Page 45 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘I’m not cold,’ she insisted, reluctant to conclude their private moment.
He took her hand as the musicians struck up a waltz and pulled her into his arms.
‘We can’t dance out here,’ she protested half-heartedly, laughing as her feet fell into step with his.
‘I don’t see why not. Sam chastised me just now for not dancing.’
‘I think he meant you were supposed to dance with your guests, not with a glorified servant.’
‘I will dance with whomever I like, and it just so happens that I like dancing with you.’
Flora threw her head back and laughed. ‘I wonder what my father would say if he could see me now. He would be scandalised, of course, although I fail to see what’s so scandalous about dancing.’
Luke responding laugh vibrated through his body as the arm supporting her waist held her a little closer. ‘Perhaps in this instance he would be right. I am a very scandalous chap, you know.’
Feeling breathless for reasons that had nothing to do with the exercise, Flora surrendered herself to the moment, feel secure in the strong circle of Luke’s arms.
‘I suppose you feel safe dancing with me because there’s no one to upbraid you for your impropriety.’
‘Foolish chit! I dance with you because it gives me pleasure. I am not ashamed of you, if that’s what you imagine, but I prefer to dance with you without being gawped at.’
‘And without creating unnecessary speculation.’
‘The thought of standing up with anyone else in my drawing room fills me with fatigue. You, on the other hand…’
‘Have no expectations.’ Flora turned her face away from him, attempting to hide her hurt feelings. ‘Yes, I quite understand.’
‘Flora, my sweet, you don’t understand anything.’ There was frustration in his tone.
The dance finished, bringing the intimacy of the moment to an end along with it. He offered her his arm in an oddly formal gesture and they returned to the drawing room in silence. Flora felt a cold chill sweep through her body when she noticed Lucy Arnold watching them from the open doorway, her face like thunder. She wondered how long she had been standing there.
Flora excused herself from Luke and went to check on the countess. Still at the card table, her headdress slightly askew, she was engrossed in her game.
‘There you are missy. Where have you been?’
‘I haven’t been gone for long. Was there something you needed?’
‘No, which is just as well.’
‘You did send me away.’
‘You did, ma’am,’ Lord Hardwick agreed, winking at Flora.
‘I can see that the two of you are having a successful evening,’ Flora said, glancing at the pile of winnings beside each of them.
‘I have carried him through the game,’ the countess replied, trumping yet another trick.
Flora smiled and drifted away from the table. Luke was now dancing with Emma. Mary and Captain Redfern conversed privately at the side of the room. Flora decided against joining them and turned away, only to come face to face with Mrs Arnold.
‘Pray, excuse me,’ Flora said, moving to one side so that she could walk past the woman. But Mrs Arnold moved too, blocking her path.
‘I do not know what to make of the position you hold in this household, Miss Latimer.’
The woman’s look of scathing superiority riled Flora. ‘Then we should both be grateful that it is none of your affair and that you needn’t trouble yourself over it.’
‘Such insolence.’
Flora shrugged. ‘You instigated a conversation which, without wishing to repeat myself, is both impolite and intrusive.’
