Not to be outdone, Dante stepped up to her other side and linked his arm with hers. He leaned down close to her ear. “Do not, under any circumstances, allow that man to snag a waltz. Save them for me. All of them.”
Lydia groaned.
15
The three of them were all announced together and descended the stairs to the ballroom floor as one. Neither man would let go of her arm and she began to feel like she was the center of a tug of war.
They’d barely stepped foot onto the floor when Dante whipped the dance card out of her hand. He quickly wrote his name on two spots and smirked in the Ambassador’s direction.
The Ambassador’s turn was next. He snatched the card, crossed out Dante’s name on one line and added his. Dante took the card back again and when he prepared to cross out the Ambassador’s name, Lydia grabbed it back and tore it in two. “There.” She took a deep breath. “Shall we stroll gentlemen?”
It was the beginning of the most frustrating and annoying night Lydia had ever endured. Neither man would leave her side, even when she said she had to visit the ladies’ retiring room. They both walked her there, and even though she spent almost a half hour there, they were both propped up against the wall glaring at each other when she exited the room.
“Pardon me, Ambassador, but may I have a word with Mr. Rose?” She offered her bright smile at the man.
He glowered in Dante’s direction, but nodded. Lydia dragged Dante away so they would not be heard. “This is ridiculous. The man will have no opportunity to speak with anyone else with the two of you acting like dogs hovering over a piece of meat.”
“I don’t trust him.”
Lydia sighed and searched the heavens for an answer. “What could possibly happen in a crowded ballroom? I have no intention of leaving the room with the Ambassador and—”
“—or the garden. Don’t go into the garden. Or the patio. If you need fresh air I will take you outside.”
She counted to ten, then went up to thirty. “Very well. I will not leave the room. If I feel faint, I shall find you, or faint right in the middle of the floor where you can see me.”
The features on his face softened and he reached up to run his finger down her cheek. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. It’s important to me.”
She grew serious. “Why is that?”
He looked guilty, as though he hadn’t meant to say what he had. “Er, because of the assignment. I need you to work with me on it.” He looked away, as if uncomfortable looking at her while he murmured the words.
Lies, perhaps?
She nodded. “Fine. I will see you for our dance and fill you in on anything I’ve gained.” She made her way back to the Ambassador who took her arm. “Is everything all right, Miss Sanford? I shall be more than happy to speak with the young man if he won’t leave you alone.”
Good grief.
“Everything is well, Ambassador. Let us return to the ballroom. I think it is getting close to our dance.”
Things went slightly better once she’d spoken to Dante, but he continued to dodge her heels. No matter where she stood, or who she was speaking with, one glance up and there was Dante watching her with a frown.
By the time the ball had ended, her feet hurt, she was tired of the Ambassador trying to talk her into a stroll in the garden, and quite finished with watching Dante scowl at her.
“May I escort you home, Miss Sanford,” the Ambassador said.
Goodness, no.
“Thank you anyway, but Mr. Rose escorted me here, so I shall return with him.”
The man leaned in close to her ear. “I don’t trust him.”
Counting to forty would not even help at this point. She offered what she hoped was a confident smile. “I will be fine, Ambassador. Thank
you for a pleasant evening.” She slipped away as quickly as she could, having no problem finding Dante since he hadn’t left her view all evening.
She tugged on his arm. “Get me out of here, please. I am about to explode.”
He retrieved her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. She practically pulled him down the steps into the waiting carriage. Once they were settled, she leaned her head back on the squab. “I am so very grateful this evening is over.”