Page 80 of A Treacherous Treasure

“His dancing is slightly awkward, but not terribly so, and he is handsome,” Caroline said. “But he always seems as if he’s thinking of something else. I like my partner to look at me and talk about me, not about the last novel he read.”

“He talked of novels?”

“He talked very little, only saying he read a novel that he liked and asked if I’d read it.”

“What was it?”

“I don’t remember.”

Rebecca stifled a laugh and shook her head.

“No, wait, I do remember. It was Northanger Abbey. He said it was a satire on gothic novels. I said, ‘I like gothic novels.’ And he made no reply.” Rebecca raised her eyebrows and frowned. “I don’t think I could marry a man who enjoys satires.”

“Whyever not?”

“It means he laughs at things I enjoy, and I would not like that.” Caroline was sipping her lemonade and simultaneously glancing around the room, the Earl of Barrentine already forgotten.

Personally, Rebecca thought it indicated he had an intellectual bent and enjoyed amusing stories, which did not seem like bad things. But she didn’t wish to argue with her friend.

Gilbert Heywood asked Caroline for the next dance, though he smiled at Rebecca while he asked her—a strange, flat-line smile that made Rebecca glad to sit down with Mrs. Westbrook and make pleasant conversation about the loveliness of the ladies and their gowns and the decorations of spring greenery and flowers.

Thomas came over during the middle of the dance and talked with them.

“Why aren’t you dancing?” Mrs. Westbrook asked him.

“I am coming around to it.” He turned to Rebecca. “Will you do me the honor of the next dance?”

“Of course.” Rebecca was quite eager to dance with him, and she knew she needn’t pretend she wasn’t. Thomas and Mrs. Westbrook would not judge her or call her improper.

Thomas talked with them until it was time for the next dance to begin. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

Her heart rejoiced at being near him again and the touch of his hand, even though they were surrounded by people. He seemed to hold her hand a bit longer than necessary, which lifted her heart right out of her chest.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t smile so,” she said quietly.

“Why should you not?”

“I was only thinking of my reputation as a widow. You know how people talk.”

“They will only talk if they cannot find someone else they think is more scandalous. You needn’t care for everyone’s good opinion.”

“That is true. And I suppose I don’t care.”

The dance began.

“Are you enjoying the evening?” she asked him.

“Yes, now that I’m dancing with you.”

His words were so unexpected, for a moment she could think of nothing to say. When she was recovered, she said, “And I am very glad you asked me.”

He was looking intently into her eyes, his expression making her heart skip. What would this night bring? Perhaps another secret kiss? Her chest constricted, her breathing shallow in anticipation.

Thank goodness no one here could read her thoughts or they would declare her shameless, having such feelings only a few weeks after her husband was killed.

She’d never been a bold or shameless girl. Indeed, she’d had little experience with men before Arthur asked her to marry him. She remembered he once laughed and said, “You are so innocent. I shall have to take you as my wife before anyone else realizes what a jewel you are.”

Her heart had swelled as if his words were the greatest praise. But now she saw them in an entirely different light. He’d laughed at her innocence instead of appreciating it. And he’d decided to marry her so no one else could have her, not so he could love her and cherish her and enjoy their life together.