Appreciation lit his eyes. The edge of his mouth lifted. “Excellent.”
Her brother, Charles, danced past with Bethany, and for a panicked moment, Athena feared an impending altercation. But rather than scowl in response to Robert’s presence, Charles acknowledged him with a tilt of his chin before moving on past. Perhaps then they’d already had a chance to speak when Robert was last at Foxborough Hall? If so, Charles hadn’t mentioned the encounter.
“I think I’m beginning to figure out what might be ailing you,” Sarah whispered close to her ear.
“Really?” Athena met her sister’s gaze and was instantly caught off guard by her secretive smile. “What’s your theory?”
“I think it might be best if you figure that out on your own,” Sarah said with a smirk.
Irritated, Athena prepared to argue that logic when Robert drew her attention. “How long has it been since we last saw each other?”
His voice was low and sensual. Awareness rippled through her. “Four days.”
“Is that all?” He leaned in slightly, brushing her arm with his sleeve. “It feels like weeks. Months. Perhaps even years.”
She turned her head just enough to meet his gaze. The fire there stole her breath and weakened her knees. Surely he could not mean what she thought he meant. It wasn’t possible. She wasn’t the sort of person a man would miss, but rather the sort he’d be eager to get rid of. Wasn’t that what he’d wanted from the beginning? To get her out of his house as quickly as possible?
Yes. But later, after failing to accomplish that, they’d talked. And as they’d become reacquainted, something had changed. He’d forgiven her. More than that, he’d seemed to accept her.
No. What she’d witnessed was greater than acceptance – a genuine appreciation for her as a person. And while he might have chastised her on occasion, he’d never tried to change who she was. Instead, he’d told her he liked her.
Before she was able to figure out what all this meant, he was leading her onto the dance floor. She took her position across from him, her mind a muddle of contradiction. And then the music was playing and somehow her feet were moving in accordance with the rhythm. A hand caught her waist and spun her around. Heat seared the skin beneath her gown at the point of contact. She drew a shuddering breath and did her best to remain upright.
“You look stunning this evening,” Robert murmured, his eyes snaring hers with intense focus. “No other woman compares.”
A fluttery feeling spiraled through her. She couldn’t speak, could barely think. She certainly had no chance in hell of returning the compliment with panache. And then she lost her opportunity completely as they were forced to switch partners and move in opposite directions. When she returned to Robert’s side, he asked if she still liked roast duck, preventing her from returning his praise without risk of sounding utterly daft.
“I do,” she said instead. “It’s still my favorite food.”
“Along with sugar-glazed potatoes and boiled apples filled with red currant jelly?”
A smile curved her lips. “You have a remarkable memory, my lord.”
“I’ve been reflecting,” he said with a wink that nearly caused her knees to give way.
They were swept apart once more and before she’d managed to gather her wits, the dance was ending. Robert clasped her hand, spun her gently around one last time, and guided her into her rightful place before stepping back. The final notes faded and he gave her a bow, then led her from the floor in silence.
When they reached the periphery, he drew her toward a vacant corner and raised her gloved hand to his lips. “Until we meet again, Miss Townsbridge.”
He was gone before she remembered to breathe.
