The Lady and the Earl (4 page)

Carmon knew she was breathing rapidly.  She could
n’
t
look away.  What was she to do next?
 

“I believe
I
shan’t
have a moment to rest
tonight
,” Allana said with enthusiasm
.

Carmon jumped and pulled her attention to Allana.  They were alone once again. 

*
           *          *

Allana stared at Carmon.  The girl was completely red and obviously startled.  “Carmon, what is it?” 

Carmon shook herself. 
“Nothing.
  It was nothing.  What were you saying?”

Allana laughed.  “I was simply saying
—
”

“Excuse me, ladies, but I could
n’
t
help noticing two stunning beauties, such as
the two of you
, from across the room,” a smooth, sultry voice began from behind Allana. 

Allana recognized that voice.  Could it really be?  She spun around in astonishment to find Lucas
Hoffman
smiling his beautiful, charming smile back at her, and finally,
Declan
Cunningham slipped from her thoughts.

“Lucas?”
s
he asked in surprise, interrupting whatever it was he was saying.  She threw her arms around him instinctively
,
even though i
t
surely wasn’t proper for her to do so
,
then
pulled back to look at him
.  “Lucas Hoffman!  What on earth are you doing here?”    

Lucas’s
smile slipped as he stared at her
, a slight bit of panic
replacing it.
 

Allana giggled. 
He did not recognize her!
  “Lucas, it’
s
me,
Allana.”

H
is eyes widened. 
“Allana?” h
e practically croaked.  His mouth dropped open in sh
ock.  “I cannot believe…
I did
n’
t
even recognize you,” he
admitted. 

“What?  Did you think I
would stay a child forever?” s
he asked teasingly, flashing him a playful smile.

His eyebrows rose, and he eyed her
in a manner
that actually made her blush.
 
“Well, no.  It’
s
simply been a very long time
.
”

She batted her eyes unintentionally, her stomach fluttering.
 
“Yes, it has been a long time.” 

They stood looking at each other
.  Allana’s heart pounded rapidly
.  This was by far the most fantastic reaction
she’d
had toward
a man since she stumbled upon
Lord
Cunningham those
four
years ago
!
  A little jab in the back brought
her
from her elation. 
  

“Ouch,”
Allana
said, glaring at Carmon who in turn blushed crimson. 
“Oh, Carmon.
  I
a
m sorry.  Where are my manners?  Lucas, this is
my very good friend
, Carmon
Davenhue
.  Car
mon, this is Lucas Hoffman.  He i
s an old friend of the family
.” 

Lucas bowed politely to Carmon
,
receiving a cur
tsy and a shy smile in return. 
“It’
s a pleasure,” Lucas said.

The orchestra began to play, and before Allana could say anything further to Lucas, Edmund was there.

“Miss Allana, I believe I have this dance reserved,”
he said,
eyeing Lucas
with a frown
.  

“Edmund, o
f course,” Allana replied pleasantly.
  Inside she was devastated. 
Lucas was here, and she was stuck dancing with everyone except him. 
If only
she’d
known.  She would have saved all of her dances for him, or at least as many as were acceptable.

Edmund was offering her his arm
, but he was staring from Lucas to Carmon in alarm
. 
If she hadn’t been so caught up in her own self-pity over the situation, Allana may have noticed Edmund’s reluctance to leave Carmon in
Lucas’s
company.  Yet, she did not and forced herself to take his arm. 
She had to take it.  There was nothing else she could do.  She sighed inwardly.  Wait, there was one thing she could do.  She turned to Lucas.
 

“It was good to see you again, Lucas.” 
And with those words s
he
gave him her
most
elegant smile before allowing
Edmund to lead her
to the dance floor. 

*
           *          *

Lucas watched
Allana
go in silence. 
He was shocked!  That woman was little Lana? 
She was absolutely beautiful
, and that smile!  It was stirring the most inappropriate desires within
. 
How wrong
he’d
been in his assumption that Allana would be homely and uncouth.
  She was the most stunning, delectable creature he had ever laid eyes on. 
His mind wandered deviously as he watched her. 
Stop, she’s
Connor’s
little sister.  She
’
s Allana,
he scolded himself.  But he could
n’
t
help
it
.  The more he examined her, the less he cared who she
was
.  He had to have her.  She would make the most glorious trophy yet.   

A small sigh followed by,
“She
i
s beautiful
, isn’t she,” pulled
Lucas’s
attention away from Allana.  He glanced curiously at the young lady next to him.
     

Carmon
was a petite, young thing with a tiny waist that was accented by the soft curves of her body.  She had a delicate
,
heart
-
shaped face with rosy, red lips and big blue eyes that looked almost sad.  Lucas could
not
bear
seeing such a beautiful
woman
looking so helpless and lonely.  Allana must steal all the young men, leaving this lovely
one
to fend for
herself
. 

“
Yes, she is. 
But so are you, my L
ady.  I was actually hoping
you
would grace me
with a dance,” he said, giving Carmon his best smile
.  The least he could do was
give
her
some
confidence.  Dancing with him would make every girl jealous as well as draw the attention of the other young men.  Then maybe she would be seen for the stunning creature she was instead of being hidden behind
Allana
.

“Me?”
Carmon choked in surprise. 

Lucas smiled and nodded. 

“I…I
would love to dance with you,” Carmon stuttered, blushing afterward. 

Lucas offered her his arm
.  She took it tentatively
and let him guide her to the dance floor. 

As they
danced
, his eyes sought the
dark
purple
gown
Allana was wearing.  It was still hard to believe she was the same girl who had followed Connor and him around all those years ago.  Their eyes met for a brief moment where he received a soft smile from her as though thanking him for dancing with Carmon. 
Even the simplest
of
smile
s
caught him off guard.  It
was
just plain
alluring
!
 
Yes, she was definitely the one he would win.  It would have to be different though.  He could not simply woo her to his bed in one night.  He would have to court her.  And perhaps once he bedded her, he really would marry her. 
The thought, for once, did
n’t
cause
panic
within
.  Yes, marriage to Allana was…acceptable.  He smiled and turned his attention back to his dance partner.

Carmon simply flowed with him.  He barely had to guide.  She was like a part of him in this dance, moving with him with such grace and elegance.
He twirled her and received a beaming smile in return, a smile that forced his own smile.  The woman was quite dazzling.  If
not
for Allana, he might have
chosen
Carmon for his prey instead.  After all, shy women were usually quite challenging and rewarding, and from the looks of this sweet young thing, she would be both.

When the dance was over, Lucas led Carmon back to the side of the room.  “Thank you, Carmon.  Perhaps later, if you have an
other
open slot, you might grace me with another?” 

“That would be lovely,” she replied breathlessly. 

He smiled at her reaction before sweeping her hand into his and kissing it gently.
 
“Until later, then,” he said
.  Her cheeks turned a healthy color as she smiled shyly in return.

Damnation! 
She really was tempting to pursue
as well.  H
e couldn’t have both Allana and Carmon, could he?
  He shook his head.

As he turned to
seek out Allana, he was aware of the crowd of girls
that
encircled Carmon
. 
Perfect.
  If he danced with her a few more times,
she
would be the most sought after girl instead of Allana.  Then he could have Allana all to himself. 

He searched the area for
Allana
and found her being led back out onto the dance floor by yet another young fool. 
Lucas
thought about finding himself a partner as well, but decided to wait this one out.  Then perhaps he could catch her before another suitor snatched her back out to dance.  As he waited and watched, his eyes unwillingly sought out Carmon this time, finding her still surrounded by other ladies.  She
truly was
a beautiful creature, so innocent looking
.  M
aybe if he played his cards right, he
could
have both ladies.  No, if he wanted Allana, he could
n
o
t play his usual games, especially if they involved her best friend. 

The song ended, but before Lucas could reach Allana, once again she was led back to the dance floor.  This routine continued for the next few dances.  Would she ever receive a break?  Every song she had a young man escorting her back out onto the floor, and more than once he saw that Edmund character guiding her across the room. 
Lucas’s
patience was growing thin as he waited for a break, not receiving one.  He
began
dancing
himself after waiting out a few
, picking new partners while waiting for his chance to catch Allana.  He even danced with Carmon
twice more.  But he was growing frustrated with each passing moment.  He wanted Allana.  He wanted to corner her and guide her away from this crowd of people so he could spend time alone with her, but it seemed his chance would never come. 

Finally, the orchestra stopped for a short break.  Now maybe he could find
her
.  He spotted her across the room, but before he had a chance to reach her, Edmund
Russell
was by her side
,
guiding her out of the ballroom.  Irritation surged through Lucas as he ground his teeth in frustration.  He was losing the battle tonight. 
He hated losing. 
A light blue gown caught his attention from a few feet away.  Perhaps tonight he would have to settle for second best.

“Carmon, wou
ld you care to walk with me?” h
e asked the unsuspecting
young woman
.

“Yes, of course,” she said with an eager smile. 

He guided her out of the large room and outside into the cool, night air.