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She glanced at his hand. “You’re still holding your book, Mr.
Nobley.”
He set it on a table, put one arm behind his back, and held the other out to her.
She sighed. “I
’m sorry I pestered you back there, but I’d rather not dance for duty.”
His hand extended toward her. “But it would be my honor.”
She rolled her eyes but took his hand. The first time he touched her waist, she started. There was nothing passive in his touch, nothing wasted. She was aware of his hands the way she was often conscious of his gaze seeking her out. It was, to say the least, surprising.
With only three couples, they kept in fairly constant motion. As a general rule, conversation is more intimate in a crowd, but among only six people, every word, and silence, became public.
Colonel Andrews: “What a lovely gown, Miss Charming! You wear it well, or should I say, it wears you?”
Miss Charming: “Oh, you rascal!”
Miss Erstwhile: “Do you know the name of this tune, Mr. Nobley?”
Mr. Nobley: “I do not. It is a country tune.”
Captain East: . . .
Miss Heartwright: . . .
Colonel Andrews: “I beg your pardon, Miss Charming. I seem to have stuck my foot under yours yet again.”
Miss Charming: “Spit spot!”
Miss Erstwhile: “It is such a relief, Mr. Nobley, to already know that you find this exercise vulgar and your partner unworthy. It saves us the idle chitchat.”
Mr. Nobley: “And yet you chat away.”
Aunt Saffronia: “Lovely dance! Shall I play another?”
Miss Erstwhile: “What say you, Mr. Nobley? Ready to be done with me?”
“I think . . .” He bowed. “I think I will retire early. I bid you a good evening.”
“And so ends the fun,” Colonel Andrews said.
“Wait, I don’t feel right . . . all that dancing . . .” Miss Charming put a hand to her forehead and fainted dead into his arms. He was forced to carry her to her chamber.
Clever girl, thought Jane, saluting her with two fingers.
Touché, Miss Charming.
Boyfriend #7
Juan Inskeep, AGE TWENTY-FIVE
Gay.
day 9
AFTER BREAKFAST, THE GENTLEMEN WENT shooting, Aunt Saffronia was busy with the mute servants, and Miss Heartwright was still at the cottage, leaving Jane and Miss Charming alone in the morning room. They stared at the brown-flecked wallpaper.
