Page 86 of The Duke of Seduction
“Careful, Lavinia,” he said. “Unless you want me to kiss you in the middle of a ballroom.”
Desire swirled through her as she looked up at him, but his gaze was trained over her head. “I wish you would.”
They were quiet a moment before she said, “I called on Miss Lennox today.”
“Oh?” He glanced down at her, but only briefly. Did he have to concentrate on the dance steps? “I scarcely know Sainsbury, but I daresay she’s better off.”
She started with surprise. “You do?” He’d felt guilty earlier. What had changed? “Do you know why she cried off?” That was the only thing that made sense, and yet Phoebe had made it clear that Lavinia was the only person she’d told. She’d shared the information with Sarah and Fanny that afternoon, but both had sworn themselves to secrecy.
“Not particularly,” he said, “but Sainsbury comes from bad stock.”
Bad stock? She finally understood. “Haywood is his cousin.” Yet, hadn’t Beck known that earlier when he’d felt so bad about his role in instigating Miss Lennox’s courtship with Sainsbury?
“Yes.” He looked around the ballroom, and she decided he was acting a bit odd. Distracted almost. “I don’t suppose Haywood is here tonight?”
“I haven’t seen him.” Why did Beck care?
“I don’t plan to stay very long after we dance. Is that all right?”
She tried to will him to look at her. “Areyouall right?”
His gaze dipped to her once more. “Certainly. I just don’t enjoy this sort of scrutiny.”
“If you want to go, I’ll understand.” She couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. This was the one night she thought she might enjoy the attention, but without him, it would be far less sweet. She was, however, enjoying her view of the ballroom through her spectacles. She could see everyone and everything. It was marvelous.
Until she saw Sir Martin.
He stood near the doors to the patio, his forehead bunched into little lines. His expression could only be described as a glower. And it was clear he was looking directly at her and knew she was looking at him.
She looked away from him. “Oh dear, Sir Martin doesn’t look very pleased.”
“Where is he?” Beck demanded, sounding agitated.
“Over by the doors to the patio.”
Beck turned his head as they moved. “I see him.”
She looked up and caught Beck’s eyes narrowing. “He’s just disappointed.”
“He’ll have to learn to get used to it.” He sounded annoyed.
Lavinia squeezed his shoulder. “He will. I can’t say I blame him. I do feel as though I gave him false hope.”
Now Beck’s eyes latched on to hers with sharp intensity. “Did you promise him anything? Did you make any sort of commitment?”
She found the depth of his response slightly unsettling. “No.”
“Of course you didn’t. You have no reason to feel guilty.”
“I didn’t say I feltguilty.” Her voice trailed off, and she wondered at his mood.
The dance came to an end, and Lavinia wished they had more time. Something had to be bothering him.
As they walked from the dance floor, Sir Martin approached them. Lavinia felt Beck tense beside her.
“I don’t think I offered my congratulations to you earlier today,” Sir Martin said. “After you brought Lavinia home from…wherever.” He said this just loud enough that a few people nearby turned their heads.
Beck stiffened even more. “Sir Martin, I don’t think your congratulations are necessary, but we do thank you.” He took a step forward, and Lavinia moved with him. He bent his head toward Sir Martin’s ear and spoke softly, but she could still hear him. “Say something like that again, and I’ll make it hard for you to speak for a month.” He smiled widely, then started toward the door to the patio, taking Lavinia with him.
