“I would enjoy that if it is all right with the duchess.”
The older woman nodded her consent. “Just stay in the confines of this room so I can see you.”
Colin’s lips twitched. “Of course. And where is Kate?”
The duchess’s eyes grew large. “She . . . she was here just a moment ago.”
“That was a terrible thing to do to her,” Selina said as they walked away.
“Hardly. It was nothing but a gentle reminder that her own daughter should be watched with just as much concern as you.”
As they walked, Colin would stop and introduce her to people he knew. She would never remember all their names. Not that she had to worry about that. This would be her first and last ball.
“I do believe another dance is set to begin,” Colin said with a smile. “If I don’t take you on the dance floor now, another gentleman will whisk you away from me.”
“Very well, we must dance then.” Selina smiled from the sheer enjoyment of the evening. If she had been home tonight, she would have read and then gone to bed, unless she had a tenant to look in on. This was far more pleasant.
As the musician started, she had a dreadful thought. She tugged on Colin’s sleeve to stop him.
“Is there a problem?” he asked.
“I don’t believe I know the steps to this dance.” Heat flooded her cheeks. “Perhaps you should find another partner.”
He tilted his head closer to hers. “There is no other woman I want to dance with tonight.”
She blinked quickly. “Thank you.”
“I mean it.” He tugged her. “Come along. It’s not much different than the other country dances.”
Reluctantly, she agreed and let him lead her to the dance floor. Not really knowing the steps, she had no chance to speak with him as he told her the steps just before she had to do them. By the time the dance was finished, she was exhausted.
He led her away chuckling softly. “You didn’t seem to enjoy that as much as the first dance.”
“No,” she admitted. “It was far too complicated.”
As he led her back to his stepmother, she noticed several gentlemen milling about the older woman.
“Damn,” Colin muttered under his breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“By dancing with you, I have shown that you are a very eligible young lady. Now they will pester you for dances all evening.”
“Is that bad?” Wasn’t dancing the whole idea for having a ball?
“No,” he said but anger laced his voice.
She glanced over at him and wondered if he could possibly be jealous of the attention. The thought made her feel warm and wonderful all at once. “Would you take me outside for a breath of air?”
“Why, Miss White, that might be considered quite scandalous.”
“True, but if I return to your stepmother, I will be forced to dance with those men.”
He held out his arm. “Follow me.”
She smothered a giggle. Seeing the dark look on his face, she had no doubt that he was jealous. And that made her quite happy.
“There are enough people on the terrace that your reputation will be safe,” he said.