared for her enough to be willing to take that chance now. Even if she ended up hating him for it.
They set out an hour later, walking the mile to the village with a couple of lanterns to light the way. When they arrived, it was to the sound of music and chatter spilling through the entrance to the assembly hall.
Stepping into a narrow foyer, Caleb helped Miss Clemens, Miss Howard, and Lady Cassandra remove their cloaks. He handed them over to the man in charge of the cloakroom before leading all three ladies into the large open area where a country dance was already underway. Along the periphery of the room stood clusters of people, some watching the dancing and others in deep conversation.
The tune picked up and clapping ensued, carrying the dancers along in a jaunty rhythm. Caleb grinned, liking the spirited atmosphere. “Shall we?” he asked, gesturing toward an area that wasn’t too crowded yet.
With Miss Clemens on his arm, he led the way forward while Lady Cassandra and Miss Howard trailed behind. Several heads turned in their direction as they moved through the room, the interest keen and rightfully so, considering Miss Clemens’s stunning appearance. She shone like a diamond tonight. Just the honor of having her on his arm was enough to make him stand taller and smile.
“Lady Cassandra, Miss Howard, and Miss Clemens,” a young woman said by way of greeting after making her approach. She’d brought a friend with her and both were now staring at him expectantly. “Will you introduce us to your friend?”
“This is Mr. Crawford,” Lady Cassandra said when Miss Clemens and Miss Howard both remained silent. She introduced the young women as Miss Richards and Miss Nutley.
Caleb bowed his head politely. “A pleasure,” he said, causing both women to giggle in the most annoying way imaginable.
“He’s so handsome,” Miss Richards told Miss Clemens in a way meant to imitate a whisper without being even a little bit discreet in the process. “Wherever did you find him?”
“Oh, we didn’t,” Miss Clemens said without batting an eyelash. “Mr. Crawford found us.”
This resulted in another round of giggles. “How delightful,” Miss Nutley remarked, as if he were some oddity at a fair. Remaining civil was turning into a chore.
“Tell me, does he dance?” Miss Richards asked.
Caleb opened his mouth, prepared to remind the woman that he was right there and perfectly capable of answering her questions himself. But Miss Clemens beat him to it, her entire body leaning forward as if poised for battle, like the figurehead on the prow of a ship steering into a storm.
“I know you’re both a little short sighted, ladies, and since you’ve obviously left your spectacles at home, I feel it my duty to inform you that Mr. Crawford is still standing right here beside me.” She smiled sweetly. “You may pose your questions directly to him.”
“Well,” Miss Richards exclaimed.
