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The moment he had laid eyes on Chloe that evening, his mouth had turned dry, and his heartbeat had picked up so fast that he was certain he heard it in his ears. That longing was there again, thisneedto be beside her, yet how could he reach her side?
I would need to be a lady interested in fashion to have that chance now.
When he reached the drink table, he poured himself a glass of claret and swigged with fervor. So quickly in fact that he was quickly topping up a second glass.
“You struggle to keep your balance at the best of times. Is it wise to make the task of dancing even more difficult for yourself by drinking all of my wine?” Benjamin’s voice caused Leo to turn around and pointedly take another swig.
“It is not all your wine. Besides, much chance I have for dancing tonight at the moment.”
“Ah, I see.” Benjamin moved to Leo’s side and folded his arms, turning his focus to where Leo had been staring. “There is only one woman you wish to dance with, correct?”
“You do not need to spell it out so much, you know?” Leo said, elbowing his friend and making Benjamin wince.
“Ow, I must have gotten to you. That one rather hurt.”
“It can hardly have hurt that much.” Leo turned to lower his glass to the table, yet it slipped out of his hand. It clattered onto the surface and shot red wine over the white cloth. Leo cursed under his breath and hurried to mop up the mess, much to Benjamin’s amusement, who was already smiling.
“At least the glass didn’t break.” Benjamin took the cloth out of Leo’s hand and left it to the side, before beckoning forward one of his servants. Leo frowned, even as he tried to take the cloth back to continue. “Could you clear this up, please?”
“Of course, your Grace.”
Leo felt his shoulder taken by Benjamin as he was turned back round.
“I wish to help you, Leo. But you do realize impressing Chloe will be much more difficult when you’re standing here, and she is way over there.” Benjamin pointedly gestured to her position and the vast distance between the two of them.
Leo sighed as he watched Chloe. He had the chance to see her through the crowd of faces that were complimenting her on her designs. Never had he seen such a smile on her face.
She deserves to be this happy always.
“How would you suggest I reach her, Benjamin?” Leo said with a laugh. “Shall I push all your guests out of the way? Something tells me you would not thank me for the carnage.”
“Knowing you, you would fall over with them.”
“Thank you for that reminder.”
“Here, let me get you another drink.” Benjamin laughed and poured out another glass of claret for Leo. Leo took small sips this time as he watched Chloe. “Do you intend to watch her all night or talk to her at some point too?”
“Benjamin!” Leo turned his head sharply toward his brother-in-law. “You declare as my friend that you wish to help me. So far, all I can see is that you are enjoying your wry comments.”
“Well, it is amusing for me.”
“Besides, I have a plan.” Leo stood taller, trying to believe his words. “I do not just wish to stand here all night. I intend to ask her to dance.”
“It is a good start.” Benjamin approved with a nod.
Leo could still remember the last time he had danced with Chloe, and the thrill it had caused. He had been in his cups at Maeve’s and Benjamin’s wedding, eager to celebrate the occasion, and that had made his feet even clumsier than normal. More than once he had stepped on Chloe’s foot and nearly fallen over, yet at no point had Chloe been irritated or made him feel a fool. On the contrary, she had laughed along with him as they nearly toppled over. More than once in that dance they had ended up dancing a little too closely.
I wonder if she remembers that dance as I do.
There had been a brief moment that evening when Leo had thought she clung to him out of affection, but he had soon decided that she had also drunk a little too much champagne.
“You might be about to have your chance.” Benjamin elbowed Leo forward a little.
Maeve and Chloe were moving out of the crowd, making their excuses to depart, arm in arm. They were talking at length of the gowns, that was plain to see in the way they gestured down at their skirts.
“Come on, now is your chance,” Benjamin said again in Leo’s ear.
“I would be happy being left to my own devices at this moment,” Leo added, glaring in his brother-in-law’s direction.
