Page 73 of If Not for the Duke

He glanced down at her, but that only made the matter worse. She was so beautiful. So appealing. Her long lashes. Those pink cheeks. Her smooth skin. The swell of her breasts just visible along the lace neckline of her gown.

His imagination took hold, and he envisioned her without the gown, in only a thin chemise. His lower body stirred at the image as his gaze held on her.

“Shall we?” she asked, bringing his mind back to the now empty dance floor.

“Of course.” He guided them forward, nodding at a few acquaintances as they waited for the music to begin. He forced himself to think of the dance ahead rather than how Lena would look in his bed.

He’d always considered dancing a necessity of his position. Something he needed to learn, regardless of whether he enjoyed it. But as the strains of a violin filled the air with Lena in his arms, he reconsidered that low opinion.

Dancing was underrated.

Waltzing even more so.

Holding her as they moved in time to the music was magic, pure and simple. Their bodies brushed against one another as they turned. An unexpected joy tugged at his heart.

The thought nearly had him taking a misstep. His heart? No, no, no. That couldn’t be right. Enjoyable? Yes. But nothing more. How could it be when he hadn’t decided whether he could trust the delectable Lena Wright?

Again, he clenched his jaw. This time because of the lie. No purpose would be served in telling himself falsehoods.

He trusted Lena. The true problem was that she didn’t trust him. How he knew that, he couldn’t say. Perhaps it was the wary look that often shadowed her eyes. He didn’t care for it. Especially when it was absent when she looked at Worley.

Noting the cautious glance she gave him again, he smiled, only to see a puzzled expression cross her face. He must’ve forced it, showing too many teeth or the like. He wasn’t quite sure since he rarely bothered to smile. He tried again, pulling her closer as he did so. She stiffened as they turned.

“Is something amiss?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Is there?” Her raised brow challenged him to answer honestly.

Dare he tell her the truth? Surely speaking honestly was the best course of action. “Why is it I feel that you don’t trust me?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“What would you say?” He swung her into a turn, pleased once again by how well they moved together. Would the same be true if they indulged in a more intimate dance?

The music swelled, saving her from answering immediately. The delay only made him more curious.

“It’s not you in particular,” she said at last.

“Hmm. You sound less than convincing.” He glanced at the open doors to the terrace as they moved past them again. The opportunity to escape was becoming more tempting by the moment.

Her gaze darted about, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes as if she couldn’t determine a way to respond.

“Lena.” He waited for her to look at him, hoping that when she did, he’d see the same connection he felt reflected in her eyes. Finally, she looked at him, and his world settled. “I would never hurt you.”

Harm could be caused in more than one way. A cruel word. A hurtful look. His father had found numerous ways to inflict pain. But Sterling knew he would do everything in his power to protect Lena, much like he did Bernie with one exception—his feelings for Lena were far from sisterly.

He drew a quick breath at the thought. Damn. How had it come to that so quickly? They circled near the terrace doors once again, and this time, he couldn’t resist. With a bit of skill and determination, not to mention a distracted dance partner, he took a few deliberate steps, and they were in the cool evening air.

“Oh.” Lena looked about as if puzzled by how they came to be outside. “We shouldn’t—”

“But we are.” He kept hold of her arm and guided her toward a darkened corner. “Only for a moment.” He glanced back toward the ballroom, pleased to see no one other than a few of their fellow dancers seemed to have noted their escape. Not yet anyway.

That left him free to return his attention to Lena, who blinked up at him in confusion. Amusement caught him—he was confused too.

“Was that a true smile?” she asked as she watched him.

“Yes.” He allowed his smile to grow just to please her. What else might he do to make her happy?

“Sterling?” She looked down to where he held her arm and shifted to take his hand between her gloved ones then held his gaze. “I do trust you.”

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