Page 103 of To Know Miss May
She looked away again, praying for composure. And yet, by the time he reached her, her insides were entirely undone.
“Son, there ye be,” Mrs. Moon said, spotting August as he stopped beside them. “We’ve been lookin’ for ye all evenin’.”
He tipped his head to his mother. “Forgive me. I’ve ’ad a few matters to see to. But I be finished with ’em for good.” His eyes found Livvy’s again. “And I be ’ere now.”
She struggled to breathe as that smile she knew so well, that smile she loved so greatly, stretched across his lips. “Miss May, would ye care to dance?”
He stretched out his gloved hand toward her, and Livvy nearly burst into tears then and there.
Do not be odd, Livvy May.
No, that was not what she wished to think.
Live with no regret, Livvy May.
Swiftly, she delivered a silent nod, keenly aware of the smile on Emma’s lips as Livvy reached her hand forward and August held it securely in his own.
Over a dozen times the very same had occurred that evening with other men. But with August, everything was different. Her spirit soared. Her soul warmed. And her heart rejoiced.
Together, the two of them walked to the end of the set, facing each other with unabashed smiles.
How she’d dreamt of this moment. How she’d feared it would never come. And yet, here she was, standing across from the man she loved, ready to dance before the world with the same man she was almost certain loved her in return.
But then, were they not supposed to hide such feelings for Emma’s sake?
She winced.
“What be wrong?” August asked. Of course he’d notice the subtle change that had overcome her.
She looked down the set to ensure no one watched them. “Emma?” she mouthed out before speaking in a low tone she prayed only he would hear. “Are ye not s’posed to be dancin’ with ’er to…” Again, she looked around them. “Keep up appearances?”
To her surprise, his smile only grew. “We needn’t worry ’bout that any longer. I’ve been relieved o’ me duties.”
A weight she wasn’t aware she’d been bearing lifted from her chest. “Ye be certain?”
He nodded, and the music began.
August bowed. Livvy curtsied. And when he reached his hands toward her to meet in the center of the set, the rest of the world faded away. They danced together as if one—one heart, one mind, one spirit—no other cares or worries or fears.
They were together, and that was enough.
Then another crack of lightning shone through the windows, followed instantly by a sharp clap of thunder, and the dancing slowed to a stop.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
“…such are the companions we wish when we join a party avowedly formed for pleasure.”
The Coquette, Hannah Webster Foster
Livvy stopped along with the other dancers as the violins slid off-tune before stopping altogether, another thunder cracking through the room. Her footing froze, as did her hand in August’s.
“My apologies, my friends,” a loud voice boomed out over the rest. Livvy searched the crowd before finding the Master of Ceremonies as he spoke. “The storm worsens, as you can see. We were hoping that it would lessen, but for the safety of all those in attendance, I fear we must end the assembly early, as the boats to the Mount will be suspended shortly and the roads will only worsen for the carriages. Please, use a mannered approach when leaving, and…”
His words faded away as Livvy looked to August, her hand still in his. He very well could have been holding her heart with how secure she felt in his touch.
As those around them parted from their partners to find their chaperones and families, August and Livvy remained still and silent, understanding passing between them without a word, for they both felt the very same.
How cruel the evening had been to them. Giving them a moment in the promised land before tearing them apart once again. And now to end the night entirely?
