“We hardly think it’s appropriate for one gentleman to monopolize so much of her time and attention when he lacks the courage and conviction to offer for her, either,” he pressed.
Bradford momentarily considered whether hedidpossess the courage and conviction—to throw Rigsby through the far window. But he was keenly aware of the four ladies probably holding their breath to listen better. He had a duty to protect them from the harm such a scene would cause.
He gave a tight-lipped smile. “Though discretion prevents me from saying a word further about the relationship, between you and I, I do believe your attentions would be best directed elsewhere.” Bradford gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”
It tookBradford several more minutes to shake off Rigsby’s offended presence, and another ten for him to locate Beatrice and bring her back to the secret convention of the Tablecloth Ladies.
“Where have you been?” Beatrice hissed, shoving her head beneath the table. “I dance with Lord Rigsby, and this is the thanks I get? You lot justabandonedme.”
“We certainly didn’t intend to,” Margaret said.
“You didn’t intendnotto.”
“That’s why we sent Bradford after you,” Lily cajoled.
“Scoot over,” Beatrice said, scrambling under the table. “I’m coming in.”
Bradford did his best not to laugh aloud at the genteel scuffle that suddenly broke out beneath the table. He was struck in the back of the knee with a soft elbow, whose owner saidouch.
After a few moments Margaret said, “There’s simply not enough room for all of us.”
“Well I’m not going to be the one to leave; I just got here,” Beatrice said stubbornly.
“My hair’spurple,” Sofia argued.
Finally, Lily emerged from the other side, looking vaguely disgruntled, one of the flowers in her hair askew.
He hurried over to help her to her feet. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She accepted his hand up and fluffed her silk skirts before prodding at the pins in her hair. “Beatrice is right. There’s not enough room for the lot of us under there.” She increased her volume and announced, “I shall be the bigger person.”
“Pass the champagne,” someone beneath the tablecloth whispered.
Lily sighed and shook her head. “I suppose I should be out there anyway. Socializing.”
Bradford couldn’t help but grin at the disgust she’d infused into the word. “Actually, I was hoping you might honor me with the next dance.”
“Of course.” She pointed herself toward the door and took a step.
He stopped her with a touch to her elbow and felt unreasonably shy when he said, “I thought we’d dance here, if that’s all right.”
She smiled up at him, the corners of her eyes crinkling with the true pleasure of her expression. Bradford suddenly was reminded of the time he’d fallen off his horse as a young man and had the wind knocked from him. He felt the same dazed shortness of breath now.
He loved her.
Surely part of him had known even back in Northumberland, though he had never admitted it to himself so clearly before. Surely that was the only feasible explanation for why he hadn’t yet returned home.
The realization required close examination, but this single moment couldn’t hold the weight of all Bradford needed to consider. Besides, Lily was holding out a hand to him. He took it and swept her into the steps of a waltz. It wasn’t the dance the faint music from the ballroom prescribed, but it was the only one close enough to satisfy the requirements of his heart.
Bradford told himself it wasn’t scandalous—not when they were chaperoned by no fewer than four other young ladies. To tell the truth, he wasn’t precisely certain howmanyyoung ladies were camped beneath the tablecloth, but he knew all of them would rush to Lily’s defense if someone claimed scandal.
He hadn’t lied all those weeks ago when he’d spoken to Lord Cavendish. Bradford didn’t want Lily forced into a marriage to avoid scandal.
Bradford now knew that was because he wanted Lily to choose him freely.
CHAPTER 21- LILY
Several mornings later, Lily yanked at the sleeves of her emerald-green pelisse as she strode through the park. She was late for her walk with Bradford, and she was well irritated, besides.
