Page 17 of The Taming of the Duke
He let out a chuckle and drew her closer, and her senses were assaulted by the familiar aroma of wood and spice.
“Why is that?” he asked, his voice reverberating in her chest.
“I lack the accomplishment,” she said. “My sister, Blanche, is by far the better dancer.”
“You impugn your talents, I’m sure.”
How disappointing!Clearly, he was a flatterer, who expected her to swoon with gratitude that he’d condescended to dance with her.
Feigning a stumble, she slipped forward and stamped on his foot.
He drew in a sharp breath, but did not relax his hold. If anything, he tightened it, as he whirled her around in a circle. Then he stumbled and slipped against her.
“It seems as if we match each other in terms of our level of accomplishment,” he said. “I myself was a hopeless dancer. My poor mama despaired of me. She declared that her life would be made eternally miserable for knowing that there was not a single person in the world more flat-footed than I.”
“And was it?”
“My mother still lives, Miss Parville,” he said. “Though, her despair is very real. She regularly declares me to be the worst dancer in all England, and that it’s a punishment to be seen on the dance floor with me.”
“Are you saying that you’re subjecting me topunishment?” she asked.
“On the contrary,” he said. Her belly fluttered as his lips curled into a smile. “It’s no punishment at all.”
“How so?”
“Why,” he said, his voice filled with delight, “you’ve brightened up the world—at least for Mama. For, at long last, I believe that Mama’s misery is at an end. I cannot wait to tell her about you.”
At that moment, they were separated for the next few bars, and Catherine glanced across the couples to see Blanche partnered with Lord Horton. The pleasure in her sister’s expression tugged at her heart, and she smiled to herself. Across the dance floor, Papa stood, talking to Lord Thorpe. But his gaze was focused on both her and Blanche, dancing. And, though she could never hope to see anything resembling pride in his expression, at least the disappointment which permanently resided in his eyes had lessened. If that was all her father could give her, then she’d gladly take it.
Her partner took her hands for the final steps and claimed her attention once more. She glanced up and met his gaze. His frank appraisal unsettled her, and she moved to trip against him.
Then she checked herself as her understanding slid into place.
I believe that Mama’s misery is at an end.
Heavens—he’d just insulted her!
The dance concluded, and the couples dispersed. The time had passed to stamp on his foot once more to provide further proof that she’d taken his crown as the most flat-footed dancer in all England.
Her partner returned her to her seat, then bowed again.
“Would you like something to drink, Miss Parville? A glass of punch, perhaps?”
“I loathe punch,” she said.
“Nevertheless, I insist on bringing you some refreshment.”
She opened her mouth to refuse, then she nodded. Her throat was dry, and she had no intention of suffering merely to spite him. Sickly-sweet it might be, but it was better than going thirsty. Perhaps she could trip against him and soak his pristine jacket with Lady Hardwick’s punch.
“Yes, thank you, Your Grace,” she said with a smile.
His eyes narrowed as if in suspicion, then he bowed and disappeared.
Not long after, the musicians tuned their instruments, signaling the start of the next dance. Catherine spotted Lord Horton talking with Papa in a far corner, Blanche at his side. Shortly after, Horton led Blanche across the dance floor. A frisson of fear rippled through Catherine, but she couldn’t deny the delight in Blanche’s eyes, and the benign devotion in Horton’s gaze. If Horton could be trusted to treat Blanche with kindness, then he wasn’t such a poor prospect.
Papa would leave her be, if he could be persuaded to permit Blanche to marry. Blanche wouldn’t want a spinster sister getting under her feet, but Catherine could shift for herself, somehow. After all, she’d brought Blanche up, taking the place of the mother she’d never known. There must be dozens of families in need of a governess.
She only need convince Papa that she was being courted by a man, and he’d permit Blanche to be courted by Horton.
