“No, and at this moment, I think I loathe him. He chose her, over me?” she muttered, incredulous.
Holland laughed and started to turn away. “We must not be seen together,” he said softly as he left her behind.
~ Twenty-One ~
BESS FELT SOMEONE touch her back and turned to find her father smiling fondly. “Oh, Papa …” she said breathlessly and found it difficult so difficult not to turn her gaze back to the earl.
Her father greeted the earl heartily and bent his elbow towards his daughter to lead her off, and she knew he was observing the proprieties. She was suddenly aware of a great many heads turned her way.
The earl stalled her father by saying, “My lord, I was going to wait till the morning, but I find I am unable to do so. Do you think you could spare me a few moments private conversation later this evening?”
The viscount smiled happily. “Indeed, I was wondering when you would get around to it.” He inclined his head and led his daughter away. When Bess bent her neck to look back at the earl, she saw that he was suddenly surrounded by a bevy of his friends.
She looked up at her father and asked, “What was that, Papa?”
“You shall find out soon enough, brat,” he answered and could not be moved to say more.
As Bess’s hand was taken for a country dance, she glanced around for the earl and saw him speaking with Lady Jersey. She sighed, wondering if he would ever make his way back to her.
A waltz was struck, a gloved finger on her shoulder made her look around, and there he was. He was a large man and took up a great amount of space, but to Bess he seemed to take up so much more with that glow, a glow that emanated all around him, and had from the first time she saw him. She gasped for air as he said, “I have permission from the Jersey to lead you out for the first waltz.”
She heard the music, just barely, as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She didn’t feel the polished wood beneath her satin slippers, for she thought she was floating just above, held up by his strong hand on her waist and the hand he had taken to his chest. It was outrageous, the way he held her, and surely the gossipmongers would be ready to dissect them, but she didn’t care. She was in heaven.
“Ye are stunning, lass, stunning.” His voice was lined with a deep growl of desire.
“You are as well,” she answered. “I love you in black velvet, and your cravat with the black embroidery … so stylish, so masculine.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Ye are m’treasure, Bess, m’love—mine, do ye hear—mine. I have seen the puppies hovering around ye, and it is all I can do not to take them by their collars and throw them into the garden.”
It was her turn to laugh, and the sound was full of joy. He loved her. All it needed was for him to say so.
“Holland is here. I could not believe it when I first clapped eyes on him, but at least he has kept his distance,” Bess said, as this had troubled her.
“I know. I met him for a brief moment after I arrived, and he asked if he could have a private word with me. I doona wish to give him anything, but I am curious about what he wants.”
“Oh, don’t meet with him, don’t,” Bess said anxiously. “I can’t explain it, my lord, but I have a bad very bad feeling about it.”
“My lord?” he whispered near her ear. “I seem to recall ye saying m’name, calling out my name, many times. Ye haven’t forgotten already, have ye?”
She felt the heat rush through her body and pool in her cheeks. “I shall never forget,” she said simply.
“Good, but just the same, I mean to remind ye over and over again.” His voice was husky and full of meaning.
* * *
The waltz came to an end, and he had no choice but to lead her back to her group of friends. Champagne was being served, and after he handed a glass to Bess he turned to find one placed in his gloved hand by a petite maid who seemed to be interested in his shoes. Amused by this, he turned, toasted Bess, and sipped his champagne.
He wrinkled his nose and thought Jersey had never before served such inferior wine; he finished it with a grimace.
A moment later, he was surprised to find Holland at his elbow saying, “My lord, if we could have that little talk now. There is something you don’t know about Mary … and I don’t wish to be associated with it …”
“Indeed, I thought that was done.”
“If you would afford me a few moments I will explain,” Holland said.
The earl touched Bess’s elbow and whispered, “I shall return in a moment.”
He saw his beloved’s expression and knew she was concerned, but he wouldn’t be long. By all that was earth, air, and fire, he loved her, and once he was done with Holland he would tell her so!