“I beg to differ.”
Still no new information. What would it take? “Shameless compliments,” she said. “Are you always so blatantly charming with the ladies?”
He didn’t reply. The waltz came to an end, and her mystery man stepped back. “I had intended to talk sense into you, but all we’ve been doing is flirting. Stay and dance with me again.”
He was certainly direct. It was quite refreshing, and Clara had no desire to refuse him. “If I am to stay for your lecture,” she said, “you must tell me something about yourself first.”
“Is this a negotiation?”
“I believe so.”
He wet his lips. “Right, then. What would you like to know?”
She considered it for a few seconds. “If you won’t tell me your name, at least tell me why I’ve not encountered you out in society.”
“Because I prefer to avoid the Marriage Mart. Come, let’s dance.”
She finally stepped into his arms and let him whisk her across the floor. “Because you’re already married?”
“No.”
“You’re not married, then? You’ve never been?”
He shook his head and Clara’s heart rejoiced, but there was still so much more she wanted to know.
“Why won’t you tell me your name?” she asked.
“Because that’s not what we do here.”
“I don’t care. I’ll probably never come to one of these things again, and I would at least like to know the name of the gentleman I danced with this evening. You’re not a criminal, are you? A fugitive from justice?”
“No.”
“A spy for the British government?”
He laughed. “I’m afraid not.”
“Then why must you be so secretive? It’s not as if I couldn’t find out who you were if I asked enough people. You must be the only gentleman in London with hair that reaches your shoulders.”
He said nothing for a few seconds while they continued to dance, then finally, when the waltz was nearly at an end, he said, “My given name is Seger.”
The music stopped, and they stepped apart.
Clara liked the name and gazed at his face, wishing she could see what he looked like without the mask…wishing she could reach up and touch that strong chiseled jaw and those perfect, soft lips.
“Since you didn’t give me a chance to lecture you,” he said, “it’s your turn to do something for me.”
“What is that?”
“Leave. And don’t come back here again.”
His blunt request hurt, even though she knew he was only thinking of her safety and well-being.
Further reflection made her feel flattered that her welfare mattered to him at all.
Clara knew she should do as he asked, but she wished it did not have to be so. There was still so much she did not know about him, and she longed to see him again. How would she survive another week of these hopeless longings?
In the end she agreed because he was right, but she wasn’t happy about it. “Thank you, Seger. I enjoyed myself.”
