Decisively, he took my right hand in his large fingers, the heat of his palm pressed firmly against my lower back, guiding me, once again, into the dance. As we began to move, I was conscious of every muscle, every movement of his body against mine. He leaned close, his warm breath stirring the tiny hairs by my ear, sending a jolt down my spine. “If you’re no’ inclined to accept my invitation, then I’ll rescind it and make it a command, since you clearly dinna understand what you are refusing.”
His words splashed over me like ice water, cooling my over-zealous hormones. I’d had just about enough of his arrogant attitude—prince or no. Leaning back in his viselike arms, I watched a muscle in his jaw clench. Well, he wasn’t the only one who could get angry. Heat ran up my neck, flooding my cheeks. How dare he treat me like some scantily clad wench from a romance novel!
“Oh, I think I know exactly what I’m turning down,” I bit out.
As we turned in a waltz-like series of steps, I picked up my foot and slammed my heel down on top of his boot. He stumbled but recovered quickly. I had to admit I was impressed. Duncan was right; his brother was a strong dancer.
Jamie’s eyes widened in surprise. “You did that on purpose!”
He looked so dumbfounded—and so darned condescending—I couldn’t help sticking my tongue out at him in childish defiance.
To my great satisfaction, he stumbled again. Not wanting to go down with my partner, I grabbed onto his upper arms and gasped. The power I’d seen him wield in the tournament couldn’t compare to holding that strength beneath my hands. Giddy tingles pulled at my belly. In a desperate attempt to keep myself from turning into a spineless puddle of goo, I started talking.
“My good prince, what makes you think I’d ever bait you on purpose? I have the highest respect for you and your position, after all.” I batted my eyelashes up at him, smiling innocently. With a flash of white teeth, a long dimple appeared in his cheek. Momentarily staggered by the force of his blinding smile, it was my turn to stumble.
“You be a fair dancer, Verranica, but I might recommend a lesson or two to help with your ungainliness.”
It was a good comeback. I tried to stop the giggle rising up in my chest, but it was no use. Spinning and whirling, our bodies moving as one to the music, I felt lighter than air, and my laughter bubbled out.
Distracted by my own glee, I didn’t at first notice Jamie’s laugh—a deep infectious sound that lit up my heart. We smiled into each other’s eyes, and for a moment the room and everyone in it fell away.
Realizing that we’d stopped moving, the smile slipped from my face. The song ended but I remained sheltered in his arms. Hyperaware of the proximity of his body to mine, I became shivery and hot all at once. The heart-stoppingly beautiful boy from my visions had returned and as he searched my face, it felt as if we were having a conversation without uttering a single word. Feeling sure he could hear my heart as it hammered away in my chest, I took a steadying breath and caught my lower lip between my teeth. Slowly his gaze moved to my mouth. As he tilted his head, I leaned into the heat of his body, releasing my lip.
In the space of a heartbeat, Jamie’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head. He released me, stepping fluidly back into an elegant bow. When his eyes met mine again, they’d regained their aloof derision. “Thank you for the dance, m’ lady.”
I lowered into a brief curtsy as he turned away and walked back into the crowd. Immediately, he focused his blinding smile on Sofia Rosetti. Any hopes I had disappeared as I watched him escort her onto the floor.