Waltzing with the Wallflower(10)

“It is the next item on my list, my lady.” He glanced at Cordelia with a sly grin, followed by a bedeviling wink.

“Then you should greet Lady Levien. I understand the waltz is up next.” She nodded towards the woman in question standing on her other side.

“Thank you, my lady. We will do that.” He stepped to his left and bowed to Lady Levien. Cordelia followed him, clutching his arm for support. Her palms were sweating again, and she hoped the moisture hadn’t made it through her gloves.

“Lady Levien, may I present Lady Cordelia? The niece of Lord and Lady Trowbridge.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed as she surveyed Cordelia with a slow, deliberate gaze, taking her in from head to toe. She seemed to be sizing her up and considering the gossip she had heard at the same time. Cordelia could feel her judgment falling like a heavy millstone, weighing her down.

“My lady.” Cordelia curtsied in a low, smooth motion. She hoped the patroness would not notice her trembling hands.

“Trowbridge you say?” Lady Levien measured her appearance once more, and then leveled her gaze on Cordelia’s eyes. “Your mother was a dear friend of mine, child. I was sorry to hear of her downfall.” Her voice softened to a whisper for the latter, and Cordelia was grateful she hadn’t drawn more attention to her family’s scandal. She nodded and cast her gaze to the floor. The music started up again.

“Thank you, my lady.”

Then as if to save her from further humiliation, Hawthorne took her hand and lifted it into the air slightly. “With your permission?”

Lady Levien nodded and turned her attention to another guest.

As they sauntered onto the dance floor, Cordelia realized she had been holding her breath and allowed a low sigh of relief to escape her lips.

Hawthorne raised an eyebrow in her direction as he wrapped his left hand around her waist and took her hand in his right. She tensed. Would she ever get used to such close contact?

“Were you worried?” he asked, leading her through the steps.

“I was petrified,” she answered, which seemed to amuse him. He chuckled.

“Is something funny, my lord?”

“Your honesty. It’s rare and refreshing.”

“Weren’t you worried?”

“Not at all.”

“Not even a little?”

“Well, I must admit, I was relieved you didn’t fall into Lady Jersey’s lap as you curtsied.”

A giggle pushed it way through her throat. The very idea was both hilarious and mortifying at the same time. She had to admit it was a relief to her too.

“Can you just imagine? My aunt would drop dead from the embarrassment. And I would never hear the end of it.”

“And I probably would lose you to the plant corner for the rest of your natural life.”

Choking on the unexpected laugh, Cordelia replied, “I do love foliage.”

She peered up at his golden emerald eyes in time to see him blink in surprise and stare back at her. “Lady Cordelia, I believe you have been holding out on me. You have quite the quick wit.” He smiled at her with admiration.

“Let’s keep it our little secret, shall we? We wouldn’t want the ton to get the idea I have a personality.”

“Agreed.” A jovial grin spread across his lips, and he chuckled under his breath at the private joke. When the dance came to an end, Hawthorne escorted Cordelia from the floor. He bowed to her as they separated. Cordelia curtsied and stood for an uncertain moment before turning back towards her plant corner. The comfort of concealment beckoned to her, and she stepped in that direction with a sigh of relief, happy to be finally out of the line of people’s vision.

Behind her a throat cleared. “Lady Cordelia,” came a familiar voice. “You wouldn’t be rushing off to tend the plants now, would you?”

Her heart fell. Yes. That’s exactly where I’m going, she thought. She spun on her heel and faced the other handsome twin. “Lord Maddox.” Of course. They weren’t going to let her sit one out this evening either apparently. Fighting the impulse to roll her eyes, she offered him a sweet smile instead. “I was just hoping for a short reprieve, my lord.”

“Nonsense. You must dance with me.”

“Must I?”

“Naturally. My brother and I are in competition, my lady. You must dance with each of us in order to judge the better dancer.” His wide grin made her feel at ease. He leaned close to add in a whisper, “I already know it is I, but you must make an official announcement.”

“I see. I will make an effort to be impartial.” She returned his grin.

“Not necessary, I assure you. However, I am so much better than he, you may wish to erect a statue in my honor when we are through.” At that, Cordelia couldn’t help but laugh out loud, and when she tried to fight it, the effort resulted in an audible snort, which set them both to laughing even more as Maddox whisked her onto the floor.





Chapter Five





The Rub





Ambrose fought to keep his face indifferent as he watched his brother and Cordelia dance. Of course it was kind of Anthony to dance with Cordelia. Why should he of all people be jealous that the lady in question happened to also share her rare musical laughter with Anthony?