His Obsession Read Online Free PDF

with an easy grace. The earl whirled Kate
around the full scope of the balcony until she began to relax a
little. It was an enchanted moment and Kate couldn’t help but
become caught up in it.
    What girl didn’t dream of waltzing beneath
the stars with a handsome gentleman? It was almost as though all of
her foolish dreams had suddenly coalesced into this moment. All too
soon, the music ended. Reluctantly, Richard released Kate, lowering
his arms to his sides.
    “Thank you for the dance, Lady Overton,”
Richard murmured, bowing at the waist.
    “Of course. I – I must get back,” Kate noted,
stepping away from him.
    “I trust I may see you again?”
    “Perhaps,” Kate quickly replied. “Please,
excuse me.”
    Richard frowned as Kate swiftly fled, all but
running back into the ballroom.
    Once inside, Kate retreated to the relative
safety of the ladies’ retiring room. While dozens of other women
primped and preened before the large mirrors, Kate found a secluded
corner and sat down.
    She was amazed at herself. By dancing with
the earl, she’d broken a few cardinal rules of etiquette to be
sure. She’d danced alone with an almost total stranger and nearly
compromised her reputation. There had been no other couple on the
balcony with them.
    As if that weren’t enough of a faux
pas , when the earl had attempted to thank her for the dance
most prettily, she’d fled into the ballroom like a frightened
little deer! What must he think of her now?
    Outside the ladies’ retiring room, Richard
Warwick stood like a glowering sentry. He was angry with himself.
Although he’d greatly enjoyed dancing with the lovely Lady Overton,
he’d apparently offended or frightened her in some way. Rightfully
so. Clearly, Richard knew better. If anyone had seen them waltzing
alone like that, she’d be compromised. Being an honorable man, of
course, Richard would have had no choice but to offer for her. It
had been a rare thing, but it was nevertheless an encounter which
he would repeat in a heartbeat. Kate Overton fascinated him.
    Suddenly, a lady tapped his arm with her fan
and Richard grinned as Lady Faversham frowned up at him.
    “Richard, you look positively frightful!”
Lady Faversham chided.
    “My lady,” Richard replied, bowing low over
her gloved hand.
    “My dear boy, whatever is the matter?”
    “I fear I may have made an error in
judgment,” Richard gravely replied.
    Lady Faversham cocked one brow in
surprise.
    “Indeed? Dear me. That could be monumental,”
Lady Faversham quipped. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with the
lovely Lady Overton by any chance, would it?”
    Richard scowled at her and Lady Faversham
laughed in delight.
    “There’s no need to glower at me, sir,” Lady
Faversham admonished. “I saw the whole thing from the doorway. You
two make a lovely couple and if anyone begins to gossip about it,
I’ll put a stop to it immediately.”
    “Thank you.”
    “You’re coming hunting with Herbert tomorrow,
aren’t you?” Lady Faversham worried aloud.
    “I am,” Richard confirmed with a grin.
    “Oh, good,” Lady Faversham gushed. “Perhaps
you may have another opportunity to speak with Lady Overton
then.”
    “Perhaps.”
    “Now, go amuse yourself elsewhere, my lord,”
Lady Faversham directed. “I’ll see to the young lady.”
    Reluctantly, Richard departed both the
hallway and the party itself. He’d had his fill of simpering young
ladies and their marriage-minded mothers. Besides, once he’d met
Katherine Overton, dancing with any of the other females had hardly
seemed worth the effort.
    Lady Faversham entered the ladies’ retiring
room and glanced about her. She found Kate sitting in a corner,
fanning herself with a lacy fan.
    “There you are, my dear,” Lady Faversham
declared.
    Immediately, Kate rose, bowing slightly to
the older woman.
    “Lady Faversham.”
    “Do sit down,” Lady Faversham requested. “I
fear I’m getting much too old for this sort of thing. I am