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“Am I Cendrillon, then?” she laughed. “And are you my prince?”
“I am indeed, but I need no crystal slipper to lead me to my heart’s desire,” Alessandro whispered, grinning as he grasped one of her slim ankles. Gently, he slid the shoe onto her slender foot with a bold caress.
Eyes afire, Mélisande lifted her other foot.
Stamma chattered on about chess and some of the personages he’d met on his travels throughout Europe, ignorant of the fact that neither of his companions were listening to a word he said.
Back in the ballroom, they found Pelham, Stanton, and Miss Charlotte chatting with Lady Angelica and Miss Doulton. The mischief Alessandro had set into motion was already coming to fruition, for Angelica gazed at Reggie with calf eyes, while her little lavender-eyed friend looked at Pelham as if she’d like to eat him with a spoon. When her would-be rival grew distracted by their approach, he noted how Charlotte took the opportunity to station herself at Pelham’s side. By the time Miss Doulton took note, her stealthy takeover was fait accompli.
Mélisande nudged Alessandro gently.
“But what of you?” he whispered, a sharp stab of disappointment piercing him at the thought of having to give up even a single moment with her.
Her lips firmed in denial, condemning him to the sacrifice. At the last minute, however, he was saved by an eager young man who boldly broached their circle to beg the privilege of Miss Doulton’s last dance.
With one last regretful glance at Pelham, the girl accepted.
Alessandro floated Mélisande through the steps of the quadrille, the music swirling around them, the colors and sounds of the ball blending as in a dream until all they could see was each other. The last note sang out on the violin strings, and while everyone else called praises to the host and hostess, the pair slipped out onto the terrace.
The air was cool and crisp, a welcome relief from the swelter and closeness of the ballroom. Together they breathed in the fresh air, listening to the haunting cries of the peacocks calling from the lawn, watching the footmen put out the lanterns lining the garden paths. One by one, the lights winked out like stars fleeing the dawn, leaving only darkness behind.
“I would like to call on you tomorrow.”
“People will think you’re courting me if you call so soon after tonight’s display,” she teased, her lips curving.
“Would that be so bad?” The words had slipped out before he’d had a chance to think them through. What had possessed him to say such a thing? He barely knew her, and what he did know made his question seem very foolish indeed. She’d made it clear she didn’t want a husband. “It would most certainly save us a great deal of trouble, should we ever be caught in a compromising situation,” he added, attempting to justify himself. “And when you tire of my company, you may publicly toss me out on my ear.”
“We will not be caught,” she assured him. “If you wish to call at my residence, you may, but I think it better for you to do so as a friend, like David or Monsieur Stamma. If people thought I’d accepted you as a suitor, I would have every unmarried man in England knocking on my door all over again,” she grumbled. “We must be discreet. I’ll begin making arrangements immediately.”
“I look forward to the day,” Alessandro murmured. “However”—he moved in behind her—“should you find yourself unwilling to wait until that time arrives, simply send word and I shall call at your window.”
“First I was Cendrillon, now I am to be Juliet? Alas, my dear Romeo, I believe climbing the trellis an unnecessary risk to both your neck and my reputation. A suitable location will be ready within the week, a place where we may take our time in comfort and privacy.”
Alessandro knew when to concede. The message was clear: she wanted to be in control. He smiled softly into the darkness. “Until tomorrow, then, Countess,” he said, taking her hand from the railing to place a soft kiss on its palm before laying it over his arm and leading her back inside to find her companions.
Every time his eyes met Mélisande’s as they awaited the carriage, he felt a silent calling between them. It sang in his blood and hummed in his bones.
Finally it was time. She smiled back at him as he handed her up into the carriage, her eyes twin glimmers of torchlight reflected back at him from the darkness. The footman shut the door, and in a clatter of hooves and creaking of wheels, she was gone.
Another pair of eyes followed Mélisande’s departure: eyes filled with cold fury. Jaw clenched, Herrington turned before Gravina could catch him staring.
She deliberately taunted him, luring other men into her nets while snubbing only him.
Slowly, breath by breath, serenity reinstated itself. Let the temptress shake her feathers with her ridiculous Italian plaything, for no
w. Once his suspicions were proven to be truth, her little game would be over. Then the witch’d have to play according to his rules.
He had only to wait for word from Whitehurst. The ship should reach France by the end of the week. Once his man reached Versailles, it was only a matter of time.
PLANS WITHIN PLANS
MÉLISANDE COUNTED THE seconds as they rolled away from Ludley’s house. Any moment now...
“Melly, I was thinking perhaps Charlie might stay with Reggie and me for the remainder of the Season,” David said, his tone casual. “Your offer to oversee her debut was a generous one, and I know you enjoy each other’s company, but it may be better for her to remain under her brother’s care, considering recent developments.”
“Allow me to reassure you that Charlotte’s interests remain paramount in my considerations,” Mélisande replied. She knew exactly why David was making such an offer, and it nettled. Though she might be putting her own future at risk, she had no intention of risking Charlotte’s.
Perhaps it might not be so bad if people thought Alessandro a legitimate suitor after all. As long as he behaved himself appropriately, no one would be the wiser. Her own reputation might suffer a bit from the appearance of blind stupidity, but she would be excused for having had a temporary lapse of judgment over a handsome face. It was a perfectly acceptable price to pay to preserve Charlotte’s good name.
