A Waltz in the Park Read Online Free PDF Page B

of possibilities.
    Suddenly, Addy couldn’t wait for Lord Worthe’s engagement ball.
     

 
    Chapter Three
     
    Addy dressed carefully for the event, choosing her wardrobe as carefully as a knight donning armor.  Her violet gown might not stop a lance, but its fitted bodice displayed her curves perfectly and the color darkened her eyes and lent them a more mysterious hue.
    She entertained the stray thought that what she should wear was one of those scandalously short, tight outfits she’d seen on the trick riders at Astley’s Amphitheater.  Tonight’s work was certainly going to take a similar level of luck, balance and poise.
    She tapped her foot, enjoying the lovely, celebratory air of the evening.  Lord Worthe was only recently known to the ton , but Miss Jane Tillney was a favorite.  Everyone’s delight for the happy couple spilled out into the event.  Addy had danced nearly every set, watching the crowd all the while, but she’d seen no sign of Vickers yet.
    When she had a chance, she went to ask after Rosamond.  Her cousin, making the most of the white lie she’d told in the Park, had commandeered a throne-like chair, from which she was holding court.
    “Am I well?” she whispered behind her fan in answer to Addy’s question.  “Look about you!  Somehow, turning Vickers away in the Park has made me more interesting to a number of other gentlemen!”  Her eyebrows rose high in astonishment.  “Who could have predicted it?”
    “Who, indeed?”
    “Even if Vickers hasn’t reformed, things might grow a tad more interesting.  Now,” Rosamond said, raising her voice and tapping Addy with her fan.  “I am growing a bit chilled.  Would you fetch my shawl for me?  There’s a dear girl.”
    Addy heard someone ask about the scandal of her parents’ marriage as she departed, but she didn’t mind.  Most everyone knew the tale and any suitor of hers must show himself quite above it.  She delivered the shawl and positioned herself a bit apart, taking the opportunity to scan the crowd before her once more.
    Which was why she startled so violently when the voice came from behind her.
    “Good evening, Miss Stockton.”
    With a gasp, Addy spun about.  Vickers.  He’d come from a shadowed corner near a servant’s doorway.  Bright candlelight spilled over him as he stepped into the open, illuminating that marvelous bone structure and picking out the light flecks in his dark eyes.
    “Good heavens.”  He could have been a bold, elegant sculpture, come to life.
    He stared and she knew a moment’s triumph when he seemed unable to look away from the embroidery trailing the neckline of her gown.
    “I’m sorry,” he managed after a moment.  “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    She nodded, not quite able to return to normal, herself.
    “I meant, rather,” he continued, “to ask if you would honor me with this dance.”
    Now she stared—in horrified dismay.  “What?  Good heavens!” she repeated.  “No!  Absolutely not!”
    He blinked.  “Excuse me?”
    “No!  Are you mad?  You cannot dance with me.”  Frowning, she cast a quick, furtive glance toward Rosamond.  “That is—do you still wish to have that discussion with Lady Mitford?”
    His brow furrowed.  “Yes.  It’s why I’m here.”
    “Then you must not dance with me—or anyone else.”  She pointed her chin in her cousin’s direction.  “At least, not until you have procured her hand for a dance.  If you hope for any chance with her, you must listen.  Go now, before she sees you here.”
    She started to reach a hand out toward him, but stopped herself in time.  “If she rejects you, Mr. Vickers—”
    He reared back, then glanced over at the countess, surrounded by her entourage.  “She won’t reject me.”
    “If she does,” Addy insisted.  “Then you must only seem indifferent.”
    “She won’t,” he repeated.
    She only nodded.  “Off you go.  Be charming.  Request the supper dance—or