“Yes. Don’t leave my hand.”
She gave him a warm smile. “I have no intention to.”
The music of the Polish dance began; it was lively and strong, masterfully played by the orchestra, but a buzzing noise rang in his ears, threatening to drown out the music.
He needed to focus on Angeline’s smiling face because Mrs. Haywood and Lady Redvers looked like they wanted to murder him with their fans.
“To the left,” Angeline said, guiding him. In fact, she was leading because he might have improved, but he wasn’t ready to lead. “Right and backwards.”
He stared at her, and slowly his muscles loosened a bit. When the dance reached its climax and the couples at the front of the line formed the circle, he and Angeline kept performing the sweeping steps, and he caught himself having fun.
Maybefunwas the wrong word. If he kept his dark memories down, and ignored his crazy heartbeat, he could enjoy Angeline’s sweet smile and soft hands.
“We’re nearly finished the first round,” she said. “We’ll make another one. You’re doing great.”
“I love you, Angeline,” he said for no particular reason other than it was true. “I’m looking forward to being your husband, and I hope I’ll make you as happy as you make me. You’re like the light of a clear dawn after a long winter night. With you, my new days have started.”
“Royston—” She tripped.
He caught her by the waist, but they missed a beat, and now they weren’t following the music.
“Sorry,” they said together before laughing.
She beamed so widely her eyes brightened the whole room. “We need to hurry.”
They sped up to catch up with the couple in front of them. From the crowd, Lord Redvers gave him an encouraging nod.
“I love you, too,” she said. “I want to marry you because I love you, not because having a family has always been my dream, although I know I’ll realise my dream with you and we’ll be happy.”
He nearly tripped, too. She did her best to hold him up, but the result was that they skipped another beat and were far behind the music again.
They had to nearly run to close the gap with the couple in front. Not the best performance. Still, better than no performance at all.
Angeline and Royston stared at each other as they had to speed up again, and something absurd happened. They burst out laughing at the same time. She laughed so hard she nearly hiccupped.
The weight oppressing his chest lifted, leaving him finally free from the ghosts. His mind got free from the shackles of the past, and he could finally breathe and dance without choking on his memories.
When the polonaise finished, a few people clapped. He’d danced. Danced! The woman he loved was next to him. Life was wonderful.
Angeline leant closer, clapping with the other couples at the end of the dance. “Now Lord Redvers will become your champion.”
He’d nearly forgotten about Lord Redvers’s promise. He clapped at the orchestra and smiled.
The viscount walked towards them with long strides, a wide smile on his face. “Lord Wharton.” Lord Redvers shook Royston’s hand vigorously. “Congratulations. You’ve found your champion.”
