Page 6 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“Yes.” Eugenia smiled. “We are expecting an heir in several months.” She turned to Nash. “Since we are leaving, I am sure Lady Arabella would be delighted to join you in this dance, brother.”

He groaned inwardly. Hell and damnation. He’d been trying to get away from the chit. Only disaster could loom on the horizon when this woman was involved. But, drawing on his manners, he bowed. “Lady Arabella, would you honor me with this dance?”

Chapter Two

Arabella placed her hand in Clarendon’s as he led her to the dance floor. He had looked about as pleased to be forced to dance with her as she was with him. Besides still being embarrassed at the trouble she’d caused him earlier in the day, she had the distinct impression he disapproved of her, and her animals.

“You don’t like me very much, do you?” Never one for evading an issue, she went right to the crux of the matter. He might as well admit it so they could get this dance over with and go their separate ways.

He viewed her with that arrogant raised eyebrow of his she’d noticed in the park. “Most likely about as much as you like me.”

Shaking his head, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Actually, I apologize, Lady Arabella. That is not true. I don’t know you well enough to dislike you. What I have an aversion to is rescuing animals in public. Then again, perhaps ’tis best if we pretend to enjoy the dance, thus avoiding another scene similar to the one you caused in the park with your odd habits.”

Well, then.

A scene, indeed. He had absolutely no say in how she conducted her life. If she wished to rescue scores of animals and treat them for injures and ailments, it was none of his business. She cast him a glance from under lowered eyelashes. It was too bad a man who looked so good had to be so difficult.

Clarendon’s dark blond, curly hair hung a bit more over the back of his cravat than was fashionable, but it suited him well. It appeared his valet had attempted to tame the curls, but a few stubborn locks had sprung free and brushed his broad forehead. An aristocratic nose and full lips left no doubt he was descended from generations of nobility. His crystal blue eyes bore into her as he released her hand when they joined the line. They stood across from each other as the music began. He bowed, she curtsied, and they came together. She would be the bigger of them and clear the air. “I do wish to apologize for the trouble I caused you today, my lord.”

They switched places. “’Tis nothing, I assure you.” He extended his hand, and they moved together with the other dancers for a few steps.

“I disagree, my lord. You ended up muddy, with your clothes torn.”

His jaw flexed as they moved around each other and joined the line of dancers again. “Of course, you disagree, but I assure you, my lady, ’twas nothing.”

As they weaved in and out of the other dancers, she mumbled, “What do you mean ‘of course I disagree,’ and why cannot you accept an apology freely given? Are you always so disagreeable, then?”

They joined hands once more. “Perhaps because I do not wish to be reminded of the incident.”

Separating, they moved around each other, dipping with the music. “I believe you are merely being stubborn.”

Nash closed his eyes. “And I believe you are being stubborn.”

“I am not being stubborn. I simply want to extend my apologies for the mishap this afternoon.”

They joined hands again and moved in a circle. “Fine. Your apology is accepted.”

Another couple switched places with them, eyeing them with curiosity. “There, now. Was that so very hard?”

“My dear lady, do you wish to dance, or converse?”

They stepped forward, hand in hand, to the head of the line. “Can we not do both?”

“Perhaps I lose count if I talk and dance.”

Her eyebrows rose and she offered a tight grin. “Cannot do two things at once, my lord? Is that why you had such a difficult time rescuing a poor cat?”

Nash came to an abrupt halt, causing the couple behind them to stumble. “I did not have a difficult time of it.” He bent close to her ear and murmured. “Furthermore, I am finished wi

th this conversation.”

Arabella sniffed, but kept her mouth closed the rest of the dance. Far be it from her to wish to speak with the dreadful man. Even though the Earl of Clarendon was a darling of the ton, with numerous debutantes forever dropping handkerchiefs in his path, and most of the marriage-minded mamas’ eyes on him, she found him arrogant and insufferable.

Despite their silence, they continued to glower at each other for the duration of the dance. Once the music ended, she curtsied, he bowed, and they went their separate ways.

Oh, the man could make a saint swear! All she had wanted to do was offer her apology. But could he graciously accept? No, he could not. The stubborn man had to make an issue of it.

Arabella sighed and studied the crowd. She had no idea where her mother had gone. Ordinarily, the woman never left her side. Across the room, she spotted Miss Caroline and Lady Elizabeth, heads together, chatting. She made her way through the throng to join them.