Tempest's Embrace

Chapter 35

It took him all the strength in the world to tear himself away from her last night. But he could not risk getting caught.
It would ruin her.

So he left her in peaceful sleep and snuck out of her room in the wee hours of the morning.

He was the epitome of serenity and calm as he stood on the edge of the ballroom's dance floor. It would be his last night in town. He received news from the man who he hired to investigate the whereabouts of his father's widow.  She was reportedly in a town close by. The information, although vague, had spurred him into cutting his visit short and seek her out to make her pay. He had everything he needed after this is all over. He will return to claim Tempest as his bride and he will commit to her heart, mind, and soul.

But tonight as he watched London's elite pour through the doors, he could not shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. But he would not let those feelings get in the way of his plans for tonight.

Tonight he will ask her mother for her hand in marriage. With that, he felt an excitement he hasn't felt in a long time as he searched for her.

Then suddenly, through a gathering crowd of the Tons finest and elite, he caught sight of her. She stood in the midst of a cluster of finely dressed ladies in colorful gowns, all eager to catch the minimal opportunity to dance with a wealthy, eligible bachelor.

Tempest saw him immediately and her eyes lit up with delight. She had long since been pulled away from her mother's side at the entrance and now stood with her peers as they slowly walked towards the side of the ballroom. Inconspicuously, she glanced over at Justin,  undeniably handsome as he stared directly at her for a long moment before averting his gaze with a devilish grin. With a smile of her own, she demurely lowered her eyes and looked away turning her attention to the ballroom floor, with the intermixture of colorful skirts twirling, the slight sounds of laughter and hushed conversations over the soft sounds of Bach.

Suddenly, the slight gasps of the girls around her pulled her back.

" Oh my! who is that?"  one girl asked excitedly.
She turned slightly towards them and followed their gazes.
" I don't think I have seen anyone as attractive as he,"  another at her side whispered.
"Do any of you know who he is?" a shrieky voice cut in.  She turned to realize it was Ethel, Lord Percival's niece that asked.  Her flustered face turned pink like salmon and Tempest turned to follow her gaze.  Her heart fluttered at the sight of Justin easily striding towards them. They watched as his magnificent stature walked around lingering couples.
"He is simply gorgeous,"  Ethel whispered.  Tempest could not reply even if she wanted to. Simply dazzled by him, she stood rigid to the spot. Her gaze locked with his as he made his way towards her.
"Lady's smile he's coming our way," another squealed.  Off at her side, she felt them rearrange themselves and brush their gowns with their hands then clear their throats.  But not her.  Spellbound, she couldn't move.

For an endless moment, time stopped, then he was before her.  All eyes were on her in shock as others sighed dreamily.
"May I have this dance?" his husky voice was soft, low and rich.

A silent exchange of trust and love only they knew of, passed from his upturned hand to hers as she placed it softly above his.  Gently, he pulled her forward, and in all her elegance, she followed alongside him to the dance floor.  It fascinated him to no end having her close in his arms once more.  Her heat and sweet scent permeated his skin thoroughly.  He pulled her close as modesty would permit and they danced. They strolled with ease across the dance floor to the soft minuet of a waltz.  As she stared up at him, he knew he had never seen anyone more beautiful than she.

"I see you have created quite a stir," she said with a playful smile.

"No more than you," he replied with a gorgeous grin.