Page 28 of An Unlikely Debutante

Georgina adjusted herself on the piano stool and placed her fingers on the keys, taking a few seconds to decide on a piece before starting to play.

‘The waltz is beautiful dance, but considered by some members of society to be a little scandalous,’ Alex said softly. ‘The gentleman holds his partner much closer than for any other dance, but there still should be no contact except for a hand on the small of the back and the hold on the upper body.’

The waltz was a more intimate dance than many others and right now he was beginning to see how it could be both tantalising and sensual when danced with the right partner.

He placed one arm around Lina’s waist and pulled her closer to him. As he watched, her cheeks flushed with colour and her breathing became more shallow. Their bodies were almost touching, but not quite. That sliver of air between them taunted Alex and he wished he could gather Lina tight to his body.

‘The steps are simple,’ he said into her ear, noting how she shuddered as his breath tickled her neck and not for the first time he wondered how she would react if he placed his lips on the skin just below her earlobe. ‘Let me demonstrate. Follow where I lead.’

Gripping her firmly, Alex began to dance. He felt Lina stumble once or twice, her legs brushing against his as she tried to keep up, but after a few rotations around the drawing room he could tell she was picking it up. She was a talented dancer and quick on her feet, so he wasn’t surprised when she relaxed in his arms and allowed her body to flow with the music.

‘Certainly not unteachable,’ Alex murmured in her ear.

She smiled up at him, a smile of pure pleasure, then did something completely unexpected: she closed her eyes. Trusting him completely to guide her around the dance floor, she let herself succumb to the music. Alex was a good dancer—he had never struggled to pick up a new dance or lead a partner in a waltz or a cotillion—but never could he do so with his eyes closed.

Round and round they twirled, Georgina picking up the pace as she saw Lina become more confident, until all too soon, the music ended.

Lina opened her eyes and looked up at him, her mouth ever so slightly open as she caught her breath and her skin glowing from the exertion.

‘That was wonderful.’

He had the urge to kiss her, to lean down and cover her lips with his own. His fingers, gripping her waist, ached to roam over her body and explore every inch of her skin. Looking down into her eyes, he could see she felt it, too—that physical pull, the desire for two bodies to come together as one.

‘I thought you said you couldn’t waltz?’ Georgina said.

Quickly they stepped apart and Alex saw the confusion on Lina’s face before she turned away.

‘I couldn’t waltz,’ Lina said with a shrug. ‘What a wonderful dance it is.’

‘Some of the older members of society will leave the ballroom when the musicians start to play a waltz, it is considered that controversial.’

‘We were barely touching.’

Until today Alex had agreed with Lina, but now he could see how dancing a waltz might inflame a man’s desires.

‘If we are to win the wager, you need to fill your dance card on the night of the ball. That will mean dancing at least one or two waltzes,’ he said. ‘But to avoid any hint of scandal it will be better if you dance them with people you have already been introduced to or know well.’

‘You?’

‘Perhaps for one of them. And Pentworthy for another.’

Lina nodded, biting her lip. Whenever he reminded her of the conditions of the wager she looked nervous, as if anxious not to get anything wrong. He found how much she cared rather endearing and not for the first time marvelled at how much time and effort she was investing to help him.

‘You’re ready,’ Alex declared.

‘What for?’

‘Your first country dance.’ He enjoyed the shocked looks both Lina and his sister gave him. It felt good to surprise people sometimes. ‘I’ve accepted an invitation to the Pottersdown country dance. I’m told it isn’t a grand affair, but it will give you ample opportunity to practise the skills you have learnt so far.’

‘You are voluntarily going to a country dance?’ Georgina asked.

‘What is so strange about that?’

Georgina shook her head in disbelief.

‘Do you truly think I am ready?’

Alex turned to Lina and saw the worry on her face. She was normally so confident, so sure of herself, but something about his latest suggestion had worried her.