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Eyes wide, she allowed him to twirl her into position. He set her hand in his and another to her waist.
“A waltz,” she murmured. He saw her throat bob.
Timely indeed. He could not have planned it even if he wanted to though he’d overheard Aunt Sarah call for the scandalous dance, and no one would decline her request. He’d owe her greatly for the opportunity to hold Chastity close. Though he might have touched every inch of her naked body, there was something utterly sensual about having a hand to the curve of her waist, about being able to feel the lines of her stays in public. Even with a respectable gap between them, the air felt thick, as though they were joined by invisible strings.
“I should have told you,” she said as she settled her hand upon his shoulder.
“I understand why you did not.”
“You do?”
“Of course. It is highly unusual, after all.” He smirked. “And we did not exactly start on the right foot.”
“Actually, you started on my foot if I recall correctly.”
He chuckled. “You were the one not looking where you were going.”
The first strains of the music started up and she hesitated. “But, Valentine,” she protested. “You never dance.”
“I do not.” He led her confidently in the first steps.
Her gaze never left his. People would take note, of that he was certain. The mere fact he was dancing would draw attention, then add that to the fact he could not cease staring into those wide green pools that held so much he wanted to discover, and they would most likely be in the scandal sheets tomorrow as potential lovers.
He didn’t care. Let them talk. So long as he could have her in his arms, he would endure every ounce of gossip they had. And a woman like Chastity, so willing to throw away conventions to aid others, would not give a fig either.
His heart pounded hard. So hard he imagined it could be heard over the music. Where the other dancers were, he could not say. His world narrowed to only her and though there were words to be said, he did not want to break this moment. For now, it was perfection. Her in his arms, looking at him as though he was the only man she ever wanted to look at.
For the first time in his adult life, he wanted to stay at a ball forever.
