AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The viscount raked her with a thoroughly examining gaze before shaking his head. “Burlap would surely itch too much.”
If he wanted to set her at ease, it was exactly the right thing to say, as it provoked a burst of laughter from her. In a lighter tone of voice, she concluded her previously interrupted observation. “Perhaps, Eastwood, I’m jealous, as you’re far more fashionable than me.”
“Well, of course I am. I’m far more fashionable than everyone.”
Hilaria frowned. “Then why do you consider yourself not to be a dandy if you pride yourself on being so fashionable?”
“Because that is not the sole purpose of my being. I also participate in many sports and love to race my horses, but I’m not a Corinthian. I take my seat in the House, but I’m not a politician. I take excellent care of my estate, but I’m not a country squire. People can be all manner of things, wouldn’t you agree?”
Hilaria stopped in her tracks, and now it was her turn to rake him with a penetrating stare.
“If you are so well aware of that fact, then why did you takemein dislike at first sight?”
She felt her eyebrows inching toward her hairline as Lord Eastwood sputtered before her, obviously wanting to deny her words but not able to do so. His face brightened considerably when he heard the musicians striking up the next number.
“It’s our waltz, come along.”
As he swept her into his arms and onto the dance floor, Hilaria allowed her concerns to be left behind, at least for the time being. It really mattered little why he disliked her. They were managing to rub along sufficiently well despite their rocky initial introduction. And they were stuck together for the time being, if they both intended to reach their aims.
To her dismay, he hadn’t been wrong about the attentions she would receive after he showed an interest in her. Already, she had noticed that it wasn’t just fortune hunters asking her to dance that evening. While it was true that there hadn’t yet been a duke presenting himself for her hand in a dance, she was pleased that things were heading in the right direction.
So, it behooved her not to offend the man by calling him a dandy.
Hilaria was uncomfortably aware that she had spoken the truth when she surmised that she was jealous of his fashionable sense. There were many things to envy about the man. He seemed so comfortable with himself. And he was happy to look after his estate.
With a forced smile and a tilt to her chin, Hilaria pushed all other thoughts from her head and enjoyed her turns on the dance floor with Lord Eastwood. If she couldn’t find anything else to say about the man, he danced like a dream.
