Free Tempted at Every Turn by Robyn DeHart Page A

the disruption he was causing. Willow triedto turn away, tried not to look at him. She didn’t want to be one from the crowd, merely another pair of feminine eyes tracking his every move. But that was just what she was.
    With all the beauties in attendance tonight, he’d have his selection of which woman to dance with. Perhaps he would ask Charlotte, if her dance card wasn’t already full. Or the hostess’s daughter.
    If he were to see her, would he nod politely as he walked by? She let her eyes flutter to the ground, trying to stare intently at her feet. Perhaps if he did not see her, she wouldn’t have to live through the humiliation of his ignoring her.
    “Like him or not,” Edmond said, “I believe your new friend is headed this way.”
    Willow’s head snapped up. Edmond was right. James had spotted her and evidently saw fit to speak to her. She mentally calmed the nerves that rattled inside her belly. There was no reason to work herself into a lather. He was being polite; his parents had reared him correctly and since they were present, he was on his best behavior. So they would exchange pleasantries briefly and then he’d be on his way.
    Not only had James reached her, but now the entire Sterling clan also stood before her. Willow swallowed what felt like a rather large lump, then painted on what she hoped was a perfectly genuine-looking smile.
    James reached for her hand and she watched as he bent his head over it. Such formality. She shut her mouth, which had unwillingly gaped open. A brilliant beginning for behaving properly. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
    “James, introduce us,” Lady Dandridge whispered. His mother was all smiles and ruffles and gems.
    He nodded curtly to her but his eyes said something else to Willow. As if he were apologizing. “Miss Wilhelmina Mabson, may I present you to my mother, Lady Dandridge, and my father, Lord Dandridge.” Then he introduced his brother and sister-in-law.
    She bent in a curtsy and kept her smile in place. “Such a pleasure to meet all of you. This is my brother, Edmond.”
    “Your family name sounds familiar,” the earl said.
    “Yes, my father is Viscount Saddler,” Willow said. “I’m afraid he has retired from Society in recent years. I expect it won’t be long before he passes the title onto Edmond.”
    “Saddler, yes, I know that name,” James’ mother said. She looked up at the ceiling as if looking for divine guidance. “Agatha is your mother. I met her on several occasions. Such a…” she paused, clearly grasping for an appropriate adjective.
    “Energetic?” Willow provided.
    Lady Dandridge’s face erupted into such an unexpectedly genuine smile, it nearly brought tears to Willow’s eyes. “Beautiful. Your mother is truly lovely. How is she?”
    It was not the word Lady Dandridge meant to use and Willow could think of a string to give her. Erratic , impulsive , haunted . Loved and protected —she could not forget those. The list could go on. Edmond placed his hand at her elbow.
    “Mother is as lovely as ever. She keeps busy in her garden,” Edmond said. “She’s quite the accomplished gardener.”
    Willow was not certain what else could be said. Lady Dandridge was simply being polite. Willow let her gaze fall to the dance floor, where couples passed by in a flurry of black coats and trousers and a multitude of colored silks and satins. She looked down at her own simple dress, which was several years old and while still in prime condition was not the height of fashion. Her ears went warm and she mentally cringed, hoping her cheeks would not redden.
    “Would you care to dance?” The question seemed to come from her right and she looked up to find James’ gaze on her. The question—had it been directed at her? Had James Sterling just asked her to dance? She felt her eyes widen. He held his hand out and she realized that yes, in fact, the question had been aimed at her. Herstomach leaped in response. Mercy . What