Rebecca's Refusal Read Online Free PDF Page B

looked away . . . only to be confronted by a row of the same images stretching away into the distance, reflected in the mirrors that lined the room. She turned away again, resolutely fixing her eyes on the orchestra, but she could not help noticing how fine Joshua was looking in the brief second before she averted her gaze. His hair had been brushed into some semblance of order, its dark blond contrasting with the black of his coat, the whiteness of his lawn shirt and the light bronze of his skin.
    She had turned away just in time. As though he had felt her eyes on him he looked towards her. Even though she had looked away she was aware of him, and could not help noticing him out of the corner of her eye. She saw him make his excuses to the handsome woman, and then walk towards her across the ballroom. She felt her heart begin to beat more rapidly. To steady it she reminded herself that he had been laughing with the glamorous redhead not two minutes before, and reminded herself of her grandfather's many tales about Joshua's exploits. It would be as well for her to remember them.
    Determinedly turning her thoughts into more mundane channels she forced herself to pay attention to her fellow guests: she must not stare at Joshua as he crossed the room. Instead she forced herself to consider Lady Cranston's other guests. Despite the snowy weather and the unfashionable time of year the ball was reasonably well attended, and the varied guests seemed to be enjoying themselves.
    'Ah! Here is Joshua,' said Hetty in a pleased voice, catching sight of him as he threaded his way through the other guests.
    Rebecca, by now in control of herself, greeted him politely, and Hetty and Charles did the same.
    You haven't forgotten your promise?' he said teasingly to Rebecca as he stopped in front of her.
    She was forced to look up at him. 'No indeed.'
    'Good. The first dance is about to begin.'
    He gave her his arm and led her out onto the floor.
    To her relief, the first dance was a country dance. She had been half afraid it might be a waltz. The risque dance was becoming permissible in polite society, but although she knew the steps she had never yet danced it at a ball. To have danced it for the first time with Joshua would have been alarming. To have felt his hand on her waist . . . would it burn, as his kiss had burned her hand?
    '. . . not too crowded.'
    With a start she realized that Joshua was speaking.
    By the look in his eye she could tell he guessed she had been day-dreaming. She was just pleased that he did not know what about!
    'No, indeed,' she said, accurately guessing that he had said the ballroom was not too crowded. 'At least not yet. We should have plenty of room for our steps.'
    The orchestra played the opening chords and she curtseyed demurely to Joshua. In return he made her a bow.
    He took her hand for the first part of the dance. To her relief, his touch did not burn her. But instead she felt a strange shiver spread up her arm.
    I have definitely been too long unwed! she thought, annoyed with her reaction to him. Of all people, to find herself attracted to Joshua! A man who was completely impossible!
    She cast about in her mind for some topic of conversation that would keep her mind from wandering down such disturbing channels. The sight of a militiaman in uniform made her recall Joshua's warning the previous day that mills were dangerous places. She wondered whether he could have been referring to the problems caused by the Luddites, for they had been active in recent years.
    Yes, the Luddites were a suitable choice of conversation. Talking about them would most certainly prevent her thoughts from wandering down hopelessly inappropriate paths!
    The steps of the dance parted them for a minute, but whe n they met again Rebecca said, ‘ You were speaking of the dangers concerned with running the mill yesterday. Were you thinking of the Luddites?' she asked.
    Joshua gave a wry smile, as though guessing the reason for her