| |
Rory Beckwith stood back in the shadows with his friend Sophia, watching the fiery redhead set down the Duke of Sheffield. If anybody had ever told Rory that he, Rory Beckwith, would fall in love at first sight, he would have called them a fool. But that was exactly what happened when he first set eyes upon Lady Dallis MacPherson. He couldn’t say what it was about her that drew him to Dallis. Perhaps, it was her passionate speech to Sheffield, or the way Dallis held herself as she derided his arrogant behavior. All Rory knew was that he felt the connection deep in his soul.
He had yet to make her acquaintance, and now seemed like the ideal opportunity. Rory could play the hero and perhaps gain a dance. To hold such a beauty in his arms would be the perfect entertainment to help him forget about his troubles for a while. Even though his heart yearned for more, it would go no further.
Sophia burst into a fit of giggles, giving away their hiding place. Rory tried not to laugh himself. But the look on Sheffield’s face when Lady Dallis described how she would hang him by his bollocks if he so much as spoke to her once more was too much for him to take. Dallis's Scottish brogue emphasized her threat. Rory gripped his side trying to hold onto his laughter, but failed.
Rory said, “I better rescue the lass, before the crowd inside notices this scene. I will return for our dance shortly.”
Sophia couldn’t stop giggling as she nodded. By now tears flowed from her eyes at her enjoyment.
Rory approached Lady Dallis. “Excuse me. May I escort you to your grandmother, miss?”
She gave him a thin smile. “Mmm, look, a gentleman in London. Observe and learn, Your Grace, on how a gentleman should treat a lady. Yes, you may, kind sir.”
Rory held in his pleasure as the mere girl handed Sheffield a critique on his manners. He took hold of the young lady’s hand and re-entered the ballroom. Sophia was forgotten as Rory became entranced by the beauty’s spell. Lady Dallis's voice soaked inside him and made Rory feel as if he had finally come home.
Rory walked a few feet inside the ballroom and stopped near the windows behind a pillar. He turned slightly, still holding onto her hand. His need to keep touching her prevented him from following proper etiquette. He didn’t want to incur her wrath and proceeded with caution.
“Are you well? Did Sheffield take advantage of you?”
“No. Are you going to?”
He stared into her eyes and noticed the teasing twinkle behind her question. His gaze continued to her lips where they were drawn into a mischievous grin. This woman was a minx sent to destroy all rational thought. Rory was speechless. He knew how he wanted to answer, but realized that reply would scare her away. He wanted to pull her into his arms and taste her sweet lips. Rory ached to hear her moan his name. Instead of acting on his desires, he behaved like a gentleman. He pulled them from behind the pillar and guided her near the other debutantes.
“No, that is not my intention.”
He thought she murmured, “That is a shame.”
Before he could ask, Dallis stopped near Lady Ratcliff and pulled her hand from his arm, stepping away. He felt her loss immensely.
“What is the meaning of this, Dallis? You left on the arm of a duke. Why are you returning with an earl?”
“Sheffield proved to be a scoundrel, Nanna. However, this earl proved to be a gentleman. Lord?”
“Lord Roderick Beckwith at your service.”
Dallis had pretended that she didn’t know her savior when, in fact, she had been aware of him since first setting eyes on him at the Havelock Ball. It was the first ball she'd attended this season, visiting her grandparents. Once she spotted Rory across the room, no other gentleman held her interest. It was as if fate threw Rory her way but played a cruel game by teasing Dallis with only glimpses of him. Finally, tonight she had grabbed his attention. Pure luck prompted the rescue from Sheffield. The duke was an infuriating man that she hoped she no longer had to deal with. However, the words Dallis spoke to the duke could be her downfall. One did not slander a duke without suffering repercussions. Dallis prayed that she was of no consequence to a man of Sheffield’s rank—although in his search for a bride, Sheffield wouldn’t want to be tarnished by any set-down from a lady he attempted to court.
She waited for her grandmother to introduce her to the earl. When her nanna only glared at her rescuer, Dallis took it upon herself.
“Lady Dallis MacPherson, and this is my grandmother, Lady Ratcliff.”
“The boy already knows who I am, lass. Thank you, Beckwith, for returning my granddaughter to my side. I am sure my granddaughter only had a slight misunderstanding with the duke. Have a nice evening.”
Her grandmother was dismissing the earl from their company. Dallis didn’t understand why her nanna’s manners were impolite. Since her arrival Dallis had been thrown at every titled gentleman in her path with the goal being the same of every other debutante present; to be courted with the result of a marriage contract. So why did Nanna rebuke Lord Beckwith’s attention? When he was the only gentleman to whom she desired an introduction to. Dallis searched for him at every occasion hoping for this chance. Now her grandmother set out to ruin her opportunity at becoming better acquainted with Lord Beckwith.
“I had hoped to share the next dance with Lady Dallis.”
“Her dance card is full for the evening, Lord Beckwith.”
Dallis’s grandmother had lied to the earl. She had one spot remaining, left open in hope. Now her hope offered and her grandmother refused him. Before Dallis voiced her objections, Lord Beckwith answered her grandmother.
“Perhaps, another time. I hope you enjoy your remaining time at the ball.”
Dallis watched Roderick Beckwith walk away and return outside to the terrace. She'd lost her chance for the evening. Dallis turned to her grandmother to discuss the lie. Her nanna refused to meet her eyes.
“Why did you lie to Lord Beckwith? You are well aware that I had an open spot on my dance card.”
“That spot is for anybody but Lord Beckwith.”
“And why is that? He acted the perfect gentleman.”
“Was that before or after your time spent alone behind the pillar?”
Dallis blushed, remembering when he hid them away. While nothing of significance happened, it wasn’t without wishful thinking on her part.
Dallis defended Rory's actions even though she sensed there had been more to their private interlude. “That was for a brief moment in which Lord Beckwith inquired to my welfare. After I assured him, he immediately brought me to your side.”
“I will not approve of Lord Beckwith calling on you.”
“Why not?”
Before her grandmother could reply, her next dance partner approached. Dallis heard her grandmother sigh in relief at not having to discuss Lord Roderick Beckwith any further. However, Dallis wouldn’t be so easily dismissed. Nor would her fascination of the earl stop. If anything, it enhanced her need to know more about him. What could be so damaging to his character to not be worthy enough to court her?
Dallis went through the motions of the dance, her thoughts straying to when Rory stepped out of the shadows to rescue her from Sheffield’s arrogance. He represented every hero Dallis had ever read about in her romance novels. Lord Beckwith striding forward and whisking her away from the evil duke. However, it didn't escape her notice that he hid behind a potted plant with Lady Sophia Turlington. Were they having a secret rendezvous? Was that why her grandmother warned her away from him? Was he a shallow cad who toyed with ladies’ affections?
Dallis had yet to be introduced to Lady Sophia. Every peer she had met adored the sweet-natured girl. Never an unkind word was ever spoken of her. The lady wasn’t known to share her affections. Did Lady Sophia play the ton false? Was she one of those debutantes who used her charms freely? Dallis thought not. When Lord Beckwith and Lady Sophia emerged from their hiding spot, it didn’t appear to be anything but friendship shared between the two. Not a trace of scandal surrounded them. Their garments were intact and not a hair out place. Their laughter at the duke’s expense had caught her unaware. They appeared to take pleasure at her tirade. Also, Lady Sophia showed no sign of jealously when Lord Beckwith offered to escort Dallis away from Sheffield.
While Dallis had taken pleasure at finally capturing Lord Beckwith’s attention, her mind still considered how she'd riled Sheffield’s temper. Dallis overheard Lady Sophia’s comment to Sheffield when they stepped through the doorway and realized she wasn’t the only lady who disapproved of the duke’s behavior. Lord Beckwith had escorted her away before she heard Sheffield’s reaction to Sophia’s enjoyment. When Lord Beckwith pulled her behind the pillar, she noticed the attraction shining from his eyes and knew he shared her feelings. He never released his hold, and her arm still tingled from his touch. Dallis tried to tease a reaction from Rory, but only caused him to end their time alone. She could only hope they would have more moments to come.
As her partner guided them through the dance, Dallis caught sight of Rory leaning against the very pillar they were hidden behind earlier. His gaze never once wavering. At every turn, their eyes would connect. The message his stare delivered was one she would never deny.