Read Online Already His (The Caversham Chronicles - Book Two) by Sandy Raven - Free Book Online Page A

duration of the dance, she forced herself to pretend she didn’t notice the way his blue eyes roved over her body in a covetous way. She got an uneasy chill when his hand lifted hers as they paraded through the parallel lines of other dancers. When the reel was over, she thanked him and turned to go back to where Beverly waited. But his hand reached for hers, and he attempted to keep her on the floor as the musicians began a new piece.
    The brashness of his move wasn’t lost on her, but she didn’t want to cause a scene. Elise really did want to make her brother proud of her. Also, her deepest wish was for Michael to see her now as a desirable woman—not the hellion who would walk away from the floor leaving her partner staring at her back for his impertinent assumption she would favor him with a second dance.
    Sinclair’s hand lighted on the small of her back. With the slightest pressure, he urged her to take her place in leading the procession forming behind them in the first steps of a polonaise. Just as she was about to go with him, she heard a familiar voice from behind her unwanted partner.
    “Sir, I believe this dance was mine.”
    His voice, deep and sure, sent a thrill up her spine. Michael had come to rescue her. He risked gossip doing this. Elise felt her heart beat a little quicker and her entire body grow warm. She turned to face Michael and he bowed to her. Sinclair did the same and stepped back.
    It wasn’t a waltz, but Elise was thankful Michael had come. Mr. Sinclair’s intent on keeping her out for a second dance was unwanted on her part, and she didn’t know how to refuse him without causing a scene.
    “My pardon, Lady Elise,” Sinclair said, through a forced smile. “I had hoped to be in your company a moment longer.” He turned to Michael. “My lord, I entrust her to your care.” He bowed once again before departing.
    Elise stepped into Michael’s arms, the only place she wanted to be since coming down the stairs. “Thank you.”
    “You looked like you needed rescuing.” He smiled at her when she looked up into his hazel eyes.
    “I cannot thank you enough,” she whispered. “But you cannot do this again, Michael. People will think you had no respect for your uncle.” She followed his smooth flow as he accompanied her in the parade across the floor, his strong hand guiding her.
    “The matrons might gossip, but the young ladies will all be jealous of you, mark my word.”
    “What makes you say that?”
    “This is my only dance tonight,” he replied. “Unless you need rescuing again.”
    Inside, she trembled. Elise couldn’t help the joyous feeling that came over her whenever she was in his presence. But this? This was what she’d always wanted. She prayed he felt at least something beside indifference toward her. And as if her prayer had been heard by the Almighty himself, her answer came in his next sentence.
    “You’ve grown into a lovely young lady, little minx. Have you changed your ways as well to match?”
    She felt blood rush to her face as she tried to remember what it was Beverly said earlier this morning. Wait three seconds before answering, so as not to appear coltish and ill-mannered. After what felt like an endless wait, she finally said, “You will soon see, my lord, that I have indeed matured inside, as well as out.”
    He navigated their turn, as the couples began to pair off and go in different directions. She and Michael paraded on one side of the dance floor with half the dancers, and the other half went the opposite direction. He said, “One of the things I have always admired about you Elise is your courage and honesty. At times I feel I’ve known you so long I can read you. You didn’t want a second dance with Mr. Sinclair, did you? I could sense that you wanted nothing more than to leave him on the floor, didn’t you?”
    “In the past I might have done so,” she admitted. “But am learning to temper my actions. I am not the girl I was. I’d