Page 10 of 10 Things I Hate About the Earl

Kate closed her eyes. What a disaster. She could hardly, in good conscience, pursue a man with whom her cousin had fallen head over heels in love. Yet she couldn’t quite give up hope yet. They didn’t know Lord Finley’s disposition toward either of them. She must wait and see what might transpire tonight—and in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, she must support Celinda and say nothing of her own desires. “I hope you are correct about this, Celinda.”

“I am. Just trust me, Kate.” Celinda all but twirled in her excitement. “Lord, look, he’s coming back.” She straightened and fluttered her fan before her face.

Kate stood straighter as well, struggling to muster a smile as she curtsied to Lord Finley once more.

“Ladies,” he said, bowing first to Celinda and then Kate. “I have spoken to my mother, who says she will be delighted to issue invitations to my sister’s ball a fortnight from now.” His smile took in both of them, however, his gaze rested on Celinda. “Do you recall if you are engaged? It is set for Wednesday, the 17th.”

“I am certain I am free that evening, Lord Finley,” Kate spoke up so quickly his lordship had scarcely finished issuing the invitation.

He smiled and nodded to her. “Splendid, Miss Locke. And you, Lady Celinda?”

Celinda cut her gaze toward Kate then sighed. “I am afraid I cannot tell if I am engaged that evening or not, my lord. My mother accepts all my engagements. I will need to consult her before I can say with any certainty if I am free. But I do hope I will be able to attend.”

Finley’s face showed no trace of emotion, but his eyes flickered, a hint of sadness in them. “I will await your answer then, my lady, and hope to hear favorable news.” He smiled, his hands stiff at his sides.

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps her aunt and cousin had prior plans. That night, Lady Hever was giving a masquerade ball. She’d received an invitation but neglected to send a reply yet, thank goodness. From Celinda’s hedging words, Kate suspected Lady Ivor had already accepted for the masquerade. Her cousin’s absence might give Kate a second chance to make inroads with the viscount. However, Lord Finley’s deferential manner toward her cousin led her to believe it might be a lost cause already.

“I enjoyed our earlier dances very much, ladies,” Lord Finley began.

From the corner of her eye, Kate caught sight of a tall, distracted gentleman heading their way, his attention fixed on her cousin. A hint of hope rose in her as Lord Halford sped toward them. Celinda’s distant cousin might just rescue Kate from witnessing Viscount Finley ask Celinda for the supper dance. At least it might encourage Finley to ask her for a dance instead and save her the embarrassment of being without a partner yet again.

“Lady Celinda, Miss Locke. How do you do? So lovely to see you this evening.” He bowed to them and nodded ever so slightly toward Lord Finley, raising his eyebrows over fine mahogany-colored eyes.

“Good evening, Lord Halford.” Kate dropped him a curtsy, fluttering her lashes at him. Let the viscount observe her flirting with another man and see if that drew his attention.

“Good evening, my lord.” Celinda pursed her lips but curtsied as well. Her innocent blue eyes shot daggers at the marquess.

Why was she displeased with Halford? Did she think he would break up her tête-à-tête with Lord Finley?

Abruptly, Celinda smiled and nodded to Halford. “May I present Lord Finley, my lord? He is just returned to London from America. Lord Finley, my very distant cousin, Lord Halford.”

“My lord.” Halford bowed, staring at Lord Finley with an intense scrutiny that made Kate’s heart twist. Was something wrong with the dashing viscount? Bertie had mentioned the slave trade, and now Halford looked uncharacteristically unfriendly toward the man. He certainly seemed to disapprove of Finley. The question was, why?

“Lady Celinda, I believe you are promised to me for the next set.” He stared so hard at her that even Kate began to feel uncomfortable.

Celinda returned his stare, a battle of wills raging until she finally sighed, and with a regretful glance at Lord Finley, said, “Yes, I believe I am, my lord.” She looked briefly from Kate to Finley and shrugged. “Will you excuse us?” She fixed a lovely smile on her face and laid her hand on Lord Halford’s arm.

He quickly led her to the floor, where a waltz had just begun.

Lord Finley gazed after her cousin, a wistful, if puzzled, look on his face. “I suppose she is quite the popular partner, is she not, Miss Locke?”

“She is, my lord.” The man still watched Celinda’s progress on the floor. “It is the rare dance that she does not stand up with someone.” Kate’s sense of injustice rose up to tower over her. If Lord Finley liked a popular lady, she would make sure to seem as admired as Celinda. “Still, she might have one dance available.”

“Do you think so?” Lord Finley’s attention swiveled back to her. “And are you engaged as well, Miss Locke?”

Kate smiled. “I always leave one dance open, my lord, in case I find I would like to dance with a partner more than once.”

Finley eyed her, admiration in his face. “Then if this dance is one you still have free, nothing would give me more pleasure than to have you as my partner for it.” The charming smile he gave her sent a tingle down to her toes. His cerulean eyes were spellbinding, while his deep, baritone voice set off flutterings in her heart.

If she didn’t seize the opportunity, it might never come again. “I would be delighted, my lord. I do so love to waltz, don’t you?”

“Indeed I do, Miss Locke.” He nodded and offered his arm.

“Are your sisters allowed to waltz as well? Some gentlemen still believe the dance too scandalous for other than married couples.” Kate smiled up at him as she took his right hand, and he placed his left at her waist.

“How very odd, but I suppose some are still behind the times. To answer your question, Miss Locke, yes, they have all been instructed in the waltz, and the two who are out have already been given permission and danced it at least once at Almack’s.” His eyebrow rose with a quizzical air. “Why do you ask?”

“Simply assuring myself that you are a forward thinker, my lord.” Kate laughed as they spun dizzily around the room. It was so satisfying to be proved correct at least some of the time.