‘You mean he’s here?’ She sucked in a sharp, panicky breath. Not that it should come as a surprise, she realised. The Fairfaxes were pillars of Whitby society, after all. She ought to have guessed he’d be invited.
‘We can leave if you want to?’
‘No.’ She clenched her jaw resolutely. ‘I’m not hiding any more.’
‘Good. Lance is keeping an eye on him, but...’
‘No,’ she repeated the word, more firmly this time. ‘There’s no need for that either. I ought to go and say hello.’ She lifted her chin and then faltered. ‘Will you come?’
‘Try to stop me.’
They made their way through the throng, past a quizzical-looking Lance, towards an attractive-looking couple drinking champagne and talking in the shade of a large oak tree. The lady, Frances noticed, was especially beautiful, with a mass of strawberry-blonde ringlets and vibrant green eyes.
‘Leo.’ She felt determined to speak first.
‘Frances.’ His gaze shot straight to her cheek and then past her shoulder. ‘How good to see you again.’ He cleared his throat as if the words had actually hurt. ‘Do you know Miss Braithwaite?’
‘I don’t believe that we’ve met, no. A pleasure, Miss Braithwaite.’ Frances smiled politely, though the woman seemed to be having as much trouble meeting her eyes as her former fiancé. ‘Although I believe you know Lord Scorborough, Leo?’
‘Yes, of course. Scorborough.’ Leo held out his hand, though for a moment she thought Arthur was going to ignore it. He simply stared at the other man for a few seconds, neither moving nor speaking, before he finally took hold of his hand and shook it. Judging by the sudden grimace on Leo’s face, however, it was less of a shake than a crush.
‘Well, it was good to see you again.’ Frances put a hand on Arthur’s arm, vaguely alarmed by the grimness of his expression. ‘But I think the dancing’s about to begin. Will you excuse us?’
‘Of course.’ Leo looked visibly relieved.
She pulled Arthur towards the area of the lawn cleared for dancing, waiting until they were in the midst of the gathered couples before whirling on him. ‘What was that?’
‘What?’ Arthur shrugged nonchalantly. ‘I was saying hello.’
‘You didn’t say anything!’
‘Didn’t I?’
‘No! I think you actually hurt his hand. I never thought I’d feel sorry for Leo, but that looked painful.’
One side of his mouth curved sardonically. ‘It’s a trick my old skipper taught me. He used it when he didn’t like the price he was being offe
red for his catch. The number would get higher the longer he held on.’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Surely you don’t feel that sorry for Fairfax?’
‘No.’ She bit her lip and then couldn’t repress a giggle. ‘Maybe not.’
‘Good. Now, I believe the first dance is a waltz. A little surprising for the outdoors perhaps, but since we’re breaking every other rule today...’ He winked as he put one hand on her waist. ‘If you’ll permit me, Miss Webster?’
She wasn’t sure when the music started or what the band was playing. She was only vaguely aware of the steps, too, though she seemed to be moving relatively smoothly, Arthur’s hands guiding her through a mass of swaying couples. There were other people there, too, gathered around the edges of the lawn watching them, but everyone seemed perfectly good-natured. Her parents were smiling and nobody was staring at her with disgust or derision, except perhaps Leo, who was cradling his hand and looking as though he’d just swallowed a bee.
‘I could still go and horsewhip him if you want?’ Arthur murmured in her ear and she laughed.
‘I think you’ve done enough.’
‘Well, the offer stands. After wrestling a battalion of pigs, I don’t think Leo Fairfax should prove too much of a challenge. But I don’t want him ruining things. I want today to be special for you, Frances.’
Special... The word reminded her of what he’d said in the orchard and she stumbled, her knees giving out briefly beneath her.
‘Are you all right?’ Arthur caught her up again instantly, sweeping her round in a circle as if nothing untoward had happened.
‘Yes. It’s just been a while since I danced.’
‘Me, too. There isn’t much occasion for it on farms or fishing boats.’