Page 5 of Just a Little Daring

“Wear something appalling and die of boredom, I should think,” he replied earnestly.

Too anxious to find a suitable retort, Viv let the comment go, instead concentrating on trying to appear as if she was not fidgeting with anticipation as they grew nearer. She felt certain Mr Lane-Fox knew very well where she was and was avoiding eye contact on purpose. Indeed, she felt certain he would not have approached her at all if it were not her mother’s ball. As it was, they were duty bound. Bainbridge, having greeted her parents, made a beeline for her, grinning broadly as his friend followed with every outward appearance of pleasure. Though she could not have said why, Viv did not believe it.

“Mr Anson, Miss Anson, a pleasure, as always. Miss Anson, may I say, with the obvious exception of my beautiful wife, you are quite the most ravishing creature in the room.”

“My Lord Bainbridge,” Viv said, sinking into a curtsey. “You are too kind.”

“No, that I’m not,” Bainbridge said, a wicked glint twinkling in his eyes. “In fact, I think you ought to dance with this handsome chap at once. You’ll make everyone stare with astonishment at such a fine sight. Don’t you think so, my love?” he asked his wife.

Arabella turned an exasperated expression his way, and Bainbridge spoke over her before she could reply. “Yes, of course you do.”

He then clapped Mr Lane-Fox jovially on the back with such force that Viv suspected the poor fellow’s teeth must have rattled. His friend was too polite to show anything but pleasure at Bainbridge forcing them to dance, but Viv did not doubt he would have a strong word with his friend later.

“It would be a pleasure, Miss Anson,” Mr Lane-Fox said, holding out his hand to her.

Viv ignored the faint choking sound coming from her brother and smiled graciously, taking the proffered hand and following him to the dance floor. As the first strains of a waltz filled the room, she felt certain Mr Lane-Fox’s jaw tightened. No doubt he would have preferred a country dance, which would have been far less intimate. He took her in hold, her hand clasped lightly in his, his other hand barely touching her waist. A moment later, he swept her into the dance, and it took her a full minute to catch her breath. Yet he did not look at her, did not attempt conversation, and Viv’s heart sank.

“I’m sorry,” she said, watching his face.

He did not react at first, and she felt she had pierced his concentration in speaking to him. His brow furrowed in confusion. “For what?”

“You didn’t want to dance with me,” she said shortly, seeing no reason to beat around the bush.

“I assure you—”

“Oh, you made all the right noises, indeed, if I let you go on I’m certain you will continue to do so, but I assure you I know when a man wishes to dance with me, and when he does not.”

“Do men ever not want to dance with you?” he asked, a dry tone to his voice that at least sounded genuine.

“No,” she replied, seeing no point in dissembling. “Which is why your reluctance is so apparent. Have I offended you?”

“No! No, of course not,” he said with a sigh, and she felt as though perhaps he had let his guard down. “Forgive me, Miss Anson. I assure you the fault is mine, and none of yours. The truth is, I’m in rather a bad skin at present and I did not wish to come tonight.”

“You did not wish to see me again,” she guessed, and watched his reaction, wondering if he would lie to her. Why she felt so certain this was at the heart of his reluctance she did not know, for surely it was hubris on her part, but she believed it all the same.

“No,” he admitted. “I did not.”

Viv had to admit she was surprised. Though it was as she’d expected, it still stung to hear it said out loud. “I see,” she said, unable to hide her reaction.

“No. I don’t think you do,” Mr Lane-Fox replied. “Please don’t take offence, for I assure you there is no need. Quite the reverse. I admire you, Miss Anson, very much. Good heavens, I’m not blind, and you are clearly witty and clever and vivacious.”

“But you didn’t want to see me again?” Viv repeated, confused now and not a little dizzy as her concentration faltered and he guided her into a series of quick turns.

“No.”

Viv pondered this and then gasped. “Oh,” she said, stiffening, for it had occurred to her too late that Mr Lane-Fox might be one of those gentlemen who did not approve of mixed blood marriages. Both Viv and Ash were privileged enough and protected by her father and by their powerful friends to escape much of the prejudice their mother had faced in the past, but that did not mean it didn’t exist.

His gaze shot to her face, for her posture had become so unyielding he must know he had caused her deep offence.

“You need not dance with me again, if my existence offends you, sir,” she said, her voice tight.

A look of startled horror crossed Mr Lane-Fox’s face, so obviously genuine that Viv relaxed a degree. “No!” he said, shaking his head. “Oh, good Lord. No, nothing… Hell, I’m making a pig’s ear of this. I shall murder Bainbridge for making me come. I knew I ought not.”

“Why don’t you just make a clean breast of it and tell me the truth?” Viv suggested, torn between mortification and amusement at his discomfort.

He made a pained sound and nodded. “The truth,” he agreed, and took a breath. “The truth is, Miss Anson, that you are the type of woman that causes a stir wherever she goes. You are beautiful and outspoken and, if I am not mistaken, have a will of iron.”

“You are not mistaken,” Viv admitted, her lips twitching as she studied him. He was even more handsome at close quarters, she decided, and he smelled delicious, though she could detect no cologne. A blessing, that. Some men seemed to pour an entire bottle of scent over themselves until the stench was so overpowering it made your eyes water. Mr Lane-Fox just smelled of shaving soap and clean linen, and something warm and tantalisingly musky that made her want to move closer and nuzzle the place beneath his ear, and then press her lips to his neck and… She jerked her head back, realising she had been subconsciously leaning closer. Good heavens.