The Ugly Duckling Debutante (House of Renwick #1)(10)

He coughed again self-consciously and grasped her hands in his own. “Is this your first waltz, Sai?” Small talk. That will make it less awkward, he reasoned with himself.

Her eyelashes fluttered instinctively down. “Yes, my lord.”

“You don’t need to address me so formally.”

“Oh, yes she does!” Lady Fenton flared from the side. “Now, both of you, a little closer.”

He groaned inwardly while pulling Sai closer. Any closer and I’m going to compromise her right here in this room with her aunt watching. He swallowed hard and continued to hold her close. The heat between them escalated by the minute, leaving him smoldering in a cold sweat from his effort to avoid looking in her eyes.

Against his better judgment, he pulled her a little closer and whispered into her ear so Lady Fenton couldn’t hear, “You may call me Nicholas. All of my friends do. And you will need a friend when she launches you onto society at the end of the week.” Of course, his friends never used his real name, but Sai didn’t need to know that, and his heart yearned for the familiarity it would give them.

Not without difficulty, Nicholas drew back to an appropriate distance. The electricity between them was hypnotizing, and his head swam in its dizzying effects. It would be so easy to forget they were not alone in the room and linger closely in her intoxicating presence, but under the circumstances, it would be most inappropriate—and for him, dangerous.

A hint of a teasing smile danced in her eyes, as she took her turn to lean forward. “I would not to give the impression we are more than just acquaintances. Using your Christian name, I fear, would do nothing but compromise your integrity. After all, Lady Fenton tells me you have sworn off the female sex in light of religion.”

Biting her lip, she ended the dance with a curtsy, her eyes sparkling.

Dumbstruck, he didn’t know whether to bow at her feet or beg her to marry him right then and there. Then he remembered the feather. He wasn’t going to lose the bet just because some wild-eyed temptress batted her eyes at him. Nicholas knew it wasn’t her fault he starved himself of women these past two years, but what he needed was to get away from her before he lost more than just the bet.

“That was lovely!” Lady Fenton pulled the cord for tea. “The two of you will do just fine at the ball this Friday, I’m sure of it.”

Nicholas gave her a sharp look. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

“Of course you do!” she snapped. “You’re escorting Sai to the ball. Did I not tell you as much when we discussed the arrangement this morning? You must guard her virtue! I am acting as chaperone, and you are acting as her personal bodyguard. Who else would be more suitable for the task than a reformed rake of your reputation?”

Sai lifted an eyebrow. “Reputation?”

“My dear—and forgive me, my lord, for being so blunt—” Nicholas didn’t have time to answer before she went on, “You are dancing with one of the most notorious womanizers of the ton. He only recently turned to religion and swore off marriage, but until then it was common to see him with married and unmarried alike. Isn’t that right, Nicholas?”

He sighed, watching his chances fly out the window. Not that he wanted a chance, but if he had, it would be gone after that statement. “Your opinion of me, dear cousin, is most enlightening. No wonder I have sworn off females.”

She stepped back as if stung and pulled the cord again. “Honestly, what is wrong with the service in this house? I’ll be just a minute. Nicholas, work with her on etiquette.” And then Lady Fenton was out the door, taking all sense of propriety Nicholas once felt with her.

“I’m sorry she said that,” Sai said sweetly as she took her seat.

“I’m afraid everything she said was true,” he replied. Might as well be honest since he would be spending time with her. “I can assure you that being with me will not tarnish your reputation. As she said, I am reformed.”

“From what, exactly, are you reformed, my lord?” she inquired, leaning toward him with her slender body in perfect view of his piercing eyes

He forced himself to relax. “To put it bluntly, I am reformed from taking physical pleasure from whomever whenever I please. I have found religion; I do not take it lightly and will not be swayed to ever bind myself to another.”

Though by her downcast look he realized it was only pity, Sai’s smile sent his heart hammering through his chest. Was she trying to call his bluff? Could she sense the effect she had on him?



***



Could he sense the effect he had on her? It was horrifying to be so blatantly attracted to such a rake. No wonder he warmed the beds of the ton, with his easy eyes and deadly smile, he had her even forgetting her own name. She did her best to calm her ragged breathing and flashed him a smile to show her ease at being in the same room with him, even if her body still felt sensitive where his hands had touched her. How silly to be affected so much, he had barely been holding her, yet she felt like the most beautiful woman in the room—even though she knew it wasn’t true. A man of his nature, especially a man of his nature, knew beautiful women. After all, he had scandalously bedded many of them. He wouldn’t waste his time on Sara even if he did go back on his oath, not that she wanted him to.

The previous night had obviously been a mistake. Although she could tell by his reaction, he knew exactly who she was, she had swallowed her pride when his face paled at the sight of her. Naturally the mask she had worn covered most of her flaws, and the hallway had been extremely dark. He probably thought her beautiful then, but now, ever so wicked and ugly. All she had to offer him was friendship, though her heart begged for more.