Page 35 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he knew they were the wrong ones. If she did not want a party where she was the center of attention, she would likely not want to join him on the dance floor where they would be seen by all.

Still, she nodded, ever one to please others, and took his hand.

He led her to the dance floor as the opening chords to a waltz strummed to life. Of all the dances that might have played, he was grateful it was the waltz. They would not need to trade partners as with a quadrille or be so engaged in the movements, like with a Scotch reel. In a waltz, they could talk. They could be close.

The dance would be intimately private.

Anticipation hummed in his veins.

He drew her toward him, one arm around her slim waist, the other holding her hand in his. Their proximity was such that her delicate feminine perfume teased at his senses in the most decadent way.

“Forgive me for asking you to dance, I should have realized you didn’t care for it,” he said quietly before the music began.

“It is good for people to see us dancing together.”

Yes, a reminder that this was for show.

“We’ll make sure to give them a good performance.” He winked.

A smile played over her lips. “Just keep me upright.”

He tightened his hold and swirled her across the dance floor. Her steps were sure and graceful, her wide blue gaze on his in a way that made the heat of desire coil within him.

“Thank you for the flowers,” she said when they slowed.

“They were my grandmother’s idea,” he lied.

Why had he said that?

Perhaps because it was better than confessing he went to the florist’s shop every day and hand-selected the flowers, imagining they would grace her bedchamber and wanting to select the perfect blooms.

“You put up a good façade,” she replied in a tone he could not read.

“Enough that I am receiving threats.” He led them into a graceful twirl.

“Threats?” she gasped.

“It appears my reputation has many concerned that I mean to use you poorly.”

She gave a soft laugh. “If only they knew that I was using you.”

Oh, how he wished she was using him.

The thought slammed into him before he could stop it, along with the images that flashed in his mind of precisely how he longed to be used by her.

“I’m sorry you are receiving threats,” she said with more seriousness as they swept across the dance floor. “I had no idea my friends and family were so vicious.”

“It is my own reputation coming back to haunt me.” He smirked. “Nothing at all to do with you.”

“About your reputation…” she mused.

He almost missed a step, but made up for it in just enough time to keep from tripping Elizabeth.

“You vowed never to touch me.” She met his eyes, her gaze direct and bold.

Why did he feel she was about to unveil a dangerous topic?

He swallowed. “I did.”