Natalia caught her breath, unwilling to admit, even to herself, how close he was to the truth. “Honestly, Captain! You think far too highly of yourself, I assure you!”
He clutched his chest dramatically. “You wound me, milady. Do you really think me such a cad?”
A cad?She looked into those sparkling gray eyes, no longer empty but filled with youth and vitality. He seemed different tonight, so much the man of her dreams. She wondered if her first impression had been wrong.
“I don’t think you’re a cad. Not in the least.” The words spilled out as she lost the battle to remain aloof. She stepped closer and lowered her voice so no one else would hear her pour her heart out to him. “In fact, I’ve never known such a hero. I’d be honored if you’d share some of your experiences during the war.”
His slate-gray eyes reflected sudden cynicism and the shadow she’d seen before returned full force. “Ah. You’re one ofthose.”
“One of whom?” He didn’t seem to care for the type of person he assumed her to be, and she wanted to redeem herself.
“You want to hear stories of bravery and courage. You think it’s all so romantic.” Palpable anger and disdain filled his voice, quite out of proportion to the innocent request.
“Is that so wrong?” She’d obviously made a terrible blunder. “I didn’t intend to offend you, Captain Blake.”
He sighed and looked away. When his gaze met hers again, his anger had vanished, replaced by weariness. “There’s nothing wrong with curiosity. But war isn’t at all what you think. There’s nothing romantic about young men dying of measles and dysentery. There’s nothing romantic about watching your friends cut down and bleeding all around you.”
Stark and full of pain, his words illuminated the brutal realities of war in a way she’d never considered. This glimpse of what the war had cost him made her feel shallow and very naïve. “Did you lose many friends?”
For a long moment, she didn’t think he would answer but then he nodded. “There was one… he was like a father to me. I miss him every day.” He gave a short huff of laughter. “Do you know you’re the first person who’s ever asked me that? They ask me about everything else, but they never want to hear about all those who died.”
She desperately wanted to reach over and squeeze his hand. She wanted to hug him, give him comfort in some small way. Unfortunately, the circumstances and the crowd made such a thing impossible.
“You can find me riding in the park at ten each Tuesday morning if you’d like someone to talk to,” she offered impulsively.
Dylan stared at her, surprise chasing away the shadows in his eyes. “I might take you up on that. But if you’re willing to make such an improper offer, surely you can dance with me tonight? Come on, my love. It’s just a dance. What harm can there be in that? You’ve danced with nearly everyone else who’s asked you.”
“I don’t know…”
My love. How was a girl supposed to stand firm in the wake of such an inappropriate endearment?
He was simply too potent, too male. And tonight, he’d let down his defenses. He’d given her a small glimpse of the complex, emotional man beneath the charming scoundrel.
“Who’s next on your dance card?” he asked, obviously sensing he was close to victory. “Tell me, and I’ll go arrange to take his place.”
She lifted the small square, which was attached to her wrist by a dainty ribbon, and scanned it. Her heart sank when she saw the next name on the list.
“It’s Neptune, I’m afraid.” Lord Sherbourne’s golden perfection had also been impossible to hide.
“Michael.” Dylan’s smile faded. “You never seem to think twice before agreeing to dance withhim.”
Natalia stared into Dylan’s turbulent gray eyes and saw yet another glimpse of what drove him. Here was a man who had been passed over for his brother far too often.
“Lord Sherbourne is a far more… appropriate partner,” she told him, wishing things could be different.
“For once in your life, don’t worry about what everyone will think.” The fierce intensity in his voice sent a shiver down his spine. “Look at me. Don’t shut me out the way you do all the others. You don’t have to protect yourself. I’m not after your dowry.”
She was stunned by his correct interpretation of her emotions. He seemed to understand her so well.
“Then whatdoyou want from me?” She’d wanted to know the answer to that question since the moment they’d met. She held her breath and hoped his answer would be the one she longed to hear, terrified he’d disappoint her.
He smiled and brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “All I want is to make you laugh. I want to dance with you. Maybe even steal a kiss or two.”
His voice dropped, so low and intimate she strained to hear it over the music and laughter surrounding them. “I could show you what it’s like to feel passion before your father sells you off to some cold stiff like my brother.”
If he’d been anyone else, she would have slapped him for daring to suggest such a thing. Instead, his honesty both thrilled and frightened her. Dear Lord, she wanted nothing more than to share an illicit kiss with this beautiful man.
But before she could answer, he stiffened and stepped away. “I’ll see you again in a few days. Promise me you’ll think about what I’ve said.”
