Loving a Fearless Duchess
Page 28
She was quiet and listened well. Phin thought he found what he was looking for until he figured out she either lacked an education or was not very intelligent or both. With reluctance, he crossed her off the list.
The next waltz brought pink dress into his arms. The pink in her dress was not a classic pale pink colour that seemed to complement any skin tone – it was rather bright. The top of the dress was a simple and tasteful satin. The bottom, however, was an abundance of tulle. Phin did not like tulle. It was a harsh fabric that looked good on very few women. He thought it should be outlawed on any female over the age of twelve.
Phin had been to the Lake District more than once, so the conversation got off to a good start, even though it was a little one-sided. When that conversation was thoroughly beat into the ground, Phin looked into her eyes to see them frantically moving to and fro.
“Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yes. I was just trying to find another interesting topic of conversation. I must admit I was drawing a blank.”
“No need,” he said nonchalantly. “I was going to ask you how you like London. Is it your first time here?”
She looked up at him in relief and gushed, “Yes, it is my first time here. I like London.”
There was a pause in the conversation. Phin waited, thinking she would say more, but she didn’t.
“Tell me, what have you seen in London you’ve enjoyed?”
Phin estimated they danced around the floor twice before she answered his question.
“I like shopping. When we got here, Mama and I shopped almost every day until the season started. I liked going to Gunther’s. Where they serve ices?”
Phin closed his eyes for a moment, hoping when he opened them he would no longer be dancing with pink dress but with Charlotte. Soon, he thought, soon.
When the waltz ended, Phin thanked her and walked her back to her mama. Pink dress gave him a clumsy curtsy, Phin bowed, and it was finally over.
Phin walked away, heading for where he last stood with Everett. There must be an easier way. Was this how he had to eliminate the girls who were not right for him?
It was going to be a long season if every night was similar to tonight. There must be a better way.
Everett was laughing when Phin caught up with him. Phin wanted to scowl but ended up smiling instead.
“I suppose you saw the whole debacle?”
“It was riveting.”
“Well, Ev, I am happy to provide you with tonight’s entertainment. They were both God-awful. This last dance,” Phin pointed his chin towards pink dress, “I thought would never end. She’s a child.”
Phin shook his head. “If I found someone halfway decent, I’d run out for that special licence first thing in the morning. Then off to Collinswood before she could change her mind.”
Everett grinned. “I’m looking forward to having you in London for a few months.”
Phin rolled his eyes. “Aren’t you funny. Wish me luck. It’s time for my third and final dance of the night.”
Everett clapped Phin on the back as he left to traverse the ballroom floor toward Charlotte.
Phin arrived, let her curtsy, then bowed. “Lady Charlotte,” he said as he took her hand and tucked it under his arm. Before they even reached the middle of the ballroom floor, Phin looked down at his forearm to make sure a candle hadn’t set his coat on fire. Her touch made his skin feel like it was burning.
Up close, she was even more stunning. She had on folds and folds of pale yellow crepe fashioned in the style of a Greek goddess. Green leafs were embroidered climbing up and over the one-shouldered style. The green leafs were embroidered into the crepe belt. With her dark hair and smoky eyes, Charlotte was, for this evening, a Greek goddess herself.
They set their arms to the waltz. His left hand held her gloved hand and his right hand he placed on her waist. Can I feel the heat or is it just me? he wondered as the music started.
It was no surprise for Phin to find Charlotte was an excellent dancer. She began the conversation. Phin was relieved. After two disastrous dance partners, Charlotte was a breath of fresh air.
“It was a pleasure to meet you this afternoon, Your Grace. I met your sister at the beginning of the season, and I know we will be friends always. She missed you terribly while you were away.” Charlotte gasped and looked into Phin’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Your Grace, I hope you didn’t take offence.”
“Not at all. Mercy wrote often, and in her letters, she always asked when I would be home. I cherish my relationship with her. Not all brothers and sisters are so close.”
“You have such a wonderful family. I am an only child. When I see siblings who are close, I fear I am missing out.” Phin was distracted. He was trying to listen to her every word, but what he wanted to know was if she experienced heat coming from his body that he felt from hers.
Phin looked at Charlotte and didn’t believe she suffered from a lack of siblings. “From my brief observation, it looks as though you have an abundance of friends to make up for your lack of siblings.”
Charlotte thought about that for a moment and looked directly into Phin’s eyes. Phin had never seen eyes that were more expressive. He thought time had stopped, and they were the only ones in the ballroom. They had continued to dance, he knew that, but he stared into her eyes and could not speak.
“Yes,” she said, breaking the spell. The ballroom was once again full, much to Phin’s disappointment. “I think you’re right. I am fortunate to have a friend close by whenever I need one.”
Phin nodded. “Josie’s brother, Everett, has been a close friend of mine since childhood. I consider him a brother. So I suppose you don’t need siblings to have brothers and sisters.”
Charlotte gave him a smile that put the stars on a clear night to shame. “Thank you, Your Grace. I will never again be envious of my friends with siblings.”
“You’re welcome. Now, tell me how you are enjoying London. Not just the season mind you, but London.”
Charlotte gave Phin thoughtful and interesting recaps to different places she had been since the season began. She particularly enjoyed going to Stonehenge. It surprised Phin she went to all the trouble of taking the long carriage ride. Good for her.
The dance ended all too soon, and Phin walked Charlotte back to her Aunt Genevieve. He spoke with her aunt for a short time, hoping a favourable impression of him from Genevieve might help his cause.
But what was his cause? He was enchanted by Charlotte – that was true. His hand still burned from her touch. His body had never had that experience before. It hummed. Phin wanted to put his hands on every inch of her body, hoping the burn would never go away.
He noticed the subtle way she caught her breath when they danced. He knew there was a sexual tension between the two of them that would be a great pleasure to ease. But what of her happiness? She would never like being stuck in his castle hundreds of miles away from London.
He really knew nothing about her. What were her goals for marriage? If he had to guess, it included a townhouse in London with a large ballroom and a country estate with another large ballroom, lawns, gardens and many bedchambers perfect for entertaining.
And he planned to be in London only two, maybe three, days in a month. Everett would handle their business, otherwise. That wouldn’t be enough for her. He knew he couldn’t constantly entertain her. Besides his business concerns, he needed time alone.
Everett was right. She was not the girl for him. Phin sighed. Tomorrow would bring another ball, another round of quiet girls to meet.
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