Excerpt

Brody appeared at her side.  “Care to?”

“Don’t you have host duties?”

“Absolutely.  As the host it’s my job to dance with the prettiest girl in the place.”

“Go on.”

“Why else did you dress up in that outfit anyway?  It was made for dancing.  Or so Agnes has bragged enough times.  It is from her shop, right?”

She lifted her chin and looked away. How could he know that?  Unless Mrs. Polcyk had loose lips.  After her observations at supper, she wouldn’t be surprised.

“And besides, you stared at me all through supper.”

Her head snapped around.  “You’re impossible!”

“Maybe, but I’m a helluva good dancer, Miss Farnsworth.  And if you don’t want to dance, there’s lots of ladies here who will.”

He held out his hand and lifted an eyebrow, challenging her. 

“Fine,” she glared.  “One dance.  It would look funny if I didn’t, I suppose.”

She took his hand, shocked when he spun her around quite efficiently and settled his hand at her waist.  Instantly he guided her into the easy rocking steps of the dance, the entire swirling circle of dancers moving around the floor like they did it every day of their lives.  And damn his hide, if he wasn’t right after all.  He was a sublime dancer.  She’d known how to two-step since she was ten, but he made even spinning turns simple as he guided her first one way, then the other, beneath his arm and bringing her effortlessly back in step.

“I told you.”

He grinned down at her as the band thumped and twanged their way on, the rough, enthusiastic quality of the music creating an energy that vibrated from the soles of her feet up.  “Hmph.”

“Miss Lucy, you’re adorable when you pout.  It makes all of your freckles stand out.”

That did it.  She stomped down hard with her vintage pump on his toe, breaking their rhythm.  She attempted to twist out of his arms but his hand gripped her wrist quite efficiently and swirled her back into the dance.

“Good thing for you I’m wearing boots,” he remarked.  The teasing smile was still in place but something darker glittered in his eyes.

“You’ve been an arrogant pain in the behind for the better part of two weeks, and tonight you turn into an incorrigible tease.  Go turn your charms on someone else who will appreciate them.”

“Do you really want me to?”

“Yes, I think I do.”

“Okay.”

The music ended and he let her go.  The air seemed abruptly cool now that there was space between them and she tried very hard not to miss his warmth.

“Thanks for the dance, Lucy.”

He walked away unconcerned, and when the band started up again he crossed the floor and led Jen out for a waltz. 

From The Rancher's Runaway Princess by Donna Alward

Harlequin Romance, January 2009

Copyright 2008 by Donna Alward

This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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