“She only behaves that way because she cares for you.”
“Yes, I am aware of that. That is why I hesitate to upset her.”
Andrew finished his brandy with a gulp and stood up. “Myfriend, she has you trapped in a beautiful cage. Oh the bars might be made of velvet, but it is a cage, nonetheless. And I would not discard love so lightly. Marrying one sister when you care for another—that is a recipe for disaster. No, no, do not object to my words. I have eyes in my head! And now I suggest we join the ladies. Our futures lie in our own hands and we need to be brave enough to do the right thing.”
***
Celeste looked up eagerly when the door opened and the two gentlemen appeared. Andrew moved to sit by her side, but Archer crossed to the pianoforte and as Miss Purkiss continued to play a little folk tune, he flicked through the sheet music.
“Ah, I thought I remembered seeing this here.” He placed the piece on the music stand, and Miss Purkiss came to a discordant stop.
“But this is a waltz, Mr Maitland,” she whispered. “Lady Goddard does not care for such music. She thinks it is indecent.”
“But I am sure that just this once, she will relent. We do not have enough couples for ordinary dancing, but the joy of the waltz is that you only need one other person. Andrew was expressing a wish to dance with Signorina Celeste and I am sure you would not want them to be the centre of all attention on their own, Miss Jane? And, if my memory serves me correctly, you must show me that you are just as skilled at this pastime as your sister.”
And before she could comment, his hand was on her waist and he was pulling her close to his body. With a little squeak of near despair, Miss Purkiss began to play the waltz music and Archer steered Jane out onto the highly polished floor and, with a wicked smile, swirled her round into the scandalous dance.
9
For a few moments, Jane could not breathe—all she was aware of was the warmth of his fingers through the thin silk bodice of her dress, and when he pulled her evencloser to guide her in a circle, she could feel the pressure of his legs against hers even through the layers of her skirts and petticoats!
When she managed to draw breath, she realised Andrew and Celeste were also dancing; she could hear them talking and laughing over the sound of the piano.
“Why, Miss Jane, I do believe your skill does outshine that of your sister.” Archer’s voice in her ear forced her to raise her gaze from his shoulder and look up into his face.
She found her throat was dry and swallowed hard to get out her words. “I doubt that, Sir and I fear by her expression that we have annoyed your grandmother.”
Adroitly, Archer swung her round again to avoid the other couple. “Please don’t worry. I will make my apologies to her when we stop and tell her you could not refuse without seemingchurlish. After all, you are the guest and if your host wants you to dance, then you are surely forced to agree?”
Jane tried to keep a stern expression on her face, but suddenly she found herself trying not to smile. She had always loved dancing and had forgotten that she had vowed, after Digby, never to dance again except perhaps if she was forced to, with her papa or brothers. And she was so pleased that she was wearing this dress, one that suited her so well.
Archer tightened his grasp on her hand. “Why, Miss Jane, are you laughing? Don’t tell me my skills are such that I am causing you amusement?”
“No, Sir, your skills are quite adequate for a waltz. I commend you. I fear poor Celeste is not faring as well. Dr Moore has trodden on her toes several times already.”
Archer gazed down at his companion’s fair head, at the ridiculous curl hanging down each cheek and for a second lost his step. Quickly recovering, he tried to examine his feelings. Dancing with Jane Darcy had been a sort of joke, an attempt to cut through the chilly veneer she showed towards him. For some reason he had found it annoying that she could be warm and companionable to Andrew, but not to him.
But now, holding her in his arms, he found he was wishing they could dance on forever—no, this was ridiculous! This was no Anne Darcy, this was not a girl of brilliance and wit who would be a help in his political career. She was quiet, nervous, used to being taken care of with no sensible or modern thoughts in her head. Why, he forced himself to remember, this was the girl who had fallen in love with that fatuous oaf Frobisher. Surely that showed him what type of person she was?
Jane felt as if she was floating round the room. How could it be possible for two almost strangers to be so in step with each other? Her whole body felt soft and relaxed and she found she was wishing they could dance on forever—no, this was sheerfolly! She was forgetting all her solemn vows to have nothing to do with men ever again—especially men like Archer Maitland whom obviously preferred her sister and was probably at this very moment wishing it was Anne he held in his arms.
“You dance with your heart,” Archer murmured. “Most young ladies dance with their heads. Your sister, for example.”
Jane glanced up and felt a rush of colour to her face as she saw the intent way he was looking at her.
Suddenly the music came to an abrupt halt and Jane realised Lady Goddard had walked across to Miss Purkiss and stopped her playing. Archer stepped back, smiled, bowed and escorted Jane to a chair. Celeste joined her, looking flushed and happy; Jane only hoped she didn’t look the same.
“I must apologise, Grandmama,” Archer said smoothly. “I know you are not a devotee of the waltz, but I fear I must practice sometimes because I have to be proficient when I return to London. This dance is all the rage in the best circles and I know you would not want me to look like a country bumpkin in front of some of the highest in the land.”
Jane could see the indecision on the old lady’s face; she was obviously angry with the performance but reluctant to make her grandson seem a fool.
“I take your point, Archer, although I still think it is morally reprehensible to dance so close to young ladies you hardly know. Of course, if Miss Jane’s sister had been here, it would have been an entirely different matter.”
“Of course, but alas she is not.” Archer’s voice hardened and there was an uneasy silence until Andrew broke it in his usual fashion of trying to keep the peace.
“Tell me, Archer, what is the significance of the term ‘Green Man Festival’? I overheard two fellows talking in the lane as I took my walk this evening.”
“Oh Andrew, you needn’t bother your head with village affairs,” Lady Goddard said.
