Page 50 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
“How about this…” With a small lift, the governess felt her feet placed on top of his boots and instead of her having to dance, he did it for the both of them. She was relieved but on the other hand, she was pressed scandalously close against his chest. “Much better?”
Clinging to his shoulder, Caroline swallowed over the heaviness in her throat, “Much, thank you.”
The music of the night that was around them was drowned out by the thudding of her ears and the chatter from the ballroom.
Together they danced, taking small steps that the position allowed for. The moon’s silvery rays and the small glow of the candlelight lit their way around the wide spaces of the library and Caroline had never felt so romantic in her life. Holding him so close, with his arms around her, and his eyes never leaving hers was breath-taking.
His eyes…so close they are spellbinding.
When the music faded, the muted sound of applause followed but Caroline still could only hear the beating of her heart and feel the heat of the Duke’s body.
Moses softly let her down and grasping her hand, kissed the back of it. “You are a divine creature, Caroline. Upon my word, we shall dance again.”
Then, he was gone.
Caroline stood, stuck in her place, blinking and wondering mutely if what had just happened had really occurred. Was it a fantasy? Had she fallen asleep and dreamed it? Pressing her hand to her mouth Caroline breathed in hard. The ripples running under her skin told her that, no, she was not dreaming, and yes, it had happened. She had her first dance…with the man she loved.
Staggering, she went to her seat and framed her head with her hands, before a beatific smile blossomed from her soul and was mirrored on her face. Guilt danced at the edge of her mind but she brushed it off.Once…just this once, let me live in this feeling.
* * *
“I am so glad you’re feeling better, Your Grace.” The Marchioness of Kendall, a middle-aged brunette with too much rouge on her cheeks simpered, “Just as glad that His Grace is coming along.”
Lavinia smiled but the edges of her lips were a little brittle if you looked closely, “Thank you, on behalf of the both of us.”
The lady dipped her head, “Where is His Grace, by the by?”
“He stepped out to get some fresh air,” the Duchess lied. In truth, she did not know where he had gone but a niggling suspicion in her mind told herwhohe had gone to—toher.
After the Marchioness had left, Lavinia went to the refreshment tables and poured herself a measure of fortified punch. Swallowing the liquid in one go, she had to laugh quietly to herself. Moses was not hers again, but then again, he never had been…just as she had never been his.
* * *
With the last of the guests out the door, Moses shook hands with Baron Thornhill and nodded for the footman to close it behind him.
“Well, that went well,” he murmured to himself while fighting the strains of fatigue pulling at his mind. “Wouldn’t you agree, L—”
Turning around, Moses spotted the empty place where Lavinia had been just moments ago. Instantly, a headache started to bloom between his temples. “Perhaps not.”
Massaging his brows, Moses wearily climbed the stairs to their shared bedroom and pushed in the half-open door. Lavinia was unpinning her hair and the golden tresses fell over her shoulders like a shimmering river.
“It was wonderful, was it not?” the Duchess said in a light tone. A tone that was a tad too cheery.
Moses’ eyebrows lifted as he had not been expecting such a cheery reception and he proceeded with caution, “It was.”
Lavinia then seemed to stumble in place and Moses made by her side in time to catch her. Her head fell to the side of his chest and Moses noted the massive dilation in her eyes as she giggled with abandon.
Wonderful, she’s drunk.
Bracing her up Moses asked, “Lavinia, how much have you had to drink this night?”
She fanned him off, “Oh, I cannot recall, really. I do remember a glass of punch after the first set, some wine in the middle of the second half and… a-and more wine at dinner.”
Folding his lips tightly, Moses guided her to a chaise-lounge, “Sit, before you fall over. I will get you some water, if not, you will pray for your head to be parted from your body on the morrow.”
Closing the door behind him, Moses went to seek out a maid while shaking his head.
* * *
