Something Scandalous

Damn. “Then I expect you to save me a dance later.”

“Perhaps,” she answered coyly before walking away toward the small refreshment table in the corner.

He stood there for a moment watching the gentle sway of her hips, trying to get his desire under control. He had to stop thinking of her in such a manner.

Seeing Ellie surrounded by a group of young men, Will strode toward her. “I believe we should dance.”

“Of course,” Ellie said, but her gaze remained on one man in particular.

Will had no idea who the man was but would ask Elizabeth later. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked his sister.

“Yes. Now that my presentation is finished, I can relax and enjoy the party.”

They lined up for a quadrille. The dance gave them very little time to talk so they both just enjoyed the moment. Will wondered if Elizabeth was correct that the girls might not wish to leave England. On the voyage here, he would have scoffed at the idea, but now, it was indeed a possibility.

As he made the intricate dance steps, his gaze went to the doorway. Richard and Caroline stood there silently scanning the room. Will had the oddest sensation of foreboding come over him. They were up to something, but what?

When Ellie’s dance finished, he found Lucy and danced with her. With her darker looks, Lucy seemed to be attracting more attention than her sister.

“Lucy, please remember Ellie’s sensitive nature when you speak of the men who danced with you tonight.”

Lucy frowned at him. “I would never do anything to hurt Ellie. I know the men are flocking to me. But that is only because I am more outgoing than she is. Ellie has always been shy.”

“Thank you for thinking of her.”

As the dance ended, Will looked around for Elizabeth. He finally spied her in the corner by the entrance speaking with two women who were obviously with child. Selby and another man walked up to the group. And Will decided he would, too.

“Selby, good to see you here,” he said once he arrived at the group’s position.

“Your Grace, lovely party,” Selby replied.

Both ladies bowed and mumbled, “Your Grace.”

“Well, one of you must be Lady Selby,” he said with a smile to put them at ease.

“Lord Kendal, this is my wife, Avis,” Selby said.

The shorter woman with tawny brown hair smiled back at him. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”

“I don’t believe you have met Lord Blackburn,” Selby said, looking toward the tall man next to him.

“Your Grace,” Lord Blackburn said with a nod.

“Blackburn.”

“May I introduce my wife, Jennette,” Blackburn said, moving slightly so Will could bow over her hand.

“Lady Blackburn, it is a pleasure to meet another friend of Elizabeth’s.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” The woman had similar coloring to her brother, Selby. The black hair and blue eyes looked even more striking on her.

“Perhaps we should leave the ladies to catch up on their gossip,” Selby suggested.

Will agreed but looked back at Elizabeth with a yearning in his heart. He had wanted to dance with her. Now that would have to wait until later.

They walked to the gaming room where various tables had been set up for cards and other games of chance. He noticed Richard sitting at one of the tables—and losing from the looks of things. Richard nodded slightly at him.

“Selby,” Will asked softly. “What do you know of my cousin Richard?”