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Now that he could see Maude, it was a simple matter to steer his partner so that they were dancing close to her and Staines. He couldn’t hear what the man was saying to her, but at least if he saw any distress on her face he was near enough to intervene.
And then Maude saw him. Her eyes widened, she smiled, then she saw his partner and she frowned. She was puzzled. Good. He fully intended that she should be, it might take her mind off that blond Lothario.
They appeared to be in perfect unison. It was a wonder the swine can concentrate on his steps, Eden thought savagely, because he seems to be fixated on her breasts. And that damn gown, the soft satin moulding her long limbs as she twirled, fleetingly outlining every lovely line.
Miss Hunter was mercifully quiet, content, it seemed to dance in silence. Glancing down, meeting her eyes and smiling, Eden decided he liked the girl. She didn’t deserve to be stuck with no partners, or used by him as a stalking horse. As the set swirled to its end, Maude still happily chatting away to Staines, Eden felt his partner tense in his arms.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Mama,’ she said grimly, nodding towards a tall matron with feathers in her coiffure.
‘Never mind.’ He spotted Jessica, standing talking to Lord Dereham. ‘Come and meet some friends.’ Miss Hunter, looking bemused, allowed herself to be led towards them. ‘Lady Standon, may I introduce Miss Hunter?’ Over the top of the sandy head, he mouthed Find her partners at Jessica.
She picked up the cue and smiled. ‘Do join us, Miss Hunter.’ They strolled off and a few moments later Eden saw Jessica introducing Miss Hunter to a lively group of young men, two of whom seemed to be asking her for a dance.
‘Who were you dancing with?’ He turned to find Maude, charmingly flushed from the exercise.
‘A wallflower,’ he said, controlling his breathing. ‘Nice girl, a Miss Hunter.’
‘Oh, that was kind of you.’ Maude beamed at him. ‘So many men just ignore the poor things and the more they are ignored, the worse it gets.’
It was tempting to bask in her approval. ‘Kindness did not come into it,’ Eden said, some evil genius prompting him to honesty. ‘I wanted to keep an eye on Staines and I had no partner. He is not someone you should be associating with.’
‘Indeed?’ Maude’s chin went up. ‘I like him. He is charming, good looking and an excellent dancer.’
‘He’s a rake and a libertine.’
‘You exaggerate. He’s a shocking flirt, that is all,’ she said haughtily. ‘And I am well able to take care of myself, thank you.’
‘He propositions the chorus girls and he brings birds of paradise into his box at the theatre,’ Eden snapped.
‘Oh, my goodness!’ Maude assumed an expression of exaggerated shock. ‘How dreadful! I am sure you have never so much as spoken to one of the muslin company yourself—have you, Mr Hurst?’
‘I—damn it, Maude I’m only—’
‘Interfering?’ she enquired sweetly. ‘Really, Eden, anyone would think you were jealous. Ah, there’s my partner for the next set. Do excuse me—and please, do carry on your good work amongst the wallflowers. I am sure they will be most grateful.’
Jealous? Eden stood staring after her as she walked towards the young gentleman who had come to claim her hand, the skirts of her exquisite gown swishing slightly with the sway of her walk. Jealous? He certainly felt possessive, and foolishly hurt and—But if he was jealous, that had to mean that this was more than desire, more than friendship. That strange new sensation was making his chest tight again.
He turned his back on the dance floor and walked out, along a passageway, through the doors at the end and on to the cold deserted terrace. Was he developing a tendre for Maude? No. No, he could not be doing anything so foolish. He had no idea how. He might as well wish for the moon.
Chapter Fifteen
Well, that was either a big step forward, or a total disaster, Maude thought, joining hands across and promenading down the set. She had certainly succeeded in making Eden embarrassed and angry, but whether he was jealous, and if he was, what he would do about it, she had no idea. He seemed to have vanished from the ballroom.
By the end of the country dances, and the set that followed them, there was still no sign of him and the next set was the supper dance, the first he had put his name to on her card. Some of Papa’s choicer expressions ran through Maude’s mind. Well, she had plenty of married friends she could join for supper, but as for this set, she may as well go and sit with the wallflowers.
‘Lady Maude?’ She let the pent-up breath sigh out of her before she turned around. Eden was unsmiling, but at least he was there. ‘Our dance, I believe?’ He bowed.
‘Sir.’ Maude dropped an entirely proper curtsy and held out her hand. ‘You are freezing!’ Even through the fine kid of her white gloves, she could feel it.
‘I apologise.’ He placed the other hand at her waist, lightly, as if he did not want to press the chilly palm against her. She had forgotten this was a waltz. ‘I was out on the terrace.’
‘Why?’ They began to move in unison with the other couples close around them. ‘It is so cold tonight, foggy.’
‘I was recovering my temper,’ Eden said, his tone conversational.
Maude studied the diamond pin in his cravat. ‘Oh?’ She did not want to bicker, she wanted to be quiet, in his arms, moving to this loving, lilting music.
