Page 2 of The Dare Before Christmas

“That sounds ominous,” Jules observed, his dark eyebrows tugging together. “You’re not getting into any mischief, are you? Where’s that blessed hat at the moment?”

With a laugh at her brother’s dark tone, Torie shook her head. “I think Aggie has it, but no. I’ve not taken a dare. Not yet, at least.”

Jules studied her face as they made their way towards the top of the stairs. “Be careful, Torie, won’t you? Don’t do anything daft.”

Impulsively, Torie turned and kissed her brother on the cheek.

“Of course not,” she said with a smile, and then took a breath, steeling herself and walking down the grand staircase and back into the fray.

Barnaby glanced at the lady beside him and wondered what she was thinking. Miss Ada Robinson was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and a woman whom Barnaby had given serious consideration to courting. Though not a great beauty, she was pretty in a china doll way, a diminutive creature with large blue eyes and slender shoulders. Her complexion was fair, her eyes fringed with pale lashes and her blonde hair the colour of ripe wheat. So far, she had seemed pleased with Barnaby’s attention, and no one else appeared to be in the running for her affections, which was something. The trouble was, Barnaby did not know what was in her head. Conversation was one-sided as he rattled on, trying to entertain her. The lady smiled and nodded, and either laughed or made encouraging noises as the moment warranted, but rarely spoke herself. Though they had met some weeks ago, Barnaby still had little idea what she was interested in, or what her likes and dislikes were, though she was certainly a good listener. A little too good.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked her, gaining an appreciative flash of wide blue eyes filled with pleasure.

“I would,” she said, nodding and making her golden ringlets bounce.

Barnaby held out his arm to her and guided her onto the dance floor.

It was a country dance, one where you had to change partners several times, and once they had gone through the moves of the dance, Barnaby turned to receive his new partner, and was startled to discover Lady Victoria before him. For a moment, he couldn’t breathe. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman here tonight, not that he’d allowed himself to look. Her dark hair was glossy and thick, styled in soft waves about her face, her porcelain skin flushed from the heat of the room. Dressed in a gown of opulent gold satin, she shimmered like a Christmas angel, and Barnaby felt his heart give a frantic kick behind his ribs.

Ignore it, he told himself fiercely. She was not for the likes of him.

“Good evening, Mr Godwin,” she said, her voice soft as she touched Barnaby’s gloved fingers with her own and spun away.

The dance returned her to him a moment later, and they held hands again as they danced down the length of the room together. Her hand seemed to burn against his, the contact electric even through their gloves. As they got to the end, the lady glanced up at him before they parted again, and Barnaby’s breath hitched at the look in her eyes.

Barnaby had seen the devastating effect his good friend the Comte de Villen had on women often enough to know what a come-hither glance looked like. Never had he seen one turned in his direction, though. Longing hit him square in the chest, the desire to follow that look and see where it led. It almost hurt to ignore it, to push it back into the dark recesses of his mind where useless hopes and dreams belonged. Yet, ruthlessly, he forced the sensation back down, determined to erase her from his mind. He was done chasing after women with whom he hadn’t a hope. The ill-fated affair with Lady Millicent had been a humiliating and crushing experience, and he was not about to repeat it. The younger son of a mere baron, and with three older brothers, Barnaby had no title to inherit, no fortune at his disposal, nor any expectation of one. He had a tidy little home that provided a decent income, and he was comfortably well off, but for the daughter of a duke… he might as well be a road sweeper. Oh, no. No more chasing heiresses, or women whose sights were set on marrying up. Millicent had got her earl and good luck to her. Not that it was entirely her fault. Her father had been determined for her to make a good match, and Barnaby understood that, but it wasn’t as if she’d put up anything resembling a fight either, and that had rather stung.

Not that he was heartbroken. He’d seen people in love and knew he had not experienced it himself, especially after having watched Louis drown under the force of the emotion for some considerable time. It had not been love he’d felt for Millicent, but it had been an affectionate friendship that he had hoped… but never mind. It was not to be. Besides, he had Miss Robinson to consider now. It was early days, but perhaps she could be the one, if only she would deign to share a little of herself with him, so he could get to know her.

The dance ended and Barnaby held out his arm to the lady, who looked flushed and pretty after their exertions. Barnaby smiled at her, and she laughed.

“That was fun.”

“It was,” he agreed readily. “You dance very well.”

She returned a shy smile and looked pleased by the compliment. Guiding her off the floor, Barnaby cursed as he crossed paths once again with Lady Victoria on the arm of her brother, the Marquess of Blackstone. He wondered what on earth she was doing dancing with him, when the ballroom must heave with men clamouring to fill her dance card, but it was none of his affair.

“Godwin,” Blackstone said, startling Barnaby, who had not been expecting to be noticed. Though they’d been introduced and had spoken a few times, they were not exactly friends. “How do? Enjoying the crush?”

“Indeed, my lord,” Barnaby said with a smile. “The duchess has excelled herself as usual. It is a magnificent affair.”

“I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, Mr Godwin,” Lady Victoria said, returning his smile, though her green gaze drifted to Miss Robinson with curiosity.

A sharp little elbow dug at Barnaby’s ribs, and he looked around in surprise to see Miss Robinson widening her eyes at him. Oh, of course, an introduction was required. He sighed inwardly.

“My lord, Lady Victoria, might I introduce Miss Ada Robinson? Ada, Lady Victoria Adolphus and Jules Adolphus, the Marquess of Blackstone.”

To Barnaby’s astonishment, Miss Robinson lit up as Blackstone took her hand.

“A pleasure, Miss Robinson,” the marquess said politely.

“Oh, the pleasure is mine, I assure you,” Miss Robinson gushed, her blue eyes brilliant with excitement. “Such a wonderful evening, and the dancing… so delightful. Do you enjoy dancing, my lord? It’s such a pleasure to dance at such a fabulous event. I believe the waltz is next. My favourite dance, though my father still thinks it scandalous. Can you imagine? He’s rather old-fashioned, I’m afraid. Do you like to waltz?”

Barnaby stared at the woman in shock, astounded to see her so animated. That was probably the most conversation he’d heard from her in the past sennight. Blackstone’s expression had cooled, however, and Lady Victoria seemed uneasy.

“Oh, my brother rarely dances, Miss Robinson, but who have you got on your dance card for the waltz?”

Before Miss Robinson could reply, Blackstone cut in.