Her stomach clenched at the thought of Clayton hurt on the battlefield—or worse, even dead. Too embarrassed to look anywhere else, she dropped her gaze to the floor.
"Miss Garland, if you look down at your feet, you will decidedly trip over them. Look up at me."
Briana stumbled and felt Clayton's large hand tighten about her waist. She slowly lifted her gaze. Dark brown hair hung over his right temple, framing eyes that sparkled with a mixture of amusement and compassion. This was the Clayton she liked best.
"That's it, Miss Garland. Now, just follow me. Relax."
Briana felt herself floating on air. She circled the room like a princess in the arms of her prince.
"How long are you staying at Elbourne, Miss Garland?"
Briana blinked and accidentally stepped on his foot.
He smiled, sending her heart somersaulting.
"Um, the entire summer, I believe."
He nodded, his lips parting in a heavenly display of even white teeth. "Now, it is your turn to ask me a question."
Her blood froze. "I—"
Emily's twittering laughter broke into Briana's thoughts. Her friend had stepped on Marcus's toe, and he was groaning.
Clayton turned Briana toward the window, while Stephen's fingers ran up and down the pianoforte in a sweet melody of notes.
"Perhaps something about the weather," Clayton suggested.
Briana cleared her throat. "The weather?"
"Yes, the weather." He chuckled. "Or perhaps how fine I look today."
Briana colored and was saved when Marcus laughed. "Spare us the self-adoration, Clay. You're embarrassing the poor girl."
Briana noticed the arms about her stiffen. "He was only trying to help me," she said, surprising herself.
Clayton's lips spread into a wide grin. "There, you see, the lady defends me. Now, tell me about the weather, Miss Garland."
Briana blinked. "I don't... um, the weather?"
"Yes. Is it raining out? Or is it pleasant?"
Emily chuckled. "Clayton, you are supposed to teach us to waltz, not talk about the weather."
"Did you hear about Miss Winters?" Stephen asked. The music softened to a whisper as the two couples kept dancing.
Emily gave Briana a wink. Briana tried not to stumble.
"What about the lady?" Marcus asked his younger brother.
"Ran off with Mr. Summers, the dancing master."
Briana laughed.
Clayton looked down at her and grinned. "You know, Miss Garland, when you smile, you are the prettiest girl in the county. Your eyes sparkle like a sea of emeralds."
Briana faltered a step. His brows lifted in mirth as he swung her toward Emily and the dance ended. They practiced a few more times until the girls were decent enough at the dance, and then the brothers left for a ride into the village.
Standing in the ballroom, Briana stared in shocked amazement at her friend.
"Well, what did I tell you?" Emily asked, smiling as she leaned against a towering pillar on the edge of the dance floor.
Briana clapped both hands to her cheeks. "It was the most thrilling day of my life. I will never forget it, ever!" You know. Miss Garland, when you smile, you are the prettiest girl in the county. Your eyes sparkle like a sea of emeralds.
Emily's face glowed. "My brothers are pudding in my hands. Mama will never know. We handled it perfectly, did we not?"
"I heard that."
Briana's head snapped up to see Clayton's hovering form blocking the entrance to the ballroom. He was no longer pudding in his sister's hands here. His arms were crossed over his chest and dark sapphire eyes stared back at them. Briana gulped.
Emily snatched Briana's hand and carefully hastened past her brother. "Well, what's a girl to do after all, Clay? I mean, if not you or Monsieur Buckette, then who? Sir William?"
"If I had known Mother would not allow this—"
"Well, you didn't know!"
Clayton's eyes were almost black.
Emily took a hesitant step back and Briana began to worry. She decided it was time to take over. Emily was always manipulating a plan; now it was Briana's turn. She felt her lips quivering in mirth when the absurd thought came to her.
"Yes, truly, my lord," Briana blurted out. "You don't want us dancing with Mr. Summers, do you?"
Emily turned to her friend and burst out laughing. "Oh, Bree. That's hilarious!"
Shocked, Clayton dropped his hands to his sides. He stared at Briana as if she had never spoken before. Not giving him a chance to make the next move, the girls took off down the hall.
"Emily, you are going to pay for this!" his voice boomed.
Emily laughed, waving her hand in the air, as if he were nothing but a stranger on the road.
Briana giggled. It was the most perfect day of her life. She was definitely in love.
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The Wagered Bride (The Clearbrooks) Page 24