Read Online Susan Spencer Paul - [Enchanter 01] by Touch of Night - Free Book Online Page B

feel how amused, and bewildered, they were. A few were gloating because Niclas was making such a fool of himself. Some, probably women, were glad to see Miss Linley embarrassed. A few kindhearted souls felt sympathy.
    “Forgive me,” he began, his heart sinking. This certainly wasn’t the way to convince Lady Eunice that he should be trusted with the care of her niece. “I—”
    She smiled and set her hand upon his arm, and, somehow, she had them walking off the floor in so natural a manner that their onlookers rapidly lost interest.
    “It’s quite all right, sir,” she assured him. “I would have enjoyed another dance, as well, but I can’t think they’ll play another waltz for some time. Ah, you see?” she said as the musicians struck up the tune for a reel.
    The press of emotions wasn’t as muted as before, but she only had her hand upon his arm, and it was gloved. He wondered how closely they would have to touch orembrace in order to make all foreign emotions disappear completely.
    The visions that filled his vulnerable brain were both vivid and much too stimulating. Niclas forcibly pushed them aside and said, “Miss Linley, may I ask you to do me a great favor?”
    “Certainly, Mister Seymour. I should be pleased, if what you ask is within my power to do. I must warn you beforehand, however, that, despite my own Linley stubbornness, I do not possess the will to overcome Lady Eunice. She is stubborn beyond even what Linleys are famous for.”
    He laughed. “I’ve been acquainted with Lady Eunice for many years, and you’re quite right. Only she can, and will, make up her mind. But I hope to sway her in my favor tonight by doing well.”
    Miss Linley nodded and murmured in the affirmative, and Niclas slowed their pace.
    “The trouble is,” he went on, “that I’ve been out of society for so many years that my manners, as you’ve seen firsthand, are somewhat stiff. I wonder if you might help me by granting me your company for a little while longer. I must necessarily greet several acquaintances and don’t wish to make another misstep that might decide Lady Eunice against me.”
    She hesitated, and Niclas pressed, saying, “I would be deeply grateful, Miss Linley.”
    They were walking so slowly now, avoiding a return to Lady Eunice, that they had nearly stopped.
    “Mister Seymour,” she said with all seriousness, looking up at him. “Why do you want so much to go to Wales in place of his lordship?”
    Niclas gazed into her lovely face and wondered, again, how he could possibly have avoided knowing such a beautiful woman before now.
    “I cannot tell you, Miss Linley. Not now, leastwise, and I apologize for that. But I hope that I shall be able to do so before our journey is entirely done. If I have the honor of escorting you.”
    She smiled gently, in such a manner that Niclas suddenly felt short of breath.
    “I should be pleased to stroll about the room with you, sir. I’m quite sure my aunt won’t mind for, as she told you this morning, you and I share many acquaintances.”
    Niclas didn’t smile often these days; it felt so strange to do it so easily now with her.
    “Then, if you truly don’t believe Lady Eunice would miss you for a little while longer, why don’t we go and discover who they are?”
    She made it so easy, Niclas thought later as they walked about the room. As long as her hand was upon his arm, he was able to force the emotions of others out of his mind and focus on his own thoughts. Just as he had been able to do before the curse had robbed him of peace.
    Apart from that, Julia Linley was extremely pleasant company. She was intelligent and witty and possessed the kind of refined sense of humor that Niclas especially appreciated. And they discovered, as they moved from group to group, that they did, indeed, have many acquaintances in common.
    After twenty minutes of polite conversation, Niclas returned Miss Linley to Lady Eunice’s side. Bowing low, he apologized for