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tied in a knot. As he had approached, she drank in the sight of his black polished dancing shoes, brilliant white stockings, silver satin pantaloons and dark blue evening coat, set off with a silver and blue waistcoat and elegantly tied neck cloth.
    He smiled warmly at Rebecca. How different was his smile to that of Newthorpe ’s. His smile reached his eyes, but it also seemed genuine and had none of the disconcerting leer that she had always been aware of when Newthorpe had smiled. But then, Lord Ramsey was a rake of the highest order and probably used that smile to coax his legions of widows and courtesans into his bed.
    She shook her head slightly when she realised she was staring at him in what some may suggest was a vulgar fashion. Her father had asked Lord Ramsey how the Earl of Drumbane was keeping , and Lord Ramsey was in the process of giving him an honest though vague answer. Both men nodded their understanding, but the grave look on her father’s face told its own story. Clearly the Earl of Drumbane was very ill.
    “ Ah, the musicians seem to be ready,” Lord Ramsey said, turning to Rebecca. “I believe this is my dance, Lady Rebecca.”
    She inclined her head and placed her hand lightly onto his proffered sleeve. She felt a jolt of awareness drive through her, making the colours of the ballroom seem more vivid and the cacophony of hundreds of polite conversations sound duller. What had caused the strange sensation? She had never felt it with the Earl of Newthorpe. Could it be fear that Daniel would treat her the same way the earl had? Suddenly she was aware that the solid foundations on which she had built her life—love, truth, honesty, integrity—had been shattered by one callous act. She wanted to flee the ballroom, but she had chosen this course of action and she would see it to its conclusion. She refocused her mind on her dance partner.
    The sheer masculinity of the man enveloped her, frightening her in some ways and exciting her in others. All eyes would be on them—Lord Ramsey because he never danced at balls and her because of the scandal.
    His arm was rigid and strong, but it did not feel threatening. Again she compared him to Newthorpe. Why could she not have been introduced to Ramsey before she had agreed to be courted by him ?
    The first dance set was to be a number of country dances. He led her to a group of people lining up . She dropped her arm, and he moved to his place. Again he flashed a warm smile at her, causing an odd flip-flopping sensation in her belly.
    As they danced, they discussed the weather, which brought them onto talking about Drumbane house. She asked about the countryside around the estate, and he regaled her with descriptions of the loch and the river running through it every time they paired up for part of the dance. By the end of the set, she could almost smell the grass and the flowers in the rose garden.
    “ Alas, it seems our dance is at an end. May I say that I have not enjoyed a dance so much for a very long time?”
    Heat and colour flooded her cheeks though she dared not pull out her fan.
    “ I have it on good authority, my lord, that you are not one for dancing when you do attend balls, therefore I am unsure whether your comment is a compliment.”
    His chuckle was deep and lyrical as his dark gaze settled on her s.
    “ I fear you have found me out to be a dreadful flatterer, Lady Rebecca. Though it was meant as a very sincere compliment. So much so that I hope you will grace me with the honour of leading you into the supper dance.”
    “ If you do, my lord, you will be expected to make a morning call at my home tomorrow.”
    “ Indeed. I have asked you to dance the supper dance with me solely in order that I have a valid excuse to pay a visit to Chapelbrooke House as soon as it is polite to do so.”
    She did not know to what extent he was teasing her. Of course, he must have heard the rumours and could not seriously be considering courting her. She