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Chapter 15
Crispin was thrilled to lead Lady Mary out onto the dance floor. It was clear that Beatrice had approved of her and that was the most important thing to him. She was an excellent judge of character and if she liked someone, it was usually a sign that the person was truly a decent man or woman.
And since she had been approving of Lady Mary, Crispin trusted that Lady Mary was worthy of that approval.
“Thank you for being willing to dance with me,” he said.
“And why would I not be?” Lady Mary asked as he swept her into the motions.
“Well, I know that I have not always made the most ideal impression of myself. Moreover, I know that you have just spoken with my sister and there is always the chance that she told you some ugly truth about me that I would be ashamed of,” he said with a chuckle.
“She spoke nothing but the best of you. In truth, I think she holds you in the highest esteem and you should be proud that a woman so wonderful sees such greatness in you,” Mary said.
“Oh? And what did you think of my sister?” he asked, twirling Lady Mary in a step.
“I think she is lovely. Yes, she speaks a good deal more than you and she has a greater confidence, but she still reminds me of you. The two of you are so similar in thought and appearance, from what I have seen thus far,” Lady Mary said.
“Is that so?”
“Well, I hardly know either of you, but I should think so. She is a very kind, considerate woman. I think she is admirable for how close she considers your relationship,” she said.
“And would you like to know either of us better?” he asked.
“Of course, I would. I would like to discuss literature with you, and I should like to know more of her interests. So far, I know only that she cares very much for her brother. But she is very kind and somewhat…”
“Unnerving?” Crispin asked with a laugh.
Lady Mary laughed as well. “I must confess that I wondered what sort of specimen she thought me to be.”
“Yes, my sister is excellent at observing others and trying to make judgments about them. She eyes them closely and it is only those who pay attention who really notice,” he said.
“You mean others do not notice her look?” Lady Mary asked.
“I once asked my sister about it, and she explained it brilliantly. She said those who notice how she inspects them are the ones to be trusted. After all, they are the ones who were paying attention to her.
It is those who are too busy focusing on themselves that are unaware of her gaze,” he said, remembering what Beatrice had once said.
“Well, I suppose that is a good way to look at it. However, I do hope that she never again feels the need to look at me so intensely. She is a marvellous woman, but I have never been around anyone so insightful of others,” Lady Mary said.
“That is my sister, and she has always been thus. I am proud of her, but I do hope that she eventually learns to control her strange powers of observation,” he said, teasingly.
Crispin smiled, but he didn’t say much else. In truth, although he wanted to speak, he didn’t know what to say. Beyond that, he felt that there was so much more in that moment. As he held his hands around Lady Mary’s waist, a shiver went through him.
He loved this moment, of being connected to her. Crispin wondered if she felt it as well. Did she know what was in his heart? Did she care for him to the same extent?
It had seemed to him as though she was bothered when she saw him come over with another woman, but he had also seen the expressions that passed between her and her stepsister. If the two of them were both interested in Crispin, he didn’t wish to hurt either of them, but he could not deny that his heart was set on Lady Mary.
She was everything he might have ever wanted in a woman and in that moment, as he danced with her, his feelings were heightened. He realised that he did to merely have an interest in her; he truly wanted to pursue her.
He wanted to court her and consider making her an offer of marriage.
It seemed too soon to think about that, but he couldn’t help it. She was too lovely for him to ignore. And he also felt certain that he would be better off making his intentions known now as opposed to waiting until Lady Charlotte became too interested in him.
But Crispin realised he had been silent and lost in his thoughts for too long. He was enjoying this so much, this being close to her, but he needed to take advantage of every moment with her and work harder to get to know her so that they would always have something to speak about. If he let this opportunity slip even once, he might never get it back.
“How is your horse?” he asked, remembering how happy she was when they were out riding.
“He is very well, thank you. And yours?” she asked in reply.
