Dunwich met Darcy’s dark gaze and grinned. “Why, Darcy, are you not a fortunate fellow?”
He turned his attention back to Elizabeth, who had been observing the entire exchange with growing trepidation. Lord Dunwich appeared to be deliberately provoking Fitzwilliam.
She studied Darcy’s face, but by now he had regained command of his countenance. He inclined his head slightly.
“I consider myself exceedingly fortunate, Dunwich.”
The tall blond gentleman returned his attention to Elizabeth. His smile was devastating.
His deep blue eyes settled upon her as he took her hand.
“Miss Bennet, may I claim this dance?”
Elizabeth looked neither toward Lady Helen nor toward Mr. Darcy. She already understood that she could not refuse, though Mr. Darcy appeared plainly distressed.
“Thank you, sir.”
He offered his arm and escorted her onto the dance floor.
“My lady, you are without doubt, the loveliest woman in attendance.”
His eyes dropped briefly to her bosom before returning to her face.
“You possess the most expressive eyes, ma’am. If a glance could strike a man dead, I should be laid out upon the ballroom floor this very instant.”
Elizabeth could not help laughing.
“Yes, my lord. You would be laid at Mr. Darcy’s feet.”
“So, you observed the tension between us? We have long been rivals, ma’am. I am titled while he is not, yet he is wealthier than I, which I find exceedingly vexing.”
Her beautifully arched brow lifted in quiet protest.
“Ah, I see. You are loyal to your betrothed, and you will not hear a word against him. Admirable, ma’am. I should like to discover a woman who would defend my honor so fiercely. Darcy is a fortunate man.”
They took their places in the line, and Elizabeth felt grateful when the music finally began.
He danced exceedingly well and guided her skillfully through the figures. Whenever the dance permitted conversation, he spoke to her, but she answered only what politeness required and not another word, lest she encourage him.
“Miss Bennet, you appear determined not to converse. Do you seek to humble my pretensions? You need not trouble yourself, for it cannot be done. When I see something I desire, I stop at nothing to obtain it, whether it be a work of fine art or a beautiful woman. I invariably secure what I want.”
Elizabeth merely pressed her lips together, raised her chin, and remained silent.
He laughed softly.
“Your beautiful eyes have struck me down yet again. You are uniformly charming, and I am persuaded that once I have enjoyed sufficient time to court you, my addresses shall not fail of acceptance.”
Elizabeth was rendered speechless. The abhorrence in her eyes was so unmistakable that Lord Dunwich laughed again, as though she had offered some exceedingly clever reply.
“Ma’am, your outrage is so unexpected that I cannot help but find amusement in it. Never in my life have I been refused by a woman. Why, even the little girls upon my father’s estate offered me their hands in marriage when I was but six years old.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips into an even firmer line and refused to utter another word.
They continued the dance in silence, though he persisted in offering flirtatious remarks whenever the figures brought them together.
“You must know that you become even more beautiful when your eyes blaze with anger. And those dark, curling lashes are devastating, ma’am.”
Her eyes narrowed further.
