Steam Guardians 01 - A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary Wine Read Free Book Online

breath. But when the steps called for her to be turned about with him close behind her, he took the opportunity to reply.
    “As would I.” She gasped as his words teased her ear. “But you’re dancing with an Illuminist, somewhat the same in your father’s eyes.” His tone wasn’t dark and teasing, but somewhat expectant.
    “Do you ever get tired of warning people? I thought you felt returning to my father was the best action I might take.”
    The steps took her away, and his demeanor changed. A flicker of amusement entered his eyes and his lips curved, but the expression wasn’t pleasant. She faltered when it came time to move close to him once more. Her feet felt stuck to the floor. Darius covered her hesitation, cutting in with a longer step to make sure he was flush against her back for the next turn.
    “Yes, but you cannot stand in the middle of the road, Janette. I doubt your father will have anything nice to say about our dancing together.”
    “I agree.” She felt satisfied for some reason. Oh, her father would no doubt be quite angry with her, but the look of surprise on Darius’s face was worth it. “You really need to accept the fact that I am not frightened of you.”
    Or of being near him. She should have been, or at least wise enough not to rock the boat. Instead, she discovered herself rising to the challenge in his eyes.
    “And you should accept the fact that we are from two very different worlds,” he countered before turning her once more.
    It wasn’t right that he looked as if he expected to be slighted—or maybe she just didn’t care to be so predictable. She liked thinking that, among his brethren, women didn’t need to be mindless ducklings who always simpered when in public. She liked even less the fact that he was pointing out what her father expected of her. The man was an Illuminist; she craved something different from him. It was like a thirst she couldn’t seem to quench.
    The music finally rose to signal the end of the dance. Janette slid into her starting position before sinking into a curtsy. The room filled with soft applause created by gloved hands.
    “Thank you, Mr. Lawley.”
    She noticed her father shaking his head with disapproval. Her mother stood by his side, fanning herself at a frantic pace. But there was also something in her mother’s eyes that looked very much like approval.
    “My pleasure, Miss Aston.” He took her hand but didn’t kiss the back of it. Instead, he looked like he was attempting to solve some sort of puzzle. “I believe I need some air after dancing with you,” he added quietly.
    Mrs. Brimmer overheard him from her position on the edge of the dance floor.
    “The gardens are a feast for the senses. Go and enjoy them.” She waved them off, casting approval on them with her smile that dared any of her guests to condemn their actions. Janette saw her father start after her, but Mr. Brimmer stepped into his path and her father was forced to stop and offer his host a formal bow.
    The Brimmers were old blood but maintained their fortunes with new industry. The rest of the guests might whisper, but no one dared comment aloud because future business deals might not appear if the Brimmers were offended during their party.
    Janette knew she would be on her own with Darius Lawley, just as she had been before. A bolt of excitement shot through her as he placed her hand on his forearm.
    “Still unwilling to offend your hostess?” he asked quietly, but not so much so that she didn’t hear the expectation in his voice. The man certainly did think he knew a great deal about her.
    “What I’m unwilling to do is back down from the challenge you insist on directing at me,” she informed him through a smile she’d practiced in front of her mirror.
    “I am not a toy for you to satisfy your need for amusement with,” he admonished her softly.
    Some of her anger faded. Again, she heard expectation in his tone.
    “I believe I could fairly accuse you of