Luck Is No Lady(103)

“Oh dear, what is she up to now?” This from Lady Greenly, who sat nearest to where Emma stood.

Lady Winterdale made a sound somewhere between a groan and snort. “Just when I think she has left behind her foolish ways…”

“What? What is she going to do?” Mrs. Landon asked, her tone full of curiosity.

“There is no way to know, my dear. All we can do is watch and find out,” Lady Greenly sighed.

Emma could only stare as the dowager countess tapped the arm of the young man, who turned to look at her in surprise.

Amazingly, the young man gave Angelique a wide and winning grin before offering her his arm. He carefully led her out onto the crowded floor. Emma saw him bend near to Angelique to whisper something as they got into position for the waltz.

The dowager countess replied pertly. Whatever she said, it made the gentleman blush a bright red.

Emma had no idea if her great-aunt knew how to execute the rousing dance. The waltz had not come into vogue until after Angelique’s prime, and Emma had never seen her perform a single dance step, let alone one that had couples twirling about each other as this one did.

Emma stepped forward, intending to intervene and save the poor man, but then it was too late as Angelique and her dance partner swept off into the crowd.

Emma’s jaw dropped as any thoughts of hiding her shock fell away.

It was simply astonishing.

Angelique floated across the floor as though lifted on butterfly wings. Her feet glided, barely touching the floor. The grace and elegance in her arms, the confident strength along her spine, the swan-like beauty in the length of her neck, and the subtle tilt of her head inspired awe.

“Do you think perhaps her many tales of being a ballerina in Paris prior to her marriage may not be imagined after all?” Lily whispered at Emma’s side, having silently joined her without Emma’s notice.

Portia spoke up on her other side. “And if those fantastical stories are true, what of all the others?”

“It is amazing, isn’t it,” Emma replied, unable to take her eyes off the scene.

Lily smothered a grin. “Poor Lord Nicklethwaite. He seems a bit dazed.”

“He appears to be holding on for dear life,” Portia said with a chuckle, though it wasn’t exactly true.

The young man was doing an exemplary job in keeping up with Angelique, and judging by the bright expression on his face, he was quite enjoying the task.

“What could have prompted such a fantastic display?” Lily asked, her gaze, like just about everyone else’s in the room, pinned to the oddly paired couple.

Emma had to search past her shock. “She wanted to show me everyone can dance.”

“I believe she proved her point.”

Portia was quite correct. Emma watched as Lord Nicklethwaite and Angelique executed a series of tight little turns. Angelique had quite clearly taken the lead, and it was indeed starting to look as though her partner was doing all he could just to keep up.

“So, are you?” Portia accented her question with a nudge of her elbow into Emma’s side.

Emma looked down at her in mild confusion. “Am I what?”

“Going to dance.”

“No. Of course not.”

“Why not?” This from Lily.

Emma held back her groan. “Because I am a spinster. I am not seeking suitors.”

“What if Mr. Bentley was here?”

Emma stiffened and looked at Lily, who met her gaze with a suspiciously innocent expression.

“Why would you mention him?”

“Because it is clear you miss him.”

“You are obviously in love with the man,” Portia added, getting right to the point.

“That is ridiculous. I am not in love with Mr. Bentley.” The denial nearly made her throat close.

Portia laughed. “You are a terrible liar, Emma. If you could have seen what I saw that morning after you spent the night at his club, you would not bother to deny it.”

Something warm and tingling slid down Emma’s spine. She suspected she would regret it, but she asked anyway, her voice a low murmur. “What did you see?”

“He cares, Emma,” Portia answered. “The whole time he stood in our parlor, he watched you. Every slight change in your expression caused him to tense. He strained at the bit in his effort not to go to you. It might have been amusing if it hadn’t been so sad, since you barely acknowledged him until it was time to shoo him out the door. Do not try to deny how gloomy you have been these last few weeks since you stopped going to the club. Your mood has been quite depressing. It is obvious you have been heartsick over the man.”

Emma shook her head. “That is ridic—”

“It is not ridiculous,” Lily interrupted. There was a hard edge to her voice Emma had never heard before. “Must you be so full of pride, Emma? The man loves you, and you love him. What exactly is the problem?”