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Hope stirred. “Oh?”
“Dance with him.”
* * *
Arabella loitered in the foyer, peering at the stairs every few minutes and fighting the growing panic every time she didn’t see Nathan coming down them. It was well into the evening by now, the ball in full swing, with nearly every neighboring family crammed into the expansive ballroom. In between watching her sister manage the veritable hoard of gentlemen angling for a dance and conversing with Cecily, whom seemed determined to remain on the edge of the dance floor, Arabella had waited with bated breath for Nathan to appear. Yet, as the evening wore on with no sign of him, anxiety had set in. She’d excused herself some minutes ago, hoping to catch him when he came down, but was now loitering around like a fool in the silent hall.
“Where are you, Nathan?” she muttered to herself and absently adjusted one of the sapphire combs in her hair. She and Caroline had taken great pains to dress her to perfection, even their mother allowing Arabella to wear jewels normally reserved for Caroline. The prospect of snagging the duke had softened the woman to her somewhat, and though Arabella knew it had more to do with the prestige she was about to bring to the family rather than any maternal affection, she would take any help she could get. Now, however, it seemed all their efforts might be for naught.
Another few minutes went by in silence, with no sign of anyone at the top of the stairs. Arabella shifted from one foot to another, impatience mingling with fear. It was becoming more than apparent that Nathan would not attend the event, leaving her entire plan in shambles. Something had to be done, and soon, lest the night wind down and they miss the last waltz of the evening entirely. Deciding to act before she could talk herself out of it, Arabella strode across the hall. Taking one look around her to ensure nobody was watching, she trotted up the stairs.
If Nathan wasn’t going to come to her, then she would go to him. It was risky to disappear from such a large event, but perhaps her near invisibility would serve her well for once. Besides, if all went as planned, there was a good chance she’d be betrothed by tomorrow. It was a bold conclusion to draw, she knew, but such optimism was the only thing keeping her from turning on her heel and running back down the stairs. Trying her best to remember which door she’d seen him coming in and out of during the past two weeks, Arabella continued walking down the corridor before stopping in front of the room she hoped was his. She slowly pressed her ear against the door. Encouraged by the muted shuffling she heard within, Arabella stood back and rapped on the door. She held her breath when it opened to reveal Nathan’s handsome form behind it. As she’d feared, he was still dressed in his day clothes. He looked her up and down with wide eyes.
“Um, hello,” she said, shy and tongue-tied at the sight of him. Every word she’d rehearsed for this moment fled as nerves took over.
“You…” He blinked before shaking his head. “What are you doing here?”
She swallowed and cleared her throat, trying to organize her thoughts into something coherent. “I’ve been waiting for you all night.” She stared at the knot of his cravat and clenched her skirts. “We have a waltz to dance, after all.” When a moment passed in silence, his silent form unmoving, her nerves and sinking heart got the better of her. Heat stained her cheeks. “I’ll go.” She made to turn around, before his hand shot out to grasp her wrist.
“Wait,” he said.
She tilted her head to look at him, hope blooming in her chest. “May I come inside?”
He visibly swallowed. “Is that wise?”
“I hope so,” she replied.
“Very well.” Nathan looked left and right down the hall before ushering her in and closing the door behind them.
Gathering her thoughts and knowing that her next words would be crucial, Arabella smoothed her skirts. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday.” She inwardly cringed at the stilted statement.
“It is alright. I understand.” He clasped his hands behind his back.
“No,” she shook her head. “You were right that my lack of trust had more to do with myself than what I’d overheard. Deep down, I believed your explanation. If my stupid insecurities hadn’t gotten in the way, I would have… I would have happily accepted your proposal. If that was even a proposal in truth. You didn't ask me directly, and I do not want to presume anything or—” She interrupted herself with a deep breath, realizing that she was beginning to ramble. After a long exhale, she continued. “I love you, Nathan, and I want to move forward in my life with you by my side. I thought, perhaps, that giving you that waltz would prove my trust, show that I know you won’t abandon me once the bet is secure. So,” she held out her hand, everything riding on this moment, “will you come downstairs with me?”
“No.”
Her heart sank, and she looked at the floor, unable to face him. “I see.”
Soft footsteps sounded until he was mere inches before her. His hand reached out and gently nudged her chin. “Look at me.” Blinking back tears, she did as he bade and froze at the brilliant smile on his face. “I do not want to dance with you, darling, not right now. The gift you offer is wonderful, but I’ll still not go through with Thurmont’s bet. All I wanted to hear was that you love me as ardently as I do you. So, to answer your question.” He cupped her face in his palms and leaned down to rest his forehead against hers. “Yes, that was a proposal, bungled as it was, one that I hope you have an answer to.”
Arabella let out a wobbly laugh, heart soaring. “How can it be anything but a yes.” She playfully tapped his chest with her palm. “You cad. I had this whole thing planned out with my grand gesture. You would have been swept off your feet, and we’d waltz at midnight. Caroline assured me it would be terribly romantic.”
He huffed in amusement. “You’d have hated everyone staring and you know it. Besides, I’ve already been swept off my feet just by looking at you. You’re stunning tonight, and I thought my heart was going to stop when I saw you at the door.” He stroked a finger along her necklace. “The sapphires suit you. When we’re married, I’ll buy you your own set.” The finger lingered on her chest, stroking the soft skin of her collarbone.
She shivered at the contact. “I don’t want to go back down.”
“Don’t say such tempting things.”
“I’ll say whatever I want,” she replied with a grin. Feeling brave, Arabella leaned up and kissed him. All thoughts of the ball fled as their lips met, the light touch of their mouths quickly devolving in a fiery clash of tongues as the kiss deepened. She pressed against him with a low moan and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He pulled away and gazed at her with half-lidded eyes. “If we don’t stop now and head downstairs, I’m liable to make love to you.”
The words did nothing but fan the flames of her ardor, and she pressed against him more fully. “I told you, I don’t want to go back down.”
“The lady has spoken,” he replied with a half grin. “Who am I to deny her?” He gave her another searing kiss that sent her toes curling before trailing his mouth down her neck. She tilted her head to give him more access, the slick slide of his tongue against her pulse sending a bolt of pure lust down her body. “Turn around,” he whispered into her neck. Heart pounding, she followed the command, pulling her gloves off whilst his deft fingers worked their way down the lacings of her dress. The garment slid from her shoulders and pooled at her feet, followed by her stays before she could even blink. His hands paused in the process of bunching her shift. “Is this still alright?”
“Yes, please,” she whispered, the anticipation almost too much to bear, and lifted her arms as he hauled the fabric off her. She shivered as the cool air hit her bare skin, relishing in Nathan’s warmth as he pulled her against him.
