This was the part that worried Livia the most. However, she trusted William to make her dancing look graceful. "It would be my pleasure, Lord Hulme." William took her hands and led her to the dance floor. He spun her around and around. She was nervous about stepping on his feet, but she found herself lost in his eyes without a second thought. No one could hear them as they danced. Livia looked at him and said, "I love you, William. Forever, and in both this life and the next. I will never love another. I swear it."
At that moment, Lord Kale interrupted their dance. "May I cut in, Lady Anna? Ah. Forgive me. Lady Rotherham I mean. How improper of me." Kale cast a glance at William. What a pretentious Lord, dancing with a girl as lovely as Annabelle like he owned her. He knew he couldn't be refused. It wasn't within a single Lady's power to refuse a single Lord, even if she was his escort for the night.
Livia looked from Kale to William. From the way William seemed on edge, she knew she couldn't refuse. "I suppose I will endure a dance with you, Lord Mustfield." He smiled and took her hand. She looked back at William with pleading eyes. She knew there was nothing he could do at this point.
As she danced with Kale, her nerves grew exponentially. "Relax," he whispered. "I will not let you stumble. I am a far greater dancer than that small lord. You will look even more beautiful than you already do as long as you're in my arms." Livia swallowed hard at that comment. How dare he insult William? Who did he think he was? She did have to admit, his dancing skill was far superior to Williams, but she would give anything to be twirling in her lover's arms instead of this leech's.
The song ended and she bowed to him. "Lord Mustfield, please excuse me, Lord Humle is awaiting my presence."
"Indeed. I would be missing your company as well." He bowed back, "If you should find yourself ever missing my company, simply send for me and I will be at your beck and call, milady." He took her hand and kissed it. She snatched it back and walked off to William's side. Livia wanted nothing more than to jump into his arms at that moment, but propriety did not allow that.