9. Isla #3
With the quirk of his lip, Jonto gently set the plate on her open palm.
They stood together in silence, Jonto with his hands clasped behind his back and Isla enjoying each bite of the sweet dessert.
It just so happened that she took her last bite as the dance was coming to an end.
Once again, she stopped a passing waiter and set her empty plate on his tray.
Taking that as his cue, Jonto swung around to stand before her, bowed low, and held out his hand. “May I have this dance, My Lady?”
Isla felt all eyes on them as she glanced down at the hand. She lifted her gaze to meet his and raised a brow at the twinkle she saw there. Tilting her head slightly, she placed her hand in his, and together, they walked onto the dance floor.
Several ladies covered their mouths with their fans to whisper to their neighbors while more than a few men looked on with jealousy hiding behind their seemingly disinterested eyes.
Placing one delicate hand on Jonto’s shoulder, Isla murmured, “You do realize you’re disappointing many ladies who were actually hoping to have this dance with you, My Lord?”
Jonto stuck his tongue in his cheek and narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps I should return to the kitchen and retrieve another sweet pastry, My Lady. The first two don’t seem to have done the trick.”
Even though she made an effort not to show her emotions, Isla couldn’t keep her amusement from flitting across her face. She didn’t allow a smile, but the side of her mouth quirked up enough for her traitorous dimple to appear.
“Now that’s a sight I hope to see more of in the future. You’re quite lovely when you smile, even if you do try to hide it.”
Isla couldn’t help the heat rising into her cheeks again at the compliment. Really, she was going to have to stop blushing at everything this man said. “I only hide it from you, Lord Jontoreaux. I’d hate to give you the wrong impression.”
Jonto smiled. “Heaven forfend.” The musicians struck up a lively waltz, and with elegant precision and grace, he expertly led Isla around the dance floor.
He began with simple steps, and once they were comfortable with one another’s skills, he smoothly twirled her in a circle.
As they moved around the dance floor, to the casual observer it appeared as though Isla’s feet barely touched the ground.
With each step, her dress swirled in delicate waves of silk and lace.
Their bodies moved together in a harmony Isla had never before experienced.
The more she relaxed into his lead, she instinctively knew where he intended to take her.
She’d taken dance lessons throughout her school years and again as a young woman and had danced with many men over the years.
She’d never felt this connection before, and it was such a freeing feeling that she gave herself over to it.
As she stared into Jonto’s eyes, she could tell he was feeling it as well.
He shortened his steps to avoid another couple and grinned slightly. “You’re an excellent dancer, My Lady. In fact, I believe you’re quite possibly the best I’ve danced with this entire evening.”
“Oh? And just how many hearts have you set aflutter on the dance floor this evening, My Lord?”
“Counting yours?”
Isla rolled her eyes. “Not hardly. But I will say that you move with a grace I would not have expected from a pirate captain.”
His brows rose, and he playfully lifted his chin. “Admiral.”
“I think perhaps you’re an admiral when you’re in the King’s fleet, but I don’t believe pirates have that rank among their hierarchy. So, I was correct in saying pirate captain, Captain.”
The music ended, but Jonto didn’t release her hand or remove his palm from her waist. “Perhaps you’d consider a second dance? Since your heart isn’t fluttering, one can only assume some exercise would do you a world of good.”
Before Isla could respond, the orchestra played the opening notes of a Mazurka, a lively, triple-time dance most people found too challenging to enjoy.
With a wide grin, Jonto swung her into a spin, leading her in a series of slides, hops, and lively kicks.
At times, they faced one another and moved in synchronized patterns, and then he’d pull her into a series of playful, spontaneous steps that had Isla completely forgetting they had an audience.
She focused entirely on following her partner as he guided her with taps, slight pulls, or lifted hands.
By the time the song ended, they were laughing and quite out of breath.
When they moved apart, Isla realized they were the only two remaining on the dance floor.
Enthusiastic applause went up among the onlookers.
Granted, several ladies looked exceedingly unhappy at how much fun she and the pirate had during their dance, but for the most part, they received friendly smiles and nods as they left the dance floor.
Remembering something she’d meant to ask, she placed a light hand on his arm and moved close enough to speak without being overheard. “My Lord, I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.” He considered his words and then amended, “Well, almost anything. In fact, why don’t you tell me what it is, and we can go from there?”
“Not very trusting, are you?”
He shrugged. “We hardly know one another, My Lady. Perhaps someday we’ll feel more able to give such an open invitation.”
Isla studied him, momentarily taken aback by his sincerity. “I wouldn’t have held you to an absolute when you said ‘anything,’ Lord Jonto. It’s more of a figure of speech than a promise.”
Jonto shook his head. “Not to me, it isn’t.
If I tell someone I’ll do anything for them, then that’s exactly what I mean.
Through years of dealing with people of many cultures, I found that the only way to build their trust is if they know me to be a man of my word.
It’s become something of a habit to say exactly what I mean.
Now, what’s this favor you have in mind? ”
That wasn’t something Isla had expected to hear from a rogue, and she took a moment before responding.
Finally, she said, “My friend, Miss Smythson, adores dancing. If you happened to ask her out on the dance floor, she’d not only be thrilled, but it would raise her cachet among the ladies in her circle. ”
Jonto looked around and spotted Celie standing among a group of women.
The music for the next dance had already begun, so he indicated a seat next to the wall.
“I wouldn’t have thought Ms. Smythson would be too worried about her status among the ladies.
Nonetheless, I’d be honored. But first, if you’d like to take a seat, I’ll find us both some punch. ”
“I prefer Cognac, and I happen to know Uncle James will have brought several bottles of Rémy Martin.”
Admiration shone in Jonto’s eyes. “A lady after my own heart. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go find that most excellent libation.”