Since her return to England’s shores, Regina had grown accustomed to the fact that her dance card would not be filled on the rare occasion when she attended a ball. In spite of her father’s attempts to marry her off, Knightly’s actions had deemed her a risk—either way. Those who believed he’d spoken true and she’d changed her mind found her audacious, and who was to say she wouldn’t change her mind again? Those who thought he was in fact the one who had decided the marriage was not to happen believed something to be amiss in her.
In spite of her manor and yearly income, she was considered soiled goods. It was a descriptor with which she’d never argued because it was the truth.Arianna was proof of it. To claim she was pure and then to prove otherwise to a man who intended to ask for her hand would only serve to ensure he didn’t propose, would label her as a deceptive wench. Hence, she’d learned to pick her battles.
She should have chosen the one with Knightly in the garden, should have fought with more determination to win. Instead, she had lowered the flag. But that didn’t mean he still wasn’t in a position to lose. She would be irascible and unpleasant during their waltz. A direct contrast to how she would behave when she danced again with Chidding.
Knightly had obviously observed her time with the viscount. Had he been jealous? Was that the reason behind this elaborate ruse to get her to the altar with another man? Did he want to put himself in a position to spend time with her, to woo her? He couldn’t really be interested in assisting her in her quest to achieve a more secure home life for Arianna. Could he?
As for those smoldering embers of desire he’d mentioned—she’d see them banked. Most certainly, she wasn’t experiencing them. They were in her past, not her present. They were not the reason she kept turning her gaze toward the terrace doors wondering when the devil he would emerge through them so they could get their dance over with.
Then she felt his presence, at her back, and she wondered how long he’d been watching her. He stepped up beside her. “I didn’t see you enter,” she stated tersely.
“I came in through a side door that led into the cardroom.”
“At least you’re finally here. Let’s get this done, shall we?”
“The tune is a few stanzas in. We’ll wait for the next one. It’s a waltz as well.”
“Perhaps you could walk away then.”
“It would help your cause if people thought we were on a path toward reconciliation.”
“But we’re not.” With a sigh, she closed her eyes. “I was rid of you, Knightly. I want it to stay that way.” Opening her eyes, she faced him. “Do you not understand how hard it was for me?”
True remorse in his eyes, he lifted his gloved fingers to her cheek. “I do, Reggie. More than you’ll ever know. If I’d realized sooner that we could not be, I would have spared you that morning of devastating disappointment. I would have spared you the tears and the shifting of your feelings for me from love to hate. I can’t undo the past, but I can ensure the next time you take a walk toward the altar, the right man will be waiting for you.”
Easing her face away from his touch, she shook her head. “I don’t know how you can ensure the actions of another when you couldn’t even ensure your own. Maybe he’ll change his mind at the last minute as well.”
“He won’t.”
“How can you be so bloody sure?”
“Because I suspect my situation is quite unique.”
She was becoming irritated that he continued to speak in riddles. What had he learned about himself that made their being together impossible?
The music drifted into silence, and he held out hishand. When her gloved palm touched his, she realized she’d been wrong. The embers hadn’t completely died, and they gave a little spark as though a soft breath had been blown upon them. But she was going to ignore them, deprive them of oxygen.
However, it was terribly hard when he glided her across the parquet floor. Besides Chidding, she’d danced with a couple of other gents earlier, but no one moved as elegantly nor as smoothly as Knightly did.
“Do you like the way I knotted my neckcloth?” he asked after a while. “Or are you trying to determine the quickest way to rid me of it?”
She jerked her head up. He smiled. “I thought that would get your eyes on mine.”
“I agreed to dance with you, not to carry on a conversation, and certainly not to flirt.”
“You’re more beautiful than you were five years ago. Maturity agrees with you.”
He was more handsome, with deeper lines in his face, but they were not lines cut by happiness or joy. She wondered what challenges had carved them. Then cursed herself for wondering anything about him at all.
“Was it difficult traveling through Europe alone?” he asked.
“I had my maid with me.” She tilted her head slightly, unable to prevent a small smile. “And I was rid of the termagant.”
He grinned. “Mrs. Dorsett.”
“Indeed. Therefore, no chaperone, which gave me a great deal of freedom. But more, I could be whomever I wanted. No one knew me. It was a chance to explore various aspects of myself, some I wasn’t even awareexisted.” She’d discovered she possessed more inner strength than she’d thought possible.
“How did your father react to... the gift you brought him?”
