Good gads, there was not one gentleman that he could think of that was worthy to dance with Emilia. Perhaps he should just do it and be done with it.
“I will do it,” Fredrick said.
“Good, let us depart, then,” Anette responded. “We have much work to do.”
Why did Fredrick have a feeling that he had been tricked by Anette? But it didn’t matter now. He agreed to dance the waltz with Emilia, and he couldn’t go back on that.
The thought of holding her in his arms both terrified and excited him at the same time. He had resolved to keep her at a distance, yet the thought of her fitting perfectly in his arms began to chip away at his determination.
Chapter Fifteen
Emilia’s eyes swept across the grand ballroom as she anxiously waited for her friends’ arrival. When she received Anette’s note, a wave of apprehension washed over her. What if Fredrick thought her to be a terrible dancer?
She had learned most of the dances at the country balls, but she had never danced the waltz before. The opportunity had never presented itself, given her previous responsibilities as a teacher, leaving her little time for such frivolous things.
Her job was the only thing that had kept a roof over her head. Emilia couldn’t believe how different her life was now. Her fortune was far more than suitable, and she found that for the first time, she could breathe.
Dalby entered the room and announced her guests. It was only a moment later when Anette stepped into the room on the arm of her husband.
“I cannot wait to see the ballroom after it has been decorated, including the chalked rendering of your family’s crest,” Anette gushed. “You shall be the envy of theton.”
“I doubt that,” Emilia said.
Fredrick had followed Anette and Roswell into the ballroom and he bowed when their eyes met. “Emilia,” he greeted.
Emilia dropped into a curtsy as she attempted to ignore her racing heart. “Fredrick,” she said, pleased that her voice sounded steady.
Fredrick approached her, coming to a stop a short distance away. “I understand that you are not familiar with the waltz.”
“I am not,” she admitted. “I’m afraid the dancing master did not teach any of us the waltz since it was not performed at the country dances.”
“Nor should it be,” Anette chimed in. “The waltz is the dance of love.”
Emilia’s brow lifted. “Is that what it is called?”
Fredrick shook his head. “No one calls it that but Anette.”
A group of musicians stepped into the ballroom with instruments in their hands, and they positioned themselves in the corner to warm up.
Emilia watched their preparations and then turned her attention to Fredrick. “I thought it would be best if we had some music to dance to. I hope that wasn’t a wrong assumption.”
Fredrick’s eyes shone with approval. “I think that is a fine idea.” He turned towards the musicians to address them. “When you are ready, you may begin playing.”
As the music began to fill the ballroom, Fredrick took a step closer to her, and she was forced to tilt her head to look up at him.
“Are you ready to begin?” Fredrick asked.
She nodded.
Fredrick slipped his arm around her waist, and she inhaled sharply, causing his hand to pause. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked, his voice gentle.
“No,” she replied.
With his other hand, he reached for hers and brought them up. “Now, follow my lead and I promise I won’t let you fall.”
Fredrick started to lead her to the music and she found herself relaxing in his arms. She had never been this close to a gentleman before, but it felt as if she had always belonged in his arms. The world around them seemed to disappear, and in that moment, everything felt perfect.
Their eyes locked and she saw a deep intensity in his gaze. It made her wonder if maybe, just maybe, he held some affection for her.
