Page 41 of An Alleged Rogue

“I have yet to ask anyone,” he said. “As much as I appreciate your parents’ invitation, I am here simply as an escort to my sister.”

“And yet, she is dancing with another gentleman.”

“She is, indeed.” He would not give Webb the satisfaction of rising to his barely concealed taunt.

“There are several other young ladies in want of a partner.” Webb gestured toward the two who had recently passed by and were now standing near the refreshment table.

“So I suppose. Please, do not let me prevent you from claiming one of them for the next dance.”

Webb smirked. “Your nod to chivalry does you credit, Dunsbourne. A shame reality paints a different portrait.” He walked away. Adam watched him go with a frown. What did the louse mean by that last jab? Other than letting loyal servants go when he no longer had the means to pay them an honest wage, there was nothing in his conduct to others that was so reprehensible as to cause a blemish on his character.

The music came to an end, and those on the dance floor made their way to the edges of the ballroom. Emily was claimed for the next dance several yards before she reached him. Miss Hadford made it little farther before another gentleman escorted her back the way she had come. Adam studied those milling around him. Not one met his eyes. Not one greeted him. Was there more behind their treatment of him than his having been absent?

He looked at Emily. She was glowing. Something significant had changed the moment she had left his side. What did Miss Hadford know that he did not? He turned his attention to the lady, memory of what it felt like to dance with her washing over him as he watched her glide effortlessly across the floor. Did her current partner feel anything close to what he had experienced when holding her hand? He wanted the answer to be no; he needed the answer to be no. The sudden and overwhelming desire to dance with her again shook him. He flexed his fingers and glanced at the musicians behind him. The current song was coming to a close.

Adam waited until the last note was played, and then he moved. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mr. Wakefield start in the same direction. He picked up his pace, arriving beside Miss Hadford before she and her partner had cleared the edge of the dance floor. He did not know the gentleman, but perhaps that was for the best.

He inclined his head toward the young lady. “May I have the pleasure of the next dance, Miss Hadford?”

Her blue eyes met his—conveying first surprise and then hesitation. For one awful moment, he thought she might refuse him. Then she gave a slight nod, and turning to the gentleman at her side, she smiled.

“Thank you, Mr. Smythe. It appears that you need escort me no farther.”

He bowed. “As you wish, Miss Hadford.”

The gentleman relinquished her hand, and with an uncertain glance at Adam, he stepped away. Adam took his place and offered her his hand. Once again, he sensed her trepidation.

“I will not bite, Miss Hadford. Indeed, if I make a real effort, I believe I can make it through the entire dance without so much as a scowl.”

She bit her lip as though fighting a smile. “That is a worthy goal, my lord.”

Relief brought a matching smile to his lips. “Then consider it done.”

She gave him her hand. No matter that they both wore gloves, he felt the connection immediately. It pulsed between them as real as it was intangible. He walked her to the center of the ballroom. Somewhere behind them, a woman gasped. Murmuring followed. Miss Hadford kept her eyes forward, her expression calm, but in his hand, her fingers tensed. He squeezed them gently. He did not know what this was about, but he was beginning to think it was time to find out.

“We appear to be causing a stir,” he said.

“Yes.”

He waited. Was that truly all she was going to say on the matter?

“You’d best be careful, my lord. The frown developing on your brow looks to become a scowl very soon.”

Blast it all. She was right. He smoothed his forehead and began again.

“I believe it is long past time to thank you for all that you have done for my sister.”

This time, Miss Hadford’s expression softened. “My role was small. Emily’s hair and gown are lovely tonight, but her true beauty radiates from within.”

“I cannot argue with you on that score.” Adam had already caught sight of Emily rising from her chair for yet another gentleman at the other end of the ballroom.

“It did not take more than a brief introduction for others to recognize her goodness,” Miss Hadford said.

He pondered that observation as the music began. How long had it been since he’d been willing to accept someone at face value? “Would you claim that the same could be said about you, Miss Hadford?”

The musicians began to play.

Phoebe stepped to the right and turned a full circle before facing him again. “I do not think any young lady would be so bold, my lord.”