Break some rules

hone, from the floors and windows, to the enormous crystal chandeliers and wall sconces that held thousands of twinkling candles, to the marble columns that lined one length of the room

nd be seen by those whom they had missed while away from London for the winter months. Callie had imagined that this ball would be special for both Allendale sisters, however. And yet, here she sat, in Spinster Seating. As usual. She should be used to it, of course-used to being ignored and sloughed off with the rest of the women who were on the shelf. Truthfully, in the early years, she

at the man had more than the usual number ofteeth? "Oh." Belatedly, Callie remembered to dip her head and appear flattered instead of thoroughly bewildered. "Thank you, my lord." Oxford looked entirely proud of himself. "Perhaps you would do me the honor of a dance?" When she did not immediately respond, he lifted her hand to his lips and lowered his voice, adding, "I've been meaning to ask you all evening." The unexpected interaction set Callie back on her heels. Is he soused? As she considered the eager invitation, Callie heard the orchestra tuning to the first tentative notes of a waltz and was immediately resistant to the idea of dancing with Oxford. The waltz had not come to England until after Callie had been labeled a spinster, and she had never had a chance to dance it-at least, not with anyone other than Benedick in the privacy of their home. She certainly did not want her first waltz in public to be with Oxford, grinning like a fool. With a quick look into the refreshment room, she considered her best avenue for escape. "Oh. Well. I-" she hedged. "Calpurnia! There you are!" Miss Heloise Parkthwaite, in her fifties and quite nearsighted, came from nowhere to clutch Callie's arm. "I've been searching everywhere for you! Do be a dear and escort me to have my hem repaired, would you?" A wave of relief coursed through Callie; she was saved. "Of course, Heloise, dear," she said. Tugging her hand from Oxford's grasp, she offered a regretful smile in his direction. "Perhaps another time, my lord?" "Indeed! I shan't allow you to escape me next time!" Oxford punctuated his sentence with a booming laugh, and she responded with a tiny, stilted chuckle before turning away to lead Heloise in the direction of the ladies' salon. Callie took Heloise's arm, and the older woman began chattering about the daring bodices that were clearly in fashion that year. Between nodding and murmuring in a manner she hoped appeared both intrigued and entertained, Callie allowed her mind to wander-turning from the odd interaction with Oxford to thoughts of her list. She promptly decided that if she was to suffer through an entire evening of bizarre conversation and Spinster Seating, she well deserved another attempt at adven

he did not need one. There was a beat as he took in her words. "Excellent. That makes it much easier to claim a dance, then, doesn't it?" Ralston turned back to Heloise. "Do you mind if I thieve your companion, Miss Heloise?" Dumbfounded, Heloise could do little more than shake her head, and sputter, "Not at all!" Callie stood still, feet rooted to the floor, refusing to be led onto the dance floor. She couldn't waltz with Ralston. He couldn't be her first waltz. It would most definitely ruin her for all others. Men like Ralston are not for women like you, Callie. No. Indeed they were not. Especially not when they were threatening to waltz with her. In the interest of self-preservation, Callie shook her headfirmly. "Oh, I couldn't possibly, my lord. You see, I've promised Heloise I would accompany her to-" "Nonsense!" Heloise said, her tone high-pitched and breathless. "I shall be quite fine! You must waltz, Lady Calpurnia." At the last, the older woman beamed up at Ralston, nodding excitedly. And the decision was made. Ralston swept her into the center of the room for her first waltz. As he guided her across the floor, Callie saw her mother at the opposite end of the room, standing with a beaming Mariana, watching them. The dowager countess looked utterly shocked. Callie gave her a little nod of acknowledgment, trying her best to appear as though handsome marquesses approached her at every ball she attended. De

occurrence." Callie laughed. "On the contrary, my lord. A gentleman would most certainly deny such an occurrence." He smiled, a rakish grin, and Callie was thankful for the companionable silence that fell between them, for she was not certain she could find words in the face of his rare smile. She lost herself in the dance, in the sound of the music, in the sway of their bodies. If this was to be her first and only waltz, she wanted to remember every moment. She closed her eyes, allowing Ralston to guide her around the room, and Callie became keenly aware of his gloved hand barely touching her waist, the brush of his long, muscled leg against her own as they swirled across the floor. After several moments, she became disorie

ourage discussion. "I will not have her out of place." "With her only here for two months-" "You cannot honestly believe that I would allow her return to Italy." "I-" Callie noted the firm resolve in his tone. "No, I suppose not. But, my lord," she said delicately, uncertain of how to point out the expense of such an extravagant request. "Money is of no import. She is to have the best." "Very well." She acquiesced quietly, deciding that she'd much rather dance than argue the point. He allowed her a few moments of silent movement before saying, "I would also like to discuss the necessary requirements to secure entrance to Almack's for her." Callie's eyes widened a

lent, but she could sense the change in him. The arms that held her were stiff with corded tension. After several moments, he met her gaze. "I don't want to hurt her." "Neither do I." And she didn't. He paused, as if he could read her thoughts. "Will this work?" "I shall do my best." The truth. The corner of his mouth raised quickly-if she hadn't been so focused on him, she might have missed it. "So certain of yourself." "One does not spend one's life on the edge of ballrooms and not learn exactly what it takes to be belle of the ball, my lord." "If anyone can help Juliana navigate these shark-infested waters, I think it quite possibly could be

ord. And, may I say that I am quite eager to meet your sister? Callie has said wonderful things about her." "Lady Calpurnia has been a good friend to Juliana in the week since her arrival." He looked to Callie, and added, "I am of the opinion that there is no one better to ensure my sister's success." "You are absolutely correct, of course, my lord," said Lady Allendale. "Callie's reputation is impeccable. And, considering her age and situation, hers is the ideal tutelage for Miss Juliana." Callie winced inwardly at her mother's words, which-whether intentionally or not-drew attention to her status as untouchable spinster. The real meaning of Lady Allendale's statement couldn't have been more obvious if she had announced that Callie had taken vows as a nun. Lady Allendale plunged o

ely respond, her thoughts instead focused on the evening's surprising turn of events. Keenly aware of the heat of Ralston's arm under her hand, of the eyes of London's best and brightest following their path around the ballroom, Callie couldn't stop herself from wondering just how different this particular evening could become. "Do not thank me too quickly, my lord," Callie began tentatively. "After all, as you so tactfully stated, I have not yet made my request for payment." Ralston glanced down at her. "So I've noticed. I don't suppose you'll out with it now, so we can get it over with?" "I'm afraid not. I do have a rather strange question, however, if you wouldn't mind humoring me." "Not at all. I would be happy to oblige." She swallowed, shoring up her courage, and attempting to sound as casual as possible, asked, "Are you able to recommend a good tavern intown?" As questions went, it was neither the most tactful nor the most delicate, but Callie was too eager for his response to attempt anything other than a direct approach. Ralston was to be credited for not betraying the surprise he must have felt at the query. In fact, with the exception of a quick glance in her direction, he continued navigating the couples blocking their path deftly, without pause. "I beg your pardon? A tavern?" "Yes. A public house." She nodded, offering him a smile, hoping he wouldn't press her. "What fo

k. He was more handsome than he had ever been. Ralston took advantage of her unguarded state, closing in on her until her back was pressed against the wall. She noticed belatedly that the small alcove was remarkably quiet, considering the mass of humanity that was just out of sight. He had selected a space that was almost entirely blocked by a massive column and a cluster of large ferns, affording them a measure of privacy. He did not seem to care that the entire ton was mere inches away. She grew nervous. He reached out and ran a finger down the length of her arm, leaving a trail of fire where he touched her. Taking her gloved hand in his, he turned it over, baring her wrist to his gaze. He brushed his thumb over the delicate skin there, sending her pulse racing. Callie's entire world had been reduced to this single moment, this single caress. She could not tear her eyes from the point where they touched. The warmth of his hand, the even stroke of his thumb, consumed her as it threatened her sanity. She did not know how long he stood caressing her before he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed his mouth to the bare skin of her wrist. Her eyesclosed