“Lady Cordelia,” he said with far more force than he’d intended.
She jumped as her gaze turned to him. “Yes?”
“May I request the next dance?”
Her brow scrunched. “But we just—”
He didn’t allow her to finish before he began leading her back onto the dance floor. He doubted he could pull her from sight again, not without incurring Daring’s wrath, but he cou
ld warn her.
She followed him without further complaint and, as he found a spot on the floor, he brought her into his arms, closer than was really proper; she fit into his embrace as though she belonged there. They began the steps without a word, moving in the crowd and yet, somehow, in a world of their own.
He finally broke the silence. “I don’t like the look of that man.”
“Which man?” she asked, letting him swing her about, his hand snug in the crook of her back. He’d like to slide his palm lower, trace the curve of her buttocks.
“McKenzie,” he pushed out between clenched teeth. “You shouldn’t dance with him.”
Her body tensed under his grasp. “I can’t refuse.”
“You can,” he answered. “Who cares what other people think?”
“My mother does, for starters,” she answered straightening. “And if I hope to marry eventually, then I have to as well.”
He gripped her tighter, as though that would keep her here by his side. “He’s dangerous. I feel it.”
She leaned in. A glint of concern flickered in her eyes. “Dangerous how? Do you think he holds a secret that could possibly ruin me?” Then she paused before continuing, “Oh wait. That’s you. In fact, if we’re keeping score, you now have two secrets that could make me a spinster for life.”
“You have one on me too,” he answered defensively.
She shook her head, her whisper barely audible. “You’d survive your club becoming public knowledge.” Then she straightened away. “The man here who poses the most danger to me is you.”
Well that was a bloody good point.
And something he considered for the rest of the dance. He didn’t attempt to talk to her again, he wasn’t sure what to say. And she didn’t speak either. But he held her in his arms until the last notes had died out and they had to return to her family.
This time, it wasn’t Diana who met them but Minnie, Daring’s wife. The picturesque redhead stood staring at the crowd. “What is it?” Cordelia hissed as they returned. “Is Lady Abernath here?”
Minnie shook her head. “No, but the Earl of Exmouth is and he’s asked Diana to dance.” Minnie nibbled at her lip. “Actually, he rather stole the dance from her intended partner.”
“Try not to worry.” Daring squinted in the same direction as Minnie. “He’s just looking out for her.”
“You don’t give me that same confidence,” Malice grumped, keeping Cordelia’s hand tucked into his.
“He’s more upstanding than you are,” Daring answered without looking.
“Lady Cordelia,” another man called. “Are you ready for our dance?”
Every muscle in Malice’s body tightened at the sound of McKenzie’s voice. Malice looked at Daring. “Can I sweep her on the floor and steal her from her partner too?”
Daring narrowed his eyes. “Definitely not.”
Cordelia patted his arm. “I’ll be back momentarily.”
“I don’t like this at all,” he answered. That was an understatement. He wanted to shove the other man away and tuck Cordelia close to him. But it wasn’t his right. He’d already asked her to marry him, she’d said no.
But she was already slipping away, sliding her hand from his arm before she stepped around him. “Lord McKenzie.” She curtseyed.