Nodding, she gave him a small smile and joined her brother and Gwen.
*
Alexander followed thetrio into the estate and paused as they were announced. He would be remiss to say he didn’t want to be the one to escort Clarissa into the ball.
He did.
He wanted everyone there to ken she was his.
And he was hers.
Hell’s teeth. What was he thinking? That because they shared a moment in the library that they were destined to be together?
It was as if he had an angel and the devil on each of his shoulders. The angel prodding him to pursue Clarissa and the devil jabbing him with his pitchfork whilst telling him a relationship was the last thing he needed.
But damn. He wanted to spend a day in the library with Clarissa discussing her favorite books and the parts she liked about each one. That she was well-read only added kindling to his growing fire.
As they entered the ballroom he had to tamp down the animal inside him wanting to claim Clarissa as his and scare anyone away that had the nerve to approach her.
But thoughts of their library encounter made him wonder if she was warring with the same indecision that he was. He wondered if she felt the same spark? To him, it seemed so, or mayhap that was just him being wistful.
Granted, they were far from making anything official, but if Clarissa said the word, he would pledge himself to her in a heartbeat.
His vantage point following behind her gave him a fantastic view. The sway of her hips as she walked ahead of him had his body roaring to life. He quickly averted his eyes and tried to focus on anything but the vision in front of him.
As Clarissa was announced Alexander could see all the eligible men in attendance perk up. Of course, they would want to marry the sister of a duke. A most advantageous union it would be for anyone here.
Including him, but that wasn’t why he longed for the lass.
Nay, awareness dawning on him. After months of thinking about her. About not being able to get her out of his mind. He realized his feelings were deep and genuine. He didn’t care about whatever dowry she came with. Hell, he would reject thedowry if it meant he would be given the permission to marry her. Because if he were ever to propose to her, his affairs would be in order. He would offer her naught less.
The Gordons entered the ballroom and Alexander stepped forward. As his name was called, he noted the fair share of women that focused their attention on him. He and Clarissa had much in common this night—eligibility.
A few months ago, he would have jumped at the opportunity to be surrounded by willing lasses vying for his attention. His hand. His title. Not for anything serious, but he had had his fair share of lasses.
But now? Nay. None of them held his interest. They all seemed dull, and dare he say, paled in comparison to the beautiful Clarissa.
He descended the stairs and was immediately bombarded with mothers introducing their daughters. There was Miss Leticia Peregrine. Miss Prudence Wentworth. Miss Annalise Covington.
On and on the introductions went. He smiled and acknowledged each, but his mind was elsewhere as they prattled on about their likes and talents.
His eyes searched for Clarissa in the crowd, and he frowned. The poor lass had her own horde of suitors that were queuing up to introduce themselves.
The orchestra started and his eyes clashed with Clarissa’s.
She’d promised him the first dance. And he was hellbound to ensure she kept that promise.
“Excuse me, ladies. ’Tis verra nice to meet all of ye. But I apologize, I am pledged to someone else for this dance.”
He extracted himself from the crowd of women amongst their groans of disappointment and made his way through the crowd until he could reach for Clarissa’s hand and lead her onto the floor.
With a look of relief, she accepted his offered hand and dipped into a small curtsy, hurrying away from the men—men who did not deserve Clarissa, he noted—and clasped his hand, resting her other on his shoulder as they twirled around the floor.
Her cheeks were flushed, a beautiful tinge of pink that brightened her eyes and gave them more of a sparkle than they usually held.
“Have I told ye how beautiful ye look this eve?” He meant every word he said. Clarissa could stand beside everyone in attendance and none of them would be able to hold a candle to Clarissa’s beauty. Her elegance.
“I believe ye may have mentioned something similar in the library earlier.”
