He ignored him, fixing his intense stare on her. “Lady Effie, I would like to dance with you.” The words formed a request, but the tone sounded like an order.
“What…” She cleared her throat to take the time to recover from the shock. “I would be delighted, but my card is full.”
“Who’s next?”
“Montcrest, my daughter was clear,” Papa said.
“So was I.” He radiated coldness. Those blue eyes seemed chipped out of a glacier.
Just not to let her father argue with the marquess, she said, “Lord Henry.”
He gazed around before marching towards an oblivious Lord Henry who was chatting with a friend next to the window.
“What is he doing?” she asked.
“What he does best.” Papa scoffed.
Lord Henry stood at attention as Lord Montcrest interrupted the conversation. She couldn’t hear what they said, but Lord Henry flushed red and bowed and dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief too many times in her opinion. Then both gentlemen walked towards her.
She fiddled with her fan, not sure what a lady was supposed to do in a situation like that.
“Lady Effie.” Lord Henry’s mouth twitched in a nervous smile. His thin moustache seemed drawn with a pencil, and when he moved his mouth like that, it went up and down, making her want to laugh. “I agreed to exchange my spot on your card with Lord Montcrest.”
She shifted her gaze from Lord Henry’s embarrassed face to Lord Montcrest’s stony one. ‘Agreed’ didn’t sound peaceful at all.
“I must protest,” Papa said.
“Protest away, Winchester, but it’s the lady who decides.” Lord Montcrest offered her his hand. “Lady Effie.”
That was why she preferred dealing with animals. They weren’t bossy. Well, Kettle was bossy, but he also was cute and adorable.
If she refused, an argument would ensue between Papa and Lord Montcrest, and while Papa should solve whatever problem he had with the marquess, she didn’t think a ball was the right place to do so. Lord Montcrest had already attracted too much attention. Several heads were turned their way, and she didn’t want Papa to have yet another reason to dislike Lord Montcrest. Lord Henry seemed about to melt on the spot.
So she slid her hand into Lord Montcrest’s.
“Do not worry, Papa.” She gave him a pointed look, hoping he would understand she didn’t want him to make a scene.
He pressed his lips in a hard line but didn’t say anything.
A corner of Lord Montcrest’s mouth quirked up. “We’ll talk later, Winchester. Do not fear.”
Effie forced a smile as he led her to the centre of the ballroom. “There was no need to frighten Lord Henry.”
“I didn’t. What makes you think I frightened him?” He took her waist and pulled her closer in a possessive gesture she found shocking.
No warm, fluttery feeling started in her belly. Absolutely not.
“He looked upset.” She placed her hand on his shoulder, feeling his steel-like muscles underneath the smooth fabric of his jacket.
“Of course he was upset. He lost the opportunity to dance with a beautiful lady.”
“Flattery won’t lead you anywhere.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Why, do you know where I’m going?”
She was about to answer but then closed her mouth. Actually, she had no idea what game he was playing.
The music of a slow contradanse started, saving her from giving an answer she didn’t have.
