She allowed herself to meet his amused gaze. No. Ralston was not distasteful. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
“No, my lord,” she said, the softness in her tone betraying her thoughts before she added, “And neither does Miss Heloise, it appears. She was quite charmed by you.”
“One must use one’s talents to one’s advantage, Lady Calpurnia.”
“Something I am certain you do quite well.”
His voice deepened. “I assure you, I do it very well.”
Refusing to allow herself to be flustered, she said, “Your reputation precedes you, my lord.” Callie failed to notice the double meaning in her words until they were out of her mouth.
He raised one brow. “Indeed?”
Callie’s cheeks flamed as she redirected her gaze to his elaborate cravat, wishing that she were as erudite and alluring as the women with whom he was accustomed to dancing. They, of course, would know exactly how to play his flirtatious game.
“Come now, Lady Calpurnia,” he teased quietly, “to which of the nefarious deeds of my past do you refer?”
She met his eyes again, noting the challenge there. “Oh, any number of them, my lord,” she said lightly, enjoying herself. “Is it true you once leapt from a countess’s balcony quite unfortunately into a holly bush below?”
Ralston’s eyes widened slightly at her quiet question before amusement flashed. “A gentleman would neither confirm nor deny such an occurrence.”
Callie laughed. “On the contrary, my lord. A gentleman would most certainly deny such an occurrence.”
He smiled, a rakish grin, and Callie was thankful for the companionable silence that fell between them, for she was not certain she could find words in the face of his rare smile. She lost herself in the dance, in the sound of the music, in the sway of their bodies. If this was to be her first and only waltz, she wanted to remember every moment. She closed her eyes, allowing Ralston to guide her around the room, and Callie became keenly aware of his gloved hand barely touching her waist, the brush of his long, muscled leg against her own as they swirled across the floor. After several moments, she became disoriented and opened her eyes, uncertain whether the source of her light-headedness was the movement or the man. Meeting Ralston’s blue eyes, she accepted the truth.
It was, of course, the man.
“I was hoping we could talk of Juliana.”
Callie swallowed her disappointment. Despite her visiting with Juliana three times that week, she had not seen Ralston during her visits—a fact that was likely for the best, considering she turned into something of a cabbagehead when he was nearby.
Unaware of her thoughts, he pressed on. “I wonder when you think my sister will be ready to take to the ballrooms of London?”
“I would think no longer than another week. Juliana is a wonderful pupil, my lord. Very eager to please both you and your brother.”
He nodded, satisfied with her answer. “I should like for you to take her shopping. She will need new gowns.”
Callie’s surprise was obvious. “I’m not certain I’m the appropriate companion for dress shopping, my lord.”
“You seem quite appropriate to me.”
She tried another tack. “You should have someone who is at the height of fashion accompany her.”
“I want you.” The words were frank and imperious.
Callie knew she would not win. After a pause, she nodded her agreement. “I shall have to have a look at her current wardrobe, to assess her needs.”
“No. She needs everything. I want her outfitted in entirety. The best and most current of fashions.” His tone did not encourage discussion. “I will not have her out of place.”
“With her only here for two months—”
“You cannot honestly believe that I would allow her return to Italy.”
“I—” Callie noted the firm resolve in his tone. “No, I suppose not. But, my lord,” she said delicately, uncertain of how to point out the expense of such an extravagant request.
“Money is of no import. She is to have the best.”
“Very well.” She acquiesced quietly, deciding that she’d much rather dance than argue the point.
He allowed her a few moments of silent movement before saying, “I would also like to discuss the necessary requirements to secure entrance to Almack’s for her.”
Callie’s eyes widened at his words. She replied, choosing her response carefully. “Almack’s may not be the best place to enter Juliana into society, my lord.”