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“Lady Leah,” Stephen said as he and Lady Selina neared them. “Will you do me the honor of a dance?”
Jasper glanced at Leah, who was gritting her teeth as she smiled. “Of course, Lord Sandbourne. I’d be delighted.”
The two left, leaving Jasper alone with Lady Selina. She smiled, then snapped her fan open, covering her face, her alluring eyes studying him over the cream-colored lace.
“Alone again, Your Grace,” she said.
His pulse was racing as he looked at her. He smiled, swallowing. It felt like his mouth was full of cotton.
“Will you do me the honor of dancing with me, My Lady?” he asked.
She snapped her fan shut, revealing her smile. “Of course, Your Grace. After all, we’re soon to be family.”
He offered her his arm, and she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. He could smell her perfume—lavender and rose.
“Tell me, My Lady,” he said, so softly that no one else would hear. “Don’t you feel it, too?”
He looked her in the eyes. The smile had fallen from her face. “What if it’s only infatuation?” she whispered as he placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her closer to him for the waltz.
“What if it’s not?” he replied, hope making his chest feel full of light.
“Why would you do something so rash?”
He began to lead in the box step, twirling her and then pulling her close. She was an excellent dancer, her technique perfect.
“Tell me, if given the choice between a loveless marriage, and the very distinct possibility that you’ve found a chance at true happiness, which would you choose?”
She stared up at him, her mouth pursed into a line.
They stepped back. When they stepped toward each other again, she answered. “I’d choose love, of course.”
“Can you tell me, without a doubt, that you don’t feel the same?”
She didn’t answer, the dance steps moving her away from him. When they were brought back together, he knew her answer—she didn’t need to say.
