Victoria drew herself up, moving slightly away from Sebastian and aware that her neck was moist from his ministrations. “It was Verbena’s doing, not mine. ”
“Blame it on the maid, shall we. ”
“And who chose your flowing black cape? Surely you wouldn’t have made such an unfortunate choice. Besides, I rather like my costume,” she added.
“As do I,” said Sebastian. His voice was as easy and smooth as the thin fabric, and to her shock and surprise, she felt his hands smooth along the sides of her hips and . . . down. . . .
“Sebastian,” she breathed, and stepped away, her silk-stockinged leg lunging out from the slit. She turned to face the two men, who were standing at angles to each other.
“Perhaps you could save it for later,” Max said agreeably. “There’s not a carriage in sight. ”
Victoria glared at him from behind her mask. He’d never missed an opportunity to comment on the fact that Sebastian had seduced her in a carriage—although how he had ever found out that bit of information, she’d never been able to learn. “It’s more than a bit risky for you to be here. Do you think that even though you wear a mask and hat, Sara wouldn’t recognize you?”
“Ah, that. No disguise can obscure true love. ” He was laughing now, sardonically but also with real humor. It was a rare sight, and one that made her distinctly uncomfortable. “Your theory is wrong, Victoria, for I passed directly next to Sara, and she flickered not an eyelash. ” He turned to Sebastian. “And how did you find Vauxhall? Such a convenient place for an assignation. ”
Sebastian looked at him, and then his mouth tightened. “I was not the one engaged in an assignation. ”
“Ah. ” Max inclined his head in full mockery. “A case of mistaken identity, perhaps. I was fairly certain—but never mind. Victoria and I had a pleasant chat in your absence. ”
“I do hope I’m not intruding. ”
Victoria was both grateful for the interruption and startled as she realized that James Lacy, the Marquess of Rockley, had somehow approached, unnoticed. Unerringly, he’d found her—despite the fancy mask and her solitary arrival. Unfortunately, she knew just who to blame for that happenstance. She considered—and immediately rejected—the option of prevaricating, but knew it was useless. Her mother would find another way to manipulate them together. Thank God Lady Melly hadn’t planned to attend tonight, although she’d obviously found a way to communicate with James about Victoria’s costume.
The fact that the three men with whom she was acquainted had found her, recognizing her so quickly and easily when she’d taken such pains to remain anonymous, gave Max’s criticism new credibility. She hoped that George hadn’t seen through her disguise as easily.
“Good evening, my lord,” Victoria said when she realized her two other companions had not responded, and made a brief curtsy. James was dressed as a medieval knight, complete with woolen hose—which had to be stifling in the warm summer evening—and a loose tunic, belted and boasting a wooden sword.
“Perhaps you would grant me this waltz,” James said, giving a disjointed bow. She noticed that he’d positioned himself so that he was between Sebastian and herself.
“I certainly would—”
“But she’s already promised it to me. ”
Victoria could not have been more surprised if Lilith had walked into the room and asked to be staked. She might have expected Sebastian to make such a statement— and if the strangled look on his face was any indication, he had intended to—but not Max.
Max? Dance?
Max? Engage in social frivolities? It was just as well that Victoria couldn’t speak right away, for that gave James the opportunity to respond. “But is there another spot on your dance card, Mrs. —er, Lady Rockley?” And before she could respond, he plucked it out of her hand, complete with the tiny pencil and its silvery blue ribbon. “But there is nothing written on here,” he began.
Max smoothly relieved him of his possession and glanced at it. “Indeed there isn’t. ” Victoria couldn’t see his brows raise in that way he had, but she knew they did, beneath his mask. “My mistake. ” He returned the dance card to James, adding, “Be my guest, my lord. We shall return. ”
Max directed Victoria none too gently to the dance floor. “Do close your gaping mouth,” he said. “People will begin to think I’ve dragged you out here. ”
“But you have. I never thought you would be one to engage in—”
“Social frivolities?”
Had she said those words aloud?
Max positioned her firmly, his hand at her waist, his legs nearly brushing hers. Their hands clasped, glove to glove, and were angled properly, bent and apart from their bodies. Very correctly, in fact. And the first steps into the waltz, which brought them fairly into the center of the room, he executed so smoothly and perfectly between the other dancers that she could not help but look up at him in surprise. Again.
“You needn’t look so bloody shocked,” he said as they whirled past another couple. “I may dislike dancing, but I’m quite good at it. ”
Indeed. And as he eased them in and around the other couples as if they were cogs within a well-oiled watch-works, without hesitation, without lurching or shifting, or even coming within inches of anyone else, she realized she’d been foolish to expect anything other than grace and timing from a man who fought like Max. After all, a man who could glide through the air could surely navigate the dance floor.
In fact, gliding through the air was something she had been unable to fathom ever doing, after having spent only one day practicing her qinggong under Kritanu’s direction. She wondered if Max knew about that. She realized she was gripping his shoulder more tightly than she needed to, and eased her touch.
“If you dislike dancing, why are we out here?” she asked impertinently.