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‘Was she very cross when I didn’t arrive for the start of the ball?’

‘Not cross, precisely, I’d say more a little sad.’

Robert’s heart picked up. If he’d missed an event of Juliana’s, or even been a couple of minutes late, she’d have been angry at him for days, then subjected him to silence. He was never sure which was worse.

‘She did look pleased to see me.’

Ed laughed. ‘I’d say so. Hannah and I came over in case you did anything stupid like kiss her on the dance floor.’

Robert felt his cheeks burn.

‘For a man who was dead set against romance and marriage, you look pretty smitten to me.’

‘Bugger off,’ Robert muttered and headed out of the door, followed by Ed’s delighted laugh.

‘So, are you going to propose?’ Ed said as they walked back to the ballroom.

‘Don’t be silly.’

‘Why the hell not? She looks as smitten as you.’

‘It’s her first season, Ed, tonight is her come out. She needs time to… time to enjoy herself and make sure that I am the man she wants.’ It hurt his heart to say that, but he was damned if he was going to launch into any ill-advised proposal too soon, no matter how much he might want to claim her as his. With Juliana, that was exactly what he had done. He’d leaped in because he wanted her to say yes to him so no-one else could have her. All that was in his mind was securing her as his, and that had been disastrous. Stupid too. He wanted to be sure about Eliza’s feelings. Notions of claiming a woman as his own were, in his opinion, ridiculous. He could stomp about all he wanted, dash in and demand her hand, claim her for the world to see. None of that mattered if she didn’t love him in return. If she didn’t hold him in the same regard. That was a mistake he did not intend to repeat.

He wanted to be the one she chose. The one that she wanted above everyone else. It had to be her choice too, otherwise; it was all pointless. It would end in disaster the same way his first betrothal had.

The noise from the ballroom grew louder, and he put back his shoulders as he entered the fray. It was a warm evening, and the room was full of people. He ambled about with his brother, speaking to people here and there, and tried not to follow Eliza’s every move. He watched as she danced with Hartington, laughing gaily as they skipped up and down. Then watched as she huddled together with Lady Harriet.

‘Good to see you made it.’

Robert turned to find Lord Granville Leveson-Gower at his elbow.

‘Thank you,’ he said. Eliza had introduced him a while ago, as he was close with the Cavendish family, who were also close with Eliza. He couldn’t say he knew Lord Granville well, though. He was one of those types that was friendly with everyone, always had something entertaining to say, but he’d wager no-one knew him well.

‘I hope your brother and Lady Hannah will be very happy,’ he said.

‘I imagine they will. Lady Hannah is charming and Ed is tolerable.’

Lord Granville laughed and nodded, leaving Robert wondering if there was a point to the conversation. His next words seem to confirm that there was but couldn’t for the life of him work out why he should be interested.

‘Perhaps Miss Eliza will be next?’ He arched an enquiring eyebrow and nodded to where the Marquess of Hartington led Eliza from the dance floor.

Robert watched as Eliza laughed at something the Marquess said. She had assured him they were just good friends, and he believed her.

He looked back at Lord Granville. ‘Is there something you wish to say?’ He couldn’t bear talking in hints. If the man had something to say, he needed to say it.

‘Nothing at all, old chap. Although an offer from a duke might be hard to beat, so if anyone was considering offering for Miss Courtney, they should probably make haste.’ He clapped Robert on the arm and wandered over to where Lady Harriet stood, leaving him just about open-mouthed. It felt as though the world was conspiring against his good sense and good intentions and trying to rush him into a declaration.

His mind was racing as Lord Grey came to stand beside him. He grinned and clapped him on the arm.

‘Looking a trifle more put together, old chap.’

He managed a smile of thanks. He watched as Eliza walked over to where he stood with Grey, and as the musicians started making sounds that heralded another dance, he took a breath. Her dance card would be full, he was sure of that, but decided it might be worth asking, even if only to show that he really did want to dance with her.

‘Miss Eliza, I realise I am terribly late but wondered if you might honour me with this dance, if your card is not full.’

She checked her card and looked up. ‘Why, Lieutenant Colonel, I have a name on my card for this dance. Fortunately, it is yours.’

She showed him the card, and indeed, his name was there. He was about to say something, because he certainly had not asked previously, but she gave him a pointed look and he shut up. Had she put it on? Had she reserved him a dance just in case? His heart clenched in his chest at the thought as he offered his arm.