Chapter 11

Eleven

T he melodic tune of the quartet surrounded Constantine as Seth twirled her around the ballroom for the second time tonight. Her feet were as light as her heart, and for the first time in her life, she danced without stepping on her partner's toes or tripping over her own feet.

She was deliriously happy and had allowed hope into her heart. Hope that she would spend her life with this amazing man.

Still, a small stab of trepidation poked at her, leaving her a bit unsettled. She'd stopped believing in fairytales last season.

There had been no understanding prince charming then. Only her mistakes and anxiety. But now… Seth had changed everything. He'd made her believe that they could share a happily ever after.

Seth slid his hand lower to rest on the small of her back as he pulled her closer. "Our dance is coming to an end, and I find myself reluctant to let you out of my arms."

Constantine rubbed his shoulder. "I do not relish the prospect of leaving them either."

"Let's cause a scandal," he said, a wicked grin spreading over his handsome face. One that reached all the way to his blue eyes, causing the edges to crinkle most handsomely.

"I daresay, I've weathered my share of those," she said.

He pulled her indecently close, and she reveled in the heat passing between them. "I want the last dance."

She inhaled sharply. "We cannot, you wicked man. We've already danced twice."

"We can do as we please. Let their tongues wag." He glanced around the ballroom at the other lords and ladies dancing and milling about the potted ferns. "We'll silence them soon enough when we announce our engagement."

"True, but I would prefer to skip the dance and spend the night together instead." She gave a daring wink.

He chuckled, then brought his mouth close to her ear and said, "Who's wicked now?"

The music stopped, and he escorted her back to Auntie, Julia, and Celia.

Constantine laughed most of the way as she held onto his arm. Once there, she reluctantly released him.

Seth exchanged a secret look with her before turning to her Auntie and bowing. "Viscountess Chadwick, would you honor me with a dance?"

"The honor is all mine. I'm sure," she said as she accepted his arm, her gray-streaked curls flouncing about with the confident nod she gave.

He unfurled one of his charming smiles on her. "Nonsense. I rarely get to hold two such stunning women in a row." His gaze slid to Constantine for a heartbeat as he spoke the scandalous words.

"I'll say, if you aren't a charmer, I don't know what is." Auntie's amused laughter tickled Constantine's ears as Seth led her away.

Celia released a sigh as she tapped her fan against Constantine's arm. "I've known Gulliver for most of my life, and I daresay, I have never seen him look at a lady the way he does you. It's as if he hasn't had a drink in months and you are a fountain. He looks at you like he wishes to carry you off and devour you. It's toe-curling if I dosay so myself."

Constantine's jaw slackened, and she wondered if others had noticed. More importantly, how had she missed it?

"He looks at her like a man in love," Julia said, then glanced out toward the dance floor. "Even now, he's watching her."

Constantine turned her head, her gaze locking with his, and he gave her a heated look of longing. Her pulse sped, the desire to go to him almost unbearable.

She loved him. Her face warmed at the realization, and her heartbeat increased. He'd carried her heart off that day in the cave. She just hadn't wanted to admit it—not even to herself.

The ladies were right. Seth loved her too. He hadn't quite said the words, but he hadn't needed to. The implications were there. The things he'd said… the way he'd acted… His insistence on marriage…

She'd been acting the bloody fool. He loved her, and she loved him. She was the only thing standing in their way. Her stupid instance that they wait until he spoke to her father only delayed their happiness.

Constantine well knew that Father had granted Auntie permission to act in his stead. She should have told Seth. Insisted he go directly to her aunt.

She pivoted to go to him, then turned back to the ladies. "You are right, and I must speak with him straight away."

Celia and Julia beamed at her as they nodded in unison. Julia waving her toward the dance floor, "Go."

Constantine needed no urging, she twirled around and took her first steps—right into the path of a footman carrying a silver tray laden with champaign glasses. They collided, and his burden slipped from his hands, crashing to the floor.

The music ceased, all eyes coming to rest on her. Her face flamed as she said, "I'm so sorry. Forgive me. I should not have been so careless." Constantine bent to reach for the floor and the mess she'd made. "I'll help set it to rights."

"No need, my lady." The footman set to work cleaning up as several other servants rushed over to help.

Julia reached for Constantine and urged her to stand. "Do not fret."

It was then that Constantine heard the chatting group of ladies behind her. She froze as their words assaulted her.

"Lady Disaster strikes again," one said, then giggled.

Another giggle joined the first. "I'm surprised it took her this long to create a scene."

"I daresay, that one has no business being among polite society."

Constantine had heard enough. She fled the ballroom, her eyes full of tears, and heart stinging.

* * *

Along with the rest of the company, Seth turned at the sound of shattering glass and clanking of metal.

His breath caught when he saw Constantine kneeling on the floor, her face scarlet. He didn't even hesitate to excuse himself before releasing Lady Chadwick's hand and marching toward Constantine.

His chest tightened as he prayed she'd not been hurt and silently vowed to see whoever had caused the accident punished.

Unless, of course, it had been Constantine. In that case, he would soothe her, for she could do no wrong in his eyes.

Constantine bolted, his gaze following her as she ran toward the terrace doors.

Seth changed his direction and chased after her, cutting a straight line through the lords and ladies who scrambled to get out of his way.

This was bad. Monumentally bad, indeed.

His heart thumped as he followed her out of the house and onto the terrace. He ran faster as she crested the stone steps leading into the lawn. "Wait," he called after her, but she only increased her own pace.

He took the stairs two at a time, then jumped from the fifth one up down to the hard ground below. "Constantine, wait."

She shook her head, but did not look back as she fled into the garden.

When he finally caught up to her, he reached out and grabbed her arm.

She stiffened, her breaths coming in gulps. "You have to forget about me."

"Never," he said, his hold firm as he stepped closer. "I cannot."

She turned to him, her tear-streaked face piercing his heart. "You have to."

Seth's mind raced. What the devil had happened? She'd been happy moments before.

They were to be married. She'd held him tight, smiled up at him, and jested merrily. Finding his voice, he said, "We're engaged, Constantine."

"Not anymore." She shook her head. "No announcements have been made. You are free."

"I have no wish to be free." He took hold of her other arm and stared into her distraught brown eyes. "Nor could I ever be."

She heaved a heavy sigh. "Why can't you see that a marriage between us cannot work? That I would only bring you embarrassment. Did you hear what they called me?"

"It doesn't signify," he said, his voice determined.

"Lady Disaster." A fresh tear streaked down her cheek, then another. "They said I do not belong in society."

"Hang society," he seethed. "I don't give a fig what they say or think."

"Lady Disaster, Seth. Is that what you want? A wife who is ridiculed? One who cannot manage social events without causing a disaster?" She glared at him. "You have to let me go."

"You belong at my side."

She shook her head with increased vigor. "You deserve a wife you can be proud of. I create disasters everywhere I go. This is far from my first faux pas . Have you any idea the sheer number of sardonic caricatures that exist to mock me?"

"I assure you, the ones favoring me far outnumber yours. I think Lady Disaster is the perfect partner for Lord Disgraceful." He smiled as he brushed a tear from her cheek. "I am far from perfect, and I daresay it's not a stretch to conclude that I am more scandalous than you. I want nothing more than to be featured alongside you for the rest of my days."

"Be serious."

"I am serious." He pulled her into his arms, inhaling her scent of rose and hibiscus. "I love you, Const?—"

"Don't." She pulled away and turned her back to him. "Don't say that."

Then she ran.