“I should have realised Havisham had no intention of helping me, but I believed him. He used me to retrieve those damning documents. Then he tried to get rid of me by calling the police.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I agreed with Lord Redvers’s plan. He made a rather motivating speech about me being brave and quashing the rumours. At that moment, dancing at the next ball sounded like a jolly good idea.”
Also, he didn’t want to disappoint her. Just the thought of letting her down made him feel sick to his stomach.
She slid off the bed and knelt next to him. His wish to make her proud grew tenfold. “I can help you. I love dancing. I can teach you.”
He laced his fingers through hers. “I know the steps. It’s the dancing itself that makes me sick and nervous.” A shudder went through him.
“We can try. Here, without music.” She rose, holding his hand. “Come.”
Cold sweat dampened his neck. “Perhaps I should call the challenge off.”
She gave him a heated glance. “I’ll kiss you if you dance with me.”
He sprang up. “What are we waiting for?”
Laughing, she dragged him to the centre of the room. He couldn’t change his mind now.
“Let’s start with the dance that’s all the rage at the moment, the Viennese waltz. Do you know the steps?” she asked.
“I do. I’ve watched others dance.”
She put his hand on her waist and held his other hand. “Just perform to a count of eight.”
He didn’t move. Not hearing the music was maybe worse because the music of that night played in his head. A funny taste filled his mouth. His knees weakened.
“Royston.” Angeline ran a hand over his arm. “It’s just you and me. Look at me.”
He seemed to choke on air but did as told and stared at her. Her obsidian eyes were filled with compassion and care.
“It’s just us.”
Her hand caressing his arm soothed some of the tension tightening his chest.
His mouth grew dry and his feet seemed to have turned into lead. “It’s very difficult for me.”
“I know.” She kept caressing him. “But I believe you’re strong enough to let the past go. It wouldn’t be a lack of respect for your mother. You’ll always honour her memory. But this fear is born from a dark moment. A moment you must let go of. This isn’t about a seat in Parliament. It’s about you as a person. A person who deserves a future of happiness.”
“Oh, hell.” He reclined his head and released a breath through his teeth. “You’re right. Everything you said is very sensible, but I feel torn apart. My mind says to let the past go. My heart is full of fear.”
“Let me guide you. Perhaps if I’m leading, you’ll feel better.”
She moved her feet in the first series of box steps, but even though he wanted to follow her, his legs were two tree trunks.
Since he didn’t move, she tripped on her own feet and fell backwards. He snatched her before she could hurt herself. The result was a sensual pose with her leaning back in his arms, and he bending over her. His lips were an inch from hers.
She smiled. “Well, that’s a tango pose
“Tango?” He straightened. “What is it?”
“A most scandalous dance from Argentina. I learnt it from a friend who went there.” She wrapped her arms around him. “It’s performed with outrageous closeness.” She pressed her body against his. Not even air stood between them. “Wandering hands.” She put a hand on his nape before dragging it down his neck and chest, causing him to shiver with desire. “Almost kisses.” She rose on her tiptoes to brush her lips against his. Another shiver left a path of fire on his skin. “And sometimes, the lady hooks a leg around her partner like this.” She pulled up her skirts and uncovered her thigh before coiling a leg around his waist.
At this point, his blood was boiling.
He ran a hand over her thigh and slid it under her skirts to cup her firm rear. “I think I like this tango. How’s the music?”
She cleared her throat and hummed a fast-paced, accented music. He had to admit she had musicality and a good sense of rhythm.
She burst out laughing. “It sounds terrible.”
