Secluded with the Rogue

Chapter 9

Nine

Christmas Eve ball

T his is so beautiful!

Even though the ballroom had been transformed into a holiday scene out of a fairy story, Nancy fretted at the side as she watched a country reel in progress. Was her gown of red velvet grand enough? She smoothed her gloved hands along the front of the dress. It featured a gold satin underskirt with rows of ruffles at the back, while the bodice, waist, and hems of the short sleeves were lined with a thin band of black sequins to give the outfit a bit of interest and whimsy. It was perhaps a year out of date, but she hoped that didn’t matter.

The ball had opened thirty minutes ago with Edward leading Kitty out for a waltz. It was only half past nine, and the dancing portion of the night would go on for the next hour. A buffet-style dinner would follow featuring finger foods and small bites that guests could take with them wherever they wished to congregate. After that, whoever in the company wished to attend midnight church services was welcome to do so. The sleighs were to be employed, or guests could walk the couple of miles to the village if they desired.

Now, in the country reel, she watched Kitty, who clearly enjoyed dancing. A kaleidoscope of color made from lady’s skirting twisted and turned on the dance floor. The scents of powders and perfumes filled the air to compete with the more pungent smells from fir boughs and candles as well as the sweet aromas of clove-studded oranges that had been set about the room and used in floral arrangements. Two sets of double doors at the back of the room were kept slightly ajar to encourage cooler air into the crowded space. With so many candles and bodies, it was quite heated, so that contrast was most welcome.

Truly, there was a magical element at play in the air tonight. Everyone was dressed in their best and pleasant attitudes abounded. Excitement and holiday gaiety was all around.

Yet something was missing.

What am I waiting for?

“It is truly a shame that such a beautiful woman lacks a partner tonight.”

With a start, Nancy turned about at the sound of a masculine voice. When she realized she’d been expecting the earl, a thin coil of cold disappointment snaked through her belly to find the speaker wasn’t him. Yet she smiled. “Mr. Healy. How lovely to be able to talk with you.” Truthfully, she had nothing but respect for the man. He was a good husband to Kitty.

“It has been a rather busy house party, hasn’t it?”

She nodded. “It has. And what is more, I never expected to enjoy myself at this house party.” Imagine that. “Are you enjoying the ball?”

“For the most part, but if I’d had my druthers, I’d much prefer a quiet evening alone with Katherine.” As he spoke, he watched the dancers on the floor. “Isn’t she gorgeous tonight?”

Clearly, the man was besotted by his wife, and it was beyond adorable. “She is. That silver gown makes her sparkle along with the decorations.” And the grin on her face spoke to how much delight dancing gave her.

“She and I plan to make an announcement to the party tomorrow morning,” he said with a grin as large as his wife’s.

“Ah, and I’ll wager I can guess at what it is,” Nancy said with a grin of her own. “I am truly happy for the two of you.”

A bit of shock went through Mr. Healy’s eyes. “You know?”

“I suspected, but you just confirmed it for me.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I didn’t know the two of you wanted children.” Kitty had hinted in her letters that they hadn’t become pregnant… not for lack of trying.

A hint of ruddy color rose up his neck above his collar. “Starting a family was never something we thought possible, and we are completely happy with the life we’ve built together.” He shrugged. “But this happened, and whether it will be our only child or the beginning of many, we intend to still take each day as it comes.”

“And remain thankful,” she finished for him in a low voice.

“Yes.” Mr. Healy nodded. “Regardless, I couldn’t love her more. Katherine is quite amazing.”

“Agreed. She has been a good friend to me over the years.” She patted the man’s arm before dropping her hand. “You will both be lovely parents, I think.”

“Thank you.” As he struggled with emotions, he glanced again at the couples on the dance floor. Then he rested his gaze back on her face. “I did have an ulterior motive in seeking you out tonight.”

“Oh? And here I assumed you wished to dance with me,” she said in a joking tone.

“I can, of course, but Armestead is currently glaring at me for apparently having the audacity to even talk with you.” He snickered as they both looked the earl’s way while he performed the steps of the dance. “Regardless of that, I wished to put in a good word with you on his behalf.”

She frowned. “Did he ask you to do such a thing?”

“Of course not. He doesn’t know what I’m about.” When Mr. Healy chuckled, she was set at ease. “He may act like a bounder or an arrogant prick at times, but there is no man better than Edward.”

This week, she had not detected either of those flaws in him. Truly, she believed he had changed since the last time she’d known him. “Meaning?”

“Meaning that I hope you give him a chance. If he is trying, in his odd, hesitant way, to make an overture toward you or plead his suit, I think you should accept him this time.” He shrugged and shot her a wry glance. “Deep down beneath the title and responsibility, he’s a decent sort, and I believe all he wants is to settle into a life and have love.”

“Truly, that is all any of us are looking for,” she said in a barely audible voice. Was it true that Edward thought her a good candidate to court or even wed? Excitement buzzed at the base of her spine. When she glanced again to the dance floor where the country reel was winding down, her gaze crashed into that of the earl’s. Something passed between them, and it gave her the most delicious shivers. “I promise to keep an open mind for whatever happens.”

“Thank you.” Mr. Healy nodded. As the notes from the string quartet ended, he sighed. “It would appear my time with you is at an end, for Armestead is heading this way. Let us both hope he doesn’t land me a facer.”

She chuckled, for it was so amusing. “Why would he? We are doing nothing except having a conversation.”

“Ah, my dear, you are quite na?ve yet. The man is horribly possessive and a bit jealous. That’s how much he cares.” Then there was no more chance to speak with him, for Edward had joined them, and he had his sister on his arm.

“Isn’t this a quaint scene?” He bounced his gaze between them, but there was the veriest hint of jealousy in his dark eyes that had Nancy biting her bottom lip to keep her from laughing.

“I was merely wishing Lady Havelock well for the holiday season.” Mr. Healy grinned then he took Kitty by the hand. “Now I am going to escort my beautiful wife to the refreshments table for some punch or lemonade.” He winked at Nancy. “Surely you can find something to occupy yourselves in the interim.”

With heat in her cheeks, she waved to Kitty then turned to address Edward. “Calm yourself, Armestead. Mr. Healy was the epitome of proper.”

“Good, because he already has his woman.” There was a certain intensity about his dark eyes that she found exceptionally appealing. “Now, if I may, would you please partner me in this next dance? I believe it is a waltz, and a Continental one at that.”

Though she had practiced the steps of such a waltz, she had never performed one in public, especially not since her husband had died. He wasn’t one for that sort of activity. At least not with her. But as Edward offered his gloved hand, she couldn’t help but accept the invitation, for she had wondered if he would ask.

When she slipped a trembling hand into his, she nodded. “I would enjoy that very much, but you should know, I haven’t danced this waltz in public.”

He met her gaze. “I won’t let you fall, sweeting.”

The use of the endearment as he led her into an open spot on the dance floor loosed butterflies in her lower belly. “All right.” Suddenly, she suspected they were no longer talking about the imminent waltz.

As he manipulated her arms into the correct positioning, Nancy quietly watched him. There was something different about him tonight, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on, but it was both refreshing and exciting.

When the first notes of the waltz were released into the air, Edward set them into motion. Immediately, she surrendered to his mastery in both the steps and the way held led her through them. Each time she stumbled, his hand at the small of her back steadied her until she found her footing. As he squeezed her fingers with his other hand, she relaxed into the rhythm of the set.

It was so easy with him; their bodies flowed together as if they were always meant for this dance. With each turn of the room, her confidence grew, and soon it felt as if her feet barely touched the floor. Every time he twirled her into a corner, he pulled her slightly closer. The strength of him, the heat of him threatened to intoxicate her. A sigh of contentment escaped her throat. Nancy’s skirting twisted about her ankles and his legs, and at one point, her breasts brushed his chest, but she barely noticed the potentially scandalous positioning, for the longer she peered into his eyes, saw the golden flecks in his dark brown irises, the more the sensation of falling assailed her.

The dances they’d shared thirteen years ago were suddenly no longer the measuring stick she’d used against all men; this one was, and she didn’t want it to end. How had this man changed her thinking in a mere handful of days? And what was more, she’d been a complete fool all those years ago for refusing him.

What would my life have been like?

It was too bewildering to think about, and in doing so, a cloud of sadness descended upon her. She might not have the son she loved now, but she might have had three live children… except she adored her son, and she was coming to feel the same for Edward.

Does that make me hopeful or merely desperate?

As the waltz came to its last notes, Edward escorted her to one set of glass French doors at the rear of the room. Once he had them opened, he encouraged her through and onto the darkened terrace beyond.

She went willingly because she wasn’t ready to give him over to another partner. “Goodness, but the night is so pretty.” The black velvet sky had been strewn with thousands of stars. “Thank you for sharing it with me, as well as the dance.”

“It was truly my pleasure.” He led her toward the stone railing and away from the rectangle of golden light made by the candles within the ballroom. With a hand to the small of her back, he urged her into a loose embrace. “Do you remember when we waltzed at your Come Out ball?”

“Of course. It’s a memory I’ll never forget. Why?”

“You wore a light blue gown that day, and I thought you were one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen.”

Nancy snorted. “I was eighteen. Still young. Every woman is beautiful at that age.” Yet heated pleasure wound through her chest.

“Perhaps that might be true, but you are here now, standing with me in the dark, and I still believe you are beautiful. I especially adore seeing you in red.”

“I appreciate that.” Not knowing what else to do, Nancy laid a palm on his chest. “What is truly on your mind, Armestead? I have had the sense over the past few days that something has been uppermost in your thoughts, but you are holding back for whatever reason.”

“Dear God, it’s uncanny how well you know me,” he whispered as he took her hands in his and held them. “I was a fool to not keep coming back after that refusal.”

That didn’t answer her question. “Edward?” Her heart beat so fast she feared that organ might fly right out of her chest.

“Were you planning to go to church services tonight?”

“Not especially. There are a few gifts I want to gather for a few people here and perhaps place them beneath the Bavarian tree in the drawing room.”

“I also have a few gifts. Thank you for the reminder.” For long moments, he peered into her face before finally nodding. “Nancy, will you do me a favor?”

She frowned, for he wasn’t making much sense. “Of course. What is it? Is all well with you?” Concern sat heavy in her chest.

“It is too early to say.” Slowly, he brought one of her hands to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Meet me in the drawing room at eleven-thirty tonight. Everyone should either have left for the church by then or have retired abovestairs, so we will be guaranteed privacy.”

“For what?”

“I don’t wish to say anything now; it’s not the right time.” The intensity in his eyes hadn’t faded, and with a quick glance to the door, he put a curled index finger beneath her chin, lifted her head, and then swiftly brushed his lips over hers. “Just say you’ll meet me.”

“I will.” In the event he didn’t understand, she nodded. “Promise me you are well.”

He chuckled as he pulled away. “I might indeed be slightly mad, but we shall figure that out together later tonight.” As he trailed his gaze up and down her form, she felt as if he’d caressed her with his hands. “You are lovely tonight, Nancy, and I am so damn humbled to have the opportunity to spend this time with you.”

“You are sweet. It’s an outdated gown, I fear.”

“It matters not.” Then he waved a hand. “You go back first before you catch your death of cold. I will remain out here for a bit to gather my thoughts.”

“All right.” With one last lingering look, she made her way over the terrace and then slipped into the ballroom, leaving him to his own devices.

Oddly enough, she couldn’t stop grinning, for though he was acting oddly, there was so much hope welling in her chest that she looked forward to putting dinner behind her.

Perhaps this would correct a mistake for them both from the past.