Page 15 of His Unforgettable Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #4)

Fifteen

Of all the amusements open for young people,

none is more delightful and more popular

than dancing.

A knock rattled on Juliet’s bedroom door, interrupting her daydreams about Gray and their time together in the park one week ago. “Ten minutes until your first dance lesson, dear,” Livy called. “Are you excited for tonight?”

“Ugh,” Juliet whispered before raising her voice, “overjoyed.”

Holding her grandfather’s journal, she crossed to the bureau, reading the first line again. “Just as I am.” What did it mean, and why were the words important enough to record?

If only she could ask him. Instead, she slipped the little leather book into the drawer and closed it. She wished she could tell him about her time in Everly, things he’d probably never believe. Especially about all the manners she was learning.

Livy had taken the lead in the etiquette training, which recently included hotel behavior and accepting gentleman callers. Surprisingly, each lesson had dozens of rules. Most likely, she’d never spend the night in a hotel. And though the reverend had asked to call on her, she’d told him she was too busy getting the tearoom ready.

Ruby still hadn’t returned, and Juliet wasn’t one speck closer to solving the blackmail problem. Obviously, she didn’t have the jewels to hand Ruby. The only way to gather the funds was to steal them. Snakes alive, she’d never do that again.

An expensive teapot had gone missing from a storage crate in the workroom. Was it stolen, or had Livy absentmindedly misplaced the fancy item? She had a knack for forgetting where she placed things.

Juliet plopped on the bed and exchanged her shoes for a pair of black satin dancing slippers, compliments of Livy. Tonight, Gray would serve as her dance partner. She wished she could say she only thought of him as a brother or a cousin, but why lie to herself?

Yesterday she’d emptied a crate of dainty teacups packed with straw in the tearoom. Naturally she’d peeked at him as he stretched for a nail and noted how his biceps flexed when he hammered the little pegs. What young woman could ignore such things? Not any she knew.

She’d carried laundry to the washhouse the day before and observed him cutting firewood. She hadn’t meant to gawk, especially after Livy caught her in the act. Juliet made an excuse, expressing concern for Gray’s safety with the axe. Instead of a scolding, Livy confessed to falling head over heels for a stable boy growing up.

Fortunately, Juliet wasn’t tripping over Gray.

She left her bedroom as he exited his, a long hallway between them. He had donned black trousers and a pale green shirt. Obviously, this clothing hadn’t come from the mission or the attic, since the garments fit his form to distraction. She drew a settling breath as he moved to the top of the staircase.

For the record, a woman had the right to admire a man without being infatuated with him.

“Good evening, Miss Dash. I have not had the privilege of seeing you in ages.” Gray’s brow arched. “Or was it just before supper?”

Aah, the silly little banter ladies and gentlemen often exchanged. She dutifully nodded to acknowledge his greeting. “So formal, Mr. Sherwood, or whoever you are.”

He smiled. “An excellent point, and it would be my pleasure to escort you down the staircase this evening.”

Of course, she could manage her way to the drawing room on her own. But that wouldn’t be ladylike, now would it? What was the proper response to his comment? A moment passed before the perfect reply dawned. “That would be kind.”

“I trust you realize how lovely you look.”

“It’s the new dress. Livy brought it home from the mission for me to wear for tonight’s lesson.” The blue fabric hugged her curves more than Tabitha’s castoffs and featured a lower neckline than she’d ever worn. She tugged a handful of cloth up toward her chin.

“The dress would be unflattering without you.”

“I didn’t realize you were prone to exaggerations, sir. Have you been nipping at spirits this evening?”

Gray laughed from his chest, a deep, pleasant rumble. “Not a drop. Shall we proceed to the lesson, miss?” He extended his elbow for her to link on to, and she did.

“Let’s get this over with.”

“Why the hesitation? Where I come from, people dance for amusement and fun.”

“Hold on. You said where I come from .”

“Only a figure of speech.”

She nodded. “I’ve never danced, not even a jig. Thinking about embarrassing myself has me all tangled up.”

“Allow me to help untie the knot. Perhaps I’m also unaccustomed to dancing, and we shall both trample each other’s feet tonight.”

When she glanced at his black shoes, Gray lifted her chin with his knuckle and held her gaze without saying anything. If she were a different type of woman, she might swoon.

“If not by the end of the first lesson, you shall undoubtedly be adept by the second.” He lowered his hand. “If I am wrong, I shall forfeit my dessert tomorrow night, and you may claim it.”

“I hope it’s chocolate cake again.”

“And I hope it is not.”

Sometimes she wondered if Gray had her all figured out. He had a unique skill for making her more comfortable in uncomfortable situations like this one. “I’ll try to enjoy the evening.”

“I shall, as well.”

He squeezed her hand still in the crook of his arm, and she quivered. Holy Moses. She had to stop acting like a lovesick girl at his slightest touch. Gray was just her friend and nothing more. Yes, he flirted at times and was more than a little handsome. But that was all.

They left the hallway and descended the staircase. Before entering the drawing room, she removed her hand from his arm. Someone had rearranged the furniture, opening space for dancing. Peaches whistled from her cage. Livy, Tabitha, and Cy mingled near the piano.

Grinning, Cy raised his hand in greeting. He’d tucked his shirt into his trousers and removed the gravy stain from his collar. “You remind me of my late wife, Juliet. With your blond hair pulled back from your face and wearing blue. It was her most flattering color, much like on you.”

Another compliment, but coming from Cy, the praise had a grandfatherly note. “And you look dapper, as well, Mr. Kelly.”

Cy winked at her. “It’s sweet of you to notice.”

Livy widened her arms, the sleeves of her dress loose and flowy. “Welcome, welcome to dance class. And you do look lovely, Juliet.”

“It’s kind of you to say so, ma’am. And you sisters spiffed up just right, as well.”

Livy waved a turquoise feathered fan before her face. Still, sweat beaded on her upper lip, probably from rushing around searching for her misplaced etiquette book. “Thank you, Juliet. However, ‘spiffed up just right’ is not only a common term but unacceptable in polite society.”

In a nut-brown dress that closely resembled the rest of her wardrobe, Tabitha nodded. “Please refrain from using it again.”

“Of course. Thank you for making me aware of such things.”

“I’m pleased you find our suggestions helpful.” Livy pressed her precious manual against her chest, covering a sapphire brooch as big as a fist. Was the bauble as expensive as it appeared? Juliet sensed the answer was yes and prayed Ruby never got her hands on the jewel.

“Shall we proceed?” Tabitha pulled out the wood-carved piano stool, sat, and tugged the seat forward until her feet reached the pedals. “Livy and Mr. Kelly will demonstrate the dance steps first. Afterward, Juliet and Gray will have their turn.”

Gray gestured to his head. “Due to my faulty memory, you may have two students learning to dance tonight instead of only one.”

Was he speaking the truth or merely attempting to ease her awkwardness? She hoped for the second possibility and longed for him to recall dance steps and so much more. All the big things—his name, family, and home. And the smaller memories, like his first kiss.

Her trivial worries about making a fool out of herself dimmed in comparison.

Livy turned the pages in her trusty manual. “Thankfully, there is a whole chapter devoted to dancing. Isn’t that sublime?”

Unfamiliar with the word’s meaning, Juliet simply nodded.

“Let me see here.” Livy turned another page, then cleared her throat. “‘Dancing is a beneficial and popular amusement. It is to be performed with grace, ease, and modesty of movement.’”

“Wait one minute.” Cy rested one hand on the piano. “Nobody mentioned gracefulness when you roped me into this lesson. I said I could dance, but I didn’t say I had a lick of talent.”

“My sentiments exactly.” Gray slipped his hands into his trouser pockets.

“Nonetheless, we shall continue.” Livy’s cheeks were already flushed, giving her a youthful look. “‘Never entertain a flirtation on the dance floor. Never romp. Never devote solitary attention to one individual. Never cross a dance floor alone if you are a woman. And if you only concentrate on your steps and carriage, you may be mistaken for a dancing instructor.’”

For Juliet, such a scenario wouldn’t happen in a dozen leap years. “We can’t have that, now can we?”

“Bravo, Miss Dash.” Livy glowed as if Juliet had uttered something brilliant. “We expect you to learn the following dances—quadrille, polka, schottische, and waltz.”

At the daunting task, Juliet’s new and improved positive attitude and shoulders wilted. “All tonight?”

“Of course not.” Tabitha straightened her music on the piano stand above the keys. “We’ll start with the waltz.”

“Come along, Mr. Kelly.” Livy lowered her fan and manual to the small table next to where she stood before moving to the center of the cleared space. Her stiff crinoline expanded her skirt and narrowed her waist. “Let’s show the young people the box step.”

“By all means.” Cy followed to where Livy stood and faced her, his posture more erect than his usual stoop. Since his gout had improved, he now walked with ease. “Will you allow me to lead?”

Livy smiled up at him sweetly. “Yes, because that is how a lady behaves, Mr. Kelly.”

“I’m happy to hear it, Miss Sherwood.”

Once they placed their hands in position for the dance, Tabitha’s fingers stroked the piano keys. An unfamiliar yet pleasant tune filled the air. Cy waltzed Livy around the room as she continuously counted. “One, two, three, one, two, three.” They rose onto their toes slightly, then dipped again as they glided around the open area.

The dance struck Juliet as easy enough, at least from the sidelines. The couple’s movements and the music flowed until the song’s crescendo and final note. She glanced at Tabitha and Gray. Should they applaud the stellar performance? When nobody else clapped, she clasped her hands instead.

Far too soon, she followed Gray onto the makeshift dance floor, now abandoned by their predecessors. Juliet considered nibbling on her fingernail but doggedly fought the urge. Gray’s eyes lit with anticipation or amusement, and she wasn’t sure which one.

“The leader shall now place his right hand on the follower’s back or near her shoulder blade,” Livy instructed. “Go ahead, Gray.”

Even before his hand connected with the back of her dress, Juliet’s silly heart increased to a wild beat.

“Now, follower, place your left hand on the leader’s right shoulder or upper arm.” Livy raised her hand to an imaginary partner to demonstrate.

With a shaky breath, Juliet placed her hand on Gray’s shoulder. Unless mistaken, his muscles rippled under her touch. He had a handsome neck, thick and sturdy. The wound to his temple had left behind the start of a jagged scar, mostly hidden by his wavy hair.

“Superb,” Livy continued. “Next, clasp your free hands at the chest or shoulder height.”

Meeting her gaze, Gray cradled her hand. “Or you could say at the height of my heart.”

Heart , for heaven’s sake? Tonight had nothing to do with romance. If Gray thought to lighten the mood with his little quip, he’d fallen woefully short. Or was she the only one wrongly pairing heart and romance together?

And was she alone in thinking the sisters were practically shoving her into his muscular arms? Society had more illogical rules than logical, in her humble opinion. Besides, other than the dance after the open house, how much waltzing would she perform in the days to come? “How often does the average lady ordinarily dance in a year?”

Tabitha’s brows knitted. “I’m certain it varies from woman to woman, though it’s a fundamental skill for all young ladies. You must learn now because our dance won’t have enough partners.”

“I suspect you shall have a full roster of men longing to dance with you, Juliet,” Livy added.

Leaning his hip against the piano, Cy leafed through the music sheets. “Definitely.”

Gray frowned and squeezed her fingers tighter than necessary before releasing her hand. What was wrong with the man?

Livy proceeded to explain the specific dance steps. They’d move in a square. Hence, the name box step.

They practiced the movements for several turns, and she was surprised by how much fun it was. A delightful surprise, to say the least.

Afterward, Gray released her. “I believe you are a natural, Juliet. I only hope I keep pace with you.”

“False, and I look forward to savoring every crumb of your chocolate cake.” Still, a small thrill of excitement warbled inside her.

Tabitha clapped her hands twice. “What is the first rule for dancing?”

Cy rested his elbow on the piano, his chin on his palm. “Somebody needs to say it, and I volunteer. The first rule Livy read is rubbish. No flirting on the dance floor takes away half the fun. Or perhaps all the fun. Am I right, Gray?”

Tabitha pursed her lips even more than she usually did.

“Completely.” Gray’s mouth quirked up into a playful smile.

The sight sent her heart into a tumble. His grins were always so charming. He was so charming. And too blamed good looking.

Tabitha began playing again, calling Juliet to straighten her carriage and ease back into Gray’s waiting arms. Soon, they leaned into the rhythm and waltzed, though perhaps not as perfectly as Livy and Cy. The pulse of music led their steps.

“Gray, you’re very good at this.” Not for a minute did she think tonight was his dancing debut.

“I’m as surprised as you.” His whisper tickled her ear.

She supposed dancing was far from horrible with the right partner. And Gray was definitely the right partner. He was patient, careful, and gentlemanly. She felt him studying her face from time to time. Whenever she gazed up at him and their eyes connected, her blood stirred with warmth.

The man knew how to hold a woman with strong hands and make her feel coveted and priceless. The closeness, the growing intensity, the feel of his hands on her—it all excited and scared her at the same time, so she kept her eyes mostly on his chest.

When the song ended, they broke apart, and Cy applauded. “It’s almost as if the waltz was made for the two of you.”

“Balderdash.” Juliet swallowed hard, her eyes darting between Livy and Tabitha before turning to Cy. She swooped into an awkward curtsy before straightening. “Please forgive me. I meant to say, Thank you, kind sir .”

Tabitha stood and covered her lips with her fingers, perhaps to hide a smile. “On that note, tonight’s lesson draws to a close.”

“Yes, indeedy.” Livy tucked her manual under her arm. “Thank you, everybody, and I shall see you in the morning.” With a nod, she crossed the room, humming.

“I look forward to it.” Cy’s eyes twinkled as he watched her depart, or maybe Juliet imagined the glint. Was he flirting with his dance partner?

Livy glanced over her shoulder, smiled enthusiastically, and resumed her exit.

What was happening? Regardless, it wasn’t Juliet’s concern. She had enough to tend with. Especially her climbing attraction to Gray, which swirled her thoughts as much as her heart.