The Captain's Courtship by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The movement that had so frustrated Samantha was merely a figure from one of the newer dances, so moving with another couple was not required. Claire took her place opposite Richard and curtsied to his bow. Though she hadn’t even started dancing, her heart was drumming in her chest. She could barely hear the music Samantha was playing, or the dance master’s instructions as he said, “Take right hands and circle left.”

Her fingers slid easily into the cup of Richard’s large hands, her arm supported effortlessly. The floor felt foreign beneath her as she turned with him, as if she was dancing on the warmth of his smile.

“Pass shoulder to shoulder,” Monsieur Chevalier called.

Richard released her to move past her, gaze on hers, body inches away. She caught the scent of bright spring air and cool water. Her shoulder only came to the center of his chest.

“And back.”

Here came the first test. Claire took a deep breath and stepped back. Her leg held. Thank You, Lord!

“Smile, Lady Winthrop,” Monsieur Chevalier suggested. “This is a joyous occasion. Two steps forward, two steps back.”

“Yes, Lady Winthrop,” Richard said with a grin as they met in the middle. “Smile. You are as light as a butterfly soaring up a mountain.”

Claire laughed as they parted.

On they went, moving with the music and the dance master’s instructions. Yet all Claire could feel was Richard, so close, like a lost part of her she’d longed to find again. For a moment, she was a girl once more, beautiful, strong, carefree. She’d been given a chance to partner the tall, handsome lad with the soulful brown eyes who’d been watching her across the ballroom all night, and she wasn’t about to waste it.

He was so much more now. He moved with a strength that spoke of confidence, of being at ease with his conscience. His smile broadened, deepened, as if being with her fulfilled every desire. Why had she been so afraid to take a chance on him years ago? If he should ask it, would she be any braver this time?

They turned, each with an arm behind the other’s back, gazes locked, and the world shrank further away. Those dark eyes were pools of admiration and something more, something she ached to hold to her heart. Richard must have seen the answer in her smile, for he leaned closer, and for a mad moment she thought he meant to kiss her.

With a protest that shot pain to her hip, her knee gave and she lurched to one side.

Richard caught her up. “Easy. Are you all right?”

Samantha must not have noticed Claire’s misstep, for the music continued. Monsieur Chevalier, however, was frowning at her as if wondering what she was doing. She knew her face must be flaming.

Still, she pasted on a smile and forced air into her lungs as she kept her weight on her good leg. “Don’t let go,” she whispered to Richard.

His grip tightened. “Never.”

Oh, how she wanted to believe that. But she could not afford the time to sort out her feelings for him.

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