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Her brothers would insist, and he’d not be in a position to decline. All of his plans would be finished then. No trip and no debaucherous nights spent at the club. Some men might engage in that behavior anyway, but he’d never be that sort of husband. Having a sister, he was all too aware of how vulnerable a woman’s position in this world was.
But the anguish in her eyes pulled at something else—this ridiculous need to protect her. Perhaps it was because he could feel her insecurity, he’d not hurt her by flirting and then leaving. Or maybe it was because she was Emily’s friend. But despite all these feelings pulling him toward her, he did not need another woman to care for. Not now. Not when he’d just gained his freedom.
“A good match?” She nodded absently, but he saw the tears that welled in her eyes. “I suppose.”
“Isn’t that what you want? Why you wanted this lesson?”
She looked back at him and something deep sparkled in the hazel of her eyes, made more green by the sun streaming into the room. “Not precisely.”
His brow drew together as he cocked his head to the side. “What is it, then?”
“Can you keep a secret?” She moved closer, her voice dropping so that neither the maid nor the violinist could hear. But her body was so close now that with the slightest touch to the small of her back, he would be able to press them together.
His heart pounded in his chest, the idea of holding special knowledge about this woman somehow far more gratifying that his fleeting thoughts about freedom. “Of course.”
“I want to be…liked.”
His brow crinkled as he tried to understand. “Liked how?”
Eagerly, she nodded her chin up and down, her whisper growing more rushed. “I want the women to accept me as one of them and then I’ll know I can truly be part of that world.” Her eyes glittered with her confession as her breathless whisper made every muscle in his body clench.
It was not lost on him that they wanted the same thing. Her wants were of the female variety, what a lady of the peerage was acceptably allowed. She wished to dance and be popular. He had little desire to be a success among theton. What he wanted was to be far more like, well, her brothers.
Men who did as they pleased, indulged where they liked, men who walked on the edge of allowable.
And he’d have that as soon as he was assured that Emily was settled in her marriage.
He smiled down at her, his fingers spreading out on her side. “Mirabelle, I have every faith that you’ll do well when you come out.”
“Really?”
She looked skeptical and so he continued. “You’re beautiful, smart, charming. Men will ask you to dance and women will wish to be your friend.” And then he winked.
She gave him the sort of radiant smile that made her already beautiful features absolutely shine. In a word, she was stunning.
He wanted to pull her to his chest. Honestly, he wanted to throw caution to the wind and kiss her.
But instead, he straightened up. “Shall we?”
She gave a quick jerk of her chin and he once again signaled to the violinist. The first strains of music filtered through the room and he started again, slowly.
Her movements were a bit jerky but she didn’t crash into him this time and he leaned down to whisper into her ear. “Relax. Let me lead.”
He felt her muscles loosen under his hand, her eyes rising to his as they began to move with a fluidity that was breathtaking.
Around the empty floor they spun, their bodies working in perfect time, their gazes locked.
He lost track of time, forgot everyone around them as the music floated over them, the light streaming in as they danced through the patches of sun.
When the song finally drew to a close, he slowed, wishing that the music would continue.
Though clearly, they’d danced for some time as he watched the rapid rise and fall of Mirabelle’s chest.
Bringing his eyes up the column of her slender neck, he stopped again at her full, pink lips so perfectly kissable that he found himself leaning the slightest bit closer.
It would be so easy to touch his mouth to hers, know her taste, feel her body pressed to his.
But a clapping from the door made his chin snap up.
