I nod, trying not to let his dismissal frustrate me. He is the current Earl of Swancove and I am merely his heir. The decisions about running the earldom come from him alone and I need to accept that, even if I dislike it.
He merely nods to me as a farewell and makes his way out of the room.
I sigh and lean back in my seat. I need to find a way to avoid being rushed into marriage. I've always known that I'd be expected to marry. It's the duty of every firstborn son to find a wife and have children to carry on the family name.
Despite knowing it's something I have to do, I know I'm not ready to be a good husband toanyone. A future countess deserves better than someone with a reputation like mine. But if Father has decided it is time for me to be married, then I am not entirely certain what there is I can do about it except hope I can stall long enough to become the man I should be.
Three
Letitia
Despite knowing I shouldn't,my gaze flits across the ballroom, searching for Lord Cygnus. I have to admit to enjoying his company, even though I know I should not.
My heart skips a beat as I notice him heading in my direction. I flick open my fan and cast my gaze down, trying to appear demure and not as if I've been waiting for him. I know this is foolish, and that it can not go anywhere, and yet something keeps drawing me back to him.
Perhaps because he seems to enjoy a flirtatious exchange as much as I do. If not more.
"Miss Swanley," he says once he reaches me.
"My Lord." I dip into a low curtsy, looking up over my fan once I'm at the lowest point.
Desire deepens in his eyes as he watches, and he clears his throat. "Would you care to dance?"
"I'm rather fatigued from my previous turns on the dance floor," I say in a low voice. "Perhaps you would do me the honour of escorting me for a brief rest instead?" I raise an eyebrow, knowing he'll catch on to my meaning.
Something unknown to me crosses his face, making me fear that he will reject my proposal.
"It would be my honour," he responds, holding out his arm.
I slip mine through his, enjoying the strong feel of his forearm through the fabric of his jacket.
With an eye on the surrounding members of the ton to make sure that no one is watching us too closely, we slip into one of the retiring rooms.
"We should not be here," Lord Cygnus says.
"And yet we are."
"I am serious, Miss Swanley, we should stop meeting one another at balls like this."
I frown. "Have you changed your views on trying to find a wife?" To my knowledge, he does not wish to marry any more than I do.
"I have not, but unfortunately, my family has other ideas."
"I did not believe men were subject to the same whims as unmarried ladies."
He chuckles deeply, the sound warm and inviting. "That does not seem to be the case."
"Then we should make the most of the time before you are wed," I say, stepping closer to him. "This can not continue once you are."
"It should not continue now," he responds, but I can hear how little he means the words in his voice.
And see it in the way his gaze bores into me.
"Neither of us wish for you to ruin me, I am aware of that."
"Being caught would trap us both in something we do not wish to be forced into," he says, closing the distance between us so I can feel the warmth radiating from his body.
"I believe that is part of the fun, is it not, My Lord?"