Chapter Eleven
Anna scanned the room, searching for Lord Devon’s golden hair.
The afternoon had been interesting, and promising.
As she continued to scan the sea of humanity at the party, a shiver of awareness tickled the back of her neck.
Tipping her head, she looked to the left and locked eyes with Lord Allendale.
With a welcoming smile, he started toward her, as if her meeting of his gaze was an open invitation. Taking a deep breath, she watched his approach.
“Fancy seeing you here.” Lord Allendale bowed.
“I’m quite certain it is rather shocking,” she returned, unable to resist a smile. “After all, it’s not as if the rest of the London ton are present.”
“Quite true,” he responded, then glanced out over the mass of humanity that was just beginning to assemble for a dance; a Scottish reel by the sound of it.
“I’d ask you to dance, but I’d rather reserve a different one, if you’re amenable.” His dark eyes turned to hers, waiting.
Anna offered her dance card. “You happen to have first pick of the evening,” she remarked, belatedly wondering why Lord Devon hadn’t requested she save the supper waltz for him. His attentions toward her indicated a decided interest; wasn’t that the very dance he’d wish to secure for himself alone?
“I’m fortunate indeed, I rather like the idea of being the first.” He grinned softly, then handed back her card. “How was the rest of your afternoon?”
Anna glanced to her dance card. He’d reserved the supper waltz. She honestly should have known, but it wasn’t as if she could decline it now. She’d consider her actions a little more closely next time.
If indeed there was a next time. But something inside of her whispered that this was only the beginning, not the ending. Gathering her thoughts, she answered his question. “It was … peaceful, nothing pressing. I sketched a bit.” She regretted her transparency as his demeanor shifted with interest.
“What did you sketch?”
Anna smoothed her skirts and glanced around the room, as if bored with the conversation.
It wasn’t boring, but she didn’t want to lie to Lord Allendale nor did she want to disclose what she was sketching—it would lead to far too many questions, ones she couldn’t and wouldn’t answer.
“A little of this and that.” When in reality, she’d sketched a pair of eyes, ones that she had intended to make Lord Devon’s, but looked more like his instead.
When he didn’t readily reply, or change the subject, she glanced back to him.
He whispered softly, “I’ll not press you, but clearly it is something very dear if you wish to pretend you didn’t mention it.”
Drat the perception of the man.
“I remain intrigued. That is, unless you tell me you were sketching my brother’s face, then my interest will end abruptly,” he teased.
Anna gave him a daring smile. “Why, how did you guess? My secret is found out.”
“Ah, so your sketches, which I am certain are not of my brother, are secrets? How delightful. I rather love a good secret.”
“I’m sure you do, but they are not yours to be kept,” she chided but gentled her words with a smile.
“I promise that, if you ever wish to disclose your secrets, Lady Anna, they would be exceptionally safe with me,” he answered, his words ringing with sincerity, in spite of the levity of their conversation.
And she believed him.
“Ah, my ever-present brother.” Lord Devon’s hand rested on his brother’s shoulder.
Anna noted the way Lord Devon’s fingers curled, as if digging into his brother.
She looked to Lord Allendale, whose expression didn’t show injury rather masked annoyance. It seemed the two of them were ever at odds.
“Indeed. Present and accounted for,” Lord Allendale remarked, then stepped out of Lord Devon’s grip. “I’m a sight for sore eyes, I’m sure. Did you miss me so much, brother?”
Anna flicked her attention to Lord Devon, who worked his jaw, displaying the strong line of his chin. He was magnificent, and she appreciated the view. Distracted, she missed the low words exchanged between the brothers.
“I’ll take my leave, Lady Anna. I’ll see you for our dance.” Lord Allendale bowed, but as he retreated, he glanced back, meeting her gaze.
Her limbs tingled, as if he’d touched her with that look, impossible as it sounded.
“May I have the honor of a dance or two, Lady Anna?” Lord Devon’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Of course!” She offered her dance card, watching as his light brows furrowed when he made to write his name in the place already occupied by his brother.
He rather selected a Scottish reel and the only other waltz before handing back her card.
“Thank you, I hope you don’t mind that I spoke for two.”
Anna bit her lip and glanced down shyly. “I’m rather glad that you did, Lord Devon,” she confided, then glanced up through her lashes to him.
“This afternoon wasn’t nearly enough time with you,” he whispered, lifting her hand to his lips. “It merely made me anticipate tonight even more.” He kissed the air above her hand.
Goose bumps erupted along her arm. “I as well.”
Lord Devon offered his arm. “Care to take a turn around the room with me?”
“Yes, of course.” She took his arm and followed as he leisurely led them through the throng of people.
But it was like the parting of the Red Sea.
As they took each step, people would step aside, and smile.
Lord Devon would nod to the men, who in turn would bow or offer a greeting.
And the ladies, if she wasn’t on his arm, she’d be green with envy as each unmarried, and some married, ladies offered shy smiles that pinked their cheeks.
“We’re quite the center of attention. Rather, you are,” Lord Devon murmured lowly.
“It appears so.”
“I’m the envy of every man here.” He gave a quick glance of approval, meeting her eyes before scanning the crowd, like a king enjoying those paying court.
“You flatter me,” Anna responded, the swell of pride at capturing this very desirable man’s attention soaring through her.
All the hoping, the dreaming, and now she was the one on his arm as he led her through their peers. She was the name that was whispered on the lips of everyone watching them.
“Yes, I flatter, but it’s also the truth. You’re lovely, exquisite.” He gave her a quick once-over. “Exquisite,” he repeated.
“You’re exceptionally dashing yourself, my lord.”
“I’m glad you approve. I nearly had to change my evening kit.” He gave a slow shake of his head, then shook it off, as if not willing to think on whatever memory had pinched his brow.
“Oh?” she asked.
He led them to a less populated corner and faced her. “Yes, it would seem my brother still has quite the temper. I shouldn’t have provoked him, but … old habits die hard, you know.”
Anna frowned slightly. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“I shouldn’t have mentioned anything; you simply put me so much at ease.” His gaze took on a tender quality, as if he needed her assurances.
Anna patted his shoulder, unsure what else what would be proper. “I want you to trust me, and if there is something weighing on your mind, it would ease mine if you shared it.”
Lord Devon shrugged, then glanced to his hands, appearing unsure of himself.
“I think my brother, no, I know my brother doesn’t approve of my interest in you, and when I defended my affect—” He stopped.
“Defended myself, it nearly came to blows. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d taken a swing at me, or two.
” He shrugged. “But we promised my mother we’d never engage in fisticuffs again, especially…
” He lowered his voice. “With what happened last year.”
Anna nodded, then reached out and held his hand tenderly.
“There’s no fault in defending yourself or your honor.
You did the right thing. It sounds like his reaction is where the problem lies.
You are responsible only for yourself, your own actions or reactions.
You cannot take on those of others. You cannot control them,” she offered.
Lord Devon searched her eyes. “As wise as she is beautiful. How did I gain such favor?” He gave his head a self-depreciating shake. “I’m thankful regardless. And I apologize for weighing you with my burden, however I do feel better after sharing it.”
“Burdens are meant to be shared.”
“Apparently so, if it’s with the right person,” he responded, then rubbed her gloved fingers with his hand.
“Thank you for trusting me,” she answered, watching his fingers draw lazy circles on her glove, the sensation sending her wits to evaporating.
“I’ll take you back to your parents now. I’ve lingered too long and lowered too many defenses. However, I’ll return soon for our Scottish reel.”
“I look forward to it with great anticipation,” Anna replied as he led them the short distance to her mother’s side.
After he bowed to her mother, he left. Anna watched as he was immediately drawn into several conversations, everyone wanting a moment of his attention.
He was charming, that was for certain, but it was more.
There was a deep well of charisma and spark that attracted others like a moth to the flame. It was captivating.
Feeling that odd sensation of someone watching her, she scanned the crowd till she met the gaze of Lord Allendale.
Frowning, she resisted the urge to narrow her eyes at him and glare. Didn’t he know better? She hadn’t expected his actions toward his brother, but did one ever really know what happened behind closed doors? Her judgment of his character was flawed, that was certain.
But no more. She knew the truth now, and that would put a final end to the odd plucking of her heartstrings that his presence had on her.
Lifting her chin, she glanced away and ignored his attention.
She didn’t have to talk to him yet.
But the waltz was coming.