Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman by Wareeze Woodson

the ballroom before he disappeared into the crowd.
    Laurel stood alone in the threshold, gazing at the glow cast by the chandeliers on the polished floor. She found the scene enchanting and smiled broadly. The scent of flowers perfuming the air with a delicate fragrance added to the magic. Music swelled through the room from the alcove where the musicians had gathered and suddenly, she wished to dance, to laugh, to be carefree for a while. Her fatigue fled and she fought free from the ugly, black cloud of depression hovering over her. Laurel straightened her shoulders and stepped into the ballroom prepared to enjoy the moment.
    Laurel surveyed the couples dancing and unwittingly caught Adron’s gaze. Spellbound she couldn’t glance away and a deep need to tear Melissa out of his arms engulfed her. Jealous, she was jealous. Absurd of course, but her gaze strayed to him again and again. Each time she detected his broad shoulders or tall form, his eyes seemed to catch hers.
    When George Dunaway approached, she tore her gaze away from Adron again.
    “May I have this dance?” George whirled her away before she agreed. “I’m dancing with the most charming lady in the room.”
    She laughed. “Such flummery. Do flowery compliments usually work for you?”
    “Usually.” He grinned and mischief lingered in his eyes.
    “What a take-in.” The compliments he paid her and his admiration went straight to her head. She basked in his approval.
    “I’m trying to avoid the matchmaking mothers on the look-out for me.”
    “And you’re safe from my match making mother. Is that it?” she teased.
    He cleared his throat. “Not true, else I wouldn’t have spent every available minute with you for the last two weeks. You must admit I didn’t make a single complaint at having to accompany the children on nature walks, eat nursery food and in general visit with you under constrained circumstances.”
    She dimpled up at him. “I do wonder why.”
    “I’ve come to admire you very much. You’re beautiful, devoted to the children, and the servants like you, a great character reference. Any man would be honored not to merely dance with you but to call you his own.” His voice dropped to a deep level, his hand tightening on hers. “Is it too early to press my suit?”
    Her eyes met his warm gaze and her smile disappeared. Here was a nightmare. She truly appreciated George, admiring his address as well as his appearance, but Adron would never allow her to marry and take Jamie with her.
    “Much too early,” she replied with her lashes lowered to cover her expressive eyes and the distress mirrored there.
    “This is Adron’s fault, every bit of it. He’s a stubborn, blind sort of fellow.” He glanced at the gliding couples before gazing into her eyes. “Would it make a difference if I tell you Adron thinks to marry Melissa?”
    “Heloise warned me off the day I arrived,” she said in a flat voice.
    Laurel only wished she’d heeded Heloise, but she’d been convinced she could ignore his masculine appeal. That was before he turned the full force of his charm on her.
    “There is an added piece of drama to unfold. Rhonda has her eye on him as well.”
    Surprise rounded Laurel’s eyes. “Truly?”
    He lifted his shoulders. “Yes, truly and I’m determined to save you from yourself. And Adron. Even from Rhonda’s tender mercies.”
    A little shocked by the surprising disclosure, Laurel’s gaze sought Adron’s broad shoulders amongst the dancers once again. She must conquer the need to seek his approval for every move, else she would be lost and he would be in complete control. She refused to accept the fact he was in control, of Jamie’s destiny at least, and in large part in control of hers as well.
    In that moment, Laurel’s gaze locked with Adron’s over Melissa’s shoulder. George followed her glance and his frown heralded his displeasure. “I don’t want to see you hurt.” In almost a whisper he continued, “but