His Obsession Read Free Page A

more interesting. Don’t
you?”
    “Oh – yes. Indeed,” Kate added, already
glancing to the next couple in line.
    “Perhaps you’d be kind enough to save me a
dance later on, my lady?” Charles smoothly inquired.
    “I - I’m sorry, but I seem to have
temporarily lost my dance card,” Kate lied, resolutely tucking the
card into the folds of her gown.
    “That is unfortunate. Lady Faversham, your
young friend here appears to have misplaced her dance card,”
Charles informed the older woman. “Do you think a second one could
be obtained post-haste?”
    “Oh, of course, my dear. Just see one of the
servants. They’ll be happy to provide you with another one,” Lady
Faversham graciously replied. “I should very much like to see you
dancing.”
    “There. You see?” Charles asked, once more
turning toward Kate. “It’s all been arranged.”
    Kate barely managed a weak smile at the
odious man. She nearly heaved an audible sigh of relief as Lord
Lawton finally turned away and moved further down the receiving
line.
    When it was finally time to begin the
dancing, Lord Faversham took Kate’s arm as well as his wife’s to
lead them in. Kate had never felt so honored, nor so self-conscious
in her life. All eyes rested upon them as they entered the
ballroom. Hundreds of well-dressed men and women gazed expectantly
at their host, hostess and their special friend, Lady Katherine
Overton.
    The Favershams had truly outdone themselves.
The ballroom had been converted into a sort of fairy land, complete
with gauze and netting draping each corner like a secluded bower.
Hundreds of candles blazed from chandeliers overhead and the
crystals dangling from each lighting fixture sparkled and shimmered
like diamonds. A small orchestra had been set up on a raised
platform at one end of the room and several long tables lined one
side, filled with all manner of desserts and refreshments.
    Lord Faversham wasted no time in taking his
wife into his arms and the music swept both of them away. Kate
couldn’t help smiling, as she retreated back into the crowd. It was
clear that despite the passage of years, the couple was still very
much in love. Witnessing the Favershams’ obvious devotion to each
other made Kate feel warm all over.
    Slowly, other couples joined the Favershams
on the dance floor and Kate retreated more deeply into the shadows.
Positioning herself beside an ornate column and a potted palm, Kate
lowered herself into a chair and silently observed the dancing.
    A handsome young man claimed Helen for the
first dance. He was blond and not overly tall. Indeed, he was
almost as pretty as her sister. Helen blushed and simpered like a
school girl, but it was clear that her dancing partner thought
Helen was charming.
    Dorothea waltzed by in the arms of an older
gentleman and once again, their mother’s words rang in her head.
Dorothea blushed and giggled at something the man said and he
smiled, utterly captivated by his much younger partner. Dorothea
had apparently taken their mother’s advice. If she wed a much older
gentleman, Dorothea need only suffer his attentions a short while
until the gentleman’s heart finally gave out and she was widowed.
Then all of the nobleman’s lands and wealth would pass to her. Kate
couldn’t imagine being so cold hearted or calculating, but
apparently, Dorothea could see the bigger picture.
    Suddenly, a gentleman stepped in front of
Kate, blocking her view of the dancers. The man was very tall. His
massive shoulders and chest blotted out what little light
penetrated the gloomy corner and Kate found it difficult to peer
around the gentleman’s tall form for a glimpse of the dancers.
Unfortunately, to Kate’s horror, the man suddenly backed up a pace
and prepared to sit down.
    Quickly, Kate squeaked in protest and hopped
over a chair to her left. Regally, the gentleman turned his head
toward her.
    “Forgive me, madam,” he apologized in a deep,
resonant voice. “I did not see you sitting