A Most Scandalous Proposal Read Free Page A

“Stop. You’re terrible. By the by, what are you doing here tonight? I didn’t even realize you were in Town.”
    “I only arrived two days ago. I came to have a look at some horses.”
    “Ah, of course. No wonder you haven’t seen fit to call. What’s more important than cattle?”
    “Quite a few things, it turns out.”
    “Oh?”
    But his gaze settled at some point beyond her. Well. Whatever was more important must have to do with this mysterious discussion he refused to have in the middle of the dance floor. He guided her through the steps of the dance with practiced ease until she felt as if she were hovering several inches above the floor. This was not dancing; it was floating. On every turn, her stomach tripped over itself.
    It was nothing more than a waltz. Meaningless. The buoyancy that lifted her heels on every step had nothing to do with the hand planted at her waist, the fingers flexing into every pivot. Those strong fingers, calloused from the constant rubbing of reins, capable of controlling the most hot-blooded of horses, burned through the layers of her ball gown and stays. And his thighs, powerful from years in the saddle, brushed against hers through her skirts. She should not allow herself to think of such things. This was Benedict, steady and dependable, not one of her suitors.
    Suppressing a sigh, she tried again. “I had no idea you danced so well. How is it we’ve never waltzed before?”
    He winked. “You’ve never twisted my arm into it before.”
    “I twisted? As I recall, this was your idea.”
    “Perhaps I ought to have ideas a bit more often.” His words slipped out easily.
    For a moment, Julia was dumbfounded. That sounded rather roguish. “Who are you practicing for?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “You’re practicing your flirting on me.” Once again, she tapped him with her fan. “I shall not allow it unless you confess immediately who you intend to pursue.”
    He grinned maddeningly at her. “Then I suppose I shall have to remain woefully out of practice. A gentleman never tells. But if I remain forever a bachelor, I shall lay the blame at your feet.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Sophia dancing with Ludlowe. With their matched coloring, they turned heads all about the room. Sophia absolutely bloomed in his arms, the very portrait of an utterly smitten young woman.
    Smitten indeed. Julia had vowed never to allow such tender feelings to overtake her. They made her anxious and edgy. Vulnerable. Her fingers curled about her fan until its delicate ribs threatened to snap. She’d witnessed too many others ensnared by what they termed love to aspire to anything more than a civilized, sensible union.
    She concentrated on keeping up with Benedict. But for the occasions when he came home on leave, the past few years he’d spent with the cavalry had prevented her from enjoying his company at the
ton
’s events. To think she’d missed dancing such as this, when she hadn’t even known it possible.
    At long last, the music swelled toward the coda. He leaned down to mutter next to her ear, “I’ll be out on the terrace in five minutes.”
    Heart still thudding, she slipped out of his arms, only to collide with something soft.
    “Careful now.” Lord Chuddleigh caught her in an enthusiastic grip.
    Blast it all. She cast a glance about for Benedict, but the crowd had already swallowed him. Why couldn’t he have said his piece now, rather than playing games? Surely, they could have found a quiet corner away from overzealous ears.
    She pressed her fingers to her temple. “Your pardon, my lord. I’m afraid I’m not feeling at all well. If you’ll excuse me.”
    With that, she wove her way through the crowd in the general direction of the ladies’ retiring room. Just before stepping into the corridor, she glanced over her shoulder.
    Fan a-flutter and rosy with excitement, Sophia still chatted with Ludlowe. Thank the heavens. Perhaps something good