Cloaked Heart

.·:*¨༺ Twenty-One ༻¨*:·.

Upon entering, Sir Luke Harley immediately claimed Win's attention, however, of late, Win had found his company less diverting than before, owing to the fact that he had become a little too intense for Win's comfort. Although Win could easily understand his motives, he just could not see himself being more than friends with the young aristocrat.

"Everyone here tonight must be in high dudgeon, Sir Win," Sir Luke told him. "When you are present, they simply cease to exist."

"That is both unkind and untrue," he retorted. "Have you heard that my cousin Miss Brigette has already received three offers of marriage?"

If Win was waiting for any kind of reaction, Sir Luke has none, in fact, he did not seem to care much about the affairs of Miss Brigette Buell. This made Win sad because he was aware of how much his cousin liked the gentleman.

"The gentlemen concerned cannot be of any consequence, Sir Win, else the lady would have accepted one of them."

"Mayhap she is simply in love with another."

"Then I most heartily sympathize, for I know full well what it is like to suffer the pangs of passion."

"What a tongue-pad you are, Sir Luke."

To his relief, an acquaintance claimed the other man's attention leaving Win to his own device which was something he welcomed so heartily, for he can scarcely breathe whenever Sir Luke was beside him. He glanced to see the Duke of Vanderveer and Bright's cousin, Sir Off dancing with his consort, Gun. They looked wonderful together and everyone who see them was positively taken by their unabashed display of affection.

"Come, Sir Montgomery," whispered a voice in his ear, "Let us show them how it is to be danced."

Startled to see that it was the marquis at his side, Win immediately began to back away. "Oh no, I beg of you, I cannot..."

The marquis was not to be gainsaid and as he led him onto the dance floor, less crowded than before, Win caught sight of Lady Vanderveer smiling, looking astonished at the sudden partnership, and both Off and Gun also sat down to give way to the marquis and baron of the beau monde.

Bright grasped him by the waist and drew him close to him. The sweet smell of his eau-de-cologne made Win's head swim and to be held so close was even more discomforting.

"This is a far more congenial manner of dancing, Sir Win," Bright murmured as he gazed down into his eyes, "Do you not agree?"

Win was unable to reply for he was all at once breathless, quite unaware of all the eager eyes watching them. As he swung him around to the strains of music it seemed as if they were the only two people on the floor. As the music swept him, he became oblivious to any disapproval he might attract and he began to enjoy himself. Win became elated and unaware of many of the hostile stares around him, the whispers being conducted behind open fans.

As the last strains of waltz died away, he heard the familiar voice of his aunt saying to Brigette who stared at Win with his usual hostility, "I always suspected Win was a flighty baggage. It must be hereditary, for my poor dead brother had a decidedly immoral streak."

Win's elation disappeared at the moment, for he was aware that there might be many others who would regard him in a similar way, and Lady Luisa could be relied upon to perpetuate the myth. Looking up into the smiling eyes of his partner who seemed somewhat reluctant to relinquish his hold on him, Win asked imploringly, "Lord Vanderveer, have I committed a blunder?"

"How can you possibly think so? Nothing can spoil your triumph now."

Win was not so sure and when he looked around to see the Duke Consort Sir Gun moving purposely towards them, his face began to turn scarlet.