Page 151 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

"That's dangerous. The unfiltered version says tremendously inappropriate things."

"Such as?" Caspian asked, genuinely curious what this refreshingly honest woman would consider inappropriate.

"Such as the fact that the rumors failed to mention you're extremely attractive," Lady Caroline said.

Then froze, her eyes widening as if she couldn't believe those words had just come out of her mouth.

Caspian missed a step.

Actually missed a step in a dance, something he hadn't done since he was twelve.

She thought he was attractive.

This brilliant, honest, fearless woman thought he was attractive.

"I mean—" Lady Caroline started, her cheeks flushing.

"Thank you," Caspian said, warmth flooding through him.

"You're welcome?" she managed, sounding uncertain.

They danced in silence for a moment, and Caspian was acutely aware of her hand in his, the way she fit perfectly in his arms, the faint scent of jasmine in her hair.

"You're different from what I expected," Caspian said finally.

"What did you expect?"

"Someone who would make polite small talk and look for the nearest exit."

"That sounds boring," Lady Caroline said. "I'm many things, but boring isn't one of them."

"No," Caspian agreed, his smile returning. "You're definitely not boring."

The waltz came to an end too soon. Caspian stepped back with proper formality, though part of him wanted to ask for another dance.

And another.

And another.

He offered his arm, and Lady Caroline took it as he led her back across the ballroom floor. Back to her parents and the careful social boundaries that separated a Duke from an Earl's daughter.

Back to reality.

"Thank you for the dance, Lady Caroline," Caspian said when they reached her parents.

"Thank you, Your Grace," she replied, her curtsy perfect despite the blush still coloring her cheeks.

Caspian bowed to her parents, offered appropriate pleasantries, then returned to his own family's side.

But he found himself looking back across the ballroom.

Watching her.

Lady Caroline was speaking with her parents, her mother clearly delivering some kind of lecture if her expression was any indication. But Lady Caroline wasn't paying attention.

She was scanning the crowd.

Looking for something. Someone.