They headed back to the ballroom. Teddy felt lighter, almost happier. She was in love and believed he loved her in return. Later, she’d ask him and see if perhaps they had a future together. She had questions, of course, but they could wait for now. This night was magic, and she intended to soak in the joy of it for as long as possible.
Ezra had never been so livid in his entire life. His uncle had… He shook that thought away before it fully formed. That bastard would have taken advantage of a young girl, and even after that had failed, he would have tried again. He had always known his uncle was evil, but he hadn’t believed he was this horrid.
He wouldn’t burden Teddy with what he planned on doing to Lord Eaton. She had already been forced to endure too much. Her father may have stepped in to save her at the last second, but he never should have allowed her to be in that position to begin with. Ezra was disgusted.
As they entered the ballroom, the strands of the waltz filled the room. He led her straight to the floor. They floated across the floor as they moved easily together. As if they had always partnered in the dance. Ezra never wanted to dance with anyone other than her.
“Thank you,” she said. “For saving me at the Serpentine. I don’t recall if I said that before.”
“You were in shock,” he replied. “In truth, I was as well. He…” Ezra shook his head. “Let’s say it was not what I expected to find when I went looking for you.”
She smiled. “I didn’t realize you were there for me. How did you know I’d gone for a walk?”
“I stopped in to pay a call and was told I’d missed you.” He allowed himself to smile at her in return. Ezra didn’t want to terrify her with the anger blazing inside of him. He’d make his excuses after the dance then go retrieve Fox and Sheffield. They had some hunting to do. “And I decided that wouldn’t do. I had to see you.”
“I’m surprised you bothered.” She frowned. “I’ve been quite shrewish.”
“That’s part of your charm,” he teased. She wasn’t nearly as shrewish as she believed herself to be. He’d been in the company of females that were actual shrews and she didn’t compare. At. All. It was a bit adorable she thought she could be like those odious ladies. To him she was perfect, but perhaps his feelings for her blinded him a little. “And I had to know what I’d done to make you believe terrible things about me.”
“I’m not sure we should discuss that. At least not here in the ballroom.” She wrinkled her nose. “They talk about your escapades; you know that. The ladies of the ton revel in your rakish ways.”
“Is that why you keep trying to push me away?” He lifted a brow. “Most of it is exaggerated.”
“Most of it?” She furrowed her brows together. “That means at least part of it holds true. You care to tell me what holds an inkling of veracity?”
Not on his life… He finally had her in a good place, and he’d be damned if he would anger her again. “I think you already know what is true and what isn’t considering our interlude in the maze.”
“That’s not…” She opened and closed her mouth several times. “All right, I’ll concede that you are a fair kisser.” Teddy pursed her lips together. “Perhaps more than fair.” She sighed.
“You want to say something else?” He didn’t want to press, but if it was causing her to doubt him, then he needed to hear it.
“I probably shouldn’t.” She nibbled on her lower lip. He nearly groaned as desire shot through him. Ezra couldn’t kiss her in the middle of the ballroom—even though he desperately wanted to. It would cause a scandal the ton would whisper about for ages.
“You definitely should,” he encouraged her.
“All right. I will then.” She took a deep breath. “I overheard you with that widow at the garden party. Your little tryst in the middle of the garden.”
“Why, Teddy dear, are you jealous?” He chuckled softly. “You needn’t be.
“I am no such thing,” she said a little too loudly. A few people nearby looked in her direction. In a much quieter tone, she told him, “It bothered me a little.”
“That’s jealousy, love,” he told her with amusement in his tone. “Perhaps at some later date we should discuss your predilection for eavesdropping. You seem to do it quite often.” He paused momentarily, and then said in a soothing tone, “Nothing happened. She wanted there to be more, but I couldn’t. Even if I desired her, I would not have taken that risk. Amelia’s reputation would have been singed, and she hopes to make a good match.”
“I don’t eavesdrop.” Teddy nibbled on her bottom lip. “Not that often anyway.” She frowned as she seemed to consider what he’d told her. “You didn’t want her?”
“No,” he reassured her. He’d let her denial about eavesdropping go for now. They would discuss it later as he had promised. “You’re the only lady I want to dally with. Ever.” The strands of the waltz came to an end. “Amelia told me she invited your sister to dinner. I do hope you’ll come with her.”
“I might,” she conceded.
He adored her. “I’ll take you to your sister now. I need to find the Marquess of Foxworth and the Earl of Sheffield. We have an appointment we cannot miss.” One that would leave his uncle black, blue, and bloody. “Will you be all right?”
“I will.” She smiled at him. “I expect I’ll have more gentlemen wishing to fill my dance card now that I’ve returned.” Teddy tilted her head to the side. “That is if no one remarks on my absence earlier.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he told her. “They’ll forget all about it soon enough. I promise.”
“You
