Page 16 of Loving a Noble Gentleman
She linked her arm through his and took the lead towards the dance floor. Victoria had an expert way of taking control without actually appearing to. To everyone else, it appeared that Edmund was happily leading Victoria to dance. Even if that was not the case.
They found a space on the floor and faced one another. As Victoria put her hands on Edmund’s shoulders, she insisted on maintaining an uncomfortable level of eye contact. Edmund could barely stand it; she made him feel uneasy. He did not think it was her obvious interest in him; he was used to that. It was her forward nature. He did not know how to take it.
As Edmund placed his hands on Victoria’s hips, his whole body remained numb to any kind of feelings. There was no spark as their skin brushed, and with this young Lady, Edmund did not ever think there would be.
He could not keep looking at her; it only highlighted how little he felt for her.
Fortunately, the music started up very quickly which gave Edmund something else to think about. He had to concentrate so hard on getting the steps right that he could not give Victoria any of his attention.
That was something that did not escape her notice.
It had been a very long time since Victoria had danced with a man that she found attractive. It had been even longer since she had been anywhere near a man who could give her the sort of life that she desired. Duke Edmund Smith could do that and more. He was a very wealthy man with a wonderful reputation, better than anyone she knew. His international shipping business was a huge success, and with his dedication, it got better every single day.
If she were ever going to get a husband, she would not do better than him.
“The band is wonderful,” she breathed into his ear. “Do you not think?”
“Hmm?” Edmund was distracted by the sensation of her warm breath on him. He forgot where he was for a moment and almost made a foolish error with his moves. “Oh, yes, they are terribly good.”
“Do you like music?” The steps were second nature to Victoria; she barely had to focus at all.
“Yes, I do,” Edmund replied, thinking that to be a very silly question. Everyone enjoyed music, did they not? It was the perfect form of escapism. “Do you?”
“Oh yes,” Victoria cooed. “I love the way that music makes me feel ...”
She continued to talk in Edmund’s ear, but he could barely listen to what she was saying. He did not mean to be rude, but her words were not captivating enough to distract him. Not when he needed to focus so badly. In fact, the whole thing was so stressful that he felt utterly relieved when the song came to an end, and he could move away from his dancing partner.
That is not something I am in a hurry to do again,he thought desperately.Maybe it is best that I just leave ...
“Thank you, Lady Victoria Hartmon,” he said while bobbing into a bow. “It was wonderful to dance with you, will you excuse me please?”
Victoria narrowed her eyes in anger, and Edmund turned on his heels and started to walk away from her. She did not want to be seen as someone who trailed after a man who had shown no interest in her, but she could also not let that incredible Duke get away.
He was just nervous that is all,she convinced herself as she fanned her face. The heat was so intense she just knew that her face was stained red.And he clearly did not know how to dance well. If I speak with him alone without any music or pressure, I shall get to know him better.
Making a snap decision, Victoria scooped up the skirts of her dress and followed Edmund out into the hallway where he had just escaped the stifling atmosphere of the ballroom.
Upon hearing footsteps behind him, Edmund was surprised to see that Victoria had followed him. His words got lost in his throat for just a second, and he found himself speechless. He did not know exactly what was happening, but he had a feeling he would not like it.
Victoria could feel herself about to do something rash and utterly crazy. It was an act that she had been driven to by desperation alone. If this were her first season, or maybe even her second, she would not even consider acting in such a manner, but something had to change. She could not carry on the way that she had; it would not do again.
With determination, she made it to Edmund in a heartbeat and reached up to hold onto his shoulders once more. Only this time, she lifted her body up so high that her lips reached the side of his mouth, leaving Edmund utterly stunned.
This is not done!he thought anxiously while freezing to the spot.If this moment is spotted, then both of our reputations shall be ruined.
He could not even work out what had caused it to happen; he had not given Victoria any indication that he was interested in her. He was very careful about that. There was certainly no explanation for why she would act this way.
No, I cannot do it.
Finally, sanity claimed Edmund, and he pushed Victoria back lightly. As he stared into her eyes, totally confused, he spotted a flash of determination in her gaze. She had not done this for nothing; there was something there that Edmund could not yet see. He just needed to dig a little deeper ...
That was when it hit him.
She orchestrated that; she wanted that to happen. Victoria wanted them to get caught. She knew that if Edmund ruined her reputation – even if it were not of his own doing – then he would be forced to marry her.
Shocked at the manipulation, he staggered backwards in despair. His eyes flickered everywhere as panic tore through him, but it appeared that they were alone. Whatever Victoria’s plan was, she did not get the audience that she needed for it.
“I think it is best that I leave,” Edmund told her coldly. “And I do not think we should ever speak of what just happened again.”
He paused as Victoria slammed her hands onto her hips. He could tell from the fire flashing behind her gaze that she had a lot to say, but thankfully pride stepped in the way and shut any of those arguments down.
Edmund straightened himself up, and he turned towards the door which would take him to the outside world. Trying to find a wife at a ball such as this one wasnotthe way for him; he had proven that with utter certainty now. He would have to consider what other options he had available to him, even if that meant he had to reconsider the woman he promised himself he would never marry.
In all honesty, a little eye roll from Mary Roberts was nothing compared to what he had been subjected to tonight. Maybe she was not so terrible after all ...
