The Art of Love by Lilac Lacey Read Free Book Online Page A

treat a friend, but she reminded herself that discouraging Rodney with her indifference now was going to be much easier on both of them than letting him propose and then rejecting him. Reluctantly she pulled out her dance card, flicked it open just long enough for Rodney to see that all the spaces were filled and then shook her head. ‘It seems I am fully booked,’ she said lightly, hoping the musicians would not start the next set until she had escaped from Rodney’s side.
    ‘I didn’t think you usually bothered with those things,’ Rodney said, eyeing the dance card as she slipped it back into her reticule.
    ‘Needs must,’ Tara said briefly, hoping to end the conversation through saying as little as possible. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the viola player pick up his bow and the conductor place a new sheaf music on his stand.
    ‘It seems your next partner is nowhere to be seen,’ Rodney said. ‘May I step into the breach?’ There wasn’t a graceful way to refuse, Tara thought helplessly, and if Rodney danced with her he would realise that she had no one booked for the next dance either, nor the dance after that. Then he would either think her popularity had plummeted, or, worse, realise that she had been deliberately avoiding him. She didn’t know what to do.
    There was the discordant sound of string instruments retuning. Tara looked around desperately and saw, just a few feet away, Leo, standing alone on the edge of the dance floor. Their eyes locked and she sent him a mute plea. For an insane moment it seemed that he could not read her mind after all, then he smoothly made his way between the press of couples around him and came over to her.
    ‘Lady Tara, I have come to claim my dance.’ Tara felt her heart lift out of all proportion. Leo knew she wished to discourage Rodney. He had seen the position she was in, he was merely helping her out as any gentleman would, he had not sought her out to dance with for reasons of his own and his actions were no more than those of a friend. She told herself all of that firmly, even while her heart soared and she was aware of the smile which lit up her whole face. She held out her hand to Leo and when he took it she felt as if he had taken her in his arms.
    The first dance of the set was sedate, they barely touched, but each time their hands brushed Tara found that all her awareness was concentrated in her fingertips. Leo danced expertly; his touch so light it was hardly there and yet it made her shiver in delight each time he touched her. When the dance finished he bowed to her but did not walk away. They stood there, looking at each other and then the small orchestra struck up the next tune.
    It was a waltz. Leo held out his arms and Tara melted into them. Again his clasp was light, but she couldn’t have broken away for all the world and as he swirled her around the dance floor it felt as if they had been dancing together forever. They did not speak, there seemed to be no need.
    Then Tara caught sight of Rodney on the other side of the room with a pretty, young debutante in his arms. Although the girl looked barely old enough to be out of the school room, Rodney was smiling as he chatted with her, looking completely absorbed by her youthful prettiness. A tension Tara hadn’t been aware of having flowed out of her at the sight and she felt herself truly relax for perhaps the first time since Rodney had asked for her portrait. She liked Rodney and had been worried that he would see through her rather transparent refusal to dance with him and that his feelings would be hurt. But whether or not he realised she was deliberately avoiding him, he was clearly not pining now. He looked quite happy and Tara resolved to learn the name of his dance partner and invite her and Rodney to one of her own soirees in the future.
    ‘You look happier,’ Leo murmured.
    Tara indicated with her head. ‘Rodney,’ she said, ‘I think he’s forgotten all about me.’
    Leo