Nicola Cornick Read Free Page B

and the thought filled her with revulsion. She had to make it plain to him now.
    ‘You may not, sir!’ She saw him frown and added coldly, ‘Your attentions are not welcome!’
    At her words, Jeffries terminated his attentions in the most abrupt way possible. It was not perhaps the most desirable manner in which to draw attention at a ball, Annabella thought, to be left standing alone as one’s dance partner stormed off the floor. Other couples were circulating about her, and while she hesitated, unable to disentangle herself and in grave danger of ruining the entire set, a strong hand plucked her from out of the other dancers’ paths, and swept her to the side of the room.
    ‘Forgive me my precipitate action, ma’am,’ Sir William Weston said, above her head. ‘I was afraid that there might be an accident if I left you there!’
    Strong arms had closed about her, steadying her, drawing her so close for a moment that she could hear the beat of his heart, feel it against her cheek as it rested briefly against the crisp shirt. She felt a sudden, astounding sense of recognition and almost closed her eyes in relief. Then she was put very gently back on to her feet and Sir William stepped back, impeccably proper.
    ‘My apologies, once again, madam.’ He sketched a bow. ‘I hope I have not hurt you.’
    It was extraordinary, Annabella thought, completely bewildered, her feelings still in confusion. His lightest touch had caused an earthquake of sensation within her. She was not sure if she liked the feeling. She was even more uncertain of whether she could deal with it.
    She took a steadying breath. ‘Your actions were most timely, sir. I must thank you!’ She looked upinto those vivid, blue eyes and felt again the impact of his character.
    Sir William’s sleepy gaze dwelt on her thoughtfully, seeing she knew not what. She was aware that the faded mauve dress only served to accentuate the pallor of her face and that her hair, although a pretty honey fair, was escaping its hasty coiffure, for Lady St Auby had taken all the maid’s time and Annabella had had to secure the pins herself. Yet he seemed to find no fault, and returned her smile with warmth.
    ‘I imagine I witnessed you divesting yourself of an admirer there, Mrs St Auby,’ he observed coolly. ‘How very ruthless you must have been for the young man to react so! And now that I am here in his place, how may I serve you?’
    Annabella had never thought of George Jeffries as a young man until that moment, but there was something in Weston’s tone which made her see him suddenly as a foolish youth, for all his posturing in his pretty uniform. And in comparison with this man…Well, there was no comparison. Whilst she struggled to understand the precise nature of the difference, she realised that Lady St Auby was gesticulating at her across the floor. Annabella’s heart sank. Her mother-in-law was watching her like a gaoler and she did not wish for another scene. ‘Perhaps you might escort me back to Lady St Auby,’ she said, a little regretfully, and saw Sir William grin down at her.
    ‘Must I? The old dragon bullies you, yet you are eager to return to her side?’ He gave her a whimsical smile. ‘It seems most odd!’
    Annabella tried unsuccessfully to repress her own smile. She was discovering that there were worse fatesthan to enjoy a mild flirtation with a man who was as attractive as the enigmatic Sir William. It had been a very long time since any man had flirted with her—except, of course, the unappealing Captain Jeffries…
    ‘Lady St Auby can be of uncertain temperament—’ she began guardedly, only to be stopped by his laughter.
    ‘Upon my word, ma’am, that is the most astounding piece of understatement I have ever heard! You must be a veritable paragon to describe her in such terms!’
    Now it was Annabella’s turn to laugh. ‘Oh, no, sir, that is too unkind! Her ladyship does her best with a daughter-in-law she never sought, who is