Free Corey McFadden by With Eyes of Love

I did not promise you a dance, Mr. Thorpe,” Elspeth began, thoroughly at a loss.
    “Indeed, I lied, Miss Quinn. One of my many character flaws. Shall I return you to the devotions of Sir Richard?”
    “Heavens no!” she exclaimed, then felt herself blush scarlet. “That is, I know so few people here, and I’m sure he’ll appreciate the opportunity to chat with his other acquaintances.”
    “I’m sure he will not,” replied Julian. “In fact, he’s still glowering at me,” he went on, casting a glance over his shoulder. “I’ll bet he’s jealous.”
    “Oh, I do hope not,” said Elspeth with a shudder.
    “Do you really want to dance?” Julian asked. “We can’t talk if we have to parade around and bow to each other.”
    “Not particularly,” she admitted. “I find these steps rather intricate and I fear for your toes. At home, our dances seem simpler, more of a jig than a promenade, really. Not terribly dignified, but we all enjoy them.”
    “Ah, yes, you’re a country lass, aren’t you,” he replied. “Would you like to take a turn about the library? Lady Dowling has a splendid collection, although on dit has it she’s never read a word herself.”
    “Oh, I’m quite sure my aunt said I shouldn’t…that is, I’m not supposed to...oh, dear,” she broke off, embarrassed at her foolish stammer. Was there no end to the number of ways she could humiliate herself in front of this man?
    “Quite right. You’re not to wander off alone with a roué and cad such as myself, particularly not into the shrubbery. Very proper.” He kept right on walking, though, leading her toward the wide double doors that led into the grand hallway. “However, the library is quite liberally sprinkled with some of the ton’s most formidable dowagers, each trying to bleed the next one dry over a round of cards. Your honor will remain quite intact, I assure you.”
    Again Elspeth felt eyes upon them, and her aunt’s warnings echoed through her thoughts. A furious whirl of pink satin came close to knocking her over and she caught a glimpse of angry eyes before the dance steps carried her cousin off again.
    “Caroline is dancing with Ledbetter, I see. Good fellow. Seems quite taken with her.”
    Elspeth cast a glance up at Julian, trying to read his thoughts. Caroline and Aunt Bettina had taken great pains to assure her that Mr. Thorpe’s attentions were entirely engaged in Caroline’s favor, but for the life of her, she couldn’t find anything but a benign bonhomie in his tone. Either he wasn’t jealous at all, or he was very good at hiding it.
    They had left the grand ballroom, and the rush of cool air felt wonderful on Elspeth’s overheated skin.
    “Here we are, one of the finest libraries in Bath, Miss Quinn,” Julian said, ashe escorted her through the portal. Where the library in Aunt Bettina’s leased home was very fine by Elspeth’s standards, this one was remarkable by any standard at all. Elspeth turned her enraptured gaze on row upon row of beautiful dark mahogany shelves, up and down the length of a very large, sumptuously appointed room. Someone, mercifully, had opened the French doors at the far end and a refreshing breeze blew through the room. Oh, how she wished for her spectacles, not, of course, that she would dare to don them in front of Mr. Thorpe. She’d certainly made an ass of herself in front of him enough times without that.
    “And chaperones to your heart’s content, Miss Quinn. There will be no compromise to your virtue this evening.” Indeed, small card tables crowded the center of the room, each inhabited by a fierce foursome, dowagers and dukes, cads and ladies. There was little sound but the sharp snap of the cards, and an occasional shout of triumph or cry of angst. Actually, seeing their concentration, Elspeth rather felt Mr. Thorpe could seize her in a passionate embrace right here in the center of the library, to no one’s notice. The idea brought a wicked smile to her