Free His By Christmas (Hamilton Sisters) by Kaitlin O'Riley Page A

he glanced around the room as if looking for someone. Was it her? Their eyes met briefly as she did the galop with a young baron. She gave Lord Shelley a light smile and continued dancing with quick, even steps.
    When the dance ended Yvette did not rush to Lord Shelley’s side. Not even when she saw Jane Fairmont do just that. Her rival looked very pretty in a demure gown of primrose with her dark hair cascading around her face. Smiling, Yvette turned and accepted another dance with the infamous Earl of Babey, who flirted with her outrageously. At the end of that dance, just as she thanked her partner, Lord Shelley suddenly appeared at her side.
    “Good evening, Miss Hamilton. Would you honor me with this next dance?”
    “Why, Lord Shelley, I would be delighted.”
    William Weatherly held her close as the orchestra played a familiar waltz, and they stepped in time to the music. Yvette was struck by a tension around his mouth. It seemed almost as if he were displeased with her.
    “I have the distinct feeling, Miss Hamilton,” he said in a low voice that was slightly scolding, “that you have been ignoring me this evening.”
    “Why on earth would I ignore you, my lord, of all people?”
    “You seemed quite occupied with your many admirers. Especially Lord Babey. I saw you dancing with him.”
    Oh, my! He was jealous! Yvette hid the undeniable triumph that surged through her with a mask of calm. “I so enjoy dancing, my lord, and he was simply kind enough to ask me.”
    “I see.” The tense lines around his mouth lightened and his hazel eyes raked across her chest, lingering above her décolletage. “Miss Hamilton, you look more beautiful than ever this evening.”
    Yvette flushed slightly at his bold gaze, knowing her gown was achieving its desired purpose. “Thank you, my lord. You look wonderful too. Have you been enjoying the ball?”
    “Yes, now that I’m dancing with you, Miss Hamilton.” His fingers pressed against her waist and she could swear he pulled her a bit closer to him. “You do seem to have many admirers, and I confess that I must count myself as one of them.”
    “You do me a great honor, Lord Shelley.” Yvette cast her eyes demurely downward.
    “Might I hold out a hope that I stand apart from your other admirers in your affections?”
    Now her eyes met his, and Yvette was a little taken aback by the intense desire she saw within their hazel depths. “Yes, you might hope,” was all she said.
    An unexpected smile lit his face, making him look much younger than his years. His hazel eyes gleamed. “You’ve just made me very happy, Miss Hamilton. Very happy, indeed.”
    In spite of a giddy sense of victory at his words, Yvette still wanted to know if he had asked Jane Fairmont that same question. The two of them had danced together earlier, she had noted.
    She wondered if he would attempt to get her alone this evening. She had not been alone with him since last month when they walked on the terrace together and even then there had been people about. They had followed this same pattern for weeks, where he sought her out at balls and parties and paid her compliments, but nothing definite progressed beyond that and he had never rescheduled their carriage ride. It was most frustrating! Perhaps she should endeavor to be alone with him this evening? And allow him to kiss her?
    The music played on, and Lord Shelley moved and spun her about the dance floor with graceful ease. He was quite a good dancer and she always enjoyed dancing with him.
    Yvette smiled, just as the music came to an end and he bowed to her. “Thank you for a lovely dance,” she said.
    They hadn’t yet left the dance floor. Lord Shelley’s hand still held her arm and he gazed at her longingly. “Miss Hamilton, would you care to go—”
    “There you are, Yvette. I’ve been waiting for you to be free all evening. Come dance with me!” Jeffrey Eddington was suddenly at her side. “You don’t mind do you, Shelley?”
    His