Chapter Ten
“Well, Miss Knight?” Nick asked again. “Shall we teach my brothers to waltz?”
She blinked several times, as if her pretty blue eyes were trying to focus. He’d caught her off guard—after catching her inspecting his arse. Her fiery blush was evidence that she wasn’t the sort of woman who ogled men’s backsides. Even her chest had gone pink above the narrow lace trim of her bodice. Standing over her, he could just see inside her gown where the gentle swell of her breast caused the fabric to gape. If he leaned over slightly—
Stop. It.
His reckless offer to help her teach the twins to dance was only partly explained by his desire for her to tutor his brothers. And now he was thinking of peering down the front of her gown. It mattered not a whit that she was both pretty and kind, and already making remarkable strides with Kade. Victoria Knight was still his servant, and he didn’t dally with servants.
Nick didn’t dally in general. In fact, he hadn’t taken a woman to bed since he’d returned home from the war. He thanked God that Victoria was an exceedingly proper governess and a perfect lady, since he was finding her more enticing than he cared to admit. But he suspected she would no more flirt with her employer than she would run away and join a troupe of acrobats.
“Do you mean it, Nick?” Grant asked, looking boyishly hopeful. “You’ll really help us?”
“Of course,” he said. If he could persuade Victoria to help, at least something good would come out of his foolish impulse.
Sometimes, Nick could hardly believe the twins were old enough to start their own families—old enough to do something meaningful with their lives instead of acting like callow youths, tumbling from one mishap to the next. It had been a mistake to leave them without guidance for so long, with only Angus to ride herd.
Only last Sunday, they’d been caught breaking into the kirk with the intention of stealing the weekly collection. They’d done it on a lark, without a thought for the consequences. Nick had been forced to make a large donation to the kirk’s building fund to make up for their bad behavior, and promise the vicar that his entire family would start regularly attending services.
As for the twins spending so much time helping Angus with estate business? Nick had serious doubts about that.
“Pah,” scoffed his grandfather, puffing on his clay pipe. “As if the laird doesn’t have better things to do than teach ye how to prance about like a pair of ninnies. It’s bloody ridiculous.”
“I quite agree, Mr. MacDonald,” Victoria said, finally finding her voice.
Clearly, things had come to a sorry pass when the poor girl had to rely on her mortal enemy for support.
“Will wonders never cease,” marveled Angus, his bushy white eyebrows reaching up to his hairline. “The Sassenach agrees with me. Well, that’s it, lads. Miss Knight will not be teaching ye to dance, so ye’d best get over this nonsense of acting like bloody Englishmen.”
Graeme and Grant looked so crestfallen that Nick had to swallow a laugh.
“You misunderstand me, Mr. MacDonald,” Victoria said. “I meant that it wasn’t necessary for the earl to inconvenience himself. I’m perfectly capable of teaching the twins how to waltz without his help.”
“You mean you’ll do it?” Grant asked with comical hope.
“It would seem I don’t have a choice.” Her little scowl and disapproving sniff when she glanced at Nick were adorably grumpy.
“Huzzah,” said Graeme, jumping up. He grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him to his feet. “What do you want us to do first?”
She pointed to the space between the chaise and the window. “You should pull some of the chairs out of the way and roll up the carpet. That way you won’t trip and kill yourselves.”
“Never fear, Miss Knight,” Graeme said, “we’re as light on our feet as anything. Best sword dancers in the county, in fact.”
Royal snorted as he got out of their way. “Lumbering on your feet, more like it.”
The twins protested, but they did lumber about, dragging furniture and talking over each other as they wrestled with the carpet. Victoria peered at them with concern, as if she’d just realized what she’d gotten herself into. The twins were tall, braw lads, although still a bit gangly. Only Logan was bigger and stronger than them. He was a veritable mountain of a man, able to toss the caber with awe-inspiring ease.
Not strong enough to save Cameron, was he?
Nick slammed the door on that flood of ugly memories. No good ever came of thinking about the brother who’d fled from Kinglas years ago.
He flinched at the gentle touch on his forearm.
“My lord, is something wrong?” Victoria asked in an undertone.
“Not at all,” he said brusquely. He glanced at the twins, who waited impatiently for their lesson. “I’m just afraid the lads will crush those wee feet of yours.”
Her luminous smile seared away some of the ice around his heart. “My feet aren’t little at all. And I’ll be fine.”
“I’d be more than happy to demonstrate the steps.” He could think of few things more likely to dispel his ugly old ghosts than taking a pretty girl into his arms. It was a foolish temptation, but right now he wouldn’t mind playing the fool.
Her gaze darted away for a moment. But soon she looked back, her governess expression firmly restored. “Thank you, my lord, but I’m sure you wish to return to your correspondence.”
That she found his offer was neither welcome nor appropriate was clear. She was correct, of course, and he should feel relieved.
He didn’t.
“Later,” he said. “I have a feeling that watching my brothers learning to waltz will be more entertaining than writing a letter to my banker.”
She gave him a wry smile by way of reply before joining the twins.
“Do you want me to play a waltz, Miss Knight?” Kade asked. “I’m sure I could stumble along all right if you had one in your music.”
“No, that’s all right, Kade. I’m going to show your brothers the basic steps, and then I’m going to play a waltz for them.”
Grant peered down at her. “But who are we going to dance with if you’re playing the piano?”
“You’re going to dance with each other,” she said calmly.
The twins stared at her and then at each other, clearly appalled.
“But . . . but I can’t do that with another man,” spluttered Graeme, “even if he is my brother. Especially if he’s my brother.”
His tone suggested she’d all but asked them to perform an unnatural act.
She tilted her head. “But you dance with other men when you perform reels and the sword dance, do you not?”
“Aye, but we’re not hugging each other,” Grant said in a disgusted tone.
“Muttonheads,” Angus muttered. Still, the old fellow was starting to look amused.
“Young ladies dance with each other all the time when they’re taking lessons,” Victoria said.
“That’s different,” protested Graeme.
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin. “Why is it different?”
“Because it just is,” said Grant, awkwardly waving his arms.
Royal, who’d settled onto the chaise, flashed an evil grin. “Such impeccable logic.”
Graeme shot him a scowl. “Bugger you.”
“Watch your language,” Nick said sharply. “You’re in the presence of a lady.”
The twins pulled almost identical grimaces. “Sorry, Miss Knight,” said Graeme.
“Sorry, Miss Knight,” Grant echoed.
“Apologies accepted,” she said. “And if you don’t wish to learn how to waltz, I will completely understand.” She nodded and started to turn away.
Their loud protests brought her back around. “Ah, do I take it that you’re now willing to partner each other?”
The boys looked at each other. “I suppose so,” said Graeme. “If it means we eventually get to dance with real girls.”
“That is the point of this exercise, isn’t it?” she said with an approving smile.
By now, Royal was gasping with laughter, and Kade had clapped both hands over his mouth to contain his giggles. Even Angus seemed reluctantly impressed with the masterful way she’d managed the twins.
Watching his dainty, ladylike governess ruthlessly manipulate his brothers was the most entertaining thing Nick had seen in a long time.
Victoria shot Royal a stern look that had little effect on the rampant hilarity that Nick was glad to see. His brother never laughed anymore, and it was wonderful to see Royal’s eyes once more light up with genuine amusement.
“Just ignore him,” she said to the twins, who were glaring at Royal. She glanced down at their boots. “Now, those aren’t exactly dancing shoes, are they?”
“We don’t have any of those,” Grant said.
“We’ll have to order some if you’re serious about learning dances for balls and parties,” she said. “For now, you’d best just take off your boots. It’ll be easier to do the turns in your stocking feet.”
Once they’d obediently pulled off their boots, with Victoria looking rather horrified by the state of their socks, she showed them how to hold each other.
“You’re the male partner, Grant, so hold your lady just so,” she said, taking Graeme’s hand and placing it on his brother’s shoulder.
“Why does he get to be the man?” Graeme protested.
“Because he’s nicer than you are,” Victoria replied. “And for the purpose of this exercise, you are a frivolous young lady with a reputation for breaking hearts. All the mothers are talking about you, and not with approval.”
“They are not,” he said indignantly.
“That’s not what I heard,” she said, neatly making her point.
Graeme was developing a reputation among the local families, and not one that pleased Nick.
The lad grumbled a bit longer, which Victoria ignored. With light touches on their arms and precise instructions, she began to steer them through the steps. Unfortunately, the twins, who were normally athletic and quite graceful, kept stumbling over each other’s feet.
“Ouch,” Grant yelped when Graeme trod heavily on his toes.
“Let me show you, Grant,” she said in a patient tone. “And you watch carefully, Graeme.”
When she partnered with Grant, the lad flashed his twin a taunting grin. Nick couldn’t blame him. Any man in his right mind would be happy to hold the graceful Victoria Knight in his arms.
She jabbed Grant in the shoulder. “Pay attention,” she said sternly.
“Yes, miss,” Grant replied in a meek voice.
Slowly and carefully, she moved him through the steps, explaining and counting out as she went along.
“Do you see now?” she asked, bringing him to a halt.
He nodded.
“All right,” she said. “I’m going to add in the music, and I want you and Graeme to try it on your own. Just take it slowly and focus on the tempo.”
She hurried to the piano bench, where Kade slid over to make room. She flashed the twins an encouraging smile. “Ready?”
The lads, holding on to each other tightly, looked as serious as if they were about to charge into battle. “Yes, miss,” said Grant.
She began to play a familiar waltz, one Nick had heard countless times. The lads began to shuffle through the steps with Victoria coaching them over the music. After a few minutes watching them cautiously twirl about the cleared space, she increased the tempo.
“That’s it,” she called out. “Keep up the pace.”
Grim-faced, the lads stomped through the dance.
“Good God,” Angus muttered. “That’s bloody awful.”
“They are rather butchering it,” Kade said, wincing when Graeme almost tripped through a turn. It was a miracle they both hadn’t ended up on their arses.
“Ignore the critics,” Victoria called to the twins. “You’re doing fine. Just keep counting your steps.”
By this time, Royal was all but apoplectic with laughter, and Nick had to work to keep a straight face.
“I think I’ve got it,” Grant crowed as he flung his brother through a wide turn.
Too wide, as it turned out. They clipped one of the armchairs and Graeme’s stocking feet slipped on the polished floor. As he fell, Grant made a valiant attempt to grab him, but one of the terriers dashed forward, dove between Grant’s legs, and tripped him. Both twins went down with a crash so thundering that the teacups rattled and the floor shook.
Everyone froze, including the dogs. Then the twins started yelling.
“Get off me, you clod,” Graeme shouted, pushing at his brother.
“I’m trying,” Grant yelped. “My bloody shirt is caught in your belt.”
“Stop struggling,” Nick ordered, striding over. He managed to untangle them with a minimum of damage and hauled them to their feet.
“You’re not hurt, are you?” Victoria asked. She’d rushed over, fluttering around them like an agitated butterfly.
Graeme winced and rubbed his arse. “I think I broke my—”
“Careful,” Nick growled.
“They’re fine,” said Royal, who’d limped over to inspect them. “It takes more than a little fall to damage their thick skulls.”
Grant gave Victoria a mortified grimace. “I thought we had the hang of it, but I guess not.”
“We were doing fine until those confounded mutts charged over,” Graeme said with a glare at his grandfather.
The dogs, obviously aware they’d disgraced themselves, slunk back to take refuge under Angus’s chair.
“Sorry, lads,” their grandfather said. “But even the wee doggies could have made a better job of the dance than ye did.”
The twins cast an imploring look at their teacher. “Was it so very awful?” Graeme asked.
“Ah . . .” Victoria left it at that, clearly not wanting to hurt their feelings.
“Perhaps they need to see it done correctly,” Nick said. “By dancers who know the steps.”
She frowned. “I don’t think—”
“That’s the ticket,” Grant enthused. “Miss Knight, if we could see you and Nick do it properly, I’m sure we could figure it out in no time.”
“Nick’s quite the accomplished dancer, as I recall,” Royal drawled. “Lord Arnprior in his dress kilt has caused many a female to flutter and swoon at the regimental balls.”
“Really?” Graeme peered at Nick as if he saw him in a new light. “Women used to swoon over you?”
“Of course not,” Nick said, glaring at Royal.
His brother shrugged. “But you do like to dance.”
Nick couldn’t deny it. He found few things more enjoyable than taking a pretty woman into his arms for a waltz, or even an old-fashioned country dance. Besides, it was all in a good cause, wasn’t it? It was about helping the lads to polish their manners, not about indulging in the desire to hold his pretty governess in his arms.
“What say you, Miss Knight? Shall we give it a whirl?” He extended his hand.
She rolled her lips into a prim line. It gave Nick the distinct impression she would like to dance with him but didn’t think it was proper.
Proper? It’s bloody dangerous.
Still, how much trouble could he get into with a roomful of brothers, and a disapproving grandfather, standing watch?
Oddly enough, Angus didn’t look all that disapproving. In fact, he was studying Nick with an expression that seemed more perplexed than anything else.
“But I’m the only one who can play the waltz,” Victoria said, taking another stab at refusing.
“I can do it,” Kade said. “I recognized the Sussex Waltz, and I just found the music in your folder. It looks easy as anything.”
Nick almost laughed when she muttered under her breath.
“Oh, very well,” she finally said. “But I’m only doing it to help the twins.”
“Of course,” he said, adopting a puzzled expression. “What other possible reason could there be?”
When she blushed, he rubbed a hand over his mouth to conceal his amusement. She was a sweet lass and he truly couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself as much. Of course, that was a sad reflection on life at Kinglas these days. If teasing a wee Sassenach governess had become the highlight of his week—perhaps his year—he’d come to a sorry pass, indeed.
After Kade struck the first bars of the waltz and she finally placed her hand in his, Nick felt an odd sense of triumph, as if he’d won some sort of skirmish. He heard the sharp intake of her breath and saw the color in her cheeks deepen to a lovely rose.
Skirmish? Hell, he suddenly found himself in a full-out battle not to sweep the bloody girl up and carry her away to his bed. Thank God his family was in the room; otherwise, he’d be tempted to do something incredibly stupid. Victoria Knight was a gently bred woman and one of his servants, thus entirely out of bounds.
Besides, the last thing he needed was a woman—any woman—on a permanent basis. Shagging was now a simple, basic need and nothing more. Janet had certainly taught him that lesson.
Victoria finally looked up at him with a shy smile. Nick forced himself to smile back and then bowed as she dipped into a curtsy. Slipping his arms about her, he gently swept her into the first revolution of the dance.
She was graceful and elegant in his embrace—slender, fine-boned, and a small slip of a thing compared to him. But she danced with energy and grace, matching his movements with smooth self-assurance. She might give the impression of fragility, but she had a lithe body and pleasing feminine curves, evidenced by the swell of breasts that brushed against his chest when he swung her through a turn.
After a minute or so, during which she kept her gaze steadfastly pinned to his shoulder, she glanced up with a startled expression.
“You might be holding me too close, my lord,” she said in a breathy voice.
His first clue should have been the fact that he could feel her breasts as they pressed against him, along with other lovely bits as their bodies rubbed intimately together.
“My lord, your brothers are watching us,” she added tersely.
“Sorry,” he said, loosening his embrace. “I suppose that’s not the example we wish to set.”
Her lush lips curved up with reluctant humor. “Probably not.”
He glanced over at his family. The twins were watching with fierce concentration, as if taking mental notes. Royal had gone back to the chaise and resumed brooding. Kade was smiling at the keyboard, lost in the music.
Angus, though, was stroking his bristled chin and regarding them with a canny, oddly intent expression. Nick could all but see the wheels and gears turning in his head.
In response to his questioning frown, the old man gave Nick a bland smile and waggled a hand, as if to say have at it.
“Your brother was right,” she said. “You’re a very good dancer.”
He glanced down. She was smiling, and her cheeks were flushed with pleasure. When she let down her governess guard, Victoria was more than simply pretty. She was like a princess from a fairy tale, with golden hair like Snow White and ruby lips like Rose Red.
And like a fairy-tale princess, she was casting a spell on him.
“I’m a little rusty,” he said. “It’s been quite a while since my last foray onto the dance floor.”
“One would never know. How long ago was it?”
“The eve of Waterloo. It was at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball,” he said softly. Almost every moment of that night and the horrific days that followed were etched on his memory with painful clarity.
“Oh.” Her blue gaze went misty.
“That’s the last time Royal danced too,” he added. His brother would likely never dance again.
“I’m so sorry.”
He swept her through a few more turns, taking comfort in her warmth and enjoying the swish of her soft skirts as they brushed his legs.
“You needn’t be sorry,” he finally said. “He survived. We survived, while many didn’t.”
She slipped her hand a little higher, closer to his neck. “I can still be sorry, for both of you.”
When Nick involuntarily tightened his grip, her breath seemed to fracture. He didn’t want her pity. He wanted—
Kade concluded the piece with a flourishing trill. Momentum carried them through another revolution before Nick brought them to an awkward halt. In the sudden silence, he and Victoria stared at each other. Her gaze was wide and her pupils looked dilated, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding cornflower blue. When the tip of her tongue slipped out to wet her lips, it took a mighty effort to refrain from dipping down and capturing her luscious mouth in a devouring kiss.
She wriggled, silently asking for release. The delicious little movement had the opposite effect, but Nick forced himself to let go and take a step back.
When the twins began to applaud, Victoria smiled and dipped a curtsy, looking composed despite the blush coloring her cheeks.
“That last little bit seemed rather clumsy,” Grant said. “But the rest of it was bang up to the mark, as far as I could tell.”
“You are quite good, Nick,” Graeme said with reluctant admiration. “No wonder all the ladies love you.”
When Victoria shot him a startled glance, Nick wanted to curse. “That is entirely ridiculous,” he said in a stern tone.
“Not according to Royal,” Grant said with his usual artless naïveté.
When Nick directed a glower at Royal, his brother gave him a taunting grin. “I may have exaggerated your social prowess while on the Continent by a wee bit,” his brother said.
“There was no prowess,” he replied sharply.
It wasn’t his fault that more than one lady had pursued him from time to time. But he’d never chased after them, although he hadn’t necessarily turned them down when they’d offered, either. After all, he was a widower, not a monk.
And, like any man far from home and family, he had occasionally suffered from pangs of loneliness—not that he would ever admit as much.
“Sorry,” Royal said, not looking sorry at all.
Victoria was now regarding Nick with a wary frown. Leave it to his idiot brothers to ruin the one pleasant evening he’d had in months.
“Thank you for the dance, Miss Knight,” he said, giving her a smile and a little bow. “It was delightful, and instructive for my brothers, I’m sure.”
She gave him a dignified nod. “I’m happy to be of assistance, my lord.”
The starched-up governess had returned. That was probably a good thing.
“Would you mind doing that twirly thing again?” Grant said, spinning his hand. “I want to watch your feet when you do that.”
“Aye, Nick. Ye and the lassie should do it again,” Angus piped up. “Show the lads how to do it proper.”
Nick peered at his grandfather’s suspiciously cheerful countenance. Only minutes ago he’d been objecting to the very notion of teaching the twins how to dance. What the hell was going on?
“Oh, I think I’m quite worn out with all that spinning around,” Miss Knight said, edging away from him. “Perhaps we could resume the lessons another night.”
Holy hell. She was now staring at him with something close to dismay. Was the girl actually afraid of him? Given how she’d reacted while they were dancing, that didn’t make any sense.
Of course, Royal’s inane prattling had probably given her the impression that he was a rake. Everything inside him rebelled at the false image, but he forced himself not to protest.
“I quite agree, Miss Knight,” he said. “I’ll be in my library if anyone needs me.”
He took in the flare of relief in her eyes, then turned and stalked from the room.