Page 21 of Sin and Serendipity

But he did not immediately turn away. He forced himself to track Freddy’s progress as he weaved through the crush, the ache in his chest expanding, deepening, as if each step his brother took pulled Ellie further away from him. Further out of reach.

Still, he watched, his eyes trained on Freddy’s back as he approached the Wrencroft ladies. The trio exchanged greetings, spoke for a few moments, and then Freddy proffered his arm to Ellie, which she accepted with a smile.

Robert felt it like a kick to his gut.

It was the last thing he saw before he turned away and made for the gardens.

Ellie was dancing with Freddy Darrington. She could scarcely believe it.

And it wasn’t just any dance, either. It was a waltz. The occurrence was so incredible, so perfectly unexpected, it could only have been the work of his older brother.

She’d seen the two of them talking mere moments before Freddy approached her and, considering he’d never once done so in all these weeks she’d known him, it seemed an obvious conclusion to draw.

Why Robert had done such a thing was not so clear to her.

Their last conversation in her mother’s garden had not ended on the friendliest of terms, and he said barely a word to her for the rest of the evening, even at dinner, though Mrs. Wrencroft had deliberately seated them together. Naturally, she’d assumed he was angry with her.

Why, then, would he wish to help her with Freddy? None of it made any sense, and she didn’t quite know how to feel about it. His interference confused her, but she was grateful for it, too…and somehow irritated, as well. Confounding man.

“Are you enjoying yourself this evening, Miss Wrencroft?”

Ellie blinked and looked up into Freddy’s bright blue eyes, forcing her thoughts back to the present. “I am,” she said with a nod. “Very much, indeed.”

“Excellent, excellent.”

He gave her a wide smile, which she returned, silently berating herself for her momentary distraction.

What in heaven’s name was the matter with her? She’d finally been granted her wish—a waltz with Freddy Darrington—and here she was thinking about his brother instead. For goodness’ sake, this was the chance she’d been waiting for—perhaps her only chance—to make an impression on him, and finally make him see how perfect they were for each other. She could not afford to waste it.

“The music this evening is marvelous, isn’t it?” she said, admiring the sonorous notes of the cello, her favorite instrument.

“Is it?” Freddy cocked his head to one side, perking up an ear. “I’m afraid I hadn’t noticed.”

His self-deprecating smile was both disarming and charming, and Ellie sighed inwardly. He truly was a beautiful man, and a beautiful dancer, too, guiding her through the steps and around the room with an ease and elegance that belied his size.

“Are you a lover of music, Miss Wrencroft?”

“I am,” she said, “though I have no talent for it myself, much to my mother’s dismay. But I do enjoy listening to other people play.”

He nodded, his gaze flitting about the room.

“And you, sir?” she asked. “Do you like music?”

He pursed his lips. “I like dancing to music. But I’m afraid I haven’t the patience for sitting through a musical performance. I need to be doing something, you know.”

“Ah. A gentleman of action.” She smiled, even as a jolt of disappointment shot through her.

She adored musical performances, and would happily attend an opera or a musicale every day of the week if she could, so it was a bit disheartening to learn he did not feel the same.

Still, there was more to life than music.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” Freddy answered with a wry grin. “I can’t sit still for longer than a minute or two. Drives my mother to distraction.”

“Oh, dear.” She knew all about irritated mothers.

“Fortunately,” he continued with a shrug, “London has much to offer a gentleman of leisure, and I keep plenty busy with racing and riding and boxing.”

Ellie nodded, not quite sure what to say. The more she talked with him, the more apparent it became that he wasn’t what she thought he would be. She’d imagined quiet evenings together reading by the fire, weekly trips to the opera house, afternoon walks to Gunter’s for a chocolate ice and a bit of conversation.