Regency Beauty: Beneath the Major's Scars / Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager. Sarah Mallory

loud, cheerful banter.

      ‘By Gad, Zelah, you have worn me out! I think I must sit and rest my old bones beside Maria for a while. What say you, will you sit down or shall I find you another partner? Eh, who would you dance with next?’

      Her gaze never wavered.

      ‘I will dance with the major, if he will have me.’

      It was a bold statement. For a frightening moment she thought he would refuse. Then, unsmiling, he held out his hand. Triumphant, she put up her head and proudly accompanied him to the floor.

      The musicians had decided that their audience needed some respite from the energetic dances and now began a slower, much more stately beat. Zelah had time to observe her partner and to be observed. Her own gaze dropped beneath his unwavering scrutiny and she felt herself blushing like any schoolgirl. She would have missed her step, if her partner had not been adept at leading her. His grip tightened and she gave him a little smile, grateful for his support.

      ‘You are a very good dancer, Major.’

      ‘Thank you. I was used to be so, but I am very much out of practice.’

      ‘Ah, but you have been used to dancing in the grandest ballrooms. Your idea of out of practice is polished perfection to our little assembly.’

      ‘You flatter me, ma’am.’

      ‘No, I do not.’ She met his look, suddenly serious. ‘You are not lame when you are dancing.’

      ‘Not when I am dancing with you.’

      The sudden and unexpected heat of his glance seared Zelah and a flame of desire threatened to engulf her. She fought it back. That way led only to disaster.

      ‘Nonsense. You have danced several times this evening without any halting step.’

      ‘How can you know that?’

      ‘Because I was watching you.’

      The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

      ‘How very gratifying.’

      Too late she realised he had tricked her. Triumph danced in his eyes and drew an answering gleam from her own. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip to prevent the smile that was trying to spill out.

      ‘I was dancing too, so you were often in my sight, I was not deliberately looking out for you.’ Her lofty response resulted in a chuckle and she tried to scowl at him. ‘Fie, sir, you twist my words to pander to your own vanity!’

      ‘You are twisting your own words. I have said very little.’

      ‘No, but you looked—’ She laughed. ‘You are making May-game of me, Major. Is this how one flirts in the highest circles? I fear I am a very unworthy opponent.’

      The music came to an end and she sank into her curtsy. He reached out for her proffered hand to pull her up.

      ‘There is nothing at all unworthy about you, Miss Pentewan,’ he murmured and she watched, speechless, as he carried her fingers to his lips.

      Once it was seen that Major Coale was no longer confining his attentions to the married ladies, those parents with daughters to marry off began to flock around him and he obliged them all by remaining on the floor for the rest of the night, but Zelah could not quell the little thrill of triumph when he led her out for the last dance of the evening.

      ‘You must be well practised by now, Major.’

      ‘You have done me a great disservice, madam. Since dancing with you I have been besieged with partners.’

      ‘Tell me you did not enjoy it.’

      His smile was genuine, softening his face, and again she felt the ache of attraction.

      ‘I have not danced like that since … since I returned from the Peninsula.’

      ‘Then you should do so more often, Major. You look the better for it.’

      His hand tightened on her fingers and her body cried out to respond to the warm invitation in his eyes, but she shook her head at him.

      ‘I will not allow you to flirt with me, or to tease me, Major. I have a serious point to make and will not be distracted. You see how everyone accepts you and you are much more at ease with them. I consider this a good night’s work.’

      ‘Have I become your charity? Your good cause?’

      A quick glance assured her he was not offended and she smiled up at him