Lord Dearborn's Destiny by Brenda Hiatt Read Free Book Online Page B

discovered that he made an excellent partner. She followed his steps effortlessly, meanwhile desperately trying to think of something inconsequential to say. It was not in her nature to remain silent for long.
    "I see you were able to recall my name, my lord," she finally said, glancing up at him. She would not let him see how he unsettled her!
    His brows rose. "Are you implying that I had forgotten it?" he asked, the glint in his eyes daring her to pursue the topic.
    "In the Park this morning, I could not help but notice how studiously you avoided addressing me directly," she told him. "I found it more comfortable to suppose you had forgotten my name than that you found me such an antidote that you could not bear to look at me."
    The Earl regarded her in surprise for a moment, then began to chuckle. "I can scarcely deny it now, can I, Miss O'Day? Very well, I confess. Your uncle had just refreshed my memory before I led you out. Are you satisfied at forcing me to admit to such a faux pas as forgetting a lady's name?"
    "Perfectly," she replied, grey eyes twinkling. He gazed down at her speculatively for a moment, the beginnings of an answering twinkle in his own deep blue eyes, but said nothing.
    They danced in silence for a few moments, then, "Who is that Bellamy fellow?" asked the Earl abruptly.
    Ellie blinked up at him. "Sir George? He is the squire of the district in Warwickshire where the Winston-Fittses live, on the outskirts of Birmingham."
    "Ah." Lord Dearborn nodded. "Miss Winston-Fitts seemed deuced glad to see him," he commented after a brief pause.
    Ellie regarded him cautiously. Would the thought of a rival cool his ardour for Rosalind, or increase it? she wondered. And which ought she to hope for? "He is a great friend of the family," she said noncommittally. "Rosalind has known him since she was a child." He might draw what conclusions he would from that; she would neither confirm nor deny his obvious suspicion.
    "I see." The Earl said nothing more for the remainder of their waltz, beyond politely expressing his pleasure in dancing with her at its conclusion.
    "And I thank you, my lord," said Ellie in response. "It was kind in you to take pity on a wallflower."
    "Never that, Miss O'Day, surely," he replied, with another searching look at her. "Perhaps you will honour me again before the evening is over."
    "Perhaps," said Ellie, lifting her chin. Surely, she thought in sudden alarm, he did not think she had been angling for another dance? If he did ask, she doubted her ability to refuse him.
    The Earl merely bowed, however, and moved off in search of whatever young lady he was promised to for the next set. Ellie breathed a sigh of relief. What was it about Lord Dearborn that caused her wits to go a-begging?  
     
    *             *             *
     
    As the evening progressed, Ellie was surprised to find herself by no means without partners. Though she had no doubt that most of them offered to lead her out only upon discovering that Rosalind's card was full—as it was by the fifth set—she nevertheless enjoyed herself immensely.  
    It seemed no time at all had passed before the supper dance arrived at midnight. Glancing at the card dangling from her wrist, Ellie was amazed to discover that all her remaining dances were spoken for. Sir George had requested the supper dance, she recalled, after finding that Lord Dearborn had already engaged Rosalind for that set.
    "Miss O'Day! Here you are," puffed Sir George, hurrying up at that moment. "It is so crowded in here that one can scarce breathe, let alone find anyone."  
    Not surprisingly, the orchestra struck up another waltz for the couples who would be going in to supper together. Though he concealed it quickly, Ellie noticed the regret that passed fleetingly across Sir George's face and knew that he was wishing that it were Rosalind instead of herself he held in his arms. The thought did not offend her in the least, however; as a matter of fact, on