A Chance to Kiss the Marquess (Charmed By Chance #3)

Chapter 15

15

K al was beginning to regret he’d ever come up with this ridiculous plan.

Carver made a hissing sound as he winced at Kal’s side. “Not going quite as planned, now is it?”

There was clear sympathy in his cousin’s tone and that did nothing to soothe Kal’s pride. His spine was ramrod stiff but he couldn’t look away as Ann smiled and laughed at something Albright said as he too claimed a dance.

He couldn’t bring himself to look away–or even breathe easily, for that matter—until Albright walked away from Ann.

Only then did the tight muscles in his shoulders ease slightly and he turned to face his concerned cousin. “Don’t be ridiculous. I knew Albright would claim a dance. They are friends, after all.”

Just friends. He clung to that thought with all he had. The fact that she didn’t blush or stammer around Albright was actually a good thing, he told himself. She did not feel passion for his friend, and that was a relief.

But he understood better than most just how Ann thought thanks to their ongoing exchange of correspondence—and yes, it was ongoing, though neither had mentioned his use of the word love or any talk of courtship.

In the notes they’d continued to do what he’d intended in the first place. They’d become better acquainted.

And he grew more fond of her with every word she wrote.

So, here he was. A lovesick fool smitten with the wallflower who apparently every gentleman in existence had suddenly decided to woo.

“You’re sulking,” Carver said.

“I am not,” he shot back.

Carver arched a brow. “Then perhaps you should stop staring at Miss Ann with that sullen stare. Because it appears as though you are sulking.”

Kal’s jaw worked as he attempted to stop…sulking. All right, yes. Yes, perhaps he was sulking just a little. “I prefer brooding,” he muttered.

Carver chuckled.

Kal had known, of course, that Albright would ask for a dance. But he hadn’t factored in just how difficult it would be to witness it. And then there was the other matter…

“There you go again,” Carver said.

Kal turned to Carver. “Tell me, was I this irritating when you were making a fool of yourself over Meg?”

“Indeed, you were.”

Kal grunted. But before he could respond, a familiar, easygoing voice greeted them. “Evening, gentlemen.”

Carver smiled. “Albright. Just the man we were discussing.”

Kal frowned. “We were not discussing him.” He turned to his old friend. “We were not discussing you.”

Albright’s brows were arched and his eyes danced with mirth. “And what were we not discussing about me, in particular?”

Carver laughed, and Kal fought the urge to knock both their heads together. Instead he let out a weary sigh. “Ann.” There was no point in evading the topic. Between Rodrick and Carver, Albright would find out eventually.

“Ah,” Albright said, though there was a crease of confusion between his brows. But then that crease cleared and his eyes widened slightly. “ Ah ,” he said again.

“Indeed,” Kal murmured dryly.

“It seems you two are in competition and you didn’t even know it,” Carver said.

Kal shot him a sidelong glare. His cousin was far too entertained by his misery. It hardly seemed appropriate.

Albright cleared his throat. “I, er…I did not realize…” He frowned, and Kal could all but see him connecting the pieces. The way he’d found them alone together…

Albright winced, his gaze steady and sincere. “I apologize, Kal. If I’d known?—”

“No need for apologies.” While it pained him to have to say it, Kal knew it was true. “You and Ann would make a good match. And if she chooses you, then I will…”

Here he trailed off. He didn’t believe in lying, especially not with one of the few he considered a friend. “I shall respect her decision.”

Albright’s expression was thoughtful. “And I shall do the same.”

Kal nodded. He meant to say more, but at that moment, Albright’s attention was caught by something on the far side of the ballroom, and Carver groaned. “It’s possible you’ll both need to step aside if Marlin’s friend has any say in the matter.”

Kal’s head snapped to the side to see what they were staring at, and?—

His whole body tensed at the sight of that drunkard Everson looming over his Ann.

Well, in all fairness, he hardly knew the man and only saw him deep in his cups just that once, but that didn’t change the fact that the man’s entire demeanor was far too ingratiating.

He tried to use reason, which was difficult as he watched Ann’s cheeks turn pink and her gaze flit around the room as if looking for an escape.

Her parents were right next to her. She was in no harm.

This was what he told himself to calm the sudden and urgent pounding in his chest.

Everything in him told him to go to her. To take her into his arms where she’d be safe.

Rationally, he knew this was ridiculous. She was perfectly safe. Even so, he found himself growling, “I do not like that man.”

And I hate that he is near my Ann.

“I don’t either,” Albright muttered.

It wasn’t his friend’s words so much as his tone that startled Kal. “You don’t?”

Albright met his stare. “I don’t.”

Kal felt as though an entire conversation was held in the silence that followed. It was Carver who broke it with a worried, “Do you have reason to believe Everson is a threat to Ann?”

Albright’s hesitation was answer enough. “I have reasons for not liking the man,” he said.

Kal didn’t need to hear any more. Albright was nothing if not fair and reasonable, and if he had doubts about Everson’s character, that was all he needed to know.

He didn’t ask questions, and in truth he didn’t even recall crossing the room. His mind was a blank, his ears filled with the roar of blood as something primitive and dark drove him to Ann’s side.

He interrupted Everson’s chatter rudely. “If you’ll excuse us. Miss Ann has agreed to be my partner for the next dance.”

He was vaguely aware of Everson’s openmouthed shock, but he was more focused on Ann at his side. At the way she inched closer until he could feel the warmth of her body at his back.

His heart warmed that she felt safe with him. Well, safer than she did with Everson, at least. That was something, wasn’t it?

The opening strains of a waltz began, and Kal turned to her. “Shall we?”

Ann’s eyes were wide and she cast a quick glance at Everson. “Er, Mr. Everson?—”

“This is my dance.” The foppish fool had apparently regained his voice.

Kal turned to him with a withering stare. “Not any longer.”

“But—”

“It was a mistake.” Kal placed a hand at Ann’s back. “She’d already agreed to dance with me.” He didn’t look back as Everson sputtered.

Ann was silent as he took her into his arms.

He was quiet too as he waited for his heart to stop pounding. The angry fire in his veins faded to a much more pleasant warmth as he savored the feel of Ann in his arms. Her gaze met his and for a long moment they merely moved in time to the music.

And it was perfection.

He liked to think she thought so too because he felt her relax under his touch, saw her chest rise and fall as her breaths deepened. Reveled in the way her eyes darkened with awareness.

Oh yes, she felt it too. But as the music swelled, he saw the moment her thoughts grew serious, and he was ready for it when she spoke.

“You don’t need to save me, you know.” Her voice was so quiet, but the look in her eyes…

She wasn’t just talking about Everson.

His heart gave a hard kick. She still feared he saw her as some sort of charity case. “I know I don’t, Ann.”

She looked slightly mollified, but there was still a hint of concern there. And he knew that the best way to ease her concerns was to be as truthful as possible. To be just as plain spoken and straightforward as she was. “I know I don’t have to save you, and you do not need my protection. But that doesn’t mean I don’t wish to protect you. From anything or anyone that might cause you harm.”

Her brows drew together but before she could interrupt, he continued. “That does not mean I see you as weak. Not in the slightest. It merely means that I care for you. And it is my honor to be your protector.” He paused long enough to swallow hard. “One day I hope it will be my right.”

The music was ending, and impatience hit him hard. They were forever being pulled apart too soon. But if he were being honest, he suspected it would always be too soon. Even if they spent the rest of their lives together, it wouldn’t be enough. When it came to Ann, it seemed he was horrendously greedy.

“Has your next dance been claimed?” His voice was quiet, but she flinched slightly as she nodded.

“With Albright,” he guessed. If there was a bitter humor to his tone he couldn’t help it.

She pressed her lips together and nodded again.

“Very well then.”

He eased his grip on her as the last strains faded, but to his surprise her fingers dug into his arm. “Lord Kalvin—Kal,” she corrected herself.

He went still, waiting as patiently as he could for her to speak.

She did so slowly. “I do not want to hurt you. I never wanted that…”

He nodded when it became clear that she wasn’t going to continue. His heart ached at all she’d said and did not say. “I know.”

“I c-cannot…I’m n-not ready,” she started. The tortured look in her eyes made his heart hammer wildly. But he saw Albright approaching as the other dancers scattered and rearranged themselves for the next dance.

He leaned down close so only she could hear. “If Albright is the man who will make you happy then I will not stand in your way. I want your happiness above all else.”

Her fingers flexed on his arm and he heard her sharp, short burst of air.

His Ann was overcome with emotion, and he felt it too. They were so close to something so good and so pure and so right. But he could not make this choice for her.

He took a deep breath. “But if you think there is any chance that I might be the one…” He struggled for the right words. “That I could possibly make you…content. Then give me time. That is all I ask for now.” He pulled back and gave her a small smile. “Just time.”

He’d rather live in this tortuous limbo for years if it meant there was still a chance that he might win her hand.

She nodded, and her lips curved in a smile…

But her eyes were filled with tears when he walked away.