Page 19 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

She took the opportunity to assess her partner; looks wise, he maybe wasn’t everything she would have hoped for in a husband, but appearances weren’t everything she reminded herself. And if good looks made a man as vain as Anthony then, frankly, she could do without them. Unfortunately, it also seemed Lord Fitzwilliam did not have much of a personality from what she could judge from just a few minutes in his company. Perhaps she was being unfair, she was sure plenty of women would enjoy hearing about his mother’s hyacinths… She spun and spotted Anthony. He was talking with a friend of his she thought she recognised. His gaze however was solely on her. She could feel it boring into her skin.

Alice felt herself tense under his scrutiny but tried to give her attention to her partner and the plentiful gardening advice he was offering whenever they had a chance to exchange words. She could suddenly see the advantages of a strong but silent dance partner.

Alice danced twice more and was twice more disappointed in her partner. At least she was whittling down the names on her list she supposed as she mentally crossed off a Mr Stanton and his extensive newt collection which went with him whenever he travelled… She returned to her aunt during the musicians’ break to get a drink.

She was making polite conversation with a group of the other young ladies when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Turning, she found Anthony standing far closer than was strictly necessary.

“Do you have any spaces left on your dance card?” he asked as her companions fluttered discreetly away casting curious glances back over their shoulders at their new friend talking to one of the most eligible bachelors in London.

“Oh…um… I am not sure…” replied Alice, suddenly flustered.

“I am not actually your brother,” he pointed out with a teasing smile.

Aunt Jane, observing from nearby, gave an encouraging nod. “I think it would be quite proper, my dear. Lord Tonbridge has not danced at all yet this evening. Perhaps you might inspire him to ask some of the wallflowers as well.”

“It looks like the next dance is about to begin, are you engaged?” Anthony asked.

“No, it is the only one I am not taken for…” admitted Alice, still unsure whether being on the dance floor with Anthony was a good idea.

Anthony took her hand and led her into the centre of the room, causing every nerve in Alice to tingle. It felt like she could feel all the eyes in the room on her.

Only as they took their positions did Alice realise the truth.

“It’s a waltz,” she whispered, a flutter of nerves, and something far more dangerous, racing through her.

The waltz was still relatively new and somewhat scandalous in many circles, its close hold considered far too intimate by some of the older matrons. Why did it have to be a waltz and not a jolly reel where only their hands would touch every now and again?

Anthony shrugged, placing his hand on her waist with easy confidence. “If it is the only dance you are not already engaged for, it will have to suffice.”

“You are not planning to trip me up or something are you?” Alice asked suspiciously, as she put her hand on his broad shoulder.

“Of course not!” replied Anthony.

“It is the kind of thing you used to do to me,” Alice pointed out.

“That was years ago,” said Anthony as the music started. “When we were children.”

“It does not seem like that long ago… You still enjoy vexing me now.”

“I do, but I promise to be on my best behaviour tonight,” he replied with a grin.

As the music began, Anthony became all seriousness as he drew her closer. He moved with masterful assurance, guiding her effortlessly around the floor. For the first time that evening, Alice felt graceful and light. Everything else - the crowd, her list, her sensible plans - faded until there was only the warmth of his hand at her waist, the steady strength of his shoulder beneath her fingers, and the intense blue of his eyes locked on hers.

When the music ended, Alice felt breathless and unsteady. She pulled away from Anthony rather too quickly and hurried back to her aunt, leaving him standing on the dance floor.

“I need some air,” she murmured.

“It is rather warm in here. Would you like me to come with you?” Aunt Jane asked, barely glancing up from the card game she was in the middle of.

“No, there is no need,” Alice replied. “I will only be a few minutes.”

A door at the back of the ballroom took Alice into a hallway. She followed the corridor around past rooms full of people playing cards and setting the world to rights, until finally she came to another door leading out onto a balcony overlooking the gardens.

Alice stepped outside. The cool night air was a blessed relief against her flushed skin. She drew in several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. What was going on with her? She had a plan, and she needed to stick to it, not get distracted by her brother’s wastrel of a best friend, no matter how handsome he looked in candlelight or how safe she felt in his arms. If she was not careful, her reactions to him would begin to draw attention and rumours could start. Rumours which would damage her chances of finding a husband and helping her family. No other man would have any interest in her if they suspected she was attached to Anthony.

She reached into her reticule and pulled out the carefully folded list she had made in Kent. Of the twenty eligible bachelors on it, she could now firmly cross off a few, but of course, she might well meet more potential suitors while she was in London. She had not considered foreign gentlemen, for example. Her eyes flitted down the list mentally checking off those she had danced with tonight. She wanted to be fair, but she also could not be wasting time on men she had no interest in marrying.