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“Miss Green, I have been wanting to come and congratulate you all evening.”
“Congratulate me?” She jerked her chin upward, clearly startled.
“Yes. The event is not only a success, but you have enthralled so many ladies with your designs that my effort to reach your side has been outmaneuvered at every opportunity.”
“You wished to reach my side? What a compliment,” Chloe said playfully. “Was it my company you sought out? Or something else entirely? I have noticed more than one gentleman has come to join the conversation tonight, simply because they hope to earn the gazes of the ladies who are staring at my gown.”
Leo laughed warmly at her wit, losing himself in it. She had a habit of making him see the lighter side of life, and the quirks that he hadn’t noticed in others.
“That was not my motivation, I assure you,” he promised her. “I wanted to tell you how impressed I am.”
“Impressed?” she repeated, her eyebrows quirking.
“Yes. The gowns are truly magnificent.” He gestured to the other seamstresses in the room, Maeve, and then lastly back to Chloe. “This one in particular, well, it is . . .” He faltered, uncertain how to give the compliment. He grew aware of Chloe’s pinkening cheeks. Fearing he was embarrassing her, he hurried his compliment. “It is quite captivating.”
“Now, there is a fine compliment indeed.” Her smile grew wider. “When I come to sell it in my store, I will have to be certain to describe it like that to my customers.”
“You do not intend to keep it for yourself? But it is beautiful and suits you very much.” He motioned toward her, thankful he held his tongue about how well it complimented the color of her eyes. He had realized that could come off as being too forward.
I do not want her to run away from me.
“Well, I am glad you think so, my lord. I do like it very much. In fact, Maeve was just saying she would be keen to see how the gown would look when I am dancing.” Chloe motioned to the dance floor behind her.
“Have you not yet danced tonight?” Leo could see his opportunity now. He took a step toward her, about to raise his hand.
“Not yet,” she said softly.
“If I were to ask you to dance with me, Miss Green, I fear the question must come with a warning.” He grimaced and shot a glance back to the table. To his surprise, a giggle escaped her lips. He looked back at Chloe, startled by the smile on her face.
“It sounds as if it could make for an entertaining dance, my lord. If . . . you were to ask me.”
Now is the time.
He was about to raise his hand again when a shadow passed between them. Someone had stepped in front of the candlelight.
“Miss Green, what a pleasure it is to see you here tonight.”
Leo felt his hand curl back and rest at his side, as he jerked his head toward the newcomer. Mr. Harry Moretti had appeared beside them. A man of investments, he was a businessman, rather like Leo. Leo had met Mr. Moretti often at events such as this, for his investments did well for his clients in the ton, earning him a place in their circle.
“Ah, Mr. Moretti. It is good to see you as well.” Chloe hurried to curtsy, and Leo bowed as well, praying that Mr. Moretti would get through the pleasantries quickly enough, so Leo could ask Chloe to dance at last.
“I was wondering if you are engaged for the next dance, Miss Green?” Mr. Moretti held his hand out toward Chloe.
Leo stood bolt upright. He was aware Chloe didn’t answer right away, though she looked toward him.
Well, I hadn’t yet asked her, had I?
For a second, no words passed between them. Chloe stared at Leo, and his mind whirred, searching for something to say.
“Perhaps later this evening we could also share a dance, Miss Green?” Leo said eventually. He couldn’t demand a dance of her now without appearing rude.
“Yes, perhaps so.” Her voice had lost some of its buoyancy.
Wait, have I offended her?
Leo didn’t have chance to ask. Chloe took the hand of Mr. Moretti and walked off. As she went, Leo’s eyes danced over the gown she was wearing and then wandered back up to her face.
She glanced his way and offered a smile. He smiled back, though he prayed the candlelight would mask the fact that it didn’t reach his eyes.
