Spellbound
an excerpt

“Lord Burke. Lady Burke.” He said.
“Ah, Lord Davonshire.” Lord Burke said. “I have news from London that you may be interested in.”
“Ah?” He asked. “Later if that’s okay, Lord Burke. If you will excuse me.” He made his way over to the Grant’s and watched from the side as Kathryn went from man to man, everyone speaking to her but not engaging her. As the night drew to a close, he heard the music coming to a close and he stepped out onto the dance floor, striding to where she was as the last waltz of the evening began.
“Dance with me?” He asked her. She nodded her head, ignoring the other man that had come up to her. Marcus bowed to her and she returned it sinking into a curtsy. He took her hand in his, and felt slightly guilty about what he was about to do. But it had to be done, for her sake. And for his.
He took her in his arms and saw the rush of whispers traveling the room as they danced around it. To everyone but the woman in his arms, they understood what he meant. What he had declared by taking her out for two waltzes on the same night.
As they passed Anna and Lord Grant, he saw the look of disbelief in his friend’s eyes, a glint and smile of Anna’s. She knew exactly what he was doing.
He declared his intent to marry her, Kathryn Grant, and everyone knew but her. As they ended the dance in each other’s arms, she had a soft smile on her lips. She tugged on his shoulder, and he bowed his head so that he could hear what she had to say.
“Thank you. That was lovely.”
He tried to think of something to reply, but heard a muffled outrage coming from across the room. It wasn’t from Lord or Lady Burke that was certain, but it was from Mr. Austin. He saw what had transpired.
He quickly left with Kathryn in tow, going to where the Grants were and depositing her safely among her family.