An Inconvenient Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page B

Elizabeth’s ear as he led her through the crowd.
    They did not speak to each other again until it was time for the supper waltz. Elizabeth’s time was filled with dancing and chatter. She was flattered that so many people did want to make her acquaintance, but her thoughts were never far from how long she would need to endure the Season before she could escape to her preferred life again. She smiled to herself when she saw Michael looking over as he danced or chatted with some of the people in the room. It was obvious to her that he was as little at home in the ballroom as she was.
    He approached her for the waltz and led her onto the dance floor. He experienced a moment of pleasant surprise when he enclosed her in his arms and they started to move. It was obvious she was an active person, but the grace of her movements so close to him took his breath away a little as he enjoyed the feel of her. He managed to shake himself mentally after a moment or two; he was annoyed that he was allowing himself to be distracted by being so close to a woman, (singular) especially one who was his ward. He never usually felt so moved when dancing a waltz. In fact, these last few years had seen him avoid waltzing whenever possible. It was still a dance that those closest to each other danced and he had never wanted to raise any expectation in any of the women he knew.
    Elizabeth looked up at him with a smile, “So was my money wasted?”
    “I beg your pardon?” he asked, her words disturbing his inner thoughts.
    “My ability at dancing, I don’t embarrass you I hope?”
    “No, you dance well.” Michael said coolly.
    “I expected to have only the two dances with you, what with this being my first real outing, but my card is full.” Elizabeth responded, disregarding Michael’s abrupt tone which had replaced the lighter one that had been evident while they had danced the cotillion.
    Michael was not surprised at her popularity, given Violet’s determination to introduce her to every eligible gentleman. Added to that were the talents of her modiste, who had produced a stunning effect. It seemed like the purple and orange outfit had belonged to a different person than the one he held in his arms. She really was a vision in her pale cream silk. She had been surrounded all night by an army of admirers, all delighted that the newest heiress was also a beauty.
    “You will find yourself in demand at every party.” he said not wanting to flatter her, but being honest.
    “Oh.” came the quiet reply.
    Michael was surprised; he had expected a coy smile at the very least. He could not imagine that she did not dislike dancing. “Do you not wish to dance?”
    “Oh yes, I love dancing, but will my partners all be similar to the ones I have met tonight?”
    “I expect you will see a lot of the same people who are here tonight. There are always small differences in gatherings obviously, but tonight offers a fair representation of the ton .”
    Elizabeth let out a sigh, “I don’t know how you cope with it, year in and year out. How do you deal with the fawning and the empty compliments? Do you not find it sickening?”
    Michael could not help the laugh escaping from his lips. “My dear Elizabeth, you have managed to destroy the hopes of the most eligible men in this room with one sentence. Do they realise they have erred?”
    Elizabeth smiled with the impish smile that Michael had been drawn to when he had first met her. “No. I have listened to Violet and done exactly as she has instructed. I have been very well behaved.” She said with mock seriousness.
    “And have you found the behaviour easy?”
    “Good God no! I thank God for my dances with you, my Lord. At least with you I receive straightforward honesty.” Elizabeth giggled.
    Michael smiled in response and held her a little closer. Her outlook was refreshing, reassuring and stirred his feelings, which had never been affected before. He put it down to pride in his ward, anything