“That she is,” Lord Sinclair agreed, making Juliet blush. “Say, why don’t you dance with Emma and I’ll attempt to dance with Lady Drakely We wouldn’t want you to become distracted again.”
Drake flashed Juliet a quick smile and gave her hand to Lord Sinclair. “My lord,” Juliet murmured when Lord Sinclair’s fingers closed around her hand.
“Is he treating you well?” Lord Sinclair asked without ceremony as soon as the music started.
She blinked at him, and it had nothing to do with how ungraceful his steps were. “I suppose.”
“You suppose, do you?” He stilled his uneven steps and spun her, his lips twisting. “I’ll admit I wasn’t overly excited when I first learned of your marriage, but now―” he sent one shoulder up in a lopsided shrug― “I think I’ve altered my opinion.”
Her face heated. Had people taken notice of their unusual closeness this evening? “I see.”
“Do you?”
“I think so.” She ducked her head, not wanting him to see how red her cheeks were.
A few measures went by with Lord Sinclair giving an honest attempt to dance with her before he spoke again. “I don’t know what to make of it. A few weeks ago I could have throttled him for viewing your marriage as a business arrangement. But then tonight I see him, and it’s clear something’s changed.” He tipped his head up and to the side a fraction and pressed his lips together. “Curious, I’ve known Patrick more than thirteen years and I’ve never seen him dance with anyone but―”
Though he abruptly broke off, Juliet took his meaning. As far as Lord Sinclair knew, Drake hadn’t danced with anyone but his first wife. That couldn’t be true. Surely he’d danced with someone in between. Besides, he was dancing with Emma right now, wasn’t he? She couldn’t see them because her back was to the rest of the room. Perhaps if she acted like her heel caught into her skirt she could have an excuse to look behind her. She bit her lip and brought her right foot backward.
Lord Sinclair’s soft chuckle distracted her and she nearly tripped. “Sorry,” he murmured, catching her and helping her get a solid footing on the floor. “If you wanted to see, you should have just said something.” Two notes later, he released his hold on her back and spun her out. Not a great deal, just enough to see―
“Well, I never,” she breathed as her eyes connected with the end of the room where Drake and Emma were standing side by side, alone. Everyone else was dancing around the floor. Following Lord Sinclair’s subtle prompt, Juliet spun back around to face him—a knowing look in his grey eyes.
“I may be a recluse, but I do know a thing or two about Patrick. He rarely goes to London for anything except parliament and even then, he doesn’t participate in Society.” He snorted softly. “I think a few months ago he made Lady Algen’s Tattle and Prattle column just by going to a ball held by the Duke and Duchess of Gateway, and he didn’t even dance with a debutante to earn his on dit.” Something flickered in his eyes just then before he cleared his throat and continued, “What I’m saying is, it’s rare he dances with anyone and I don’t know what to make of it. I don’t know if it’s because― Excuse me.”
Juliet stood motionless as Lord Sinclair released her and all but ran over to a liveried footman wearing his powdered wig askew. The room grew quiet as the servant and Lord Sinclair whispered. Occasionally, the footman’s voice would grow louder than he might have intended, and just to emphasize his point, spastic hand gestures would accompany his words. Lord Sinclair put his hand on the man’s shoulder, and gently guided him to the hallway.
As soon as he was out the door, Juliet’s eyes shot to Emma and her heart suddenly ached. She walked over to her friend and looped her arm around her. “What’s wrong, Emma?”
“Nothing,” Emma said quickly. Too quickly. But even if her response hadn’t given her away, the glossy sheen in her eyes would have.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Emma shook her head. “No.”
“What about me?” Caroline asked, coming up to stand on Emma’s other side.
Emma exhaled and offered a weak smile. “No, I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do, either.”
“Are you certain?” Drake asked, his low tone and sheer closeness sent a shiver down Juliet’s spine.
“Quite,” Emma answered, turning her false smile toward Drake. “I think it’s time we go home. Caroline, thank you for inviting us. I shall see you both in a few days.”