Page 46 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
He stayed beside her, talking with her aunt and uncle until it was time for the first dance, when he escorted her to the middle of the floor.
As first lady, she had the privilege of calling the dance and had chosen one she knew the Viscount liked and danced well. She hoped this would encourage him to stay at her side, at least until supper, but after a second dance she could tell he was not enjoying himself. His smile was strained, she heard him sigh more than once, and although he was perfectly polite as he led her from the floor, she knew he was relieved when Sir Roger came up to claim her hand for the quadrille.
As she stood with Sir Roger, waiting for the music to begin, Flora looked for the Viscount and was pleased to see him partnering Lady Condicote on the far side of the room. At least he was not snubbing his hosts. However, at the beginning of the next country dance, she spotted him heading off in the direction of the card room. She sighed, knowing she would not see her fiancé again until the end of the night.
Flora kept her head high and her smile in place as she performed the familiar steps, but she elected tosit out the next and gently dismissed her partner. She made her way to the supper room, where a selection of wines and punches had been set out on a long table for guests to help themselves.
As she ladled punch into a cup she heard the sounds of another familiar tune striking up in the ballroom, but for once it did not excite her. She felt overdressed and wished she had kept this gown for a grander occasion. She had worn the shot silk to impress Quentin, but even that was not enough to keep him at her side.
Flora sipped the punch and reminded herself that she should not be disappointed. She had always known the Viscount preferred cards to dancing. In the past she had not allowed it to worry her, but tonight he had promised much. He had said he would dance the night away with her and she was angry and disappointed that he had let her down.
‘Good evening, Miss Warenne.’
She froze. The sound of that deep, familiar voice at her shoulder set her heart beating so hard she was obliged to put her other hand around her punch cup before she could turn.
‘Mr Talacre.’ She tried to steady her galloping nerves, aware of the people around them. ‘What, what a pleasant surprise. I did not know…’
‘Lady Condicote sent me an invitation and I thought I should come. I have made so many friends here, you see.’
She wanted to reach out and touch him, to make sure he was real, but instead she threw him a warning glance.
‘Please do not mention my visit to Bellemonte,’ she said quietly. ‘No one knows of it. They must never know.’
‘As you wish.’ He gazed at her for a moment. ‘I could not stay away.’
Flora’s heart was thudding and it was difficult to breathe. She should not feel like this. It was as if he had stepped out of her dreams. She shook her head.
‘I… I do not know what to say.’
‘Then do not say anything.’ He removed the cup from her fingers. ‘Will you dance with me?’
‘I am sorry, I cannot.’
‘But you love to dance, as do I.’ He smiled. ‘I take great pleasure in dancing.’
‘I thought most men preferred cards.’
He shook his head. ‘Not this man. Well, madam?’
No. She could not. Could she?
Why not? Quentin has not kept his promise. Why should you not dance with someone else?
Matt held out his arm, his eyes warm with understanding.
‘One dance,’ he said.
Slowly her hand slid on to his sleeve. ‘One dance.’
Flora accompanied him back to the ballroom, where the orchestra began to play a familiar tune. She forcedherself to be calm, knowing that it would be easy to make a mistake, even in a dance she knew well. She did not want to draw attention to herself or her partner. They must do nothing to cause talk or speculation.
One dance. Two. It was impossible not to enjoy oneself with a partner as proficient as Matt Talacre. She agreed to dance the Scotch reel with him and he matched her for skill and enthusiasm. She forgot everything but the sheer exhilaration of the moment.
* * *
The music ended and they stood on the dance floor, happy and breathless.
‘Thank you,’ exclaimed Flora, ‘that was wonderful!’
