Page 51 of Mr. Eastwood’s Match

“I am glad to hear it,” he replied as he took her gloved hand, tucking it through his arm. “Let me return you to your friends.”

For a perfect moment, on his arm and near enough to enjoy the warmth of him, Emily did not want the night to end.

As the dancers couples rearranged themselves on the floor, the swell of voices rose again, and the shifting crowd pressed at the edges of her awareness. The sense of calm she had borrowed from his nearness slipped away by degrees. By the time they regained the company of the Misses Nelsons, also returned from dancing, the ballroom had regained its full, daunting immensity.

Her earlier unease crept back in, though thankfully quieter than before, but present all the same. A stark reminder to her that dancing with Lyness, however steadying, could not entirely shield her from the weight of the evening’s expectations. Even if most of those expectations were in her own mind.

As Lyness led Lady Emily away from the dancing, he admired her elegant profile. She was beautiful, but more than that, every time they met, he experienced a connection to her that made him feel more himself than he had in ages.

While they danced, every time their hands met, a comforting warmth spread from his heart outward.

“Would you like some refreshment before I return you to the Misses Nelsons? There is punch and lemonade, I believe, in the next room.” The suggestion meant keeping her at his side for precious minutes more.

Her gaze met his, and she winced as though the light bothered her. “I think that is an excellent idea. Yes, please.”

Lyness redirected his path to go through the crowd at the edges of the long room, making his way to the crowded corridor and across to the tea room. His attention divided between keeping her safely with him and his own thoughts.

Perhaps Holly’s advice had been good for Lyness after all. Perhaps he could advocate for his feelings this once. Roman did not yet behave as a man in love. A true attachment to her wasn’t likely.

The way she smiled at him that evening, as though all the world was better when they were together, made him think it possible she would say yes to a courtship. He treasured her friendship, and if it lead to more, his gratitude would know no bounds. Leading her from the dancing, her hand on his arm, a sense of rightness settled in his chest. He would do it.

After speaking to Roman. He owed his brother that much. When Roman gave his blessing, Lyness would speak to Lady Emily. Lovely, kind, intelligent Emily. Asking her for the opportunity to truly win her heart.

And he dearly hoped she would say yes.

As they stepped through into the designated tea room, where tables with light refreshment waited, Lyness looked down at her again and his alarm grew. Her features had turned pale.

“My lady,” he said, stepping to the side with her. “Are you unwell?”

“I think I would like to speak to my sister-in-law,” she said at a level Lyness barely heard over the music and hum of the room.

He studied her carefully, brow drawn. “Does something trouble you? May I be of some help?”

The tension in her posture eased enough for him to see her quiet need beneath the composed exterior. “If you can bring me to my sister-in-law, I will be grateful. I need a moment to speak with her, that is all.”

In that moment, he would have escorted her to the North Pole and back. Anywhere she wanted, anything she wanted, he would give it to her if only to see her well again. “Of course, my lady.”

Roman appeared as if from nowhere, a glass in hand, looking at Emily with a frown. “Is something wrong, my lady? Lyness?”

Lyness met his brother’s concerned gaze. “Lady Emily needs to speak to her sister-in-law. Have you seen Lady Juniper Sterling?”

Immediately, his elder brother shook his head. “She is not in this room. She must be in the main hall.”

If that was so, he would have to take Emily through that ordeal of pressing bodies a second time. That did not seem wise at all. Especially given how pale she had grown, and the way she placed her free hand at her temple made his alarm leap higher.

Lyness met Roman’s gaze and gave the slightest shake to his head. She was unwell. That much was obvious to both of them. “She needs something to drink.” He nodded to the cup Roman held.

“Of course. I have not had any myself, yet. You are welcome to this lemonade, my lady.” Roman gently pressed the cup into her hand. “You look ready to swoon. It will cool you.”

“Thank you.” She took the cup and pressed it to her lips. She made a face as she swallowed, and Lyness spared a moment of sympathy for the notoriously low quality of refreshment at balls.

Lyness put his hand on Roman’s shelter, lowering his voice as he spoke to his brother. “I will find her sister-in-law and bring her back here. Roman, will you stay with Lady Emily?”

With a lift of his brow, Roman said, “Of course. I will see to her every comfort.”

Relieved that his brother looked after her, Lyness turned to make his way out back to the crowded assembly-room-turned-ballroom.

Lyness stepped back into the current of the crowd, the noise of the people swelling around him like a tide. He moved quickly, threading through gaps between men’s broad shoulders and the ruffled skirts of women, intent on finding Lady Juniper Sterling or her husband and bringing them to Emily’s side as swiftly as possible.