And Scarlett resolved that she had definitely seen enough.
She pushed open the door and they broke apart instantly.
Scarlett pushed the door closed behind her.
“What in the devil are you two doing?”she hissed.Neither of them looked at her or at each other.When the silence stretched on, Scarlett found herself increasingly annoyed.“Am I going to be given the privilege of an answer?”she finally demanded.
Tilly looked up at her, her chin trembling.
“It’s nothing, Scarlett!We were just arguing—”
“And kissing,” Scarlett finished.
Tilly cringed, her expression saying quite clearly that she hoped her sister hadn’t seenthat.
“Please do not worry, Miss Perkins,” Severn growled, his usually cool, rakish features completely transformed into an expression of—well, it could only be called anguish.“Your sister has made perfectly clear that she intends to wed my brother.I merely came to say goodbye and wish her joy.If you will excuse me.”
And with that, he swept from the room, the door banging behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Well, Severn certainlyseemed to be in a mood, Malcolm thought, as he watched his brother prowl the perimeter of the ballroom.
Rather than his usual cool manner and easy, rakish smile, that demeanor he had learned so well in London and which had become habitual, he was scowling and avoiding conversation with all comers.
The ball was already lively, and a crush filled the room.It was still strange to Malcolm that they had a ballroom at Parkhorne.It was one of the improvements that Beatrice had helped pay for, along with her investments in the farm.The room certainly wasn’t particularly grand compared to those he’d heard dotted Mayfair in London, but it was a pretty country hall for dancing.
Malcolm sipped punch to steady his nerves.His main goal for the evening was to somehow, someway, find himself alone with Scarlett.He knew that desire was probably a futile one.
But a man could dream.
He smiled at his own turn of phrase.
Yes, Scarlett was certainly hisdreamcome to life.
Mrs.Salisbury swept up to him.“Malcolm,” she said in a soft yet insistent voice.“I must impose upon you once more.I fear there are a dearth of gentlemen here tonight.The numbers are not quite perfect.”
He sighed heavily.“You need me to dance?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”She grimaced.“Miss Marburry, right behind you, is in need of a partner, I believe.”
He turned in a manner he hoped was not too obvious—and immediately caught the girl’s eye.
Bollocks.
Not that he could have avoided dancing with her after Mrs.Salisbury’s request.If Mrs.Salisbury had addressed him in a more private location, he might have taken the opportunity to tell her that her matchmaking was not going to end where she hoped.But he was sure Miss Marburry could hear their conversation.
He gave a tight nod.
Mrs.Salisbury reached out and squeezed his arm in thanks.
It was for the better anyway, he told himself.Yes, he hated dancing.He always felt awkward and ill at ease when forced to do it.But Scarlett wanted to dance and if he danced with Miss Marburry, it would look perfectly natural that he should then approach her.He would simply look like he was doing his duty by Mrs.Salisbury, even to his own prying siblings.
“Miss Marburry, would you do me the pleasure of dancing with me?”
“You don’t have to,” she blurted out, and then brought her hands to her mouth.
He felt himself blanch.Damn, shehadheard his conversation with Mrs.Salisbury.
