Page 94 of Rakes & Reticules
“I have no intention of doing so. Just what are you educating me about?” She wanted to appear stern, but his smile melted her heart and she found herself laughing instead.
“This only concerns dancing. Let’s try a full circle around the room, taking each step and twirl slowly. Keep your eyes closed. You are to feel me and trust me.”
Oh, she felt him.
Her heart was doing somersaults within her chest.
In truth, it helped to have both of his hands on her hips while he guided her.
Of course, the bonfires were going full roar inside her body.
This was not his fault, for he could not help being the handsomest man she had ever set eyes upon. His touch was exquisitely gentle and at the same time commanding.
His body was hard and his muscles toned.
Her hands slipped off his shoulders, so that she was now holding onto his upper arms for better balance as he spun her around the room.
She was so lost in her thoughts, she did not hear the crowd begin to gather in the doorway. The duke, for she could not think of him as Callum even though his name had slipped out so naturally during their conversation, must have seen everyone standing in watch since his eyes were open.
But he gave her no hint.
She had no idea they were not alone until she stumbled into him and someone laughed. She recognized Dorothea’s shrill giggles that now shattered her concentration. “The girl cannot dance! I knew it. This is why she hides herself in a corner.”
Amelia opened her eyes and looked up at Callum in panic.
He wrapped an arm around her in a gesture that appeared protective, but was no doubt meant to keep her from bolting. His angry gaze was on the onlookers. “And this is exactly why I am teaching her. It is my wish to have Lady Amelia open the dance with me tonight.”
That took the triumphant gleam out of Dorothea’s eyes.
But only for a moment.
She recovered quickly and once more cast her malicious attention on Amelia. “You are a clever thing, aren’t you?”
Amelia had no idea what Dorothea was talking about. “Bluestockings generally are,” she responded dryly. “But I can assure you, my ineptitude in the art of the dance is quite real.”
“And you have played it up to your best advantage, haven’t you? Poor, dear Amelia, pretending to be so helpless in order gain the duke’s attention. But for all your schemes, you were not certain you would ever get a proposal of marriage out of him, so you decided to work your wiles on another gentleman, as well.”
“My wiles? I did not realize I had any,” she remarked, trying to hold back a bubble of laughter.
“Oh, do not play the innocent. I know your secret.”
Amelia glanced at the duke in dismay. “Well, I am stymied. I had no idea my life was exciting enough to have any secrets to tell.”
“Do not play coy,” Dorothea continued, “for it will not work with me. His Grace may think you are sweet and innocent, but I know better. I saw his own brother sneaking into your bedchamber yesterday. Will you deny it?”
The duke emitted a low, menacing growl. “My brother?”
Dorothea misunderstood the source of his anger...at least Amelia hoped he did not believe any of the malicious nonsense she was spouting. But Amelia’s mind was in a whirl, for the silly girl had inadvertently given away the identity of her anonymous suitor. Why in the name of heaven would James be writing her love notes and sticking them in her reticule?
Then she understood the reason and her heart broke.
She tried to wriggle out of the duke’s grasp, but he would not let her go. “Your Grace, you don’t understand.”
“But I do, Amelia. It is obvious James was the one who planted those notes.”
“Did you know what he was doing?”
“I promise you, I did not. But this is not something James would ever dream up on his own.” He called for his butler and ordered him to summon James, his uncle, and her aunt to him immediately. “As for the rest of you, go on to breakfast. This is none of your concern.”
