"Can we not just say we retired for a rest?"
"We can, but I suspect it will be better if we do not draw attention to how much or how little you use retiring rooms."
I let out a small laugh and get to my feet, slipping my arm through hers so we may return to the ballroom.
"You truly are the best of friends, Georgiana."
"I know," she assures me with a wide smile. "And one day, you shall repay the favour, I am certain of it."
"I will," I say with earnestness. She has proved herself to be my staunchest supporter on many occasions, I do not plan on letting her down when she needs me by her side.
I have a suspicion that when she needs me, it will be because of her Captain.
Four
Letitia
I forcea smile at my dance partner, trying to act as if I'm enjoying myself and not hating the fact that I have to do this. In the week since Georgiana caught me with Lord Cygnus, I've been doing my best to avoid him, despite how little I want to do so. But I know it is the right decision to make if I don't wish for us to end up in a situation that we can't extricate ourselves from.
I spin around and find myself face to face with the next partner in the dance.
My breathing hitches as he steps close and I findmyself almost overwhelmed by the familiar scent of Lord Cygnus.
"Miss Swanley," he says in a low voice that almost sounds pained.
Perhaps he is struggling with staying away from me as much as I am him.
"My Lord," I respond, moving forward to touch my hand to his as the dance requires.
The contact makes me weak, and for me to long to be whisked off to a retiring room just to spend more time with him.
"I believe fate is cruel this evening," he says.
"Is that so?"
"I have been trying to stay away from you, and yet I find myself opposite you on the dance floor when we each have different dance partners," he murmurs too low for anyone but me to hear.
"Perhaps fate has a sense of humour."
He chuckles. "If that is true, then it is a rather twisted one. Staying away from you is hard enough as it is."
"Likewise, My Lord."
He raises an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"You enjoy the thought of me struggling to keep my distance?" I know I shouldn't flirt with him, and yet there's nothing I can do to stop the words from escaping. Something about Lord Cygnus draws meto him. Perhaps it is because we are both swan shifters and can sense that within one another, but I don't believe that to be true. I've met many other swans during my Season, and none of them have made me feel the way that Lord Cygnus has.
"I enjoy knowing you feel the same as I do," he responds.
I turn in the dance, stopping me from replying immediately. Which can only be a good thing, for I wish to invite him to share a moment alone with me, despite knowing neither of us should partake in such foolishness.
We step close together again, for what will be the last time during this dance.
"Meet me in the gardens after the dance is complete," he whispers as I pass him to return to my original dance partner.
I don't have time to respond to him, but we both know I'll listen to his request despite knowing I shouldn't.
I finish the dance with nothing on my mind except how I might extricate myself from my current dance partner in order to meet with Lord Cygnus. It is foolish beyond measure, but simply the thought of spending a moment alone together sends a small thrill to me.