Unconventional Suitors 01 - Her Unconventional Suitor Read Online Free PDF Page B

retreating stiffly away.
    “Go ask her to dance.” Marcus said as he nudged him forward.
    Benedict grinned. It was the first command his friends had made that he actually wished to fulfill.

Chapter 4
    Gillian watched with trepidation as Lord Danford approached. He was not exactly the dashing gentleman that she had been hoping would seek her out. She pasted a smile on her face, hoping he couldn’t see her disappointment.
    “May I claim you for the next dance?” he asked, standing directly in front of her, his imposing figure thwarting her own tallish stature.
    “Certainly,” she said politely as she hesitantly took the earl’s proffered arm and allowed him to escort her once more to the dance floor. The orchestra struck up a waltz and she began to look nervously around the room.
    “Is everything well, my lady?”
    For a moment she debated whether she should lie to him and tell him that their host had not given her permission to waltz, but she instantly dispelled the idea, for dishonesty had never truly suited her. Instead, she looked into his face and blurted out the truth, “I have never waltzed with anyone besides my dance instructor before.”
    She watched as his face broke out into a smile and wanted to cringe for making a fool of herself. Why did she always feel compelled to speak so boldly? Had her mother overheard her, she surely would have reprimanded her, telling her that a lady never admits to her shortcomings, but rather puts on an air of confidence and performs whichever task is presented to her to the best of her abilities. The only comfort she could find was in the fact that at least she hadn’t admitted her defect to a potential suitor.
    Lord Danford lifted her hand and placed it on his shoulder, taking her other hand in his own while his arm went securely around her back. He began effortlessly leading her about the room. “Do not worry, I promise not to judge you harshly. Besides, I haven’t danced the waltz for two years myself.”
    Something about his kind reply allowed her to relax slightly in his arms. “Did you miss dancing while you were away?”
    Lord Danford was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Not entirely,” he finally admitted truthfully.
    “Tell me about your travels. Where did you go?” she found if she was speaking with him, she wasn’t as worried about missing a step.
    “All over Europe. I started in France and eventually made it as far east as Greece before being summoned back to England.”
    “Who summoned you? Why did you return?”
    “My mother did. She informed me that my father had passed away and that I was now the new Earl of Danford. I was required to come back and accept the title and the responsibilities that go with it.”
    “Oh,” she gulped, wondering if he would be offended that she had asked. She looked up into his steel gray eyes hoping to decipher his feelings. He was looking down at her with a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He didn’t appear bothered by her question so she decided to inquire further. “Do you miss it? The traveling, I mean.”
    “But of course, every day,” he replied, his eyes lighting with longing. “But that is in the past, and it’s best I do not dwell on it.”
    “But it doesn’t have to be in the past,” she pointed out sensibly. “You could always resume your travels once you have wed. Your man of affairs could see to your estate while you and your wife do as you please.”
    “You make it sound so simple,” he said with a laugh.
    “Well isn’t it?” she asked, unsure if he was making fun of her or not.
    Staring at her intently, he replied, “Nothing in life is as simple as it seems.”
    “No, I suppose it isn’t, though sometimes I think we complicate it needlessly.”
    “Spoken wisely,” he agreed. “I’ve always been a firm believer of that principal.”
    Gillian was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Lord Danford and, before she knew it, she was admitting it to him. “You are