Heaving a sigh when she stepped on his foot yet again, she shook her head. “Perhaps it is best that we stop dancing? I would absolutely hate to maim you, my lord.” She frowned.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I shall risk it. It certainly is worth the risk for the privilege of sharing in the company of a lovely lady like you.”

She opened her mouth to protest, closing it once more as something in the distance caught her attention.

She glanced up, her gaze immediately locking with Ethan's.

The sight of him caused the words on her lips to die. She could suddenly do nothing but stand there and stare back at him; as usual, he looked dashing, his tailored gray suit doing wonders for his perfect form. Even his hair seemed especially curly tonight, filling her with a barely suppressible desire to run her fingers through them.

He frowned, his gaze carrying clearly his displeasure as he turned to Lord Ashton.

Stepping back, she freed herself from his hold. “I apologize, Lord Ashton, but my attention...” She began, the words dying on her lips as she watched Ethan approach and come to stand beside Lord Ashton.

“Miss Riverside,” The frown on Ethan’s face deepened, his eyes clouding with something she could not quite read. He turned his attention briefly to Lord Ashton, and said, “Lord Ashton,” he bowed slightly in acknowledgement, before turning his attention back to her. “I have been looking everywhere for you.”

She nodded. “I will see to Ellie's care.” She said, knowing it was most likely the reason he had been looking for her.

Stepping forward, she made to go past him when his hand took hold of her wrist, stopping her.

She glanced down, her breathing slowing as she watched his fingers circle her wrist.

“I was hoping you could spare me a dance, Miss Riverside.” His soft whisper against her hair caused her heart rate to quicken.

Barely able to speak as excitement raced through her veins, she swallowed, nodding to his words.

Releasing his hold on her wrist, his arm curled around her waist, evoking a soft gasp from her lips as her body brushed against his firm chest. Heat raced rapidly through her skin at his closeness, the strong scent of his cologne intoxicating her with several inappropriate desires —one of which was to lean further against him and drown in his warmth.

Taking his free hand, she allowed him lead her through the dance floor.

“You look lovely this evening,” he breathed, holding her gaze.

She found herself staring into his eyes and getting lost in them. She believed him, she thought. For the first time that evening, she believed she looked lovely. She believed that this cheap, yellow satin dress looked lovely on her.

“Thank you, Lord Williams.” She mumbled.

For a few seconds, the room faded and the music stopped. All Gretchen could feel was Ethan's muscular arm around her waist, the heat from his body enveloping her. All she heard was her pounding heart in her chest, and all she saw was the most beautiful set of silver-gray eyes she had ever seen. She was lost in his eyes for several minutes until she was forced back to reality when he stopped moving.