Bab 19: Chapter 19
How could I refuse?
I took the last step and laid my hand in his. He drew me near as the band began to play a waltz. Not the ragtime music I expected, but I wasn't going to complain while he held me close for a slow dance.
"You look beautiful," he whispered. His gaze shone, turning the grey of his eyes to shot silver.
"You're very fine yourself," I said. He was exquisite in his tails, but I imagined it was bad form to call a man beautiful.
We moved out on to the parquet floor. While it gleamed for the moment, it would be dull and scuffed by thousands of footsteps by dawn. Overhead, enormous chandeliers glinted, as though Seth had plucked several moons from the heavens and hung them from the ceiling. One wall contained French doors at regular intervals, leading to the patio and gardens beyond. In between each set of doors and mounted on the wall were crossed swords, from delicate fencing foils to brutish Scottish claymores. Steel caught the overhead light, and fire ran along razor edges. These were no ornaments, but sharpened blades ready to be used.
"I like the d残or choice," I said, nodding to a set of exquisite katanas with long, silken tassels.
A smile pulled at his lips. "With this many people and all the doors open, I thought it would be prudent to be prepared."
I had the image of lumbering vermin climbing through the windows and rushing onto the dance floor. Let's hope they didn't like to party, but I admired his forethought. That also explained the soldiers, ready to repel the enemy should they make a push over the balcony. "Spoken like a true duke, looking out for his people."
His serious gaze pulled me in. "Something I learned from you. These people need my direction and protection. It's not a duty I ever wanted, but I will take it up. I will not fail them."
A shiver ran down my spine. Did he feel it under his fingers where he touched my skin? His gaze stripped me bare, down to the core of who I was. The conversation of a few hours ago ran through my mind. Had he really spoken to the king and queen about marrying me? Preposterous.
I looked sideways at our joined hands. That was a future beyond my grasp.
Enjoy the moment, Ella, and then blow it away like a dandelion fluff ball.
My gaze drifted to the uniforms by the door. "Where did all the army chaps come from?"
"I told the War Office of your bee and hive hypothesis. They are intrigued, and agree it should be investigated. They sent a detachment of troops to help us search for the hive, concentrating on the area we identified on the map, but I thought to use the spares as security tonight." He grinned, and I detected a hint of pride.
The War Office thought my idea had merit. An ember burned in my stomach at being valued for what I could contribute to this fight. Equality was seductive, giving one dreams far above one's station. Like dancing with a duke, when you should be scrubbing the hearths and bringing in wood to keep the range ticking over.
The gentle movement of the waltz helped my stiff muscles throw off the effects of Step-mother's beating and my limbs loosened up. When the dance came to an end, people clapped for the musicians. Seth kept his arm around my waist, holding me to him.
"Wait with me. I have arranged a special treat." He winked.
On the raised platform, the men and women trooped to one side, while another band walked on. People gasped and whispers shot around the room as they were recognised. Their faces adorned the front page of the daily papers and Louise played their record constantly, practising her moves. The lauded Original Dixieland Jazz band took up their instruments. The British called their sound hot music, but Americans called it jazz, and it was sweeping the country faster than the flu pandemic.
I was impressed. Perhaps there were advantages to being a duke. "Lord Leithfield, how scandalous, bringing jazz music to the countryside. However did you manage it?"
That wide smile took over his face, and my knees melted. "They are on tour in England. I have some pull, and detoured them on their way to Bath."
"The older ladies will pass out, you know." Already the matrons were shaking their heads, the older men throwing up their arms. I couldn't hear their words, but I imagined it was something akin to foolish children and their distasteful music.
As the band played, our conversation ended. The fast beat took over, and I was grateful for late nights trying out new steps with Alice. The beads on my dress spun and slapped, and for a moment, I imagined I was one of the new women?a bright young thing with the world spread before her.
Four numbers later, and I thought my lungs would explode from lack of oxygen?never had I danced so fast and free. My skin glowed, and if I didn't stop now, I would need to dab a napkin under my armpits. Seth breathed heavy as well, but his gaze remained on me.
The band took a break for refreshments, something I desperately needed.
"Time for a drink?" he asked.
"Please, before I pass out and you'll have to carry me to the side." As I said the words, he winked, and my treacherous knees thought about seeing what it would be like to have him sweep me into his arms and whisk me away. Perhaps somewhere slightly less crowded than the ballroom?
As we crossed the floor, I took a step from the gaiety of the dance, and back into a world that burned and crashed down around my ears.
"Whore!"
I didn't need to turn to know who had screamed the insult across the room. How long had she waited for her moment? Had she seen me descend the stairs and take Seth's hand so many dances ago? Given she expected to wring a marriage proposal from him this evening, she must have watched every second I spent in his arms.
Confronting me during a dance would have gone largely unnoticed in the push and hustle of bodies and loud music. Yelling whore in the peace that descends when the band is on a break certainly has impact. Complete silence fell and all eyes centred on us. To give Louise her due, she knew how to create a scene.
Seth's hand tightened around mine and I took a deep breath as my paper walls were shredded around me.
Hadiah
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Power 
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