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Chapter Four
Kenneth smiled at the expression of shock that was plastered on Lady Rose’s face.
Besides the fact that he knew his presence mesmerized her, she’d also been completely oblivious to the fact that he was the Marquess of Walsrock she’d so innocently referred to.
Apparently, she wasn’t listening when we were introduced, which explains a lot.
And the fact that she’d admitted to reading his paper as well was quite a revelation. He’d never met a lady who had a remote interest in political ramblings and publications. Then again, he’d never met a lady who preferred to stand with her father rather than her mother during a ball.
His attention returned as her shock faded slowly, their bodies resuming the waltz they were currently in the middle of. In the place of shock, however, a nervous look materialized and began to spread, turning her cheeks pink and causing her to drop her eyes from their gaze.
“What seems to be the matter?” he asked.
“Nothing, My Lord,” she responded, her voice sounding shaky.
He knew what the matter was. He also knew that she, being a lady, was never going to admit her embarrassment to him.
“I’m just embarrassed at missing your name when we were introduced. It most certainly would have spared me this awkwardness,” she said, her response completely startling him.
Gosh! I didn’t see that coming.
“Well, would the lady like a minute to catch her breath?” he responded, knowing fully well that the music was approaching its ending, thus heralding the culmination of their dance.
The look of disappointment that sprung up on her face was as unexpected and startling as her last response. He’d thought she was embarrassed and couldn’t wait to be relieved from dancing. Now, however, he saw she wasn’t interested in ending their brief rendezvous and if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t want to, either.
This lady is certainly something.
Their waltz slowed as the music approached its end. Her face was back to normal but that didn’t stop him from feeling intrigued and somewhat curious.
How have I never met her before? I need more time with her.
“Thank you for the dance, My Lord,” she blurted out with as much grace as she could muster.
“It was my pleasure, My Lady. Perhaps you would care to join me for another dance?” he requested politely.
He understood the gravity of the question he had asked and still, he wanted to have another chance to dance with her. Simply because one time wasn’t enough and he needed more time to have a conversation with her.
As he waited expectantly for her response, her face began to light up with excitement. The dance floor was currently clearing out and he needed an answer soon.
“It would be my pleasure, My Lord,” she responded, as she curtsied and excused herself.
What a lady.
He watched her leave and walk back toward where her father was standing and caught the gaze of the Earl. The Earl had most certainly glared his disapproval back at him, possibly noticing his interest in his daughter.
He chuckled. His interest had already been piqued and there was no going back.
He turned then and began looking for his mother. As he couldn’t ask the lady he’d just danced with any direct and personal questions since it was considered rude, he needed to glean some information from his mother about her.
If Mother has nothing nice to say about her, then this would be the best time to nip my interest in the bud and excuse myself.
Even as the thought crossed his mind, he didn’t know where he was going to find the energy to abandon the party and the Lady if his mother had anything ill to say about her.
Dear Lord, let Mother be nice with her review.
He found his mother where he’d seen her last and noticed, to his utter amazement, that she’d been looking at him.
As he approached her, the crowd around her began to ease off in readiness of his approach. The ladies and chaperones had obviously made their cases for their daughters and were currently retreating to give him a little privacy with his mother.
