That left her only one move.
She must go to him.
Chapter Nine
From the corner of his eye, Halsey detected Inès Bechard’s path through the crowd. Slowly, casually, she wove her way among the guests and spoke with this one or shared a short remark with another. He had tracked her every move since she arrived…and now, she seemed to be headed toward him.
What a woman. Was it proper French manners to approach a man at a ball? He had no idea. And if she did, she did not care. His heart swelled with pride. He applauded her.
His pulse surged with excitement. She intended to engage him in a discussion?
“Good evening, Lord Halsey.” She stood beside him, facing those on the chalked dance floor, considering the positions they assumed at the end of the country dance that had just ended. “You fare well this evening, I think. Your sister, Lady Ranelagh, is a very fine dancer. Your youngest sister is having a lovely time, as she should. She is…hmm… What do you say here, a jewel of theton? The musicians are excellent. The guests delightful.”
She went quiet, her hands folded before her.
Satisfaction filled him—and it was less about all she had mentioned and more about how she had observed it all and, still,had come to him for more. So it was easy for him to ask, “And the wine?”
She did turn her beautiful oval face toward him then. Her expression was all seduction. “You have excellent contacts in France. Thevin rougeis smooth.”
“And thevin blanc?”
“Silky. The finest grape. From the Vouvray. I commend you.”
“I will be interested in your assessment of my chef’s offerings for midnight supper.”
She gave him an impish smile. “I will sample every dish. I am very hungry.”
He wondered what specifically her appetites craved, but, of course, he could not ask. Not yet could he go so far into her private thoughts. “Have you a note on your card for an escort into supper?”
“I do. Sir Rafe.”
“Durham.”Fiend. I will upbraid him tomorrow. “I should have known he would act fast.”
She smiled, reading his jealousy as if he had his thoughts printed on his forehead. All whimsy, she gave him a sprightly tip of her head.The tease.“Have you an obligation to a lady for this next dance?”
“None.” He locked his gaze on how her long lashes fanned her elegant cheekbones.
“Good.” She moved closer, her body heat as alluring as her delicate perfume. She was delectable, all golden-brown eyes and glimmering blonde hair, with lips like juicy bits of peach. “Would you dance with me?”
His heart wentthump. “I will,” he accepted much too quickly. A callow boy would have had more patience. “But I owe you an apology. At the Carlisles’ in the garden, I was wrong to demand things of you. I was rude.”
“Thank you for that. Many men would not have apologized.”
“I was arrogant to demand you reveal things to me that I had no right to know.”
She toyed with a smile, looking pleased at his words. “Merci beaucoup.”
“I want to be friends.”
That made her arch a brow in mirth. “Do you?”
“For a start.”
“Why? I am no one to you. A stranger. A woman of little means and no social connections, save those that you suspect imply many things.”
“Don’t you want a friend? A feeling of safety? Serenity in the presence of others?”
That appealed so much to her that her lovely brown gaze melted into his. “I do.”
