“Despite your excellent disguise, there’s fury in your eyes and enough coiled tension in your body to fight off an army. But if you do, I’ll have to have one of the footmen escort you out, which would make it impossible for you to keep an eye on the lady who’s captured your heart.” Henry shifted slightly so he had a view of the dance floor. “Which one is she?”
Feeling like a burglar who’d been caught with his hands full of loot, Tristan cast about for an answer that wouldn’t see Henry strangle him. “The one in the red gown,” he murmured, deliberately lowering his voice in a desperate attempt to maintain his ruse. Sweat had long since settled between his shoulder blades. He held his breath. Tried not to focus on the pounding of his heart, though it was so loud Henry would surely hear it.
“Mr. Hanover’s wife?” Henry queried in an understandable tone of disbelief.
Damn.
“She um… That is to say… I, err…” If he could only untangle his stupid tongue, explaining himself would be so much simpler.
“No need to get into details with me,” Henry said. “I know how the world works. I’m just surprised since I thought the Hanovers happily married. However, whether they are or not, one can’t really fault the lady for dancing with her husband. You certainly can’t barge over there and whisk her away from him. So here–” Henry handed Tristan a glass of champagne “–have a drink and bide your time. I’m sure the opportunity for you to dance with her yourself will arrive in due course.”
“Thank you.” Tristan practically sagged with relief as he grasped the proffered glass. He took a sip and savored the bubbly flavor, which had a wonderfully calming effect on his nerves.
“Ah look,” Henry said a few minutes later, halting their discourse pertaining to the British army’s continued presence in America. “Here’s a pleasant distraction.”
Tristan glanced in the direction Henry was looking and instantly lost all ability to think. All he could do was stand there and admire Lilli’s beauty as she swept toward them. Her dark blonde locks fell in glorious curls around her heart–shaped face in a style only a masquerade would permit. His heart clenched as she drew to a halt before them. Pleasure poured through him the moment her eyes met his.
It lasted but a fraction of a second, yet it was enough to make every cell in his body tingle with fierce awareness. And need.
“Gentlemen,” she said. Her attention settled on Henry. “You ought to be dancing. Indeed, I must insist you invite at least one of the ladies to partner with you for the next set.”
“I was actually about to do so when I took the opportunity to stop an altercation between this fine fellow and poor Mr. Hanover,” Henry said with an edge of humor.
“Indeed?” Lilli’s questioning gaze found Tristan’s once more. “I can’t imagine why.”
Henry leaned a bit closer to her and told her conspiratorially, “And it would probably be best if you didn’t try to.”
Tristan cleared his throat. He’d had enough of this misconception he’d caused and the risk remaining in Henry’s company posed with regard to being discovered. It was time to find a way out of this tangle and into closer proximity with Lilli.
He executed a slight bow and gazed into her sparkling eyes. “If you are not otherwise engaged, perhaps you’d care to partner with me for the next set.”
“What about Mrs. Hanover?” Henry asked. His voice held a teasing element
“She’ll have to wait,” Tristan said, his attention on Lilli.
“I’d be delighted,” Lilli said. She moved closer and placed her hand on his arm.
It took tremendous effort for him not to hiss with pleasure as energy sparked to life at that point of contact. Swallowing, he drew her more firmly against him, then glanced at Henry. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, sir.”
“Hold on a moment,” Henry said as Tristan and Lilli started toward the dance floor. “I don’t even know who you are and–”
“That is the beauty of masquerades,” Lilli told him over her shoulder. To Tristan she added, “Let’s hasten our stride. If we’re lucky someone will intercept him before he catches up and demands an introduction.”
“And if we’re unlucky?”
“Worst case, you’ll face him at dawn.”
The comment was dire enough to make Tristan wonder if he’d made a terrible error in judgment by going along with Lilli’s request, by kissing her not only once but twice, by courting scandal and risking her reputation. It was lunacy. But then a waltz started playing and he spun her onto the dance floor, and it was as if none of that mattered as long as he was able to hold her.
For now, he could dance with her in public. As if they belonged together. As if the rightness he felt as he held her could not be denied for any reason. As if she weren’t a million miles above him in station. And in that moment every risk they took for the briefest shared pleasure felt as though it was totally worth it.
Lilli could scarcely believe her good fortune. She was dancing. Not with a rogue whose wandering hands had forced her to stomp on his foot at least once, but with Tristan in whose arms she felt both protected and cherished.
“You must forgive me,” she said as he twirled her about. “I could not reach you sooner.”
“I’ll admit my patience was tested. I’ll also confess to not liking the idea of you dancing with other men.”
The harsh note of jealousy thrilled her in ridiculous measure. She beamed at him. “I rather think I’m the one who ought to take issue with you and your interest in a woman I know to be happily married.”
