Page 57 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
“Indeed, I believe that I do. It is a waltz. Do you like the waltz, Officer Gregory?” she asked.
“Certainly,” he replied. “It is my favourite.”
Thomas ignored the pain in his chest when he considered why the waltz was his favourite. It had always been the dance he saved for Sophia because it was the one he did best. And in all his attempts to woo and impress her, he wanted her to see his best.
There were other dances that he would offer her too, but always the waltz. The slowness of it, having her in his arms, not having to trade partners with each beat? There was no better time to engage the woman he had loved than during the waltz.
But alas, that time had passed and he was moving forward, giving the dance to another woman. And if he wished to impress Lady Cranford, it made sense to dance the waltz now with her.
She seemed delighted to be in his arms once they were lined up with the other couples. By the time the music began, Thomas was convinced that she cared for him just as he was trying to care for her.
“You dance beautifully,” he commented, noting her gracefulness and the delicacy with which she moved.
“Thank you, Officer Gregory. I do enjoy dance a great deal. But a woman is only as capable as the partner who leads her, so I must say that it is you who deserves the compliment,” she remarked.
Thomas felt the pride that her statement was meant to induce and he appreciated it. There was something very different about a woman giving him compliments as opposed to expecting to be chased by him. He found that he longed for a balance between the two and was unsure if he would ever find that.
But Lady Cranford moved effortlessly in his arms and as they continued to speak and get to know one another, Thomas grew ever more impressed by her.
“I still have not heard your piano forte,” he remarked.
“No, indeed. But a day shall come, I am certain. There is nothing to worry about for now. You have my word that you shall hear me play at some date,” she promised.
“I am intrigued and look forward to it. If your piano is anything like your dancing, I expect that I shall be overwhelmed by it,” he said.
She blushed before him, those beautiful cheeks of hers taking on the most feminine of hues.
Thomas glanced away for only a moment, but it was long enough. He saw her standing there, a glass of punch in her hand and a look of sadness on her face.
Sophia.
She looked away quickly, changing her gaze to focus on Officer Kingsley and Lady Alcott. A smile replaced the lament and she suddenly appeared quite satisfied.
Thomas tried not to think about it too much. He was sad that he might have hurt her, but Sophia had to know that he was no longer going to hurt her by his pursuits. She had made it clear that she didn’t want him.
It would have been selfish for him to continue.
Still, it made him sad to see that she was not dancing with anyone as he was. He wanted her to be happy, even if it was not with him. Was that not what he had told her? Had he not meant it?
Yes, he hoped she would dance with someone that evening who would love her and treat her exactly as she ought to be loved and treated.
“Oh, I do believe that Miss Wainwright is coming out to make herself known,” Lady Cranford stated.
Thomas craned his neck ever so slightly and saw that she had, indeed, come out.
Miss Wainwright was greeting others as the dance continued and he noted how she searched the crowd as she did so. It was evident that she wanted to observe all of the interactions closer up and determine who was getting on well with whom.
Looking back at Lady Cranford, Thomas kept a grin on his face and began to engage her further in conversation. If he was going to be observed by Miss Wainwright, he wanted her to see that he could be charming. Kind, and diligent with the right woman.
He would not allow her to believe that his interactions with Sophia were all there was to him. He was better than that and he was a man worth investing her time in. Thomas wanted to be seen as reasonable rather than as a boor for how he had interacted with Sophia.
The dance concluded and Thomas bowed as Lady Cranford curtseyed.
“Thank you for the dance,” she said, sweetly.
“And you as well. I shall hope that we may dance again this evening,” he said, letting her know that he was eager to spend more time with her.
Once more, the sweet smile spread across her face and Thomas was delighted to see it all over again.
