Dotty tamped down her excitement. “Very much.”
“Most of the gentlemen complain that it’s dull.”
That was surprising. “But why?”
“Because they cannot play cards or drink wine or other spirits,” Louisa replied. “I am glad. It makes them dance more often.”
Dotty drew her brows together slightly. “Speaking of dancing, I wonder when I shall be allowed to waltz.”
As she spoke, Charlotte’s lips formed an “O.” “I don’t think you’ll have to wait long at all.”
Dotty turned in the direction her friend was gazing. Merton and a young matron with an elaborate headdress were coming toward them. “Who is the lady?”
Charlotte answered. “Countess Esterhazy, one of the Patronesses. Her husband is the Russian ambassador.”
“Oh.” Dotty glanced at Grace, who smiled and nodded encouragingly. By the time Dotty looked again, Charlotte and Louisa were curtseying. Hastily, Dotty did the same.
“Miss Stern?” the countess asked.
“Yes, my lady.”
“May I recommend to you the Marquis of Merton as an acceptable partner.” It was phrased as a question, but was not.
“Thank you, my lady.”
Merton bowed. His hair seemed to turn gold under the many candles in crystal chandeliers.
The violins started the prelude to the set, and he offered his arm. “Miss Stern, if I may?”
Dotty let out the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, my lord.”
The touch of his hand, even through their gloves, was electric. When she glanced up, his deep blue eyes, the color of twilight, sparkled, as if he had just accomplished a difficult task.
He smiled as they took their places. Merton really was very handsome.
“Miss Stern, may I say you are the loveliest lady here this evening.”
And charming. Was it proper to compliment a gentleman as well? “Thank you. You are extremely elegant.”
His eyes seemed to warm. “Thank you.”
He twirled her around the room as if she was on air. Despite everything she had been told, to her Merton was a very kind man. Louisa and Charlotte had to be wrong about him.
Dom didn’t think he had ever danced with a lady of such poise. She fitted perfectly in his arms. As if he was holding a feather. Her laugh was like a tinkling of bells, and he did not think she found him amusing solely because he was a marquis. “May I take you for a ride in my curricle tomorrow?”
She glanced down shyly for a moment before raising her gaze to his. “If Grace has no objections, I accept.”
He hid his groan. Worthington would make him suffer for this. Yet it couldn’t be helped. He had to see her again. “Then I shall apply to her.”
“No.” Miss Stern lifted her chin. “I shall do it.”
She was not at all like Miss Turley or any of the other ladies he’d been thinking of marrying. They had preferred that he talk to their parents. Yet, perhaps it was because Miss Stern knew about the estrangement with his cousin, and was trying to save him from having to approach Worthington.
By the end of the set, when he returned her to his cousin, Merton would have done almost anything for another waltz. Yet he knew very well what a catch he was and that would bring too much attention to her.
She took Grace aside and spoke in a voice too low for him to hear, then turned back to him. “Please come for me at five tomorrow.”
He slowly let out a breath he had not realized he was holding. “Until then.”
