Dominic watched them go, a sudden pang in his chest as the two of them began to dance. He frowned as he watched Charlotte smiling up at Frederick. Belatedly he realised that Lady Andrea was talking to him.
“Pardon, what did you say?” he asked.
“I was wondering what Lady Charlotte meant when she said she was rather out of practice. Surely you must have danced many times while you were courting.” Lady Andrea gave him an odd look, but Dominic was barely aware of it as he watched Charlotte and his cousin dance.
“I… I was away for much of the time we were courting. We did not get many opportunities to see each other.” Dominic could not tear his eyes from the two people dancing, and he had taken half a step towards them before he realised what he was doing. “If you would excuse me, Lady Andrea.”
He did not wait for a reply. He was barely aware of crossing the distance to Frederick, and before he knew it, he was tapping his cousin on the shoulder and saying, “Might I cut in?”
“Of course.” Frederick said. “If the lady does not mind.”
“I do not.” Charlotte replied.
Frederick bowed to her and disappeared to find himself another partner. Dominic barely noticed him leave as he took Charlotte’s hand in his own and placed another at the small of her back.
He felt the warmth of her through her dress, the softness of her hand against his. They began to sway in time with the music, her movements a little stiff at first, before they effortlessly seemed to match his.
“You are a very good dancer for someone who claims they are out of practice,” he remarked.
She smiled, and he felt something in his chest twist. “Perhaps you are a good leader.”
He smiled back. “Is that a compliment, dear Charlotte.”
“It might be.” She held his gaze. “I find that I am in rather a good mood this evening.”
“I am glad. It is nice that you have enjoyed yourself so thoroughly today.” Dominic found that he meant it.
“I had not expected that it would be so enjoyable. I enjoyed catching you and your cousin by surprise.” Charlotte grinned.
“You definitely did that,” Dominic admitted. “And it seems that it has put you squarely in Grandmother’s good books.”
An odd look crossed Charlotte’s face. “Yes, I suppose it has.”
“I assume that was why you did it?” Dominic felt an odd swooping sensation in his stomach as he asked the question, something close to disappointment.
“I was just enjoying the game,” Charlotte replied. “The fact that it appealed to your Grandmother was a bonus. It will be interesting to see what other things she has planned for us.”
“Knowing Grandmother, it will be nothing any of us are likely to predict.” Dominic gently guided Charlotte as they turned around the room.
“And I expect that will be half the fun.” She smiled at him, slightly breathless as they danced.
“And what will the other half be?” He meant it to sound teasing, but his voice came out softer, more earnest than he had planned.
“I suppose we shall have to find out,” she answered.
“For a moment, I thought you might say it would be my company,” he joked.
“How terribly optimistic of you,” Charlotte replied, but there was no bite in her words. “Though I will admit, I did rather enjoy your company today.”
“My company or the fact that you thrashed me at cards?” he teased.
“Can it not be both?” she asked.
“I suppose it can,” Dominic replied, trying not to think of just how happy her answer made him.You are playing a dangerous game, Dominic.
He knew he should stop dancing with her, but he told himself that this was a perfect way to keep up appearances. That was all this was. Keeping up the ruse. None of it was real.
Chapter Sixteen
