Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

A s the first sounds of the music were heard, the dance between Ciara and Jonathan became more than just a series of practiced steps. Their movements were fluid and synchronized, each turn and spin drawing them closer together. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them in the center of the ballroom.

Jonathan's hand rested lightly on Ciara's waist, his other hand clasping hers with a gentle but firm grip. The intensity of their connection grew with each passing moment, and he felt his emotions for her deepening, becoming harder to ignore. His heart raced as he looked into her eyes, the vibrant green capturing his attention completely.

"I always forget how light you are on your feet," she teased.

He chuckled, his grip on her waist tightening slightly. "And you, my dear, are full of surprises. Who knew you could keep up with me so well?"

"Perhaps you're just easy to follow," she quipped, her smile widening.

Jonathan smirked, leaning in closer as they continued to dance. "Or maybe I'm just an excellent leader."

Ciara laughed, the sound like music to his ears. "Modest as ever, I see."

Their banter flowed effortlessly, a dance of words that matched the rhythm of their steps. As they moved together, Jonathan felt an overwhelming urge to pull her even closer, to let her know just how much she meant to him. The intensity of his feelings was almost too much to bear.

"Tell me, Ciara," he murmured, his voice low and filled with emotion, do you always dance this well, or is it just because of me?"

She raised an eyebrow, her smile turning mischievous. "I suppose you'll never know. But I will say, you make it quite enjoyable." She glanced away from him then her smile was focused on him once more. "Just look how happy they are."

"Who?" he asked, wondering who she was referring to.

"Penelope and James," she gushed. "Isn't it wonderful to know that you have chosen your person, and you get to spend the rest of your life with them? That is true happiness…"

As they continued to dance, Jonathan felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him. He reminded himself, with a sharp pang of regret, that he could not afford to fall in love with Ciara. He couldn't allow himself to be vulnerable, to love, because he didn't believe in love. Love only broke people, the way it broke his father when his mother died, leaving him a shell of the man he once was, empty and cruel. Jonathan didn't want to become that. He would rather live life on his own terms, without love, even if that meant fighting it.

The music stopped, and with it, the magic of the moment. Jonathan abruptly shut himself away, his demeanor turning cold. He released Ciara's hand and stepped back, the warmth that had enveloped them now replaced by a chill.

Ciara noticed the sudden change and concerned, followed him toward the other end of the ballroom.

"Jonathan, what's the matter?" she asked her voice soft but filled with worry.

He turned to face her, his expression hardening. "Nothing is the matter," he said defensively. "I should remind you that soon, the ton will have another marriage to obsess over, so our time together is running out. Perhaps now is a good time to find a lover to take in to entertain yourself after we go our separate ways."

He regretted those words the moment he had said them, but it was too late to take them back. He knew the words were like a slap in the face as Ciara's eyes widened with anguish. Somehow, she remained calm. He knew that she was good at masking her hurt.

"Is that what you think I should do?" she asked, her voice steady, although he could see the storm of emotion brewing just underneath the surface.

Jonathan's gaze faltered for a moment before he forced himself to look away. "Yes," he replied, his tone harsh. "It is as we agreed, after all."

Without another word, she turned and walked away. He watched her go, a deep sense of regret gnawing at him. He knew he had hurt her, and the realization cut him deeply. But he convinced himself that it was for the best, that he was protecting them both from inevitable heartache.

As Ciara disappeared into the throng of guests, he felt the walls around his heart solidify once more. He couldn't allow himself to be vulnerable, no matter how much he longed to be with her. He couldn't risk turning out to be like his father, making all those around him utterly miserable.

Just one look at the marriage of his parents was enough proof that even what started with love would end in misery. It was simply better to walk away before he made both himself and Ciara miserable.

And so, with a heavy heart, he resigned himself to the painful distance he had created, knowing he might have just lost the one person who could truly understand him.

Ciara couldn't believe that Jonathan would say something like that, especially after all the time they had spent together. She felt a mixture of rage and hurt brewing inside of her, and she didn't know how to get it all out.

She noticed Adeline standing alone and seized the chance to approach her.

"Ah, there you are," Adeline smiled, then immediately after, her smile was erased. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, of course," Ciara nodded. This was neither the time nor the place for intimate conversations because in a place such as this one, even walls had ears. "I'm just a bur overwhelmed by everything. Sometimes, I think I'll never get used to these occasions."

Adeline placed her hand gently on her friend's shoulder. "You are doing just fine. Don't be so hard on yourself."

That was exactly what Ciara was doing. But at the same time, she had to remind herself of the boundaries that she had set before, those same boundaries which she and Jonathan had crossed. Returning to the initial place now seemed impossible. She was desperate to discuss everything with Adeline, but she knew that conversation would have to wait.

"I'll try not to be," Ciara replied, grateful for her friend's words. "What you have you been up to in my absence? Have you danced with someone?"

Ciara was also desperate to change the topic of the conversation, and fortunately, Adeline was more than happy to oblige.

"Oh, yes," Adeline gushed, and Ciara could tell that there was obviously someone special who had caught her friend's eye. "I just danced with a young gentleman who has swept me off my feet!" she exclaimed, only to look around, giggling, and press her hand to her lips.

Ciara loved seeing her like that, so happy and full of life. "Who is it?" she asked, curiously.

Ciara was grateful for the distraction that her friend's own commotion offered, but before they could continue, a couple of young gentlemen approached them.

"Your Grace," one of them greeted her. "I am Lord Prescott; you probably don't remember me, but I am an acquaintance of your uncle."

"Yes, Lord Prescott," she smiled. She didn't remember the man, but she didn't want to make him uncomfortable over it. "How do you do? This is my friend, Miss Adeline Middleton."

"A pleasure, Miss Middleton." Lord Prescott bowed before Adeline as well, proceeding then to introduce his own friend. "And this is also a good friend of mine, Lord Matthew Kingsley."

"Lord Kingsley," Ciara curtsied, and Adeline did the same.

"I hope you won't take it the wrong way," Lord Prescott continued in a suave, charming manner, "but you look absolutely radiant this evening."

He was smiling in a bright and inviting manner, and she couldn't help but smile back, especially when she noticed, with the corner of her eye, that Jonathan had been watching the entire exchange from the opposite side of the ballroom.

A spark of defiance ignited within her. If he wanted to push her away, she would show him that she could also move on, just like him. She turned her full attention to Lord Prescott, her smile growing warmer.

Lord Prescott continued to flirt, his words filled with playful compliments. Ciara laughed at his remarks, the sound carrying through the room. She knew Jonathan was watching, and a part of her relished the idea of doing something to spite him.

"And how is your uncle?" the man inquired politely, glancing around. "Is he here?"

"Yes, he is fine, and he is here," she responded cordially. "You should find him. I am certain that he will be happy to see you."

"Perhaps you and I could find him together?" the man asked boldly. "I must say, I am not really keen on these crowds and elbowing my way through them. And you, as a beautiful lady, have an open path wherever you wish to go. It would be quite useful to have you on my arm during my search for your uncle."

She knew that she had to tread cautiously. It was one thing to make her husband jealous by innocently talking to someone and flirting with her smile. But it was a completely different matter, leaving the ballroom with that man and putting herself in danger of gossip or something far worse.

"Yes, what you say is right." She nodded, still careful not to agree with his suggestion. "But I do believe I saw him here a moment ago. He will appear shortly, I'm certain."

He grinned with intention, obviously not particularly pleased with her response but adamant not to give up. "Well, while we are waiting, perhaps you would honor me with a dance?" he asked, extending his hand.

She hesitated only for a moment. But then, she remembered her husband's cold demeanor and his even colder words with which he tried to push her away. It was obvious that he didn't care about her at all. So, why should she care about him?

"Of course," she replied, taking his hand with a graceful nod.

As they moved to the dance floor, Ciara felt Jonathan's gaze burning into her. She ignored the pang of sadness in her heart and focused on the dance. She tried not to think about the fact that she could have been dancing with her husband now, staring longingly into his eyes and listening to the sound of his deep voice, forgetting about everything and everyone else. But no. All of this was her husband's doing. It was all his own choice. Now, he had to deal with it.

Lord Prescott was an excellent dancer, and she found herself enjoying the moment despite the turmoil inside her.

"I must say, I was rather saddened by the news of your recent marriage," Lord Prescott told her in a way that almost made her believe him.

"Saddened, My Lord?" she inquired, her smile unwavering but still remaining politely distanced.

"Well, yes," he admitted. "When you returned to London, I noticed you and… I suppose I was too late to show my… interest."

"That is most kind of you to say, Lord Prescott, but I suppose fate knows what it is doing," she said, assuring him that she was grateful for his words but that she would not entertain them.

"I suppose so," Lord Prescott smiled somehow sadly, but he was willing to agree with her which she appreciated.

The man danced beautifully although much differently than Jonathan. While Jonathan led her with confidence and determination, Lord Prescott was softer, allowing her moments of her own independence in the dance. Still, she missed Jonathan's guidance as she felt that it was exactly his presence, his guidance, and his affection that helped her grow out of the darkness she had found herself in, coming finally into the light. But she realized now that it was all a lie. The two months were almost coming to an end, and he couldn't wait to tell her that.

They twirled and glided across the floor, and Ciara allowed herself to get lost in the music and the movement. She glanced over at Jonathan occasionally, noting the tense set of his jaw and the way his eyes followed her every move. You reap what you sow, she thought to herself, refusing to lock eyes with him every time he endeavored to do so.

When the dance ended, Lord Prescott bowed to her, his smile warm. "Thank you for the dance, Lady Ciara. It was truly a pleasure."

"The pleasure was mine, Lord Prescott," Ciara replied, her tone gracious.

He bowed before her, offering other parting words. "I hope your husband knows how fortunate he is because I know you have been looking at him the entire time we were dancing."

"Oh, I…" she started, but his smile assured her he didn't hold it against her.

She didn't have to say anything. He nodded one last time to her and disappeared into the crowd, leaving her even more confused than she was before.