The Spencer Sisters Forbidden Loves and Broken Hearts

by Christine Donovan

  Begging his leave, he sought out liquid refreshments from a passing waiter and didn’t see his cousin sneak up on him.

  “So, you met her. What do you think?” William asked with a shake of his head and a glare in his eyes. Almost as though he knew...something. But what?

  Spencer downed his bubbly in one swallow, regretting it immediately as the fuzz made a comeback up his throat and nose making them tingle and him unable to speak. After a minute, he cleared his throat and replied, “Yes.”

  “Yes. That is all you have to say.” William huffed. “I, cousin, watched from across the room and saw your eyes light up as you bowed, most gallantly, before her. And just now, as I approached you, you were lost in your own mind and had a lovesick look on your face. You didn’t even see me approach. Shall we go and find Grandmother and tell her the good news?”

  “What?” Spencer could hardly breathe all of a sudden. “Me, getting married? Are you out of your bloody mind?” he yelled then cringed when several people glared their way. “It’s a waltz, nothing more, nothing less.”

  “If you say so,” William said with a half grin. “Go have your waltz, I’m going to find the gaming tables and relieve someone of his precious coin.”

  As William walked away and Spencer contemplated joining him at the tables, he realized his dance with Miranda was about to begin. He made his way back around the ballroom and bowed before her.

  “Lady Miranda, I believe this is my dance.”

  “So it is.”

  She placed her tiny hand on his arm, paused, frowned at him and then allowed herself to be escorted onto the dance floor. So she had also felt the scorching heat they created when they touched? Good to know he was not alone on that front.

  As he held Miranda in his arms, perfect form and distance between their bodies, he wished his insides would stop burning. He could hardly take his eyes off her beautiful face. Her eyes were a deep emerald green encased in long lashes. Her red-blonde hair, carefully piled high on her head with several curls cascading down her back promised to be silky and smooth to his touch. Unlike the so-called perfect English Lady, she had a smattering of freckles across her nose and high on her cheekbones. It only added to her allure in Spencer’s mind. She stood tall and willowy thin, not the highly sought after curvy and voluptuous. Only waltzing with her now, gave him imminent knowledge that she indeed had curves in all the right places. Her bosom pushed against her bodice, giving him a sneak peek of its creamy goodness.

  “Mr. Spencer, are you unwell?”

  “Pardon?”

  The concern in her eyes was touching—albeit unnecessary.

  “You groaned. I thought, perhaps, you were distressed.”

  “Distressed?” He was distressed all right, but not for the reason she would guess. If he didn’t concentrate on something other than the delectable lady he was dancing with, the entire ballroom full of people would see what was happening to the lower half of his body.

  “Forgive me, Lady Miranda, I am fine. Just in awe of your beauty and grace.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Spencer.” Her brows drew together in the cutest way, then relaxed. “You are very light on your feet for a gentleman and quite graceful as well.”

  He laughed. He couldn’t help himself which caused her cheeks to turn a most becoming shade of pink. “Indeed. It is because my grandmother not only insisted that my cousins and I take dance lessons, which all gentlemen take, but she also tested us until she was satisfied with our abilities. I fear she thought we would embarrass her. ”

  “How wonderful to have a grandmother take such interest in you. Pray tell, who are your cousins? Perhaps I would like to dance with them as well, knowing I would be in capable hands. The slippers I wear on my feet give me no protection from a man’s foot, and I so value my feet.”

  Spencer chuckled at her words. “The Earl of Bridgeton and his brother, Lord William Spencer.”

  “Are your cousins married?” she asked, then paused, her eyes widening. “Oh, dear. I have offended you. I am truly sorry.”

  Spencer’s heart sank at her words. He must learn to hide his emotions better around her. No doubt she had read his disappointment. “No offense taken. The Earl is married to Sir Phillip Trenton’s sister, Lady Katherine. William is presently unattached and according to him, he will remain so for the foreseeable future.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you?” He lowered his head and murmured close to her ear, and he heard her inhale right before her body quivered in his arms. “Don’t waste your time trying to snare William into matrimony. He will not relent to you or any other female in this room.”

  “Why not? Does he prefer men?”

  Spencer missed a step, and they nearly collided with Lord and Lady Northborough.

  “Aren’t you a little young to know about things such as that?”

  This time when she blushed it wasn’t just her cheeks that turned red. Her neck and the tops of her breasts flushed as well, and Spencer swallowed the moan trying to escape his throat.

  “I heard the servants talking one night. Is it true? Can men sleep with men?”

  Once again he almost collided with the Northborough’s who sent concerned looks his way. He smiled and mouthed an apology. Thank God it was someone like the Northborough’s. If he’d done, to other members of the ton what he’d just done to them twice, they would have given him a tongue lashing and caused a scene. How did he know? Once, last season, a young couple danced a waltz and one of them tripped, he did not know which, the lady or the gentleman, not that it mattered. What mattered was old Lord Easton danced with his new, young bride. He took offense and lashed out and embarrassed the young couple. The lady in question, ran in tears seeking the shelter of her mother’s arms while the young man stood on the ballroom floor looking mortified. Eventually, his brother came to his rescue. It was all the gossips talked about until the next member of the ton caused a scandal and became the object of the gossips’ desires. Spencer didn’t relish being on the receiving end of the gossips. It could ruin one’s reputation and life.

  “Lady Miranda,” before he could come up with a suitable answer, the music ended and he escorted her back to her parents and bowed off. While casually walking away, he looked over his shoulder once to see Miranda gazing back at him. He nodded his head and went in search of William.

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