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His gaze was drawn to her bosom, which was almost on full display. It wouldn’t be considered scandalous, but the amount of flesh shown was distracting. He was contemplating pulling her into the room to test just how much farther he could drag down the fabric of her décolletage. Perhaps if he was careful, all the way down.
The sound of a throat clearing had him raising his gaze away from the tempting sight. One that he realized would be a spectacle for every other man present. It didn’t matter that most of the women present would likely be dressed in a similar fashion.
“Do I pass inspection?”
The glint of amusement in her eyes told him that she knew exactly what he’d been thinking.
“You certainly do. Perhaps we can hide out in here for the rest of the evening.”
“And risk having your sisters come searching for you?” She gave an exaggerated shudder and placed a hand on his arm to drag him out of his chambers.
“I thought you were getting along well with Louisa and Catherine? They certainly seem to approve of you.”
She’d threaded her arm through his but stopped to look up at him. “Did you tell them about us?”
“That you’ve agreed to marry me? Of course.”
She let out a soft sigh. “That would explain why they’ve been so effusive in their welcome.”
“That’s a good thing, Amelia.”
He knew exactly what she was going to say before she spoke. “You could meet someone tonight—”
He dragged her into his arms and kissed her soundly, ending her nonsense. “Never.”
She looked at him with such fond exasperation.
“We should get this over with,” he said, leading her toward the stairs.
“Such a dour expression for such a handsome man. The young women will be dazzled tonight.”
He ignored her baiting, concentrating only on her compliment as they made their way downstairs.
It bothered him that she was still fixated on their guests and the possibility that he might cast her aside for someone else. Clearly his sisters were correct and he needed to tell her that he loved her. He considered telling her now but discarded that thought. Blurting out the truth when they were about to be accosted by the crowd gathered in the ballroom wasn’t the best time. No, he needed to tell her when they were alone.
As they neared the bottom of the stairs, he became aware of the servants’ gazes on them. He nodded in their direction and led Amelia down the hallway toward the back of the house. The murmur of voices from the ballroom grew louder with every step.
Seeking to lighten the tense mood that had developed between them, he leaned down and spoke in a loud whisper. “I’m having grave reservations about this.”
She laughed and met his gaze, and he was pleased to see that some of her tension had eased.
“It’s too late for regrets, my lord.”
He let out an exaggerated breath. “How many people did you invite?”
Her smile widened. “Everyone.”
Her reply caused a momentary jolt of alarm, which only served to increase her amusement.
They’d reached the ballroom doors, and so he released her arm. By the end of the night, they wouldn’t have to hide their relationship. That fact alone had him straightening his spine and preparing for the task at hand. Meeting “everyone.”
Amelia entered the ballroom before him, alone, and the voices in the room grew quiet. He wondered if that was for her or because they realized he would be announced after her. He was about to step forward when a footman raised a hand to signal that he wait.
“Miss Amelia Lily Weston, niece to the former Marquess of Lowenbrock.”
The unmistakable sound of his butler’s deep, formal tones had John wanting to curse. No one had told him they’d planned to announce their entrances. Until that moment, he’d hoped to slide into the room and find allies among his friends and family before being accosted by his guests. Those hopes were now dashed.
The footman who’d asked him to wait tilted his head in encouragement, and John knew that was his signal to proceed. He took a deep breath, admonishing himself silently for feeling as though he were stepping into battle when this event would be nothing like the real thing, and walked into the ballroom.
