Page 104 of The Vanished

Honor’s plan just might have worked if Rory wasn’t already leaving England and so didn’t give a fig about his future at Bellamy Hall. The only thing she could do to hurt him would be to accuse him of assault, but that would do her reputation more harm than Rory’s. And she had no desire to ruin his life. She’d let him go and wish him well. But first, she’d dance until she was giddy with excitement and champagne, and until she showed her sister and Jesse that she was not to be dismissed.

Rory was obviously reluctant, but she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him onto the dance floor. As she’d predicted, he was too polite to say no, and, since Geneva was dancing with Jesse, he had no other partner. Honor beamed, and Rory smiled back, the tension easing out of his shoulders as he began to dance. Their moves weren’t as practiced as her sister’s and Jesse’s, but they did all right, and before long they were jigging like they had been dancing together for years. It really was exhilarating to dance with an actual man. Until then, she’d only danced with Geneva.

“You’re a cracking dancer,” Honor whispered.

“Ye’re no slouch yourself. And ye look simply smashing tonight,” Rory replied.

Honor grinned. “As good as Geneva?”

“Better.”

Rory grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close, but loosened his hold when he caught sight of Douglas, who looked none too pleased.

“I’m almost sorry I’m leaving,” Rory said quietly.

“Then don’t go.”

He didn’t reply.

“I could use some air,” Honor said when the song came to an end. “It’s warm in here.”

“I think ye’re drunk,” Rory teased.

“All the more reason. The cold breeze will help me to sober up. Will you join me in the garden?” she purred.

“I will, but only because I don’t think ye should go by yerself.”

“Why? What do you think will happen to me?”

“The world is full of danger, Honor. Especially for a beautiful woman.”

She lifted her hand to her bosom and gave him her best coy smile. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Don’t ye?” he teased.

“Let me get a coat,” Honor said, and sauntered towards the door. Rory followed, and, as soon as she wrapped herself in a fur-lined wrap, she led Rory through the house and out the door that led to the moonlit garden.

The night was cold and still, the sky a blanket of stars. Honor could hear the gentle rush of waves rolling onto the shore and smell the smoke drifting from the chimneys. Warm amber light glowed in the windows, and music and laughter floated from the house, but in the garden they were blessedly alone.

She leaned into Rory and smiled into his eyes. “I’m cold,” she said. “Maybe you can warm me.”

Rory looked down at her, his expression irritatingly guarded. “What is it that ye want from me, Honor?”

“I want to know what it is to be a woman.”

“It means responsibility and sacrifice. And pain.”

And she knew he was referring to Geneva. It made her angry that even at this moment, when she was suggestively pressing her hips to his, he was thinking of her sister.

“Forget about Geneva. She didn’t waste any time on you,” Honor snapped, and saw a flash of anger in Rory’s eyes. “I’d come with you if you asked.”

“Would ye?”

Honor thought he was teasing, but she didn’t care. “Yes, I would. And I will come with you now, if you invite me to your cottage.”

Rory looked at her for a long moment, then took a step back. “It’s nearly midnight, and I believe yer father is about to announce Geneva’s engagement. I think yer sister would want ye there.”

“And what if I don’t want to be?” Honor pouted.