Chapter 71
SEVENTY-ONE
Rose’s face drooped with misery when Aunt Clarissa ordered her upstairs.
She looked longingly at the gramophone and the younger guests, who were eager to dance and welcome in the new year.
The older folk were breaking up into small groups and settling in for quiet conversation while they enjoyed, or more likely tolerated, the newfangled music that was an affront to their ears, and attempted to drown their distaste in glasses of expensive champagne.
Honor went to sit by her father. Douglas had made it through supper but had eaten very little, and was now relaxing in his favorite chair by the hearth.
He looked pale, and his forehead was damp with perspiration, even though the room was pleasantly cool.
He was barely managing, but she knew he would refuse to retire if anyone suggested it.
He had sent Nurse Jeffries downstairs to celebrate with the servants and was now waiting patiently for the engagement announcement, which would be made immediately after the midnight toast. And then he would go upstairs and rest easy in the knowledge that he had done what was expected of him and had passed the torch to a new generation.
The music finally began, and Honor tried to suppress her burning envy as Jesse led Geneva to the center of the floor.
Geneva, whose expression was serious, as if she were about to undertake an arduous task, suddenly brightened.
She grinned at Jesse conspiratorially and they began to dance, their movements almost completely in sync, as if they had practiced beforehand.
Had they? Honor wondered, as other couples joined them and tried to copy the steps.
Determined to get in on the fun, Honor marched up to Rory and held out her hand.
She had promised her sister that she would keep him away from her, and he could hardly refuse in front of all these people.
It would be very bad manners indeed, and Rory was a gentleman.
At least with her. She had tried to kiss him, but he had taken her firmly by the shoulders and pushed her away.
What had he thought she was going to do?
She wasn’t fool enough to compromise her future.
All she’d wanted was to learn a few things every woman should know, and the best way to do that was to try it on with the hired help, who would be torn between their astonishment at being chosen and their desire to keep their position and do whatever it took to keep the lady happy so she wouldn’t complain to her father.
Honor’s plan just might have worked if Rory wasn’t already leaving England and so didn’t give a fig about his future at Bellamy Hall.
The only thing she could do to hurt him would be to accuse him of assault, but that would do her reputation more harm than Rory’s.
And she had no desire to ruin his life. She’d let him go and wish him well.
But first, she’d dance until she was giddy with excitement and champagne, and until she showed her sister and Jesse that she was not to be dismissed.
Rory was obviously reluctant, but she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him onto the dance floor.
As she’d predicted, he was too polite to say no, and, since Geneva was dancing with Jesse, he had no other partner.
Honor beamed, and Rory smiled back, the tension easing out of his shoulders as he began to dance.
Their moves weren’t as practiced as her sister’s and Jesse’s, but they did all right, and before long they were jigging like they had been dancing together for years.
It really was exhilarating to dance with an actual man.
Until then, she’d only danced with Geneva.
“You’re a cracking dancer,” Honor whispered.
“Ye’re no slouch yourself. And ye look simply smashing tonight,” Rory replied.
Honor grinned. “As good as Geneva?”
“Better.”
Rory grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close, but loosened his hold when he caught sight of Douglas, who looked none too pleased.
“I’m almost sorry I’m leaving,” Rory said quietly.
“Then don’t go.”
He didn’t reply.
“I could use some air,” Honor said when the song came to an end. “It’s warm in here.”
“I think ye’re drunk,” Rory teased.
“All the more reason. The cold breeze will help me to sober up. Will you join me in the garden?” she purred.
“I will, but only because I don’t think ye should go by yerself.”
“Why? What do you think will happen to me?”
“The world is full of danger, Honor. Especially for a beautiful woman.”
She lifted her hand to her bosom and gave him her best coy smile. “You think I’m beautiful?”
“Don’t ye?” he teased.
“Let me get a coat,” Honor said, and sauntered towards the door. Rory followed, and, as soon as she wrapped herself in a fur-lined wrap, she led Rory through the house and out the door that led to the moonlit garden.
The night was cold and still, the sky a blanket of stars.
Honor could hear the gentle rush of waves rolling onto the shore and smell the smoke drifting from the chimneys.
Warm amber light glowed in the windows, and music and laughter floated from the house, but in the garden they were blessedly alone.
She leaned into Rory and smiled into his eyes. “I’m cold,” she said. “Maybe you can warm me.”
Rory looked down at her, his expression irritatingly guarded. “What is it that ye want from me, Honor?”
“I want to know what it is to be a woman.”
“It means responsibility and sacrifice. And pain.”
And she knew he was referring to Geneva. It made her angry that even at this moment, when she was suggestively pressing her hips to his, he was thinking of her sister.
“Forget about Geneva. She didn’t waste any time on you,” Honor snapped, and saw a flash of anger in Rory’s eyes. “I’d come with you if you asked.”
“Would ye?”
Honor thought he was teasing, but she didn’t care. “Yes, I would. And I will come with you now, if you invite me to your cottage.”
Rory looked at her for a long moment, then took a step back. “It’s nearly midnight, and I believe yer father is about to announce Geneva’s engagement. I think yer sister would want ye there.”
“And what if I don’t want to be?” Honor pouted.
“Remember what I said about sacrifice and responsibility?”
“You’re an awful wet blanket, Rory Sullivan.”
“Not all the time. I know how to enjoy myself.”
“Go on, then—prove it,” Honor said.
“Come to my cottage when the party’s over. If ye’ve the nerve,” Rory said.
He rested a hand at the small of her back and steered her inside, but not before Honor whispered, “Challenge accepted.”