“Thank you,”Margaret said. “But I can’t take credit for the beauty of this dress. This is all your handiwork.”
“I’m justhappy I was able to get it finished for ye in time,” Agnes said. She opened her mouth to say something else, but the musicchanged to something more upbeat. “Ach, I’ve got to get back out there. Ye should join the dancin’, Me Lady.”
With that,she gave Margaret’s hand a squeeze and hurried back to the crowd. Ryan watched the way that his wife’s eyes followed the seamstress. There was still a ghost of a smile on her face, but there was a tinge of longing there.
He surveyed the room,attempting to pinpoint the reason for that expression. There wasn’t anything odd or out of place. Though after a few minutes, Ryan realized the reason Margaret seemed so distraught.
She wants to dance,but she willnae tell me. She must think I wouldnae like to. While she’s nae wrong…
Abruptly,he stood. Her head whipped toward him, giving him a quizzical expression. Then, when he offered her his hand, she took it hesitantly.
“What are you doing?”she asked as he pulled her toward the center of the floor.
The guests movedto accommodate them, smiles on their faces when they realized the couple would be joining them. Ryan spun Margaret toward him, keeping hold of one of her hands as he rested his other on her waist. She hesitantly grabbed onto his shoulder, her head cocked to the side as she awaited his response.
“I’m dancin’with me wife,” he said as he began to guide the two of them in time with the music.
“But why?”she asked, letting herself be swung around.
“Ye wanted to dance,did ye nae?” he said simply. “I’m keepin’ me wife happy.”
Margaret flushed a gorgeous pink,and that was all the answer he needed. So, he led her through each dance step he’d ever learned. Starting with the easiest of them, he increased the difficulty steadily until they were given a wide berth by everyone in attendance.
At first,she was a bit stiff. It was almost as if she didn’t want to lose herself in the music that surrounded them. But slowly, her body relaxed. She picked up on the steps, and a genuine smile graced her features.
I want to keep her smilin’like that. She’s truly the bonniest thing I’ve ever seen. I cannae remember the last time I enjoyed dancin’ with a lass like this.
“Are ye havin’fun?” Ryan asked as he spun her closer to him.
Their chests were pressed together.He could feel the pull of each breath she took. In the light that surrounded them, Ryan could see the way her eyes flashed with joy.
“I am,”she replied, grinning openly. “This is much more fun than any ball I’ve attended.”
“We kenhow to celebrate here in Scotland,” he said, carrying her across the floor in big, sweeping steps. “And ye’re a natural on the dance floor. Did ye dance back in England?”
“I did,”she confirmed, giggling as they nearly collided with another couple. “My cousin and I would dance often. Even if we didn’t have music, we’d practice for the next ball we’d be attending together.”
“It seemsyer practice was worth it,” Ryan noted.
“I’ve missed dancingthese past few days,” Margaret said after a moment, her voice low as if she were telling him a secret.
Ryan hummed,letting go of her waist to twirl her around with one arm. A few strands of her hair came loose, mirroring the way her gown flared with the movement. When she completed the rotation, he pulled her close once again.
“Well,I cannae say that I enjoy dancin’ all that much,” he admitted, leaning in so his mouth was against her ear, “but I will dance for ye.”
“Ryan—”she said, breathless but not from the physical activity.
“But I have one condition,”he rasped, feeling her shiver in his hold. When she nodded, he continued, “Ye must promise ye’ll nae dance with anyone else again.”
“Why wouldI ever want to dance with anyone else, anyway?” she asked, smiling at him when he pulled away.
Aye,lass. Why would ye?
16
The night passed in a blur of dancing, delectable desserts, and names that Margaret knew would take time for her to properly learn. Her body was heavy with exhaustion, and her mind swirled with the events of the day. If it weren’t for Ryan grabbing onto her elbow and whispering in her ear that it was time to retire, she was sure she’d have stayed at the cèilidh until she collapsed on her feet.
“It seems ye enjoyed yerself,”Ryan murmured as they moved through the lantern-lit corridor. “Better than yer English gatherings?”