Secrets of a Spinster (40 page)

The carriage ride was unbearably long. She didn’t live far from Colin Gerrard, but when one was as popular amongst society as he was, the sheer volume of guests in attendance was astounding. The line of carriages hardly seemed to move at all. It didn’t help that her heart raced so fast that she thought she’d faint.

She fidgeted with her hair, which was more intricate and elaborate than any style she had attempted yet, and felt as though it might all tumble down at any moment. She had been repeatedly assured that it wouldn’t; that it was, in fact, very secure, and beyond that, quite becoming on her. She was not so sure, but she was willing to trust that her sister would not let her make a fool of herself on such an important occasion.

There was nothing Cassie appreciated more than a stunning entry and the reputation to sustain it.

Mary didn’t care about either of those things. She just wanted to see Geoff.

The entire afternoon she had been an absolute mess, fluttering between ebullient joy and helpless tears of disbelief. And she hadn’t even spoken with Geoff yet. He didn’t know her feelings. He might have suspected, given her reaction to his words and his kiss, but he hadn’t let her respond.

And she very much wanted to respond.

At long last, she was in the ballroom with the rest of London. It really was a stunning room, and would definitely suit a party given for her sister. Grand steps led the way down from the doorway onto the dance floor itself with fine balconies overlooking the dancing. All railings were congested, as no sensible person wanted to be among the first dancers. Yet dancing was occurring, and it was plain to see that the party was well under way.

She had to find Geoff, but in this crush, she couldn’t even find Colin and he was the host.

She released an irritated sigh and looked longingly towards the wall where she would have situated herself only months before. But she had promised Geoff that she would enjoy the rest of the season, and she would live up to it. She made her way down the stairs to the dance floor, knowing that it wouldn’t take long for one of her former admirers to ask her for a dance. She prayed it would be one she could tolerate.

“Miss Hamilton.”

She smiled, not bothering to hide her relief as Thomas Granger approached. “Mr. Granger. I hope you are here to ask for a dance.”

“I am indeed.” He bowed smartly before her, returning her smile and holding out a hand for her.

She took it and curtseyed. “Then lead the way, good sir.”

He took her to the head of the line of couples just as the music was beginning again, and soon they were dancing with the rest. Mary hoped Geoff would be here soon. She wasn’t sure how long she could wait.

She smiled at Mr. Granger as she passed him, and plotted how she could discover his true feelings for Lily Arden. Or perhaps she could plant a seed…

Mary laughed merrily as she completed yet another turn of the jig. She was dancing with Lord Oliver now, and he had always been one of her favorite dance partners. He was a lively and entertaining dancer, and never presumed, which was a refreshing change from some of the others.

This was her fifth dance in a row, and still she hadn’t seen Geoffrey. She’d tried to look for him as best as she could, but it was proving difficult with the sheer volume of guests in attendance and the movements of the dancing were not particularly conducive to looking. Still, she was enjoying herself now that the majority of her more ridiculous suitors had moved on to other ladies.

Lord Oliver himself had joined the pursuit for Miss Catherine Blythe, just returned from her tour of Switzerland. Mary didn’t know her, but hoped the girl was ready for the onslaught of admirers.

As she waited for her turn in the next movement, she took the opportunity to look up at the balconies and guests at the rails on the landing. All were filled with various members of Society, some who watched the dancing, others merely conversing while fluttering their fans. It was amusing to watch even from this distance.

Her eyes suddenly clashed with a very familiar pair of blue ones, and her heart leapt into her throat. He was on the landing, standing alone, watching her.  Only her.

He didn’t flinch or look away when she stared back. He didn’t move a single muscle.

She nearly missed the next movement of the dance so entranced was she by his expression and intensity. She continued to dance, looking back up at him as often as she could. He watched with all the steadiness of a hawk and looked just as predatory.

What was he thinking? How did he feel? Could he possibly be angry with her for not seeking him out? For dancing with other men? His expression was impossible to translate, even for one as fluent in all things him as she was.

She turned and twirled and hopped as the dance required, but always her eyes returned to him, wanting him to indicate something, anything to her. A wink, a smile, a frown, any show of emotion to indicate where she stood with him at this moment. He loved her, he’d said as much, but she knew full well what a torment of emotion that alone brought.

When the dance was over, she would tell him everything. Absolutely everything.

Again she met his eyes, and this time, she held his gaze even through the dance. Her heart pounded so hard against her chest she couldn’t breathe. But she would keep watching him, beg him to wait for her.

He pushed off of the balcony and began to move, keeping his eyes on her as he did so.

Where was he going?

She watched him walk, panic rising. What was he doing?

His eyes, so powerful even from this distance, held her captive, stared at her as he walked along the railings.

And then he was gone. He was lost in the crowd and she couldn’t see him. For what felt like ages she scanned the crowd, but she never saw him.

She couldn’t restrain a horrified gasp. He couldn’t have left!

Emotions welling within her, she fled the dancing, ignoring the other dancers and Lord Oliver. She weaved in and out of other couples, running as hard as she could for the stairs. She had to find him, had to tell him now, before anything else happened. She would embarrass herself in front of all of England and more to confess everything.

She pushed through people clogging the stairs and panted with her frantic exertions. People cried out in dismay at her behavior, but she ignored them all. She had to find him, she had to tell him, he had to know…

A sudden force stopped her on the stairs and nearly sent her tumbling. Strong hands gripped her arms to keep her steady, and she glanced up to find herself face to face with Geoffrey himself.

“Geoff!” she gasped in panicked relief, half of a sob, and more than a little breathless.

“Mary?” he asked in soft confusion, his eyes searching hers with concern.

She inhaled shakily, tears rising, wondering what to say. But looking into his eyes, seeing what he felt, words were meaningless. She swallowed and reached up to touch his jaw softly, her lower lip quivering.

He exhaled a soft sigh even as his eyes widened at her touch.

She couldn’t take it any longer.

She slid her hand around to the back of his neck and pulled him in, although who kissed whom first would be up for debate. He seized her lips instantly, and she was just as fierce. There was no holding back, no restraining the heat and desire and emotions rising and thriving between them. She poured every ounce of herself into this kiss, her lips molding and caressing as his were possessive and hungry. One of his hands gripped her hair and pulled her in impossibly closer, while the other reached around her back and supported her. She fisted her free hand in his coat and tugged him as close as she could. It wasn’t close enough.

Everything she had ever felt for him rose to the surface. There were no secrets any longer as love, passion, and need all burned like fire. This was no mere kiss; he was claiming her as she was claiming him, and it was long overdue for them both.

The room vanished, time ceased to exist, and it seemed as if the music from the orchestra swirled around them, a symphony to their moment. It was too perfect, but she would take it. She would take eternities of such moments, such feelings, with him.

Someone very close to them cleared their throat rather loudly. “Begging your pardon,” Colin’s voice muttered, breaking the moment. He coughed politely, then said, “But the two of you need to disengage and come with me. Now.”

For a moment, they only stood there, suspended in the aftermath, foreheads touching, their breath mingling together.

Again, Colin cleared his throat. “Now.”

Slowly, very slowly, Mary pulled back. Then it occurred to her that there was no music playing. Not a single sound in the entire overcrowded ballroom. Every eye was fixed on them, and in just a quick glance, she saw shock, dismay, abject horror, and in some rare cases, unfettered delight.

She felt her cheeks flush immediately, but then Geoff slid his hand into hers and interlaced their fingers, giving her a gentle squeeze. She looked up into his face and saw that he was fighting laughter.

The same urge welled up in her, and she grinned at him. With a faint wink, he squeezed her hand again, the promise of things to come.

Obediently they followed Colin down the rest of the stairs and out of the ballroom, not meeting any eye but those of their friends, all of whom were either delighted or stunned or both. Mary faintly heard Colin’s brother Kit instruct the musicians to start up again, the room once more turned to a buzzing of conversation, and presumably, the dancing continued. They kept walking, however, Colin leading them and not saying a single word.

When they could no longer hear the music or the chatter from the room, Colin turned down an empty corridor. Only then did he turn and face them. His expression was vacant of any emotion.

“All right,” he said quietly, looking at them both, “if anybody asks, I was a perfect host and scolded you soundly for such a scandalous display in my home. And thereafter I was a perfect chaperone and never let the two of you out of my sight.” He turned to Geoff with the barest hint of a smile. “Geoff, I hereby rescind my proclamation where you are concerned. Consider yourself a roaring success.” He bowed smartly, then walked passed them back towards the ballroom.

They were alone.

Entirely.

Mary exhaled, and looked up at Geoff, who had already been looking at her.

Without a word, he pushed her against the wall and once more his lips were on hers, just as insistent and hungry as they had been moments before. His hands held her face, her hands latched into his hair, and she matched him kiss for bone-melting kiss. Then it occurred to her, ever so faintly, that she had yet to actually tell him what she needed to.

“Geoff,” she murmured when he let her breathe.

His lips had no reprieve for her as they made their way up her jaw.

“Geoff!” she hissed as her eyes fluttered helplessly.

“What?” he said against her skin, perfectly content to continue tormenting her.

“I have something to say.”

He chuckled breathlessly. “Oh, have you?” He took her lips in another long, lingering kiss.

With a whimper, she broke off and put a hand on his chest. “Yes,” she said, her voice sounding like a mix of a whisper and a sigh, but it was firm.

He sighed and looked at her, still keeping her face between his hands. “What is it, Goose? Make it quick, I have work to attend to.” His eyes told her exactly what he meant by that, and her stomach nearly burst into flame.

She swallowed hard, then cleared her throat. “I… I thought about what you said.”           

One side of his mouth curved up in a grin. “Yes, I gathered as much from your delightful ruse on the stair.”

She blushed and ducked her head. He was quick to tilt it back up.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he laughed softly. “I loved every second of it.”

“I thought you were leaving.” Strangely, she found herself close to tears again and she shook her head. “I thought you were angry and leaving, and I couldn’t…”

He laughed again and stroked her cheeks. “I was coming to dance with you, Goose. I’d had enough of watching you dance with other men. I wanted to claim what I have always thought was mine.”

A hot thrill shot through her and she smiled at him. “Then why, if you felt that way, didn’t you let me answer you earlier today?”