“Never,” she reassured him, following him into position. It was the waltz, a scandalous new dance that allowed more touching than most matrons in society assumed was appropriate. Not that he minded. Or she, he noted quickly. The moment they were permitted to touch, Isla was holding firmly to him.
On and on the music went, blending through the moment. Ronan couldn’t look away from Isla. She danced well this evening, her own eyes on him. There was something building between them that he couldn’t explain. A sense of exhilaration left him breathless that he blamed on the dancing. He felt young again, bashful and excited to hold a lady in his arms.
They finished the dance beautifully before the crowd shifted around them. He was thanking her for the dance and his lips wound up brushing against her forehead.
“Oh,” Isla managed breathlessly, her face flushing. She started to raise her hand up to her forehead before suddenly dropping it.
Ronan fixed his grasp on her. He wasn’t sure if he meant to apologize or say something else. Say something more. His lipstingled and he wondered if she felt that too. And he wondered what might happen if he kissed her elsewhere.
That should bother me. Frighten me, even. And yet it is all I want. All I want is her. Is it possible to care too much for someone? And yet I can’t imagine going back to what we were previously, the distance that was between us. Was it simply fear that held me back? Can I leave that all behind?
“Should we, um, go?” Isla squeaked. Her fluster was so precious he had to lock his body into place to prevent himself from kissing her again. A proper kiss perhaps. He hadn’t kissed a woman properly in a long time and right then, he realized Isla could do with a proper kiss. She deserved one.
“You’re not embarrassed, are you?” He couldn’t help asking.
She swallowed. Her accent came out with her attempt to sound less flustered. “I don’t have anything to be embarrassed about, do I?”
“I should hope not.” He turned her off toward the side as the dancers moved, displacing them from the dance floor. All the while, his eyes lingers on her pretty pink cheeks. “Does this mean you would not be embarrassed if I kissed you elsewhere?”
“What?” She asked in surprise. “Do you want to?”
He leaned forward so their faces were nearly touching. Not quite. Just enough to be a little scandalous. Just enough toinhale her scent. Just enough so she would think hard and deeply about their next kiss.
“I think I do,” he told her gravely.
There I go making plans for us again.
CHAPTER 29
Isla was going to faint.
She could feel it. The lightness that flooded through her body. The ballroom was too warm. She was floating. She felt like a cloud, too light to stay on her two feet. Though she held tightly to Ronan, she feared she might even lose him.
Is it possible to adore someone so much?
Then Ronan started to straighten up, putting distance between them. She blinked as brightness settled around her vision. Candles flickered everywhere. They weren’t in private. She had forgotten that.
“Shall we find some refreshments?” He asked her now.
“Hm? What? That is, I mean,” she stammered, not certain what had become of her, “Yes. Refreshments. Drinks. I could… I could use one.”
He winked. “Or two?”
“Maybe two but we’ll start with one,” Isla decided.
Warmth flooded her cheeks as she darted a look around, wondering if anyone was watching. Had anyone seen the gentle kiss he’d bestowed on her brow? Such a quick second she would remember tenderly for the rest of her days. The way he could warm her very heart so speedily left Isla awfully dizzy.
But she didn’t mind.
Especially as he teased her about another kiss. No, not a tease. He meant it. She could see that in his eyes. Ronan did wish to kiss her again, and it sounded like he wished to do so on her lips.
It’s awfully unfashionable to care for one’s husband, but I don’t think I can help it any longer. He really is too charming. And I think he means every word. Oh bother, what if I do faint?
She clung tightly to Ronan as he guided her through the crowd. The duke knew how to manage a crowd. There were times he moved ahead of her and others he went first in her place. His touch was polite and respectful which almost annoyed Isla after his generous touches during the waltz. But she reminded herself they were in public, and it was better this way. No one else needed or deserved to see such intimacy between them.
The very thought made her blush. What if he really did kiss her again? Would she be ready? Would it go well?
Part of Isla was wondering if falling off that horse had been the perfect accident. She would endure another tumble like that again to keep Ronan close. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought it possible to have him looking at her again, holding her close, and dancing in public with her.
