Dawn in My Heart Read Online Free

certain. Apropos of it, I would crave your indulgence on something touching this engagement.”
    â€œOh, yes, tell me.” Her eyes lit up in anticipation that she would be privy to some inside information.
    â€œSince the young lady and I are already promised to each other, I would like to ask your permission to dance the waltz with her.”
    Her mouth formed another O as she blinked at him. “Oh, dear Lord Skylar, we do so frown on the waltz. There’s been a mania for it ever since the Czar danced it here earlier this month. We could hardly refuse him permission. But we don’t encourage it. I know it is danced all over the Continent, and at private dances in town, but we have always tried to maintain a certain standard of propriety at Almack’s. We’ve only just introduced the quadrille this season. We are the upholders of the highest decorum for the young ladies who are presented every season, you understand.”
    â€œI understand,” he interjected smoothly when it was apparent she would continue in this vein. He smiled his most charming smile. “But seeing how my betrothal to Lady Gillian Edwards will shortly be announced, I can see no harm in indulging us in this one dance.”
    â€œLady Gillian?” Her eyes grew wide at this piece of information.
    â€œYes, though I know you can be trusted to be discreet about the betrothal until it is officially announced.”
    â€œOh, of course. You can trust absolutely to my silence.”
    Knowing it would be all over town before another day had passed, he pressed his advantage. “So, my lady, will you favor me with this request?”
    She pursed her lips and made a few sounds of debating with herself. Finally she drew herself up. “Very well, I suppose a waltz with Lady Gillian wouldn’t be improper under these circumstances. But only one, mind you. There will be talk. I must go and explain to the other patronesses why Ihave given you my leave.” She gave him a conspiratorial smile. “I shall even request that the orchestra play a waltz after this set.”
    He bowed.
    By this time, Lady Gillian was standing along the wall, surrounded by a gaggle of overly refined young dandies, from what Sky could judge. He ambled over, Delaney at his side congratulating him on his smooth handling of Lady Jersey.
    When Sky arrived behind her flock of admirers, he stood a good half-head above them, so he could observe Lady Gillian easily.
    â€œOh, Pinky, you mustn’t be so naughty. You know he can’t help who his tailor is,” she remonstrated with the young man nearest her. The others chuckled.
    One by one they fell silent as they noticed Sky’s presence. He didn’t look at any of them but approached Lady Gillian as a path opened up in front of him. He bowed over her hand. “My lady, would you honor me with this next waltz?”
    Her mouth dropped open at his request before she snapped it shut. She removed her gloved hand from his in what struck him as a studied gesture. “I must decline as I have not as yet been given the nod from the patronesses to dance the waltz.”
    â€œBut I have.” Fixing his eye on the so-called Pinky, an effete-looking young man with too much pomade on his hair, Sky quelled him with a mere look as he opened his mouth to speak. Then he turned his attention back to Lady Gillian. With a deliberately imperious gesture, Sky held out his arm as the first strains of the waltz began. Silently she placed her gloved arm in his.
    The two walked onto the dance floor, where Tertius took her in his arms and began to lead.
    â€œHowever did you get permission from one of the patronesses? They are notoriously strict, you know.”
    The two glided smoothly over the dance floor. “I told Lady Jersey as you and I were to be leg-shackled, I could see nothing objectionable to a waltz. I think the value of the gossip I gave her overrode any hesitation on her