She swiveled on her heel and turned to face him, a large, telltale lump of teacake pushing out her cheek. She had the look of a hare trapped in a game warden’s snare. Pure fright.

She had the grace to chew and swallow before she responded. “Upton,” she said, gulping down the last bit. “What can I do for you?”

He bowed slightly. “I’ve come to ask you to dance. Would you do me the honor?”

She glanced back as if she expected another lady to be standing there. “Me?” She pointed to herself, eyes wide.

He had to smile. “Yes, you.”

Without looking, she set her empty plate on the table, pushing it behind her with a flick of the wrist. “I suppose I can dance with you.”

He bowed to her. “Thank you.” He held out his arm. She took a step forward and put her hand on his arm. He led her to the dance floor.

Was her hand trembling?

He pulled her into his arms as a waltz began to play. He’d tipped the musicians a goodly sum to play this waltz. It afforded the perfect opportunity to speak with Jane.

He spun her around. “Are you having a good time?”

Again, she had the look of a hare caught in a trap. Her eyes were wide and she was trembling. “Here? With you?”

“I meant at the party in general,” he said.

“Yes, of course.” She didn’t meet his eyes. A sign of a woman in love, was it not?

He laughed. “You’re lying. You’ve never enjoyed a party before in your life.” Her throat worked. Another sign of a lady in love?

“Then why did you ask me? I’m doing my best, Upton. Don’t I deserve credit for that?” She met his gaze this time and her dark brown eyes were bright and full of mischief. Quite charming, actually. Damn it. Now he had to look away.

He smiled at her. “You do indeed. Tell me, how is your plan coming? Done anything scandalous lately?”

*   *   *

Jane blinked at Upton. She’d spent the last several minutes desperately attempting to interpret everything he’d said and done. He’d made his way directly to her and asked her to dance, hadn’t he? Very not Upton-like. That had to be a sign he was in love with her, didn’t it? He hadn’t mentioned her teacake consumption. Also quite un-Upton. Now he was being nice to her and laughing when she said something funny, a third entirely probable sign that the man was madly in love with her.