Free Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters) by Lena Dooley Nelson

flustered before she withdrew it. At that moment, he decided to claim a dance from her later in the evening.
    Before long, the musicians began playing and people drifted into conversation groups. Then one of the other young men asked Maggie to dance. She gave her plate to one of the maids circulating through the room with trays.
    Charles kept watching her as one after another of the young, and sometimes older, men claimed her. When they danced, she held herself away from them, although she danced smoothly with each one. They chatted, but she wasn’t as animated as he’d remembered her. She looked aloof and disconnected.
    When no one asked Georgia to dance, Charles made his way through the throng and stopped in front of the chair where she sat beside her sister.
    Florence was the first one to flash a smile up at him. She turned toward the lovely Georgia. “Have you met Joshua’s new partner?”
    Finally, the object of his attention turned toward him. “Yes, Maggie introduced us.” He couldn’t decipher the flash in her eyes, almost as if she were planning mischief. “Are you enjoying the party, Mr. Stanton?”
    “I’d enjoy it more if you’d give me the pleasure of this dance.” When he extended his hand toward her, he almost expected her to decline.
    After staring at him for a moment, she rose gracefully and placed her long, slender fingers in his. Without hesitating, he whirled her onto the dance floor, where they moved perfectly in concert with each other. Step matched step as Georgia swept her full skirt across the floor in a swaying waltz. Enjoying the feel of her in his arms, Charles almost forgot to engage her in conversation.
    “Well, Aunt Georgia, why have I never seen you before? I’ve known the Caines for a long time.” Smoothly, he guided her through the twirling dancers.
    She smiled up at him. “It could be because I live in Portland.”
    Charles remembered Maggie saying something about her and her mother visiting an aunt in Portland at the time of his grandfather’s death. That must have been Georgia Long.
    “How long will you be here in Seattle?” He clasped her fingers more tightly in his.
    “I’m not sure.” She wiggled her fingers and he released some of the pressure.
    “I hope we’ll see each other again. Maybe get better acquainted.”
    She didn’t answer. Instead, her gaze roamed around the room, never coming to rest on his face. What is that all about? He wondered if he’d offended her.
    He gave another whirl and realized that Georgia was watching Maggie with some intensity. And he could see why. This was Maggie’s party, so she should be having a good time. But evidently, she wasn’t.
    The music stopped and he led his partner back to the chair where she had been sitting. After she slid onto the cushioned seat, he bowed and thanked her for the dance.
    Charles made his way back to the spot where he could watch Maggie. Something was going on with her. She didn’t smile and laugh as she always had before. Pain and uncertainty bruised the depths of her eyes. She seemed to be hiding a secret from everyone else. One that was painful.
    His protectiveness rose up inside him. He wanted to shield her from whatever caused this situation. He wondered who or what had brought this sadness to Maggie. The atmosphere in the Caines’ house had been welcoming and comfortable. Some outside force had to be at work here.
    Finally Charles saw his chance. Her dancing partner had left for another girl, and Maggie stood by herself.
    “May I have this dance, young lady?” He smiled at his old friend.
    “Charles.” Her eyes lit up while her lips tilted. “I haven’t noticed you dancing.”
    “I’ve been watching everyone else, except when I danced with your aunt.”
    “Then why ask me?” She dipped her head slightly and studied him from under her long eyelashes.
    She probably didn’t realize how provocative that looked, not a good thing if she looked at other men that way. He didn’t want any