Page 54 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

“Yes. Flanked by her parents, guarded better than Prinny himself.” Cam slapped Giles on the back. “Good luck with your pursuit. If you need help, Hawk and I will be in the card room.”

His two friends headed out of the ballroom, while Giles continued to watch Suzanna. Bounded by her parents on either side, Suzanna kept her head up, a smile pasted on her face. A fake smile.

There was probably no reason to approach her to ask for a dance, since it would be denied. He turned on his heel to catch up with Hawk and Cam. They had just entered the card room when he reached them. “Hawk, do me a favor. Cam, you also.”

The men turned, casting him questioning looks.

“Please find Miss Blake and request a dance. You don’t need an introduction, since you met at Bedford’s wedding. Then when your dance comes, fetch her, then hand her over to me.”

“You think her mother won’t notice? You really have gone mad.”

“She may or may not notice. However, even if she does, she won’t make a scene by dragging Suzanna off.”

“Perhaps not, but have you thought about the consequences to your lady when they leave here?” Hawk shook his head. “Not a good idea, my man.”

“Fine. Then one of you request a dance, and the other engage her mother in conversation to keep her from staring at her daughter every minute. I have to talk to her.”

His two friends looked at each other. “I will.” Cam started for the door, then turned with a smirk. “You won’t challenge me if I request a waltz, will you?”

“I’d rather have you waltzing with her than any other man. Just keep your hands where I can see them.”

With a bark of laughter, Cam left them.

Giles sat with Hawk and played a hand of whist while they waited for Cam to return.

“The deed is done,” Cam said as he reached their table. “I must say the mother is definitely a shrew. I was waiting for her to demand to see the family bible with my name recorded. Are you certain you want her for a mother-in-law?”

“Yes. However, I intend to bury us at my country estate.” He grinned. “Which I shall not give her the direction to.” He rose and offered his seat to Cam. “Thank you for that. Which dance did you request?”

“The fourth set. Now go on and stare at your lady, so I can play a few hands before I have to do your bidding.”

The crowd in the room had increased in the short time Giles had been in the card room. He searched the ballroom, lit by hundreds of candles, the light from them reflecting off the mirrors on one wall. It took him some time, but eventually, he saw Suzanna dancing a cotillion with Lord Meyers.

Giles’ stomach muscles tightened as he watched the way Meyers kept touching Suzanna unnecessarily. He wandered the room, sipping on another glass of champagne, all the time his eyes drifting back to Suzanna.

The dance ended, and Meyers returned her to her mother. Mrs. Blake clung to Suzanna like a baby monkey to its mama. It was apparent the woman had no intention of joining the other matrons for a bit of social chat. She offered a smile to Meyers that never reached her eyes as Suzanna’s next partner arrived, whom she eyed with intensity, and Meyers bowed and took his leave.

For all intents and purposes, Suzanna was a prisoner in the midst of more than a hundred people.

…

I am a prisoner right here in the middle of the Robinsons’ ballroom.

Suzanna took Lord Bensonfield’s arm as he led her to the dance floor. She would have loved more than anything to have a break between sets, to have a drink, or possibly even a stroll in the cool evening air. But Mother was having none of it.

Numerous times she had spotted Giles leaning his shoulder against the wall, sipping a drink as he watched her whirl across the dance floor, trying her best to smile and be pleasant. Not one single man had caught her interest, most of them anxious to speak about their horses, hounds, and wardrobe.

None had anything of consequence to say, and she’d found herself drifting off as they’d babbled on. The one surprise she had received was when Lord Campbell had come up to her and requested a waltz.

Mother did not seem to know that Campbell was a close friend of Giles, although the way she interrogated him was downright embarrassing. She wondered what Giles would think of her waltzing with Campbell.

Finally, the country dance set was over, and Bensonfield escorted her back to her mother.

“I am quite parched, Mother. I think I will take a short trip to the ladies’ retiring room, and then have a glass of lemonade.”

Her mother viewed her with narrowed eyes. “Lord Campbell’s dance is next. See that you are back in plenty of time. I think he would be an excellent husband for you.”

“Mother, for heaven’s sake. He only requested a dance. Please don’t start planning the wedding.”