Goodness, she had taken a risk in waiting until Andrew approached when she had not been certain that he would. He could have also requested a simple country dance, which in itself would have been devastating since she’d longed to waltz with him. But, he’d chosen the one she’d hoped to save for him and him alone and then chosen another. Both were waltzes.
The grin came to her lips as soon as he moved on, and she’d didn’t even try to hide it. Giddiness that she’d be dancing with Andrew not once but twice bubbled inside and Tabitha didn’t care if she danced with anyone else.
“What has you in such a fine mood,” Peter asked as he approached.
“I enjoy balls,” Tabitha answered.
“Nearly all of my dances have been claimed,” Sarah quietly exclaimed with excitement.
Peter indulged his youngest sister with a smile. “And what of you, Tabitha? Have all of yours been claimed?”
Sarah snorted. “She sent them all away.” Then her eyes danced with merriment as the corner of her mouth tipped up. “All but one, that is.”
Peter pulled Tabitha’s dance card from her fingers to look at it. “You rejected everyone else?”
Tabitha shrugged. “I wasn’t interested.” It wasn’t a lie because she had no desire to dance with anyone else.
“You have to dance with others,” he warned quietly.
“Why?”
“You shouldn’t make your interest so obvious,” he began to explain. “Besides, Mother will grow anxious.”
“This is the one time she can’t accept or deny on my behalf,” Tabitha pointed out.
“Do you want peace for the evening?” her brother countered. “What of Danby? Do you want him focused on you as well? If he witnesses you giving other bachelors consideration he may not be so quick to meddle in your life. Well, at least not any more than he has already.”
Tabitha bit the corner of her lip. She hadn’t considered that possibility. Danby was the last person she wished to have focused on her. “I may have already turned everyone away.”
Peter straightened and glanced about the ballroom. “I’ll be back and no matter who approaches, accept a dance.”
“Even Lymington?” she groaned.
Peter laughed. “As you’ve already expressed your distasted and disinterest, you may deny his request, but you can’t do so for every bachelor save Straffan.”
“Very well,” Tabitha blew out a sigh. At least the others would help pass the time until she could be in Andrew’s arms.
Had Tabitha not saved dances for him, Andrew would be concerned with who she did choose to partner. First it was Mr. Theophilos Jardine, then the Earl of Halesworth, followed by Mr. Simon Nicols, then Lord Holbrooke, and finally Lord Elston, though Elston didn’t give Andrew much concern as he and Tabitha were cousins…
Andrew narrowed his eyes. They might be cousins, but they were fairly removed…third cousins?
Hadn’t Elston stated that Tabitha was his favorite Storm? Was this something that should be a concern?
In truth, Andrew’s time spent with Tabitha had only been in the morning and he had made himself scarce the rest of the time, with the exception of skating yesterday. Had Elston been courting her?
Not possible!
Andrew shook the thoughts from his mind. Tabitha had turned down all requests before he’d arrived. If her heart had been with Elston, she would have waited for him. And, as she had not, Andrew decided to settled on the idea that they two were friendly, cousins and appeared to like each other well enough, with no romantic interest on either part.
“Will she be ready?”
Danby’s voice coming from behind nearly made Andrew jump. Instead, he slowly turned and executed a half bow.
“Well, will she?” His Grace demanded.
“I am assuming you are asking about the hunt, Your Grace?”
“Of course, I mean the hunt.” The duke thumped his cane.
“She should be ready.”
“Should isn’t good enough.”
“Nor am I a miracle worker,” Andrew countered, surprised that he was actually standing up to the Duke of Danby and then reminded himself what was really at stake. Since he’d never be granted the lady, at least he could still earn the land. “She rode Solomon on her own today and asked for a faster horse tomorrow.”
Andrew nearly blinked at the rare smile that came to Danby’s face. Though he couldn’t comprehend why Tabitha riding a horse again was so important, at least His Grace was pleased, which would assist in negotiating purchase of the estate.
As the music ended, Andrew realized that it was now time for the supper dance. The one moment he’d been waiting for the entire night. He glanced across the ballroom to note that Tabitha had been returned to her brother and now stood waiting for him. Their eyes met.
“If you will excuse me, Your Grace.”
Andrew didn’t wait to be dismissed, but walked away. Not even the powerful Duke of Danby was going to keep Andrew from waltzing with Tabitha.