“How did you get in? I was watching the entrance. You were never announced.”
He grinned at her. “You were waiting for me?”
“Do you always turn words around such that they give you a compliment?”
“Of course. It helps to point out when people admire me. They too often forget.”
She rolled her eyes, unsure whether his cheekiness was bravado or true confidence. It didn’t truly matter. He was charming and handsome. That was a potent combination, especially when he mixed it with bold dancing.
“Sir, last night I had a nightmare and—”
“I had a vision of such beauty,” he said right as the music began and he swept her into motion.
He wasn’t elegance on the dance floor. He was power barely leashed as he gripped her about the waist and spun her around. Good lord, he made her head spin quite literally. But if she had no control over the whirling dervish of a partner, then she might as well enjoy it.
She wasn’t one to relax into anyone’s hold, but she did match her speed and skill to his. He kept her feet moving as fast as his, and she kept her arms strong without being stiff. He seemed to like that as his grin abruptly widened.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
What a ridiculous question. “No.”
“Even better.”
Obviously, he liked a challenge because he set himself to force her body to trust his. He spun her quickly while holding her completely safe. He wove them left and right around other couples. A lesser man would have them crashing into someone—everyone—but they always slid through unscathed. And though she couldn’t deny the thrill of it all, she also guessed that he was leaving disarray in his wake. He was an excellent dancer, but the other couples were probably jerking to an abrupt halt as they danced past.
He must have realized it, too. She saw his gaze dart about them as a frown darkened his features. Immediately after that, their steps slowed. He matched his pace to the room, and they were now waltzing as everyone else did. Smooth, not so thrilling, but easy enough for Iseabail to take a full breath.
“How many couples crashed?” she asked.
His expression turned annoyed. “Just one stumbled. That idiot viscount who has no rhythm.”
That could refer to several gentlemen, but she believed there was only one viscount here tonight. “I’m glad you slowed down.”
“Are you truly? No love of speed and frenzy with a partner who can keep you safe throughout it all?”
“I love it as much as any person. But I am a woman on the hunt for a husband. Making a spectacle of myself on the dance floor will not help me in that pursuit.” She arched a brow at him. “Not all of us can sneak into bedrooms or ballrooms without consequence.”
His brows rose. “You think I bear no consequences?”
“Not like I do.”
He snorted. “That is certainly true, Miss Spalding. You might lose invitations to the most exclusive balls. I, however, am risking my life and limb by being here uninvited.”
“One wonders why you do it, then.”
“Because sometimes one can only go up.”
She wanted to ask what he meant by that, but she didn’t have time. The music ended; the dancers stopped. As was appropriate, she dropped into a curtsy before him, and he a bow. And when she straightened, he held out her necklace before him.
“As promised, Miss Spalding. Your pendant.”
She reached for it, but he was quicker than her. He draped it around her neck, then spun around her to fix the clasp. She had little choice but to stand still while everyone watched what he was doing. Damn it, everyone would think he was fixing his interest upon her, and that she allowed it! Jewelry was not something that was casually offered between unattached people. And yet here she stood, publicly allowing him to give her something that was already hers.
The minute she felt the chain drop against her neck, she stepped away. “Thank you, sir, for returning my pendant to me, but you need not have done it in such a public manner.”
“It’s only that it fell away when we walked in the park. I knew you didn’t realize the catch had broken.”
She dipped her head to him again, appreciating that he’d created a lie about it, but she was still annoyed. He was creating a spectacle. Unfortunately, the moment she turned to leave the dance floor, she realized that he had done a great deal more than that. There with the countess stood no less than three footmen plus their host and hostess for the evening.
