“I’m determined.”
She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Yes. I suppose you could call it that as well.”
“I’m still trying to settle in my mind that you aren’t the young maiden I thought you were that night in Paris, but a strong-minded capable lady who has created a good and noble life for herself and others.” He lowered his voice to a husky whisper, and said, “I want to dance with you.”
“Why are you being so insistent?”
“Why are you refusing?” He kept his tone soft. “I’m not asking for your hand in marriage tonight, Mrs. Feld. Just for a dance. Everyone who is looking at us right now is thinking:Will she say yes to him this time or turn him away again?”
Her expression turned tense. “Tell me, my lord, would you be happy and want to dance with me if I had done to you what you did to me?”
Hell no.
“I would be flattered if a lady wanted to, no matter the reason.”
“Oh, don’t try to sell that poppycock to me,” she said sternly but quietly as one hand jerked to settle on her waist in frustration. “I don’t believe a word of it. Don’t pretend not to know every eligible lady in this room would marry you in a heartbeat. You are every lady’sdream. You are beyond handsome, a wild rake, and you are now an earl. What more could a lady want?”
He kept his gaze tightly on hers and gave his head a light shake as he smiled. “You tell me. I’m only interested in you. All I’m asking for is a dance.”
“If our situations were reversed, and I had come back from Paris and pledged a wager I was going to marry you by the end of the Season, how would you have handled it?”
He took in a long deep breath. “Carefully.”
“Which is exactly what I’m doing.”
He gave her another twitch of a smile. “But I would have never refused a dance with you, Mrs. Feld.”
“All right,” she said confidently as if she’d suddenly found courage she didn’t know she had. “Let’s get this over with. One is about to start. We’ll have to hurry.”
She marched off toward the dance floor. Zane stayed right beside her. They quickly positioned themselves in line with the others already in position for the cotillion. Ladies in a straight line faced their gentlemen partners. As the first chords were struck, they bowed to each other and the intricate dance began. It involved precise steps, perfectly timed moves, gentle touching of their gloved hands, and an occasional light gripping of their fingers as she walked underneath his upheld arm.
Zane performed the intricate maneuvers with impeccable decorum considering he wanted to grasp her small waist, pull her close to his chest, pick her up, and swing her around in his arms until they were both dizzy with delight. But that was for women in a bawdy house. Polite people didn’t dance that way.
He’d always appreciated a waltz and a lively quadrille, but he’d never cared for the older, more formal dances of Society.
Until now. He was absolutely mesmerized by her.
As the dance progressed, he had to admit it was erotic in a way it had never been for him. There was a focused commitment and deliberation in each step that he’d never noticed. Her fluttering skirts brushed his legs seductively. The technique in how their hands touched ever so lightly, how she faced him so boldly before quickly turning away gave a feeling of intimacy with her. They moved in time with each other and with remarkable compatibility.
With Mrs. Feld, the dance was a slow, sensual repeating method of pursue, catch, and release. How had he never noticed that before?
“Have you thought anymore about my proposal?” he asked as she passed under his arm for a slow twirl.
“Yes,” she answered. “I’ve been steaming about it since you were at my house.”
That was the spirit that drew him.
“I’m glad to hear it,” he answered, their open palms touching lightly again. He was tempted to let his thumb brush against her wrist when they stepped back and bowed again but refrained. He didn’t want to send her rushing from the dance floor.
They walked around in a tight circle, and when they faced each other, her eyes pierced him with a determination he hadn’t seen from her before, and suddenly, she said, “You have vexed me, my lord, to the point I think Iwillallow you to court me.”
A wave of anticipation swept through him like fire through dry brush. Zane nearly missed a step. Was she teasing him with her words as well as with the dance?
He remained silent and waited, sensing she would say more.
“And while doing so, I will do my best to make a proper gentleman out of you, not only for your family but the benefit for all ladies who come in contact with you.”Her gaze stayed riveted on his as she passed in front of him. “And if I succeed, I will accept your proposal by midnight at the last ball of the Season and marry you.”
Their palms met again as they stepped forward. The pressure from her touch was strong, sure. She was confident in what she was saying. His stomach tightened and his fingers closed over hers as she walked in a circle under his arm. The scent of wildflowers tempted his senses along with visions of kissing her lips, cheeks, and long, slender neck.
