Page 73 of Real Earls Break the Rules

“As soon as the lucky bloke is done dancing with her, I’m going to ask her.” Turner’s eyes never left Amelia’s figure on the dance floor.

Brandon snatched a glass of champagne from a passing servant’s tray and thrust it at Turner. “Have another drink. The lady’s next dance is mine.”

The music changed to a waltz. Instead of escorting Amelia back to the dance floor, Weston extended his hand for Amelia to join him in the dance.

Like hell.

Brandon had seen enough. He strode across the room to tap Weston on the shoulder. “The lady promised me this dance.”

Weston took a step back and blinked in surprise.

Amelia’s mouth gaped. Brandon didn’t wait, but pulled her into his arms.

Her blue eyes flashed as she looked up at him in challenge. “What are you doing? I never promised you a dance. Let alone a waltz.”

“I lied. Dance with me.” His right hand rested at her narrow waist, and he clasped her other hand in his.

She stiffened, and her chin rose a notch. “I happened to be enjoying a dance with a different gentleman.”

“I know. I didn’t like it.” Before she had a chance to argue, he caught the music and twirled her onto the dance floor. He inhaled the scent of her violet perfume, and her soft hair tickled his chin. His gaze fell to the creamy expanse of her neck, then lower, to the delicate swell of her breasts above the bodice, and his hand tightened at her narrow waist. She felt wonderful in his arms as they whirled across the parquet floor.

She looked up at him with clear blue eyes. “You can marry another, but I can’t dance with a man?” she said.

He spread his fingers at her waist, his thumb brushing the edge of her breast. Her pulse pounded at her nape, and her full lips trembled. She felt it, too. This undeniable attraction affected her as well.

“It’s different.” He didn’t want to talk about Minerva or any other lady. He wanted to continue holding Amelia in his arms.

“How? Because you’re an earl, and I’m just…I’m just the daughter of a thief?”

“Your father has nothing to do with this.” His voice was tense.

She tossed her head. “My lack of dowry, then?”

Every muscle in his body was tense and ready to explode. “It doesn’t matter. None of it does.”

She bit her full bottom lip and met his heated gaze. “You’re wrong. Please, it’s best if we avoid each other from now on.”

Reason fled. His tightly reigned control snapped, and he was left with only one course of action.

They had danced close to one of the many sets of doors that led to the main part of the house. With a brazen twirl, he whisked them through the nearest set of doors and down a long corridor.

“Stop! What are you doing?”

He ignored her and clasped her slender hand firmly in his.

“Where are you taking me?” Her voice rose in alarm.

“Somewhere we can talk in private.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Amelia’s apprehension heightened to a panic. She couldn’t risk being alone with him. The dance had been troublesome enough. The scent of his shaving soap and his own masculine musk had heightened her senses. The feel of his arms around her during the scandalous dance had her reeling. She wanted him so badly.

She tried to tug her hand from his. “Stop this madness! We’ll be seen.”

He ignored her and opened the first door on his right and pulled her inside. Moonlight through the two large windows illuminated the music room. She spotted the pianoforte in the corner, and a harp and several violins resting beside music stands with sheets of music.

She whirled to face him. “You can’t drag me out of a crowded ballroom at your whim. We’ve said everything that needs to be said. It’s over between us.”