Cora clapped a slow rhythm, and Archer began to waltz. “Dancing is about leading and following. It is not enough to know the steps. You must know how to follow or to lead if you are the gentleman.”
“Is this your way of telling me that you expect me to obey you, husband dear?” Lydia’s eyes narrowed.
“You did vow it.” He grinned at her.
“And you vowed to cherish me,” she shot back, her eyes dancing. “But we both know that was a lie.”
Archer shrugged. “Touche. Following is not about obeying. It is about trust?”
“Trust?”
“Yes. You have to trust in your partner, trust that they will be there to meet each of your steps.” He stepped back, demonstrating, and Lydia matched his movements. “And likewise, they must trust that you will surrender to them.”
“I had not realized you were so poetic, Archer.” Lydia canted her head. “But your description has made me even more convinced that I will never get the hang of this.”
“I doubt that, Duchess.” He grinned at her, liking the way her title made her shiver. “I suspect you could do anything you set your mind to.”
“Always with the pretty words,” she murmured.
“Perhaps I am hoping that one day you will believe them.” He answered, glancing over her shoulder and signaling to Juliet who began to play music. “And now, we waltz.”
He led her, and to his surprise, she followed. Her steps were not perfect, but they were not stiff. Her eyes widened in surprise and delight as they moved across the dance floor.
“I’m doing it!” She beamed at him, her excitement infectious.
“I told you, you could do it.” He met her step, feeling her surrender to his lead.
He spun her, and she let out a gasp, but she did not falter. His smile broadened. He barely heard his sister clap as he spun Lydia again, the sound of her laughter filling the room.
“Has anyone ever told you that you have a rather pretty laugh?” Archer asked, the words tumbling from him before he could stop them.
“No.”
“Well, you do.”
“So do you. Well, not pretty. It is too rich to be pretty. It reminds me of molten chocolate and the ripest strawberries. Sweet and decadent.”
“You flatter me.”
“It only seems fair. Just mind it does not go to your head.”
It is not my head I am worried about.“Oh, I suspect you’ll be only too happy to take me down a peg or two if needed.”
“Potentially.” She smiled.
“My turn!” Something collided with his leg, and the spell was broken.
“Iris!” Cora and Juliet both exclaimed.
Lydia was standing away from him, shaking her head as though just waking from a dream. He glanced down at his niece who was still beaming up at him. For the first time in his life, he felt irritated at her interruption.
He swallowed it down. “It is not polite to interrupt someone before the song is finished. You would be quite cross if someone did that to you.”
Iris looked abashed and swallowed. “I’m sorry Uncle Dash, Auntie Lydia.”
“It is okay, Iris. I needed to stop the lesson anyway. I have… I have things I need to attend to.” Lydia swallowed and looked at Juliet then Cora and then finally back at Archer. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” Archer’s voice was hoarse.
