Good Earls Don't Lie (26 page)

Iain led her away from the dancers, back toward the wall. “I know I should lead you back to your chair and behave as if nothing happened. But that’s not what I’m wanting.”

Her pulse quickened at his words. “What are you wanting, Lord Ashton?”

His gaze was penetrating. “I want to kiss the soft skin of your throat and take out the pins of your hair until it surrounds your shoulders.” He tucked her hand into his arm and added, “And I’m wanting to unfasten the buttons of your gown, one by one. To kiss every part of your bare skin. But I can’t.”

Goosebumps erupted over her skin, and she felt her cheeks burning with the wanton desires he’d conjured. The invisible heat burned between them, and an ache resonated over her body with his words.

She didn’t know what to say or do, but Lord Burkham was suddenly standing before her, breaking the spell. “Lady Rose, I am very glad to see you.” He sent her a warm smile and added, “I came to claim my promised dance. I did not realize that Ashton would steal you away first.”

The earl only shrugged. “Lady Rose is far too beautiful to leave standing against the wall.”

“Then I shall claim the next dance,” Burkham insisted. “Lady Rose?”

She saw that the next one was a country dance, and the speed of the movement would be far too difficult. “Not just now. When another waltz is played, perhaps—”

But he only took her hand and pulled her forward. She nearly stumbled, barely catching her balance. “Nonsense. I missed out on the first, so I shall dance the next set with you.”

No, not a set. She hadn’t the endurance for that, and there was no doubt she would fall and make a fool of herself.

But she didn’t want him to know how fragile her walking skills were. “In a little while,” she promised. “Once I’ve had a moment to rest.” She wanted him to believe that all was well, that she could do everything the other ladies could.

“If I do that, someone else will steal you away,” he teased. And before she could deny him again, he was lined up across from her.

“I am sorry, Lord Burkham. But not now.”

“Have pity on me, Lady Rose.” He took her hands and forced her to stand across from him. A moment later, Lord Ashton claimed another young woman as his partner, and the two of them lined up beside Burkham and her. She could see the warning in Iain’s eyes. He knew, as she did, what a risk this was. And though he did nothing to reveal her weakness, she understood his silent offer to take her away.

She curtseyed to Lord Burkham, and he smiled as he bowed to her. Though she had known these dances since her childhood, her feet refused to manage the steps. Her movements were ungainly and stiff, though she tried to mask them beneath her long skirts.

Dear God, what had she been thinking? She could never manage to dance at this tempo. It was a catastrophe waiting to happen. Within a few seconds, she found herself paired up with Lord Ashton. Beneath his breath, he muttered, “Tell him you’re feeling faint, Rose. It’s your best hope to get out of this.”

He was right. She nodded in understanding and turned back to Lord Burkham when they switched partners.

The speed of the dancing grew swifter, and before she could protest, Lord Burkham spun her in a circle. She started to lose her footing, and the room tipped.

No, please,
she thought to herself. She swayed violently and tried to bring herself closer to her partner. She reached out to grasp his arms, but at that moment, Lord Burkham stepped back.

Without warning, she fell forward, sprawling on the ballroom floor. The pain of her face striking the wood was nothing compared to her humiliation. The soft exclamation of the guests and nervous titters only made her wish she could disappear, never to be seen again.

For a moment, she remained on the floor, dimly aware of Burkham asking if she was all right. Then, someone lifted her from the floor and carried her away.

It was Lord Ashton. Within seconds, he’d brought her to the opposite side of the room. She remembered his earlier suggestion and kept her eyes closed, as if she’d fallen into a faint. But inwardly, she wanted to die.

This was supposed to be her moment of triumph, of proving what she could do. Instead, everyone had seen her failure. She had embarrassed herself, and a hard lump of disappointment caught in her throat.

“It’s all right,” Iain murmured. “I’m bringing you to the terrace where you can get some air. Your sister and grandmother are following us.”

Against her eyelids, the tears spilled out. It had been a disastrous night, and now, she only wanted to go home.

Her tears were dampening his coat, but she kept her face pressed against his chest, not wanting anyone to see her. Only when she felt the cool breeze of the night air did she dare to open her eyes.

“Are you hurt?” he asked when he gently set her down on a stone bench.

“My pride is shattered,” she admitted, wiping at her eyes. “He wouldn’t listen when I told him no.”

There was no sign of Burkham anywhere. He didn’t seem to care that another man had taken her away. But her sister and grandmother hurried forward.

Lily sat down beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. “Rose, I’m so sorry this happened.” She embraced her hard and then pulled back. “But I was so overjoyed to see you walking again. You surprised all of us with this miracle.”

“It was too soon to dance, and I knew it.” She’d simply wanted to try, to see if there was any hope of becoming the woman she had once been. “I should have insisted that Lord Burkham let me go. I just . . . didn’t want to cause a scene.”

Her sister gave her a gentle squeeze. “You tried to do too much too soon.” With a nod to their grandmother, Lily added, “Grandmother, please tell the duchess that Rose was feeling faint and let everyone believe it was the heat of the room. I’ll take her home.”

It was the logical move, and oh, how she longed to escape this humiliation. And yet, if she left now, it would feel like giving up. She needed to pick herself up again and overcome her failings. Only then could she hold her head up among the others. If she left now, her only memory would be falling on her face.

“What are you wanting to do,
a chara?
” Iain was asking.

“I can’t go home. Not just now.” She needed to face all those people with her head held high and walking, yes
walking,
back to the ballroom.

Rose took a deep breath and stood up. “I want you to escort me back to the ballroom.”

Iain hesitated, and it didn’t surprise her that he had doubts. Lily was already protesting, “Why would you want to, Rose? Surely you ought to rest. It’s been a difficult night.”

“And it will be far worse if I leave. You would have to go with me, and everyone will only remember my fall.” She paused a moment. “And that isn’t the memory I want to take from this night. I’d rather remember walking. Feeling like a normal woman.”

Although her legs protested, she forced herself to stand up. “I can do this, Lily. I must, for all our sakes.”

Lord Ashton drew her hand into his arm. “Then I will walk with you, in case you need to lean against me. And you
will
wait a few moments, until you’re steady once more.”

She knew it was unwise, for others would gather their own opinions about their relationship. But she did trust Iain to keep her safe.

With great effort, she managed to limp toward the open doors. Candlelight glowed from the ballroom, and the low buzz of conversation continued as he helped guide her back inside.

“I would have caught you, had I been beside you earlier,” he said. “We were at the far end of the dancers when you lost your balance.”

“I know you would have. I don’t blame you for my fall.” She forced a smile onto her face and nodded toward some of the guests she knew.

Lady Arnsbury came forward to greet her, and she offered a sympathetic look. “My dear, you had us all frightened when you fell.”

“Yes, it was quite sudden. The last thing I expected was to swoon during the dancing. It was very hot within the room.” She fanned herself and saw the Duchess of Worthingstone approaching. Several other women stepped closer in an effort to eavesdrop. Rose pretended as if she didn’t notice them. “Your Grace, I am so sorry for causing a scene. I don’t know what came over me. I suppose it must have been the heat.”

The duchess took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m so relieved to see that you are feeling better. All of us were worried about you.”

“I am, now that I’ve had some air. But I think I shall avoid dancing for the remainder of the night.” She braved a smile and leaned against Lord Ashton. After she left the duchess, he took her in a slow walk past the others.

“Take me to the far side of the room,” she pleaded. “Near the food and lemonade. I can pretend to be thirsty.”

“And what about Burkham?” he asked. “The man is watching you.”

What about the viscount indeed?
she thought. He’d done nothing to catch her, but had stepped back just as she’d fallen. A twinge of resentment caught her. “I don’t want to speak with him.”

Thomas should have prevented her from falling. It was almost as if he’d
wanted
to humiliate her. But why? And did he intend to keep his distance, behaving as if nothing had happened?

A moment later, the viscount crossed the room. Immediately, Iain stepped in front of her. “Were you wanting something, Burkham?”

The viscount appeared discomfited by his presence. “Ashton, if you don’t mind, I would like a word with Lady Rose.”

“To apologize, you mean.” The earl’s voice held resentment, and she didn’t at all disagree. She hadn’t wanted to join in the country dance, but Lord Burkham had insisted.

“I am sorry she fell. And if you wouldn’t mind giving us a moment alone . . .”

“No.” Iain crossed his arms over his chest, and she nearly smiled. It looked as if he wanted to pummel the man senseless. “But I will allow you to apologize before you slither away.”

Burkham cleared his throat and sidestepped so she could see his face. “Ashton is right. I do owe you an apology. I didn’t expect you to fall.”

“I told you I didn’t want to dance. You wouldn’t listen.”

He sent her a crooked smile, one that would have caused her heart to soften, a year ago. Now, she saw it as an empty gesture. “Forgive me. I was jealous of Ashton because I thought we had agreed you would save the first dance for me.”

Jealousy would imply that he actually cared about her, and she simply didn’t believe it. “You weren’t here.”

“I was late, and that, of course, was my fault,” he finished. “But I didn’t expect to find you dancing with another man.”

She gave a shrug.
Of course not. Because you thought no man would want me.

“Did you want to dance with Lord Ashton?” he asked. There was a thread of annoyance in his tone, one she didn’t like.

“Yes,” she answered honestly. Although she’d danced with Iain primarily because of the wager she’d lost, it was also because she trusted him. He understood her limitations and hadn’t tried to push her past them. Iain went to stand beside her, and he rested his hand upon the back of her chair in a silent mark of possession.

“I think you should be returning to Miss Everett now,” Iain suggested. “Be on your way.”

The viscount appeared to consider it, but then Lady Castledon arrived, holding Evangeline’s hand in hers. She smiled warmly at Iain and said, “Do be a darling and dance with Miss Sinclair. I’ve told her all about you, Lord Ashton.”

There was no way for him to refuse without embarrassing Evangeline, but he sent Rose a questioning look.

“I will be fine,” she told him. “Go on and enjoy yourself.”

Iain bowed to Evangeline and tucked her hand in his arm, but his expression held an open threat toward Lord Burkham.

The viscount appeared pleased to see them leave. “Once again, I apologize for your fall. I should have guessed that the reason for your refusal was because you were unable to move so swiftly.” He reached out to her hand and asked, “Can you forgive me?”

She saw no reason to be petty, but gave a brief nod, pulling back her hand from his. “I accept your apology. And now, I think you should go.”

Once again, he wasn’t listening. “I want to begin again. I know that I’ve made mistakes, dearest Rose. I want to set aside the months we lost and rekindle what there was between us.”

Dearest Rose?
Why on earth would he call her that? And she was now well aware that there had been nothing between them. Nothing at all.

“You sent me six letters in six months. I hardly think there was much between us, Lord Burkham.”

“But we were good friends. That is, we
are
good friends,” he corrected. His smile broadened. “I still believe we would suit each other quite well. You are a beautiful lady, and friendship leads to a strong marriage, I believe.”

No, love does,
she corrected silently. But now she had the answer she’d anticipated. And while it saddened her to think of the young woman she’d been, who had given her heart so freely to this man, she was glad that she hadn’t married him.

“We can remain friends, my lord. But that is all.”

He appeared oblivious to her refusal and beamed at her. “I am so glad to hear it, Lady Rose.” With a glance over at the refreshments, he inquired, “Would you like a glass of lemonade? Are you thirsty?”

Rose wasn’t, but she nodded. It gave her a way of sending him off, leaving her to be alone with her thoughts.

She stood up again, watching the dancers as they moved across the floor. Lord Ashton spun Evangeline in a circle, catching her when she stumbled. Her shy friend appeared overwhelmed, and yet, she appeared to be enjoying herself.

A twinge of envy caught Rose within her heart at the sight of them.
She
wanted to be dancing a lively reel, whirling down the rows of dancers. But it was far too soon for that. Perhaps in a few more months it might be possible.
By Christmas,
she promised herself.

“Are you all right?” came a female voice from behind her.

Rose turned and saw the Duchess of Worthingstone standing there. The matron gave her a kindly smile. “I wanted to be certain you suffered no injuries after the fall.”