‘And it is losing nothing in the telling, I can assure you. Tallie—is Agatha much upset?’
‘Very cross with herself, I think,’ Tallie said. ‘And resolving to make amends with her other nephews and nieces. But I do not think she is sad, or greatly distressed.’ She looked at Nick. ‘Where is Mr Hemsley? Did he see us?’
‘He has gone. Even someone with Jack’s brass neck could not brazen it out in front of an entire ballroom full of people sniggering at him. There is no need to worry—he saw William and me and I am sure he has wit enough to know that we set out to entrap him, but I do not think he realises the part you and Aunt Kate played.’
‘I am not frightened of him,’ Tallie said scornfully, then caught Nicholas’s eye and added ruefully, ‘Not while I have you and William to look after me at any rate. I have to admit, I am not a match for someone like that without help.’
Nick bowed ironically. ‘That is gracious, Tallie. May I solicit the next dance?’
It seemed they were on ordinary speaking terms again, and at least he could not launch into embarrassing lectures on how ruined she was or, even worse, make a declaration in the middle of Lady Mornington’s dress ball.
‘Thank you, Lord Arndale,’ Tallie said politely, allowing him to lead her out onto the dance floor. ‘What is it? I have lost track of the dance programme with so much excitement.’
‘A waltz,’ he replied, catching her efficiently around the waist with one hand and capturing her right hand with the other. ‘You have to admit, my timing is perfect.’
‘Perfect,’ Tallie agreed hollowly as the music struck up and she was swept into the dance. Perfect. The last thing she needed was to be held in Nick’s arms as the sensuous, exciting music took them. It was hard enough being with him and fighting to keep the yearning out of her voice, the love out of her eyes, without being so close to him that she could feel his warmth, smell the clean, sharp, indefinable maleness of him.
She needed to concentrate on thwarting any attempt to make her an offer, or, if she failed in that, to refuse him convincingly. As it was she could feel him gathering her tighter into his arms and could make no effort to draw away. Another couple brushed against her skirts and Tallie found herself touching his body, then he had released her again and all she was conscious of was the pounding of her heart and the glitter of his grey eyes when she looked up at him.
The music drew to a crescendo and stopped. Couples stepped apart, clapping politely and beginning to stroll off the floor, but Tallie found herself steered ruthlessly through the onlookers fringing the dance floor and into a deserted retiring room.
‘My lord! What on earth are you about! Please return me to Lady Parry at once—she will concerned to know where I have gone.’ Tallie tried to convince herself that the breathless catch in her voice was simply natural agitation and not the effect of being masterfully carried off in the midst of a crowded ballroom.
‘You may return to her side the minute we have had this much-overdue conversation,’ Nick said patiently, moving round to lean broad shoulders against the door panels.
Tallie eyed the only other exit from the room, a narrow window.
‘And we are one floor above pavement level and, if I am not mistaken, that window will overlook the area, which adds another floor to the drop. If you feel you have overcome your fear of heights do, by all means, feel free to leave.’
Tallie glared. ‘I have no intention of scrambling out of a window to escape you, my lord. You have only to remove your shoulders from that door and I will walk out.’ Provided she could stay angry with him, it was easier to cope. Tallie stamped her foot. ‘Will you please open that door, my lord!’
‘Only if you stop calling me “my lord” every sentence …’
‘Very well then, Nicholas, please—’
‘And if you agree to marry me,’ he finished.
It was not unexpected. She had been trying to avoid him putting that very question all day, but that did not make it any better. Every fibre of her being was screaming yes! Tallie raised both eyebrows haughtily. ‘You will excuse me, my lord, if I find the warmth and sincerity of your offer less than compelling. I am, naturally, conscious of the honour you do me in making such a proposal; however, I must decline.’
‘Tallie.’ It was a warning growl.
‘My lord?’
‘I suppose you would like me to come and kneel down, clasp my hands to my heart and beg you to do me the honour?’
‘That would certainly be an improvement,’ she agreed, casting her eyes downwards so that he could not see the sudden resolution in them.
‘Very well.’ Nick straightened up, took two long strides forward and fell on one knee in front of her. He placed one hand on his heart and said, ‘Miss Grey, may I solicit—’
Tallie whirled away and made a dash for the door. Her fingers were closing around the handle when he took her by the shoulders, spun her round and trapped her against the panels, one hand on either side of her head. It had been a mistake to forget just how good his reflexes were and just how fast he could move.
Now what are you going to do? she asked herself. If he kisses you, you are done for and you know it.
‘Tallie. As we were discussing this morning when William interrupted us, I have thoroughly compromised you. There is only one outcome from that. You must marry me.’ He sounded as though he were keeping the lid upon his patience with some effort.
‘And as I explained to you, you may have compromised me, but nothing happened. No one else besides ourselves and Lady Parry knows about it. I have to do nothing whatsoever, and if you tell me that your honour is at stake or some such masculine nonsense, I give you fair warning, I will kick you.’
Frustrated grey eyes stared into hers. ‘Why will you not say yes? I am hardly ineligible. You know you may acquit me of fortune hunting. Is there someone else?’
‘No, there is not.’ Where the breath to keep talking was coming from Tallie had no idea. She was not conscious of breathing at all and her heart was banging so hard she thought it must be visible through the fine gauze of her bodice. ‘I do not wish to make a loveless marriage, it is as simple as that.’
‘But—’ Nick broke off, for once silenced. Then he said with a hint of a smile, ‘I had rather thought that when I kissed you you were not averse to the caress. In fact, when I have held you in my arms you reacted with warmth.’
‘I am aware that ladies are not supposed to enjoy such things,’ Tallie retorted, wondering if the guardian spirit of Modest Behaviour was about to strike her down where she stood. ‘But I can see that is nonsense, some tale put about to shelter innocent girls. After all, if married ladies did not enjoy it, why would they have affairs? I must confess that I find being kissed by you very … pleasant, and being in your arms is positively stimulating. However,’ she hurried on as both Nick’s eyebrows rose alarmingly, ‘that does not mean I want to marry you. Naturally I realise that now we have had this discussion you are not going to kiss me any more—and that is a pity because I do enjoy it and I would certainly not trust any other gentleman of my acquaintance in that way.’
‘Well, that is frank speaking indeed.’ The familiar cool expression was back on his face and she could not tell whether he was shocked, angry or even, just possibly, amused.
‘I am afraid so.’ Tallie tried to look penitent. ‘I did feel ashamed of myself and then I realised that it is foolish to deny one’s natural, er … appetites. Of course, one should not indulge them any more than one should drink too much wine or eat too much rich food, and one realises in the case of ladies that the penalties are somewhat more extreme.’ Now, surely, she had shocked him sufficiently to put an end to any desire to marry her. She was certainly shocking herself.
‘But within marriage you could indulge