The Earl’s Unwritten Vow (Lords of Lost Hearts #6)

Chapter 1

“Shall we dance, my lady?”

A warm tremor passed through Nora as she took Lord Hampshire’s outstretched hand. “Thank you, Lord Hampshire,” she said, aware that both her mother and sister stood nearby, no doubt watching this interaction with careful eyes. “I should be delighted.”

It had been a month since their first introduction, and within that time, Nora had been drawn, by slow and undeniable degrees, to Lord Hampshire.

When he had come to take tea for the first time, her mother, Lady Somerset, had declared him the handsomest gentleman in all of London and had spoken aloud of her hopes that Nora would soon find herself wed to him.

Nora had laughed at this, telling her mother that she thought that a little too hasty, whilst, at the same time, harboring the very same hopes.

“The waltz has always been a dance I enjoy.” Lord Hampshire’s hazel eyes warmed as he stepped back to bow. “But to dance it with you makes it all the more wonderful.”

The ballroom was stifling. Candles blazed in their hundreds from the twin chandeliers overhead, their flames doubled in the great gilded mirrors that lined the western wall, so the light seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Beeswax and warm perfume thickened the air until drawing breath felt like drinking in the heat itself.

Nora could feel the press of the crowd at her back — the jostle of satin sleeves, the murmur of gossip that ran beneath the music like a second melody — but all of it receded when Lord Hampshire turned toward her.

The first notes of the waltz rose from the orchestra in the gallery above, and something in her chest tugged gently in answer.

He held out his gloved hand, and she placed her fingers in his, feeling the slight pressure of his thumb even through two layers of kidskin.

His other hand settled at her waist with a steadiness that belied the quick pulse she could see at his throat, just above his cravat.

They did not speak immediately. The opening bars demanded movement, and he drew her into the turn with a confidence that sent her skirts sweeping across the polished floor.

The candlelight threw their shadows long and then short again as they moved through the pattern — his face lit gold, then half in shadow, then gold again.

She caught the faint scent of his cologne, something green and sharp, like crushed leaves on a wet morning, and it was so particular to him that her step faltered.

Around them, the other couples were a blur of silk and broadcloth, their faces indistinct. The room might have been empty. When he finally spoke, Nora could feel the warmth of his breath against her temple, close enough that his words were meant only for her and no other.

“I have thought of this for weeks,” he admitted. His voice was low, almost rough at the edges, and the sound of it ran through her like warm water. “I confess I am half afraid that any moment now, someone will tap my shoulder and tell me I have been dreaming.”

She smiled up at him, and something in his expression softened — a loosening around his eyes, the faintest exhalation of held breath.

The final bars of the waltz arrived too soon, drawing them gently to a halt.

Nora felt the loss of the music in her body before she heard the silence — the sudden stillness of his hand at her waist, the loosening of his fingers around hers.

Around them, the ballroom rushed back in: the murmur of voices, the clink of glasses, the shuffle of dancers returning to the edges of the room.

But for one suspended moment, neither of them moved.

“As always, it is my great honour to dance with you, Lady Nora.”

As the last few notes from the waltz faded, Nora was forced to step back out of his arms, sighing as she did so. “And I with you, Lord Hampshire.”

“Might I escort you back to your mother?” Lord Hampshire leaned towards her, his eyes twinkling gently. “I think they might be to our left, which means we should begin our walk towards them from our right.”

Nora laughed at this, her pulse quickening as she accepted his arm. “I can see no wrong in that,” she agreed, as his smile grew. “It might take us some time to find them again in this throng – but I know you will keep me safe.”

“I most certainly shall. You can have no doubt about that.”

When he gave her his arm, Nora was quick to settle her gloved hand on it, wishing silently to herself that the waltz had lasted a few minutes longer.

Each dance with him was precious, permitting her to speak with him alone and without interruption – but how quickly such moments passed!

It was always a frustration for her when their time came to an end, and on this evening, especially after such a sweetness as the waltz, Nora was all the more reluctant to step away.

“Permit me to lead you.” Lord Hampshire, ever attentive yet overtly conscious of propriety, began to walk carefully, weaving through the clusters of guests and making certain not to knock into any of them.

No one gave either Nora or Lord Hampshire more than a passing glance, much too busy with their own discussions or considerations.

Many other gentlemen were leading the ladies they had been dancing with from the centre of the room, dutifully returning them to their chaperones.

Nora hoped that, to the ton’s eyes, she was simply another young lady being escorted from the floor – albeit taking a much longer path back towards her mother than was required!

“Lady Nora?”

She looked up at him, catching the flicker of earnest hope that flickered across his expression, his smile almost tentative as she held his gaze. “Yes?”

“I – I pray that you will not think me overly bold, but I should very much like to come to call upon you tomorrow, if I may.”

Her smile was immediate. “By now, Lord Hampshire, surely you are aware that you would always be welcome to call upon me.”

“Am I?” The quiet vulnerability in his voice made her eyebrows lift in surprise.

Was he truly as uncertain of her welcome?

He had come to call upon her on more than one occasion already, igniting the hopes of both Nora and her mother that there might be something more building between them.

“Why yes, of course you are,” she said, wondering if there was some doubt in his heart, something that perhaps she had said or done that had given him an improper impression of her desire for his company.

“I am always delighted to see you, I assure you.”

“I am glad indeed to hear you say such a thing.” When he smiled at her, the resulting rush of warmth swept into her cheeks like a flame catching from a single spark.

No doubt he was now very clearly aware of how his nearness affected her, since she could not prevent the heat stealing across her cheeks!

“I should not be questioning you as I am.” Lord Hampshire shook his head and looked away from her. “It is only, perhaps, that I am hopeful that my presence might mean a little more to you than other gentlemen whom, I have no doubt, come to call upon you also.”

The desire to tell him the truth about all that she felt rushed over her like a wave crashing upon the seashore, covering her completely.

Steadying herself with a breath, she paused and turned to face him, bringing them both to a gentle halt near the edge of the room.

“Mayhap it is now my turn to be frank, Lord Hampshire.” Tall, sweeping shadows fell across them, providing something of a shelter from inquisitive gazes, although Nora knew they did not have long to speak.

“I am always glad to be in your company, truly.” Her voice wavered as she spoke, aware that her words were bold and determined, telling him more than she had ever anticipated saying.

“To have more of it, to have more of your presence is a delight to me for whenever the butler announces your arrival, my heart is filled with happiness that no other can bring.”

The smile that unfolded across his face sent a weakness through her.

Everything else seemed to fade; the conversations from the other guests, the final strains from the orchestra, and the laughter of those nearby all became nothing more than a whisper in the background.

Nora looked up at Lord Hampshire, a tremor running through her gloved fingers as he continued to hold her gaze, a gentle smile still gracing his lips.

“Nora.”

His voice dropped and, as he spoke her name, his fingers caught hers. His touch was gentle, holding her hand in his, but without any strength in his grip, allowing her to pull away should she so desire. “You have spoken plainly. Now permit me to do the same.”

He paused, glancing away, and Nora felt her pulse quicken until it beat wildly all through her. She licked her lips, wanting to urge him on but holding her words back with an effort. Now was not the time for interruption, no matter how urgent her desire for him to speak.

“We have been acquainted for a month or so, have we not?”

She nodded, still silent, her heart thrumming like a bird fluttering its delicate wings, threatening to take flight at any moment.

“Perhaps you are already aware of this, but I shall speak it to you all the same.” His thumb brushed across the back of her hand.

“Nora, I have been drawn to you from the very first moment of our meeting.” Again, his eyes lifted to hers, and Nora’s chest tightened with painful longing, desperate to hear more.

“I find myself searching for you in a crowd, eager to find you so that we might dance or converse or even simply smile at one another from across the room. Mayhap such longings are somewhat foolish given the shortness of our acquaintance, but that is the truth of my heart at the present moment.” He leaned closer to her, his words a whisper.

“It is bound up with affection for you.”

Affection.

The word circled through her mind. It was not the same strength of feeling that she already held within her own heart, but that was of little consequence, for surely affection could grow to something deeper.

“Your silence tugs at my fears,” Lord Hampshire said, threading his fingers through his hair, his smile somewhat strained. “I apologize if I spoke with too much boldness, if I have taken you by surprise. I can well understand that my affection might overwhelm you at the present moment but – ”

“Lord Hampshire, please, do not think that I am anything other than astonished – but astonished and happy with it.” Unwilling to let him think she was unmoved by his confession, Nora took a small step closer to him and, with fresh courage, lifted her hand to set it upon his shoulder, before running it lightly down to where his heart would be.

“In truth, you speak of all that I myself feel. Your words could have come from my own heart – and I say that with every word the truth.” She drew a breath, allowing the courage she felt to grow into determination – a determination to make all she could of this moment and speak of her heart.

“Indeed, my feelings are, I think, a small measure greater than your own. I did not think I would be bold enough to speak of them, but because of your courage, I have found my own also.”

He blinked, the colour rising swiftly to his cheekbones. “Might I ask as to what you mean by such a thing?”

She nodded, unable to stop the trembling in her limbs.

“I believe that I am in love with you, Lord Hampshire. I have never felt such feelings before, but I think that is what they must be.” Closing her eyes briefly, she heard his swift intake of breath and, opening her eyes, she was immediately caught by the fervency in his gaze.

“I hope you will forgive my boldness,” she whispered, her lips quirking as his smile began to grow.

“We have both apologized for such a thing already, I think, but you know that I can, on occasion, be a little too bold in my determinations.”

“No, Nora. I think it is a wonderful characteristic.” His grip tightened, his gaze steady. “Our acquaintance has changed me in ways I did not anticipate or expect. Your honesty humbles me for, when you spoke of love, my heart echoed your words in return.”

Her breath caught, joy welling in her so fiercely, she thought she might throw constraint to the wind and fling her arms about his neck. It was only his action of lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss there that prevented her from doing so.

“I must speak to your father next, I think.”

Astonishment jolted through her, realizing what he meant. “You—you will?”

“Yes, of course. At once.” His eyes warmed, the press of his lips to her hand searing her skin. “Once he grants his blessing – and I pray that he will do so – I will return to you so we might discuss our future together.”

Our future together. Her cheeks flushed, her entire body warming as though lit from within. “You need have no doubts when it comes to my father, for I can assure you of his agreement.” One side of her mouth tipped up as she tilted her head. “I trust you already know what my answer will be?”

His smile told her he did.

For a few exquisite moments, they simply stood together, their hands still joined, and the ballroom noises faded from their hearing. Nora wanted to cling to him, sensing his need to step away as he sighed, giving her a small, wry smile.

“Despite my heart’s desire to remain with you, I must now take my leave.”

Nora’s sigh matched his own. “I will return to my mother, then. Though I should much prefer to remain here with you.”

With a smile of understanding, he released her hand, his gaze shifting over her shoulder.

“Alas, I believe my uncle has spied me. No doubt he will wish to speak with me before I take my leave.” With a rueful smile, he turned, and she settled her hand on his arm.

“Come. Let me return you to your mother, and then I shall bid you goodnight.”

“Would that it were already the morrow,” Nora murmured, as they stepped away from the shadows and back into the light of the ballroom. “For then I would not have to be parted from you for so many hours as now stretch before me.”

“Soon, we shall never be parted again,” he promised as Nora leaned into him as much as propriety allowed. “We must only endure a little longer.”