Page 27 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

Jane glanced up, seeing Mr Stewart’s wicked smile, and thumped him on the arm.

‘You’re trying to embarrass me.’

‘You look so pretty when you blush.’

‘Hasn’t anyone told you it is wrong to corrupt the minds of innocent debutantes?’

‘But it is so much fun.’

‘If you don’t behave, I will find Mrs Harper and tell her you will climb through her bedroom window in the small hours tonight.’

‘A threat indeed. Come, Miss Ashworth, we should return to the main area of the ballroom or someone will think I’m ravishing you behind here.’

This did make the blood flood to Jane’s cheeks, as she couldn’t help herself from imagining Mr Stewart’s lips on hers, kissing her until she didn’t know who she was any more. Quickly she tried to push the thought aside, but the image had become lodged in her mind, and she found it impossible to look at her companion without being drawn to his perfectly shaped lips.

‘Would you give me the honour of the first dance?’ Mr Stewart asked as the pace and volume of the music the musicians were playing changed, indicating the couples should take to the dance floor.

‘Of course,’ she said, and then hesitated as she realised it was a waltz. ‘Or maybe we can sit this set out and try in the next one.’

‘Don’t you like to waltz?’

‘Do you remember our last disastrous dance?’

‘It wasn’t disastrous.’

‘I can just about make it through a quadrille or cotillion,’ Jane said, wondering why they were still heading to where all the couples were assembling. ‘But a waltz is so much harder.’

‘You’ve just never had the right partner.’

‘It’s nothing to do with my partners. I can’t dance it. My feet get all in a muddle, then I overthink it and end up stumbling. You do remember the last dance we had together?’

‘Do you trust me?’

Slowly she nodded, realising that even though their acquaintance was short she was starting to trust him.

‘Then give me one more chance.’

For a long moment she didn’t answer. It was foolish. She was going to end up in a tangled mess with the whole room staring at her, laughing that, not only did she think she could have a chance with a charming and handsome man like Mr Stewart, but she couldn’t dance a simple waltz either.

‘Fine. But if I fall you will have my eternal embarrassment on your conscience.’

She allowed him to lead her to a space in between the other couples and tried not to look at all the people gathered around the edge of the dance floor.

‘Relax,’ he said, slipping a hand around her waist. Jane shifted, aware of the heat of his skin through the thin material of her dress.

‘I’m trying to.’

‘People trying to relax do not clench their jaws.’

With a gargantuan effort Jane relaxed her jaw and let out a deep breath.

‘Better... Now make your grip a little looser. It’ll be nice to leave the ball this evening with a few of my fingers still attached.’

He was smiling at her, and Jane felt some of the tension ebb away.

Leaning in, he dropped his voice so only she could hear. ‘Do you know the best way to forget you’re nervous?’

She shook her head.