Page 90 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
Though he saw her every day, she still felt that he seemed vaguely uneasy around her. Did the rumors about her bother him so much?
She curtsied to them both, and she saw Simon’s wide grin.
“And yes,” Mr. Wade said with a roll of his eyes, “she curtsied to a blind man.”
Several ladies gasped and tittered with laughter, while Louisa simply shook her head.
“Miss Shelby,” Simon said, bowing his head, “I believe you owe me this dance.”
Shocked silence followed this announcement, but Louisa stepped forward with rising excitement. She hadn’t thought he’d actually do it—they hadn’t even found time to practice during the week.
“You’re welcome to my brother,” Mr. Wade said, releasing Simon to Louisa, who took his arm. “I have more than enough partners to choose from right here.”
That distracted all the giggling, blushing wallflowers, and Louisa was able to lead Simon away. She was impressed that Mr. Wade could be thoughtful.
“Well,hecaused quite a stir with the girls who never get to dance,” Louisa said.
“And we’re not?”
“Shall I lie to you?”
He sighed. “No.”
“Now I know how it feels to be watched, and out of curiosity rather than approval.”
“We both used to receive a lot of approval,” he said softly.
She glanced at him. “And we miss it.”
“Sometimes.”
“Sometimes,” she agreed. “Shall we give them a reason to approve of us again?”
“And it’s as easy as a simple dance?” he asked.
He was smiling at her, but she didn’t know what he was truly thinking.
“I don’t know,” she answered. “But it will make me feel better to remember other times. Maybe for you, too.”
“My advice is not to live in the past,” he said firmly.
“Then let this be about our present.”
“And our future?”
When those words left his mouth, there was a sudden tension between them, part pleasure, part desire, and part uncertainty. She wasn’t sure what he meant, but when he turned and put his arms around her, every coherent thought fled her mind except one—it was too late; she’d fallen in love with him.
The most handsome, generous man in the room had asked her to waltz, had taken her into his strong arms and was about to sweep her to a reality of only their bodies moving in sync across the floor. Frozen, she stared up in wonder at him, shocked at her emotions, full of awe, but not yet ready to remind herself that he was not in love with her.
“Miss Shelby,” Simon whispered, “I believe you have to lead.”
She blushed, knowing she’d been standing still, caught up in the way he made her feel.
“And please make sure we don’t run a shy couple right off the floor,” he added.
“Then I’ll steer clear of your brother.”
Simon gave a bark of laughter. Heads turned, couples paused, and Louisa used that moment to begin the sweeping circles of the waltz. Simon’s smile faded as he concentrated, and she knew he couldn’t be very at ease, but his triumph was in the attempt. If only he’d see that.
