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His voice was low and gruff, with a hint of something she couldn’t quite place.

Sadness?

“It’s beautiful. They must’ve been very proud of their work.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Maybe it was the mystery that night held, but Jenny felt a vulnerability radiating from him. It made her want to push to see if he would open up to her.

“Do you spend a lot of time out there?”

“No,” he bit out, and the spell was broken.

He abruptly stepped from her and cleared his throat. He motioned to a small woman standing next to the pianoforte.

“Miss Bennett, this is Millie. She’ll be our accompanist for this evening’s lesson.”

Jenny dipped her head and smiled at the woman. “Thank you so much for playing for us. I’m sorry it is late in the night. I hope we aren’t asking too much of you.”

The maid looked up from the ground and quickly glanced at David, looking for approval.

David nodded for her to respond.

“’Tis fine, Miss. I enjoy playing, and if I can help in any way, I’m honored to do so.”

Millie sat on the bench and started playing low and soft. The music was lovely and emotional, and it immediately drew Jenny in.

David came and stood beside her, and together they watched Millie play.

“She plays beautifully,” Jenny remarked, awed.

David nodded in agreement. “She does. She came to my family when she was young. She always played—she learned with my sister. They used to love playing together.”

Sadness. It was sadness that Jenny noted in his voice. Of course. He lost his sister a few years ago. It must be very hard for him to talk about her.

Hoping to lighten the mood, Jenny nudged him. “Well, shall we start? The sooner we start, the sooner I can take care of my feet after you step all over them.”

The corner of David’s mouth quirked up. “If I remember correctly, it was Lord Banefield who ruined your slippers that night. I actually recall you complimenting my dancing abilities.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “You must be losing your memory in your old age. That does not sound like something I would say about you.”

David smirked. “Well then, I guess I need to prove myself again.” He led her to the center of the room. “Now, tonight’s lesson is all about touch.”

The amiable mood Jenny had just created evaporated. Her core turned to molten lava at the word ‘touch.’

David held his hand out to her, his eyes challenging her to accept it.

She took a deep breath and slipped her hand in his, feeling little shocks of electricity run up her arm to fan the flame that was ignited in her core.

David wrapped one strong arm around her waist while the other held her hand up in his. “Place your other hand on my shoulder.”

Jenny chewed on her lower lip. She knew how to dance—she’d been doing it for years. However, there was something about being instructed by him that made this particular dance feel more intimate than any other dance she’d partaken in.

She lightly placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Good. Now, once we start to move, and conversation is flowing, I want you to ever so slowly move that hand closer to my neck.”

Jenny furrowed her brow in confusion. “That seems quite forward.”

David looked down at her. “It can be. But if the conversation is pleasant and you can tell he’s enjoying himself, light, little touches will be welcomed, I guarantee.”