She gave him a sidelong look. Why was he so fixated on dancing with her? Not that a dance wouldn’t be nice, but she was far more interested in the other things he’d mentioned. Passion… kisses…
“Of course, I’ll dance with you. I’ll dance with you the very next time I have the opportunity.”
“Dance with me twice.” He stared at her with breathtaking intensity, pushing her to break her own self-imposed rule, obviously wanting her to publicly state her preference for him in the only way that she could.
“All right. Twice.” There would be gossip, but she didn’t care. Let her father think onthatfor a while. Perhaps he’d realize character meant far more to her than any title.
Her answer seemed to release some of Captain Blake’s earlier tension, but his gaze dropped a bit wistfully to her mouth. “I suppose I’ll have to be content with my dances. But it’s going to be more difficult than I ever imagined, to see you on my brother’s arm and pretend I never wanted you for my own.”
His words made her want to weep with the injustice of it all. Life was so unfair! She didn’t want to marry a prince, nor the heir to some foolish title. She wantedthisman, with his heroic heart, wounded soul, and beautiful mouth.
Perhaps, if she told her father what she really wanted—how much she cared for Captain Blake… It would be a risk, but what could it hurt to try?
Of course, even if the captain had her father’s blessing, he might not want to marry her. He might be charming her just to see if he could.
The thought made her frown and tighten her fist on the reins. She wouldn’t believe that, not until he gave her some reason to doubt him.
“You needn’t worry. My father already has plans for me, and they don’t include your brother.”
He reached over and touched her gloved hand with his own, coaxing her to look at him. “What do you mean?”
She sighed and glanced back at Alec, knowing she didn’t have much time. In just a few more minutes, she’d have to say goodbye and she still hadn’t managed to learn anything new about her fascinating companion.
“I’m going to wed one of my mother’s Russian cousins. My father has the mistaken idea I want to be a princess.”
They’d reached the edge of the trees. He drew up his horse and stared at her with those intense gray eyes. “Whatdoyou want, Natalia? What would it take to make you happy?”
I want to be a captain’s wife. I want a quiet life in the country with a man who loves me. I want to leave Society and all its rules behind.
But she wasn’t brave enough to admit such things. Not when she still didn’t know if he felt the same. Not until she’d spoken with her father and tried to make her foolish fantasy into something besides an impossible dream.
“I’ll probably never have what I want.” She smiled wistfully and glanced back at Alec, who looked more than a little nervous at the length of their chat. “And I fear it’s time for me to go.”
“I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.” With hidden movements of his strong thighs, he coaxed his horse to make an elegant bow.
She laughed, enchanted. His equestrian skills went beyond riding into battle.
“Until we meet again then,” he told her, his voice an intimate caress. “And don’t forget about the dances.”
“I won’t.” She let her gaze drop to his mouth and wished with all her heart for just five minutes alone with him.
“Goodbye. I’ll see you soon.” He reached out and squeezed her hand once more, then whirled his horse and disappeared through the trees.
Chapter Seven
Natalia wasn’t surprised to find herself paired with Viscount Sherbourne at the elegant dinner party her father gave at his London townhouse on Wednesday night. She and the viscount were of roughly the same rank, after all, and Clarice had been in charge of the seating arrangements.
Her father gave her an approving smile as she entered the dining room on Michael Blake’s arm. Natalia had rarely been the focus of the duke’s approval, so she had no idea how to react. Apparently, Clarice’s plan to marry her off to Sherbourne had a chance of success, a fact that only made things more complicated.
The huge, vaulted dining room boasted a table that would seat thirty. Crystal chandeliers bathed the elaborate dinner service in a warm glow, and her companion looked particularly handsome tonight as he pulled out her chair. As far as respective husbands went, Viscount Sherbourne truly was the pick of the litter. He was like her in so many ways, and they got along very well. She imagined kissing him would be pleasant, and she could easily imagine sharing her life with him.
There was only one little problem…Captain Blake.
His presence here tonightwasa surprise. She couldn’t imagine how he’d finagled an invitation, unless he’d managed to charm the duchess. Or perhaps Clarice thought it would please Sherbourne to have his brother present.
She would be horrified to know he was the very man she’d warned Natalia about.
In any event, Captain Blake was here, and it was impossible for Natalia to think about anything else. She had not expected to see him so soon after their meeting in the park.
