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staring at her intently from across the room. Her heart tripped as she caught her breath. What was he doing here? She’d seen his sisters earlier, had greeted them amicably, but she’d assumed he wouldn’t be in attendance. He’d been absent from the parties for over a week!
    Her eyes ran over his splendid, impeccably dressed form and her heart skipped for an entirely different reason. A glance at his face gave her pause, though. As she watched he quirked a half-smile at her, that dimple showing in his cheek. Oh, he was so smug and sure of himself. Blasted man.
    She turned away, unwilling to face his ridicule.
     
    Paul tried to follow Roberts’s conversation but watched Lady Michelle instead. She was once again surrounded by young pups, each one vying for her attention. She smiled up at one of them, her profile an exquisite display that vied for attention with her incredible figure. He began to walk toward her but checked his movement. No. He would avoid her as much as he’d avoided the parties.
    “Paul!” Catherine tugged on his sleeve. “There is Lady Michelle. Why don’t you ask her to dance?”
    Why not, indeed? No bloody way. “I don’t feel much like dancing.”
    “Well, I do,” Roberts said simply, heading off in Michelle’s direction.
    The orchestra struck up a waltz just then. As Paul watched, Roberts bowed to Michelle and offered his hand.
    She accepted with a smile, obviously warmed by the handsome man’s attentions. Bloody Roberts twirled her onto the dance floor as she looked up at him in genuine delight. An odd sensation settled in Paul’s chest.
    At least he could admit to himself that he longed to be the one holding her. His eyes narrowed as he watched Roberts’s easy exchange with the girl.
    “Enough,” he grumbled. Turning on his heel, he strode from the room.
    A long while later, Catherine found him in one of the front rooms. “There you are, Paul. May we give my friend a ride home? She doesn’t wish to wait for the people she came with to decide they’ve had their fill.”
    Paul shrugged. “That’s fine with me. You may tell her to wait in my carriage, Catherine.”
    Catherine nodded and left him. Paul was happy for the diversion. Avoiding one red-headed vision was wearing on him and he’d only find relief when his sisters were safely home. Then he could ponder his puzzling reaction to Michelle in solitude and brandy.
    Paul joined Chester in the ballroom, unable to keep from looking for Michelle’s slender form among the throng. Disappointment struck him when he found her absent. He straightened, a dark thought in his mind.
    “Where’s Roberts?” he asked Chester.
    Chester arched a brow at his vehemence. “He’s over there,” he said with a nod. “Talking with Elizabeth.”
    Paul let out a breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding. “Well I bid you good night, then.”
    “Why don’t you let your sisters remain with Roberts and me?” Chester asked. “I’m certain they don’t wish to make such an early night of it. We’ll see them safely home.”
    “But a friend of Catherine’s…” Paul began. “Never mind. That would be fine. Thank you, Chester.”
    “No need to thank me, old man. Not everyone hates these things as much as you do.”
    “I never used to,” Paul grumbled under his breath.
    Chester heard him nonetheless and barked out a laugh.
    With a scowl at his friend, Paul took his leave. His carriage was out front, its door held open by a liveried attendant. Peering inside, he noted a slight figure seated on one of the cushioned seats. He’d tell the girl she’d have to find another way home. He wouldn’t damage the reputation of his sister’s friend.
    He stepped up into the carriage, a smile on his face for the young lady. He lost that smile when she turned to face him.
    “Lady Michelle!” he said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
    “Catherine said you wouldn’t mind seeing me home,” she rushed out. She tried to peer behind him.