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Chapter 5
Three dance lessons later, Mina thought the earl was more proficient than he had allowed. He spun her with graceful vigor across the ballroom of his townhouse, while she hummed the tones of the sensual waltz. They halted in the center of the exquisite ballroom with two folding doors which could open up into the larger drawing room. Mina imagined the ball the earl would hold here, thousands of candles lit on the chandeliers, the crush of glittering finery of ladies and gentlemen, the laughter and facile chatter, and the wonderful music.
“Your form is very elegant, and you dance with confidence. That is very good,” she said with an approving smile and a bit of breathlessness. They had been practicing for the last hour.
“I am relieved I won’t be crushing any toes.”
“I sincerely doubt you were ever in danger of being so clumsy.”
They stared at each other for several moments before she glanced away. “Well,” she said crisply. “Shall we begin again?”
“Why Miss Fernsby, you do look a bit flustered. Is anything the matter?”
There was a gleam in his eyes which said he suspected her attraction to him. He was truly irresistible, with those cerulean eyes and sensually endearing smile. Mina smiled at him, another challenge in itself, for she had her guard up. Always. It did not matter that her heart trembled whenever she met him at the start of each lesson or that by the end of said lesson her sense of wonder had grown.
“You are staring, Miss Fernsby,” he said, his expression suddenly intent.
The air tightened with an unexpected tension. “I was merely lost in thought for a moment.”
“Were they thoughts of me?” he asked with a grin, prowling closer.
An odd sensation jerked low in her belly, and she rolled her eyes. “They were not. Now let’s practice the waltz once more. And perhaps tomorrow we could move on to the quadrille.”
“Very well,” he said, bowing with a flourish.
Swallowing her smile, she dipped into a curtsy, rose, and walked into his arms. They went into position, and he slid his arms along hers to hold her by the elbows. They danced to an unheard music, and Mina silently hummed the strains of the waltz in her thoughts. How long they danced for she could not say, but she flashed him a smile when instead of stopping, he moved into position once more.
“You enjoy dancing,” he murmured.
“I do,” she admitted, “however it is not something I do often.”
“Why not?”
She frowned. “I do not attend many society events.”
“I will ensure you receive an invitation for my ball.”
“I was not angling for one,” she gasped.
“I never thought you were.”
“That is generous of you,” she said with a small smile. “Thank you.”
Of course, she would not be able to attend. The cost of a new ball gown was still out of her reach, and with her responsibilities she would not waste the money on one.
He twirled her away and then drew her back into his grasp. When their elbows slid against each other, his fingers briefly touched hers. Her skin seemed to burn beneath the fleeting caress, and how she wished they had worn gloves for this dancing lesson.
“You look flushed.”
“I do?”
The corners of the earl’s mouth curled upward. “Your cheeks are pinkened and your eyes…they are delighted.”
His tone was like dark velvet. Mina did her best to ignore his light flirtation. It was as if he could not help himself, and she wondered if he was like this with every lady. With his attraction and debonair charm, he would have no problem attracting the cream of this year’s debutantes. Mina doubted that despite the rough edges that still remained on his understanding of correct behavior, he would have difficulty finding a bride who would suit his requirements. She felt a pang of jealousy, imagining him courting, proposing, and marrying his future paragon of the ton. She forced her thoughts not to picture herself at his side during those scenes. Mina was far too practical to allow herself to dwell on the impossible longings that were stirring inside her heart.
* * *
A full twoweeks had passed since the earl employed Mina. They were now in early April and many invitations to balls and soirees had been sent to the earl’s home, with many society ladies hoping to be the first to host him at a ball this season. Mina gathered they were all curious about the gentleman the newssheets seemed to be fascinated with, and often spoke about his past exploits with great and boorish relish. They seemed to also speculate on his wealth and which lady might be lucky or unlucky enough to secure his hand in marriage this season.
