Chapter 1 #3
“It’s always a winner, pulling out the Italian,” Silas said sarcastically, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “Especially with ladies.”
“Indeed,” Giovanni laughed, toasting Silas with his own glass.
“You must not be struggling for dance partners tonight,” Anna said, smiling playfully at Giovanni.
“Sadly, no,” Giovanni shook his head, that handsome smile breaking over his face. “But I have managed to save a dance for Beatrice.”
Beatrice flushed and felt a flare of desire at the idea of dancing with Giovanni. She tried to look as if it was a matter of complete indifference to her.
“Of course, at least until my designated partner appears. Is it all right, Anna?”
Beatrice didn’t want to seem too eager or to step on Anna’s plans.
“Yes, of course. We shall join you.” Anna turned to her husband, smiling. “Shall we all dance together, my dear?”
“I would enjoy that.” Silas smiled fondly at his wife. “It has been a while.”
Beatrice half wished it was not a quartet dance as they took their places in a square, smiling at one another.
She wondered how dancing a more intimate dance with Giovanni would feel.
He grinned at her playfully as they bowed and curtsied to one another, and Beatrice felt a thrilling mix of annoyance and excitement.
“So, who is your lucky partner for this evening, bella?”
Beatrice’s mind snagged a little on the familiar nickname from her childhood and felt herself blush. Giovanni could always be relied on to make her feel special, though she resented it a little tonight.
“Viscount Milton,” Beatrice said, trying to keep her voice light. “You’ll not be short for partners either, I imagine.”
“I imagine not,” Giovanni laughed, the carefree sound making Beatrice smile. “Though none of them will be as delightful of you, Beatrice.”
Beatrice felt Giovanni squeeze her hand softly before letting it go, turning around to face Anna as Beatrice faced Silas. Beatrice wondered if she had imagined it.
“Are you well?” Silas asked. “You look flushed again.”
“I’m fine,” Beatrice snapped, trying not to draw attention to how flustered and strange Giovanni’s words and touch made her.
Luckily, she didn’t need to speak to him for the rest of the dance, only coming back to stand opposite him as the dance ended.
Still, it was as if his touch was burned into her hand.
She noticed the way Giovanni was already winking at a girl standing nearby.
Did he ever stop flirting? Before Beatrice could open her mouth to tell him to stop gawping like a youth, Anna had grabbed her arm.
“The viscount!” Anna hissed, her eyes darting through the clapping dancers. Beatrice turned to watch him approach. So did Giovanni.
“Ah, the viscount,” Giovanni spoke softly.
His smile was broad but there was hesitation behind his eyes.
He was staring at the incoming viscount with considerable suspicion—she knew that Giovanni was always cautious when new people were admitted into their close circle.
For a moment, she thought she saw a slightly possessive glance flit across his face and her stomach lurched, but then it was gone.
Just like that brief squeeze of the hand she thought she’d imagined, it was over, and he was backing away, eyes already fixed on that blonde woman.
Maybe he did not care whom she danced with or whom she married, especially with so many elegant ladies to simper over him.
The thought made Beatrice feel hollow inside.
“Viscount Milton, allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Beatrice Klane,” Anna was saying, pulling Beatrice’s eyes away from the dark back of Giovanni’s head.
“I am charmed to make your acquaintance,” Lord Milton bowed low before Beatrice with all the elegance of a man with incredibly high breeding.
“As am I,” Beatrice replied, curtseying respectfully.
She recalled a time when she had first come out into society and the idea of curtseying before a viscount would have filled her with dread and uncertainty.
Now it was second nature. She had lost count of the many curtsies, introductions, and first dances she had undertaken since coming out.
They all blurred into one. The faces of eligible men, young and old, blended together, none shining as brightly as Giovanni’s.
Yet Lord Milton was especially handsome.
He was the physical opposite of Giovanni—tall and willowy, with a soft, gentlemanly face, pale Saxon skin and reddish-golden hair. His eyes were pale blue but they twinkled with generous humor, and his smile was soft and seductive. Beatrice could see why Anna had selected him as a potential suitor.
“Might I have this dance, Miss Klane?” The Viscount asked.
Beatrice could see Giovanni laughing with some gentlemen out of the corner of her eye. A rather stunning red-headed woman had joined the group and was looking at him in fascination. Beatrice swallowed her envy and smiled at Lord Milton.
“I should like that,” she said, slipping her hand into his elbow and stepping towards the dance floor.