It had been a long time since any woman had made him react so viscerally, but he quickly reminded himself that beauty was only skin deep, and he needed to marry for money. It would not matter what his potential wife looked like, as long as she understood the arrangement.
Placing her silver-gloved hand in his, the elegant young woman allowed herself to be led into the middle of the dance floor. Her lips parted again with a silent gasp when he placed one hand on her waist.
Benedict looked into her eyes, feeling a strange kind of stirring in the pit of his stomach.
She is gorgeous.
He could not help but stare at her perfect lips that formed a cupid’s bow at the top. He had never seen such kissable lips in his life, and even he had to admit that he would have been envious of any other man dancing with such a fine young lady.
The next song began to play, filling the air with a romantic melody as the couples began to sway.
His fingers tightened over hers ever so slightly as he pulled her closer.
Notes of amber and roses mingled with lilacs as he caught the scent of her light perfume. It pulled him in like a soft breeze drifting through the gardens on a summer’s eve.
His pulse raced wildly when she stared back into his eyes, moving gracefully as if she knew his every move. “Are you enjoying the evening, Miss…” He allowed his words to taper off as the question hung in the air.
Why do I feel like this?
Julian became acutely aware of every beat of his heart as he searched her face. The little of her skin that he could see was porcelain smooth with a lovely peachy cream color that reminded him of summer.
The lilt in her sweet voice became instantly apparent as she spoke. “Miss Prescott, and I am enjoying the evening, thank you, my lord.”
“You are the American that everyone is talking about,” Julian answered without thinking.
Her body instantly grew stiff in his arms. “That is correct, my lord. My mother and I hail from America; we are visiting my aunt.”
“My apologies, Miss Prescott, I did not mean to offend you. I simply meant that I have heard a great deal of your arrival.” Julian offered her a stiff smile, feeling the shit in the atmosphere between them.
“I am certain that you have, my lord.” Her voice held an unmistakably sharp note.
“And will you be staying in London for the entirety of the season, or will you be returning to America?”
Her brilliant blue eyes flashed with something unreadable as she tilted her chin defiantly. “I am surprised that you do not already know the answer, my lord. You and the rest of thetonseem to be well apprised of my life in all other aspects.”
Julian’s brow creased into a frown as he ran his tongue over his lower lip before drawing it into his mouth.
“But no, I will not be returning to New York anytime soon. Do you have any plans to travel?” She narrowed her eyes while pursing her perfect lips.
Bristling slightly at the tone in her voice, Julian clenched his jaw. “No, I do not have plans to travel in the near future. I am afraid that my situation demands a great deal of my time here in London. But should I wish to travel one day, I am certain that New York would be a wonderful place to see.”
“I cannot say that I recommend a visit to New York, my lord. There are far too many storms. You may prefer to stayin England.” The smile that curled her lips was anything but friendly.
“I see,” he grumbled, confused by her dismissal. Had she not wanted to dance with him?
His reply only seemed to amuse her as her smile grew even more fierce along with the spark in her gaze. “Do you, my lord? I must say that I am impressed if that is the case. Most people of thetondo not seem to understand my meaning at all. I can hardly say that I have felt welcome in such apolitesociety…” She allowed the last two words to linger on her lips and drive her point home.
Bristling again, Julian allowed his frown to deepen. “Miss Prescott, if I have offended you in some way…” He wondered if pointing out that she had been the topic of discussion among thetonhad annoyed or offended her.
Unmistakable anger flashed across her face as her lips parted with a reply.
Applause filled the air as the song came to an end. Julian had not even realized how long they had been dancing for until the music stopped. The atmosphere between them had closed in on them like a shield that had drowned out the rest of the noise.
He was about to apologize again for causing offense when she suddenly spoke.
“Thank you for the dance, my lord, I shall be taking my leave now,” she stepped away and lowered her hand from his shoulder.
A loud rip filled the air, causing a few of the couples closest to them to turn.