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“Why is this funny to you? I am suffering, watching my wife in the arms of other men, and you laugh at me,” he said with such an air of righteous indignation that she laughed again. He shook his head reprovingly. “You enjoy seeing me suffer, do you?”
“Not at all.” She smiled up at him. “But if you do have to suffer a torment, I’d rather it be in my arms.”
“I’d rather suffer every kind of torment in your arms, too,” he said, lowering his voice to a seductive whisper.
They reached the dancefloor at that moment, and Gabriel swept her into the dance. They didn’t talk much, just smiled into each other’s eyes, occasionally murmuring something about the surrounding couples or the decor of the ballroom. Evie couldn’t hide her joy. If she thought she loved to dance before, it was nothing compared to the feeling of being the sole point of Gabriel’s attention. Of the anticipation of his every touch, every gaze. She didn’t want the dance to end.
However, the last bars of the melody struck, and Evie lowered herself in a curtsy. Gabriel caught her hand and pulled her closer to him.
“Next is the second waltz of the night, I believe,” he said into her ear.
“We can’t dance two dances in a row.” Her eyes grew wide even as a bright smile split her lips.
“Why not?” he said, looking intently into her eyes.
“It’s—It’s against the rules,” she hissed in a scandalized whisper, and Gabriel laughed. The music started then, and he collected Evie against his chest, slowly moving his hand up her arm, weaving his fingers through hers.
“How improper of me,” he murmured, still staring into her eyes as he made the first move of the dance.
Evie followed his lead effortlessly. His moves were sure and fluid at the same time. Evie found her body listening to his command, moving with him without conscious thought. It was as if they’d danced like this forever.
He kept staring into her eyes, and Evie couldn’t quite take her gaze away from him either. His hand burned through the layers of her bodice, stays, and chemise at her waist, heating her body. Her cheeks flushed, and she was sure she was about to burst into flames. The entire world melted away as they danced in complete silence, lost in each other’s gazes. The flicker of thousands of candles were feeding into the illusion that they were dancing on clouds, among the stars, alone.
The romantic atmosphere must have muddled her mind because before she knew it, the words that had burned in her mind for seven long years almost escaped her lips. “Gabriel,” she breathed, “I—”
Thankfully, the music stopped at that moment, and Gabriel was forced to a halt as well. The room buzzed around them as people started leaving the dancefloor, and Evie was jolted back into reality. With horror, she realized that she’d almost professed her love for Gabriel, right there, in the middle of his father’s ballroom.
He bowed then and took her arm. “Yes?” he asked as he led her away from the dance floor. “What were you going to say?”
“I—” Evie frowned, trying to grab on to any other thought, but her mind came up blank. “I am quite parched,” she finally said.
“Say no more.” Gabriel grinned down at her. He brought her to his father’s side and bowed to her before turning to his father. “Watch her for me, would you?”
He took Evie’s hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, then left with a wink.
Evie fanned herself vigorously as she felt her cheeks burning. She turned and saw the Earl of Winchester watching her with a sly smile on his lips.
“It is rather hot in here, wouldn’t you say?” she asked, just to distract herself from blushing even more.
“Indeed,” he said and turned to watch the crowd. “You and my son look perfect together on the dancefloor.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Evie lowered her gaze, cursing her idiot heart for leaping in happiness at his words.
“Nonsense, child,” he said with a dismissive wave. “We are a family now. No need to stand on formalities. You can call me papa, or father, if you prefer it better.”
Evie looked at him, wide-eyed.
“Unless, of course, you’re uncomfortable with that,” he corrected himself after clearing his throat.
“I would be honored to call you father,” Evie said as she felt her eyes water. She hadn’t realized how she’d missed having an affectionate older relative. That feeling that someone older and wiser was looking out for her.
“I knew Somerset,” he said. “Admired him. He was one of the most progressive and caring landowners I knew. Loved his family too. Was notorious for it.”
Evie smiled, although her eyes filled with tears like they always did at the thought of her grandfather. “I hope I shan’t let him down.”
“Impossible. He wouldn’t have left you with the burden of the title if he wasn’t certain in your abilities.”
“Thank you.”
