Harlequin Historical: September 2022 Box Set 2 of 2 by Terri Brisbin

Author:Terri Brisbin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

‘Thank you for the dance,’ Sam said, his voice low. Eliza could see he had been equally affected and for a long moment they both stood on the dance floor while the other couples moved away around them. ‘We should find somewhere to talk,’ Sam repeated, finally breaking away.

‘Yes. Perhaps I will go and sit on the chairs by the refreshment table. No one else is there at the moment. If you fetch me a glass of lemonade, we can then sit and talk while I pretend I am pausing for a refreshment.’

‘Good idea.’

On Sam’s arm, Eliza weaved through the crowded ballroom, catching Lucy’s eye as they went past where her friend was standing, but giving a minuscule shake of her head to show she was not going to do anything foolish.

Once she was comfortably seated at the edge of the ballroom and Sam had returned with a glass of lemonade, she turned towards him.

Sam was sitting next to her, looking out at the ballroom full of people.

‘They all think we’re engaged,’ he murmured. For one crazy moment, Eliza thought he was going to say why didn’t they just get married for real. She felt her heart skip in her chest and the roil of nerves in her belly, but Sam didn’t turn to her and ask the question. Eliza closed her eyes, trying to block out the pain of rejection. She couldn’t keep thinking Sam was going to propose to her, it was too difficult to bear when it didn’t happen. Twice now she had thought he was going to suggest they do away with their deception and give in to the attraction between them and neither time had anything come of it.

Sam exhaled loudly and shook his head. ‘I don’t think we should allow ourselves to be alone together,’ he said with a rueful smile.

Eliza was surprised at the disappointment that washed over her as he shook his head at the memory of their behaviour. She stayed silent, hoping her face wasn’t showing all the emotions that were fighting for supremacy inside.

‘Sam,’ she said so quietly she knew he would have to lean in to hear her. ‘How do you feel about me?’

She watched him as he thought about the question, saw the flare of alarm in his eyes and wondered if he was worried about hurting her feelings or worried he might reveal too many of his own feelings.

‘That’s a big question, Eliza.’

‘I know.’

For a moment he sat in silence and just as he was opening his mouth to speak there was a commotion in the crowd and they saw Lady Mountjoy hurrying towards them.

‘Lord Thannock, you are needed in the drawing room.’

Sam stood immediately, but didn’t move away, waiting for Lady Mountjoy to explain what was so urgent.

In a quieter voice Lady Mountjoy continued. ‘Your mother must have instructed the driver to turn around and she returned to the ball where she has continued to drink. She is in the drawing room, but I think you need to ensure she gets home.

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