Her eyes flashed up to his. “Pardon me?”

“Close your eyes. I will watch the crowds. You are a good enough dancer that you can follow me with your eyes closed. Allow yourself to simply dance and enjoy the music. Don’t worry about people.”

The corner of her mouth rose slightly, and she nodded in agreement. Her eyes fluttered closed, and Everton tightened his grip on her hand and waist, making certain each turn and step would be clear to her.

At first, Lady Emily was stiff and unsure, but after two turns without incident, she relaxed and started to move more freely with him. They finished that dance and the next one of the set in the same manner—never speaking, only dancing. When the strains of music stopped and Lady Emily finally opened her eyes, he could tell it was with great reluctance.

“The next set is the supper dance. Would you like to continue?” Dancing two sets with the same woman wouldn’t be the most scandalous thing he had ever done.

“I wish I could, but Mama has promised the supper dance to Lord Silverstone.”

“Is that why he left you alone in a corner up until now?” He held his arm out to her, and she took it, her touch barely there, as if a butterfly had landed on his arm.

“Perhaps. We haven’t actually talked much. I cannot claim to understand his reasons.”

If Lord Silverstone was as talkative as Lady Emily, the two of them would have a silent home indeed. Lady Emily’s eyes had started to wander to the darkened corners. It wouldn’t do for her to sneak back to one of those. Even if Everton were successful in stopping her marriage to Lord Silverstone, she was going to have a hard time finding a man she cared for if she was always hiding in corners.

Everton cleared his throat, which brought her attention back to him. “I must say, I was pleased with one aspect of Lord Silverstone when being introduced to him.”

Lady Emily waited for him to continue, but he wouldn’t until she spoke again. “What was pleasing about him?” she finally asked.

Everton grinned. “He had hair. If your parents are going to marry you off to a widower three times your age, at least he has hair.”

Lady Emily sighed, his lame attempt at humor lost on her. “I wish I could go back to last year, when all that was expected of me was to sit at home, reading and practicing the pianoforte.”

“Well, if we create a big enough scandal, perhaps you can do just that. Should I not hand you off to him?” Where was Lord Silverstone? When Everton had first met Rachel and discovered they were soon to be wed, he had tried to seek her out at each of the few events they had attended together. Didn’t Lord Silverstone want to get to know his bride-to-be? He scanned the ballroom. Lady Falburton was in a large group of overly trimmed women. Even Lady Emily’s chartreuse bow wouldn’t be out of place amongst that set. He shuddered, not looking forward to the questions such a group of women like that would regale him with. Even though he hated the idea of it, he would rather pass Lady Emily off directly to Lord Silverstone than enter those shark-infested waters.