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CHAPTER18
Jeremy stepped forward; scarcely aware he was doing so until he heard Stephen speak up at his side.
“Where are you going, Jeremy?” Stephen’s amused voice stopped Jeremy from even looking round to meet his friend’s gaze.
“I’ll be back soon,” Jeremy murmured. Stephen laughed as Jeremy walked off, crossing the ballroom as quickly as he could. He tried to choose a path that was not so direct, but went off at an angle, the better to see what was happening.
Curious…
He couldn’t’ quiet understand Sophia’s expression. She was standing clutching to the arm of her friend, with the two of them talking to Lord Elkins, though neither Sophia nor Lady Rumpton seemed particularly keen on meeting Lord Elkins’ gaze, despite how fervently he seemed to be talking to Sophia.
I have to speak to her.
Jealousy rose within Jeremy. He imagined it was rather like an ugly monster, one that consumed him, right down to the very tips of his fingers, and that monster roared in his chest when he saw Lord Elkins offer his hand to Sophia.
She didn’t take it. To Jeremy’s relief, he watched as she walked around her brother-in-law instead of taking that hand, drawing her friend away with her.
What just happened?
Jeremy was confused. He could read Lord Elkins’ expression as he watched her go, there was anger there, though he tried to hide it as a gentleman approached him to chat. Taking his opportunity, Jeremy hurried forward, reaching for Sophia’s side.
“Lady Rumpton, Lady Elkins.” He bowed to them. They both turned to face him abruptly, clearly startled by his approach. A smile appeared on Lady Rumpton’s lips as she pushed her friend forward.
“How good to see you again, Your Grace,” Lady Rumpton said smoothly with a curtsy. “Though I have a feeling it is not my company you have sought out tonight.” She nudged Sophia once again.
Jeremy couldn’t take his eyes off Sophia. She seemed nervous, with her cheeks pink.
Why is she nervous of me after all we have shared?
“Out of fear of being rude, Lady Rumpton, I could never admit to such a thing, but…” He paused and held his hand out to Sophia, wanting clearly what Lord Elkins desired too, but couldn’t have. “Would you dance with me, Sophia?” He slipped and had addressed her as Sophia in public. The smile that appeared on her lips was so wide that he could feel his heart thudding harder in his chest again.
“I’d be happy to.” She took his hand.
Jeremy nodded in parting to Lady Rumpton then drew Sophia toward the dancefloor. He was careful to keep their hands hidden between their bodies as he entwined their fingers together.
“I must admit,” he whispered to her as they neared the dancefloor. “I’m rather glad you have long abandoned your resolution not to dance with me.”
“And I will admit, I half suspected you wouldn’t want to dance with me again, now that we…” She trailed off, saying no more as she avoided his gaze. They waited at the side of the dancefloor for the last dance to end.
“I find I can’t resist dancing with you,” he confessed, practically whispering the words. Her head jerked upwards, her eyes shooting to his in surprise.
Standing so close to her, he was enveloped in her scent of honeysuckle and rose. It made him breathe deeply, not wanting to part from her. The connection of their gazes seemed something that was never-ending, until the music finished and the couples on the floor switched over.
Awoken as if from a trance, Jeremy led Sophia to the floor.
“You might have to be careful with me in this dance,” she said, following him, her gloved hand safe within his palm. “This gown is rather longer than the ones I am used to wearing. I have borrowed it from my friend.”
The words startled Jeremy as he turned to bow to her with the opening music.
“You came from Lady Rumpton’s house? Not your own?” he asked.
“I did.”
With the music growing a little louder, it became rather difficult to talk. Jeremy had to wait until he had Sophia in his arms and drew her to a different part of the floor, further away from the violins.
A waltz!
Her gloved hand in his was not close enough for his liking. He wanted that silk gone, for his skin to be sliding against her own again. Moving so near to her as they danced, he was conscious of how she stared at him, with those dark eyes wide.
