with Livvy two days ago when you were indisposed. Where is your head these days?’
‘I’m going to greet my friend,’ Hattie declared. ‘Please don’t read anything more into it.’
‘As if you would allow me to!’
Hattie pulled back her shoulders, suddenly glad that she had given in to temptation and had worn a new garnet-red ball gown with cream-coloured lace around the neckline. She loved the way the skirt moved about her ankles and how the garnet-studded hairnet completed the look. She was not some widow content to stay on the shelf, but a woman determined to make the most of life. She might have agreed to dance with Kit, but it didn’t mean he had to be the only man she danced with.
‘You look lovely, my dear,’ Mrs Reynaud said with a huge smile when she reached the pair. Close up, the family resemblance was so marked that Hattie wondered how she had missed it earlier. Whatever happened, the reconciliation had done wonders for Mrs Reynaud. ‘Doesn’t she look lovely, Christopher?’
Hattie forced herself not to move a muscle as Kit’s gaze roamed over her.
‘Mrs Wilkinson looks as she always does,’ Kit said, inclining his head.
Hattie dropped the barest of curtsies. As far as compliments, she could have hardly thought of one which tasted more of ash. She searched his eyes for warmth, but found his expression guarded. ‘I thank you for the compliment.’
‘It was sincerely given.’
‘I’m pleased you brought your mother here.’
‘It took some doing. Up to the last moment she kept me guessing. Apparently she has not attended such events in years. I convinced her that no one would shun her because of past notoriety.’
Hattie lowered her voice. ‘Mrs Reynaud has always been sensitive about her face, but the happiness now shines from her.’
‘There is more to beauty than a face. I notice other things.’
‘I agree.’ Hattie shifted in her slippers, aware that the receiving line was finally moving. ‘I should rejoin my party.’
‘You promised me a dance.’ He cleared his throat. ‘As payment for arranging Rupert and Miss Parteger’s engagement.’
‘A promise is a promise.’ Hattie knew her voice sounded too bright. ‘A quadrille. It is the last ball of the summer after all. There is no harm in it.’
‘I was hoping for a waltz, but a quadrille will have to do.’
Hattie’s heart missed a beat as the image of them waltzing filled her brain. Her hand curled around her fan. She was not over him and was likely never to be over him. The knowledge thrummed through her. ‘That would not be wise.’
‘Sometimes it pays to be foolish.’ He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips.
Hattie’s mouth went dry. ‘But not tonight.’
She hurried off before he could answer.
Kit forced himself to dance with his mother, Livvy Parteger and her mother before he approached the orchestra with his request. Every fibre of his being was aware precisely where Hattie was, but the thing had to be carefully down. He was not about to risk losing her again.
When the music stopped, he walked over to her and bowed, stepping in front of Dr Hornby. ‘Our dance, I believe.’
At his look, Dr Hornby withdrew, muttering about his need to speak to someone. Kit waited.
‘The master of ceremonies hasn’t announced it. Shouldn’t we wait and find out what the figure is?’
‘Why don’t we take a chance? Unless you are afraid?’
She tilted her chin upwards. ‘I believe I am more than equal of dancing any dance with you.’
The master of ceremonies called out a Harlequin. Kit relaxed. There were a few opportunities about her waist. She would agree to listen by the end. She had to.
‘Your sister approves of the choice of dance,’ Kit remarked. ‘See how she smiles?’
Harriet glanced over her shoulder and her body completely stiffened. ‘I can’t do this. Not with everyone watching me like I’m some backward child. I’m sorry, Kit. I just can’t.’
She pulled away from him and raced from the ballroom.
Kit cursed and swiftly followed her. This time, she would hear him out.
Hattie didn’t stop until she reached the small card room. With a distinct sense of irony, she went in and pulled the door shut. She thought she could dance with him until she saw Mrs Reynaud’s and Stephanie’s faces. It was as if everyone in the ballroom was watching her and Kit with a matchmaking gleam in their eye. The last thing she wanted was for Kit to feel forced to make another proposal.
‘Harriet? Open the door.’ Kit’s voice allowed for no refusal. ‘You can’t hide for ever. Do you open it or do I knock it down?’
She went over and opened the door. Kit stood completely alone in the corridor. His hair was wild and his neckcloth askew. He had never looked handsomer. She took a step backwards.
‘You promised a dance and left before it began.’ He gave a crooked smile. ‘Are you ill? I can’t know what is wrong if you refuse to tell me.’
‘I’m sorry. In the circumstances … I thought it best. I saw Stephanie and your mother.’ Hattie hated how ineffectual and weak it sounded. She curled her hand about her fan and straightened her shoulders. ‘The music hadn’t started. I felt faint.’
‘It is a bad habit of yours, leaving before a promised dance has ended.’ He gave a heart-stopping smile. ‘We shall have to work on it. At our wedding breakfast, you will dance a full waltz with me.’
Wedding breakfast? Hattie gulped. A great black hole opened before her. She was not going back there. This time would be far worse.
‘Kit … what happened back there. You don’t have to feel that … I don’t want you to think …’
‘Hush. Listen to me. I tried being patient with you, but it hasn’t worked.’ He started to pull her into his arms, but she backed up against the card table. He let his hand drop to his side and came into the tiny room. ‘Things need to be said between us.’
‘What things?’ She looked suspiciously up at him. ‘We said everything we needed to that day. I refused your offer. You don’t really want to marry me. You don’t want to marry at all.’
‘I was wrong about many things, Harriet.’
‘But …’ Her voice trailed away at his intense look.
‘Have you examined this ring?’ he asked, holding out a small gold ring with an inlaid garnet. ‘Can you at least do that before you dismiss me out of hand?’
‘Please …’ Hattie knew her heart was breaking and she wasn’t sure how long her composure would remain. She could not take another halfhearted proposal.
