Saved by a Rake by Em Taylor

turned her head back to survey the avenue as it opened out again where the supper boxes were. The musicians were playing a vigorous set of country dances, and her tentative smile broadened.
    “ Would you care to dance with me, Lady Rebecca?” he asked, deciding that if he could not bed her, than at least he could steal some minutes with her, twirling her in his arms.
    “ You really should call me Rebecca now that we are engaged my... I mean, Daniel.”
    “ We will only be engaged if your father gives his permission tomorrow, my dear.”
    “ Oh, have no fear. My father will see you as a very good prospect.”
    “ I hope to one day be worthy of you.”
    “ You are already.” She reached up and placed her gloved hand on his still painful eye. “You are my hero and protector, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
    He leaned into the touch as she flattened her hand, cupping his cheek. She licked her lips again. Damn her for being so gorgeous. He had seen her in just gowns until now , but her Spencer did nothing to hide the generous lines of her bosom. In the past few days, he’d had a few fantasies of burying his face between those ivory mounds. Good God, he really was frustrated.
    “ And I will always be your protector. You may pay me by honouring me with this waltz.”
    He placed her arm back on his sleeve and drew her over to the crowded dance floor. Then turned her in his arms and clasped her around the waist.
    This time, he did not fear getting too close to her for the sake of her reputation. His concern was that she would realise just how aroused he was. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her. She may not be an innocent physically, but she was in her heart.
    She looked up into his eyes as the band re-tuned their instruments. “Is this a practice for our engagement ball, do you suppose?”
    He chuckled. Suddenly there was a sparkle in her eyes that he had not seen before. It was as if a heavy mantle of impending spinsterhood had been lifted from her shoulders and she could once again be the girl she had been just a few short weeks ago. Again he cursed his decision to challenge Newthorpe to a boxing match rather than a duel.
    “I suppose it is, my love.” It was strange that the endearment should trip off his tongue quite so easily. He was not in love with Rebecca by any stretch of the imagination. However, he did care for her.
    She took his proffered hand as the first chords of the music drifted into the night air.
    He had danced at Vauxhall Gardens before tonight, of course. It was never well done of a gentleman to attend an entertainment where there was dancing and not offer to dance with any lady who seemed interested. He had danced with wives of his friends, with lovers and with sparkly-eyed debutantes. But this was the first time he had been aware of the beauty of the place and delighted in dancing under the stars.
    Of course, Rebecca was going to be his wife and there would be many more dances with her over the years. He congratulated himself that, when the thought of his engagement ball and the subsequent wedding breakfast came to mind, he did not balk. If anything he was filled with anticipation. He would have thought the very idea of a leg shackle would send him into paroxysms.
    He grinned as he whirled her around the floor, holding her closer than he had intended because of the number of other patrons on the dance floor—or at least, that is what he told himself.
    She kept his gaze and followed his lead, looking delighted and flushed and well—just like any other young lady dancing in the arms of her betrothed.

Chapter Ten
    Daniel stood once again in his father ’s library. The Earl of Drumbane was even gaunter than he had been of late. He had raised his head as Daniel had entered and looked as if he was going to speak before a fit of coughing gripped him. Daniel had rushed to the old man’s side, holding up a glass of water, but the earl had waved him away and continued to cough.