Page 5 of Sin and Serendipity

Forcing a placid smile, Ellie followed the viscount out onto the dance floor and turned to face him as the first strains of music began to play. She slipped her gloved hand in his, placing the other on his shoulder as he curved his free hand around her waist, and even through the layers of kid leather and muslin, she could feel the warmth in his hands, the strength, and it unsettled her.

Trying to ignore the unwelcome awareness skittering across her skin, she focused her attention on the steps of the waltz instead. Lord Darrington was a proficient partner and, like Freddy, a man of unusual height. She wasn’t thrilled to be dancing with him, but at least she wouldn’t spend the next several minutes staring down at the top of his head. It was a nice change, even if he was the wrong brother.

“You enjoy dancing, don’t you, Miss Wrencroft?”

Ellie looked up to find him watching her, his gaze friendly, a small smile touching his lips. Was his interest sincere or was he leading up to something? It was impossible to tell, so she decided to answer him honestly, as if this were nothing more than the usual ballroom pleasantries exchanged between two strangers.

“Yes, I do,” she said. “I only wish I were asked more often. But when a girl is as tall as I am...” She trailed off with a shrug of her shoulders.

Lord Darrington deftly guided her around a passing couple, the press of his fingers firm yet gentle, his large hand spanning her waist in an annoyingly distracting way.

“And here I was, thinking how uncommonly comfortable this waltz has been,” he said. “I usually have a sore neck by now.”

His smile had deepened, crinkling the corners of his eyes, and Ellie was struck with the vexing realization that Viscount Darrington was a rather handsome man. His dark brown hair was thick and wavy, and his eyes, a deep blue-gray, were bright with humor and intelligence. They were quite beautiful, his eyes.

Of course, she thought hastily, they weren’t as beautiful as his brother’s, and he wasn’t nearly as handsome. His nose was sharper than Freddy’s, almost hawkish; his jaw a touch too prominent, hinting at a stubborn streak.

No, he wasn’t as handsome as his brother. No one was as handsome as Freddy.

The thought made her remember who she was dancing with, that this was Freddy’s older brother, the man who thought she wasn’t good enough, and any complimentary thoughts she might have had spoiled on the vine.

“Why did you ask me to dance, my lord?”

Her tone was as direct as her gaze, but Lord Darringon’s smile never faltered.

“Because I wanted to.”

Ellie arched a dubious brow, having none of it.

“And,” he added, “because I hoped to continue our conversation from earlier.”

Dread settled heavy as an anvil on her chest. “I hardly think there is anything left to say. You made it abundantly clear already that you think I’m not good enough for your brother, so I hardly think—”

“What?” His brows knit. “I said no such thing.”

“Yes, you did.”

“I didn’t.”

Ellie pursed her lips. “Perhaps you didn’t say the words, but they were heavily implied.”

“Impossible,” he said firmly. “If anyone is ‘not good enough’ it’s my brother, not you.”

Her mouth snapped shut and she nearly trod on his foot. Her surprise must have shown, for the viscount’s smile turned rueful.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” he said, “I love my brother. But, in many ways, he’s still a boy with a lot of growing up to do. I would hate to see you hurt, even unintentionally so.”

Ellie nibbled on her bottom lip as she considered his words. She didn’t want to believe them, didn’t want to even hear them, but he seemed so certain Freddy wouldn’t marry her.

What if it was true?

“Has he...” She looked up from Lord Darrington’s cravat, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Did your brother tell you he doesn’t wish to be married yet?”

“He’s my brother. He didn’t have to tell me.”

His voice was soft, his eyes filled with kindness, perhaps even pity, and Ellie felt a sharp pang of frustration. Why did he care what happened to her? Why did he care if she was hurt? He barely knew her!

As far as she was concerned, so long as Freddy remained unattached, there was still reason to hope, and nothing his meddlesome older brother could say would change her mind.