“The dance, the ball, the Marriage Mart. Be the woman who wants to live her life with a fierceness that defies everyone else and their stupid teeth. That woman is irresistible.”
She had no real understanding of what he meant and no wonder. He could barely comprehend his own words. He knew only that she was not being the woman he adored. She’d hidden that person away, and it made him want to weep for missing her.
Or punch the stupid man who criticized her teeth. What an idiotic thing to say.
“Come dance with me. Show them the woman you are, teeth and all.”
She shook her head. “The next one is a waltz, and you don’t dance that.”
He didn’t, not because he couldn’t but because the women put too much store in who partnered whom in a waltz. He’d met several interesting ladies this past week, but none that he wanted to encourage with a waltz.
Mairi was different.
He held out his hand. “I’ve seen you dance. You move like the wind on a summer’s day, like a—”
“Stag in heat?”
He growled at her, but it was a playful sound. “I am not good with words,” he began.
“Actually,” she said as she took his hand. “You’re very good with them. And I thank you.”
She was going to waltz with him? Excellent!
He led her onto the dance floor. He was aware that others were watching them, but he didn’t care. She was in his arms and looking to him for help. He knew what to do. It was simply a matter of spinning her around so quickly that she laughed. And once she laughed, her body would relax, and she would be the woman she was meant to be. Bright, happy, and a diamond among paper doll women with no substance, no strength, and no brilliance.
The music began, and so did they. He was going to bring out the real Mairi if it took all night.
