Page 45 of When You Rescued Me

This was rapidly turning into the most bizarre and intriguing conversation she’d ever participated in. “I understand you must employ discretion,” she said, “but can you tell me why this sudden desire for dancing lessons?”

“I have been at sea since I was fourteen years of age,” he said. “The Royal Navy did not include formal dance instruction in their curriculum, and so I never learned. Sir John wishes me to be in attendance at Lady Telford’s ball, and as I have no wish to draw attention to myself, it will be necessary to dance . . . at least occasionally.” He grimaced. “Though my taking to the floor may end up doing the very opposite if I make a complete idiot of myself.”

His discomfiture was clear, and Hannah found herself unaccountably anxious to relieve it. It was startling that he had never received dance instruction, but it was a problem that was easily solved. “Tell me, Mr. Ross,” she said. “Did you perform any skills on board ship that required rhythm?”

“Why, yes,” he said, obviously startled. “Several, in fact.”

“Such as?” she prompted.

“Furling and unfurling the sails, climbing the rigging, heaving wet rope, rowing the tender.”

“And did you or any of the other sailors ever sing as you accomplished these tasks?”

His slight smile suggested that at least some of those memories were good. “There was one sailor on my ship who fancied himself a good singer. He insisted the work went better when we heaved in time to his song.”

Hannah’s smile matched his. This was exactly what she had hoped. “He was right, was he not?”

“I daresay.” Mr. Ross chuckled. “Though few of his crewmates would ever own it.”

“Well, I would submit to you, Mr. Ross, that if you have successfully mastered staying in rhythm, particularly if music was involved, you will not struggle to learn to dance.”

For the first time since he’d entered the parlor, a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes. “I pray you are correct, Miss Dennington. Though I fear it will be difficult to find a teacher who thinks similarly.”

“You have already found one.”

He blinked. “I beg your pardon.”

“I will teach you, Mr. Ross.” She was likely breaking every one of high Society’s conventions, but thanks to her involvement in her father’s business, it was a somewhat regular occurrence. And she had long since discovered that she rather enjoyed bending the rules.

“I appreciate your offer more than I can say,” he said, “but I would not want you to put your reputation in jeopardy.”

“It would be perfectly proper,” Hannah said. “I shall ask my sisters, Fanny, and perhaps even a footman or two for assistance.”

For a moment, Mr. Ross looked as though he might be sick—which was quite something for a gentleman who had spent a good portion of his life on board a ship. But then he cleared his throat and appeared to rally.

“You believe that will appease the old biddies?”

“The old biddies?” she asked.

“If memory serves, when I carried you into the house from the carriage after your injury, you were particularly concerned about a Mrs. Chesterfield.”

Hannah laughed. “Oh dear. I have no recollection of anything I said on that fateful journey.” The memory of being held in his arms was a different story, however, and one that she’d rather not explore. “Please do me the service of erasing it from your mind. I was delirious, and though Mrs. Chesterfield most certainly qualifies as one of London’s most critical biddies, I have no intention of inviting her into our drawing room to observe your lessons.”

“I am quite sure I would crumble under her scrutiny.”

“Not you, sir. Unless I miss my guess, you have fought pirates who are far more ferocious than Mrs. Chesterfield.”

“Indeed, but if her tongue is as sharp as you claim, she may have a deadlier weapon than any of them.”

“Perhaps we should spread the word that you are a close business associate of my father’s, visiting from out of town,” she said. “That could account for your frequent visits to the house and for your joining my family at Lady Telford’s ball.”

He stilled, all hint of teasing abruptly gone. “You would do that?”

She hesitated. She was used to following her instincts in business, but this was different. This involved far more than numbers in a ledger book. “Does your need to be at the ball have anything to do with capturing the man who waylaid me?”

“Yes.”

“And would your presence there be a protective measure?”