Cross grinned and leaned forward. "Music and movement."
"I can see your point, but I have yet to see it executed. They are fine words you say, but they hold no power unless applied." Essie seemed to dare.
"Is that a challenge I hear in your tone?" Cross asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Me? Challenge you? Never." Her eyes glowed with mischief.
Cross leaned forward. "Challenge accepted." His gaze lingered on her lips. "The question is if you are up the gamble." Any restraint he had employed before was stripped away as he lowered his hand on her back slightly and splayed his fingers so that his grip was widened, holding more of her.
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't make any movement to escape or loosen his grip, rather she surprised him by taking a step closer.
Saints above.
Tilting his head slightly, he leaned forward and inhaled the soft scent of her, allowing it to fill his senses as they spun. He led her effortlessly as he gently applied pressure along her waist, as he guided her through their outstretched hands, allowing the music to pull them into the grip of its magic. Leaning back, he allowed his gaze to focus entirely on her, not sparing a glance for the rest of the dancers, but memorizing the tilt of her chin, the way her smile began to transition into a humble blush.
A blush he had provoked.
"I had no idea you were so…" She seemed unable to find the word as she broke eye contact and glanced down, her color deepening.
"Charming? Handsome? Feel free to pick one," he teased, never once taking his gaze from her face.
She glanced up, a wry grin twisting her lips. "Daring," she replied.
"You say it as if were a bad trait," he shot back, playfully.
"Not necessarily, bad… simply surprising." She hitched a shoulder as the music faded.
He released her waist and immediately missed holding her, but settle for her petite hand resting on his arm.
"Apparently I'm full of surprises tonight," he murmured, glancing to her.
Rather than respond she bit her lip and looked away, a playful twisting of her lips tempting him.
She took a breath and returned his gaze. "Actually, I find you rather—"
"Essie!" Anna's voice attempted to whisper but it truly sounded more of a shout and quite effectively interrupted whatever Essie was about to say.
Damn it all.
"Anna?" Essie's brow furrowed as she watched Anna approach, her skirts swishing in the urgency of her gait.
"Essie! He's here and…" Anna's gaze slid to her brother then back to Essie. "He's here and with Miss Montray."
"He? Who in creation is 'he' Anna?" Cross asked in an irritated tone.
As Anna opened her mouth to answer, Essie did for her. "Trighton." She whispered the name.
Immediately Cross focused his attention on Essie, trying to read her expression.
Her shoulders lifted with the deep breath she drew, as if fortifying herself. "All it proves is that I was indeed fortunate to escape such a fickle gentleman," she replied bravely, putting on a courageous smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Anna offered her a comforting smile as she reached out and grasped Essie's other hand, the one that wasn't still resting on his arm. Reaching over he placed his own hand over hers, hopefully offering reassurance.
"He was never worthy of you, while the temptation is to believe that there is something wrong with you, understand that it is a character flaw within him that allowed him to miss the treasure that you indeed are. If you'll excuse me." Cross patted her hand and left, needing to distance himself from Essie and Trighton before he acted brashly.
And he had already shocked Essie enough tonight. Fisticuffs with her former betrothed and stealing a kiss from her were not going to help his case.
And he was quite certain he needed all the help he could get.
CHAPTER THREE
"Is it just me, or is my brother acting odd?" Anna asked as her gaze followed the retreating form of her brother.
Essie tilted her head slightly, studying the man she thought she knew so well.
Not any longer.
When did Cross make the transition from comfortable friend to mysterious gentleman? It was as if everything she thought she knew about him had been thrown into question.
It was alluring.
It was alarming.
It was making her feel things she didn't trust herself to dwell on.
Her hand felt cold, missing the heat his arm had lent her. When they had waltzed, it had been like a scene from a fairy tale, the music punctuating each movement, each step.
Each breath.
What was muddling her mind was that all this was taking place with Cross.
Cross.
No matter how many times she said his name in her mind, it didn't add up. How had she spent most of her life in his company and never… noticed him? Was that it? And why in heaven's name was he not married? His blue eyes were sinful, deep and mischievous. His broad shoulders declared him powerful, strong. Essie watched him walk away, the confident and determined stride of a man who knew his place, who knew what he wanted.