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 Dance for a Diamond
Antonia Venn describes herself as a very average sort of female, “…average height, average colouring – a poor little dab of a girl, nothing to win the heart of a man of fortune or fashion!” In a bid for independence she decides to open a dancing school in Bath, despite the misgivings of her family. Antonia is persuaded to take the beautiful Isabella Burstock as a pupil, a decision that puts her on a collision course with the young heiress’s autocratic brother……………
Out of a Europe torn by the Napoleonic Wars came one of the most popular dances of all time, the waltz. The early form of this dance began with a slow movement, “la marche”, followed by the quicker “Sauteuse” and ending with the “Jetté”, an energetic third movement. Dance for a Diamond follows this form. (The cover onthe right below is from the large print version - isn't it super????) from the Singletitles.com website review:-
Written with plenty of flair and charm, Dance for a Diamond is an absolutely fantastic Regency written by an outstanding writer of historical romance! If you loved Georgette Heyer, you will absolutely adore Melinda Hammond! Read an extract ....
'Common civility would normally oblige me to offer you some refreshment, sir, but under the circumstances –'
Sir Laurence lowered himself into an armchair.
'Thank you – a glass of madeira would be most welcome.'
Antonia stared at him but he met her look blandly. Dawkin entered the room at that moment and she briefly toyed with the idea of asking him to escort her visitor from the house. However, his behaviour so far gave no indication that he would go willingly, and observing Dawkin’s aged frame, she guessed her butler would not relish an unseemly struggle. The gentleman spoke again.
'If you have no wine, perhaps a glass of brandy…?'
'No, no – Madeira for Sir Laurence, if you please, Dawkin – and bring me a glass of ratafia.'
'Perhaps you would like me to send word to Miss Chittering?' suggested Dawkin in a carefully indifferent voice.
'Miss Chittering is taking the lesson, Dawkin. Now do go away and fetch refreshment for my guest.'
As the butler left the room Antonia looked up to find Sir Laurence watching her, amusement in his face. Her brows rose.
'I too have my guardians, sir.'
'I thought you might ask him to throw me out.'
'I am not at all sure that he could do so.' she answered frankly.
'I am certain he could not!' he fixed his hard gaze upon her face. 'You look familiar. Have we met before?'
She put up her chin and hoped her expression was one of disdain.
'I am certain we have never been introduced, sir.' Antonia held her breath and after continuing to stare at her for another minute, he shrugged.
'You look pale and out of countenance Miss Venn. Do you dislike my plain speaking?'
'I do not dislike it, sir, merely it is not what I expected.'
He leaned back in the chair, his eyes glinting as they rested on her face.
'Oh? And just what did you expect?'
'A gentleman, sir, with at least the appearance of manners!' she retorted, nettled. 'Not a boorish bully who tries to start a brawl in my hallway.'
He grinned. 'Bravo, Miss Venn. It was very wrong of me to invade your house in such a way – forgive me.'
Antonia found she was not immune to the humble note in his voice. She inclined her head in acknowledgement of the apology, but said nothing.
'Do you wish me to promise that I will not take advantage of your being alone, thus, with me?'
Antonia’s ready sense of humour overcame her anger.
'Having offered you refreshment, sir, it would seem inhospitable to withdraw and leave you to drink alone.'
He laughed.
'Very true! I am relieved you are not going to leave me – I want to know more about you –' he saw the guarded look in her eyes and added quickly, 'as Isabella’s guardian, it behoves me to learn something of this establishment.'
His hostess moved to a chair on the far side of the room and sat down.
'You will perhaps wish to know what I can teach your sister, Sir Laurence. I like to give all my pupils knowledge of the older dances, the pavanne and the galliard – and of course the courante. Then there is the rigaudon – very good for allowing the young ladies to expend a little energy. I also like them to try the sarabande and the passacaglia, then coming up to date we have the minuet and gavotte, the bourr¾e, the allamande and of course the Polonaise….'
His lips twitched.
'Yes, yes I am sure you could name me a dozen more dances, if I cared to listen, but I don’t. I’ve no doubt my mother has already assured herself of your fitness to teach Isabella. No, I want to know how you come to be in Bath, running a dancing school.'
She shifted uncomfortably and found herself unable to look at him.
'It has always been an ambition of mine.'
Sir Laurence was no longer lounging in his chair. He was sitting upright and very still, regarding her intently.
'We have met before –' A slow grin dawned. 'Hell and damnation!'
Antonia felt the hot blush suffuse her cheek.
'I had hoped you would not remember – you were rather drunk that evening, I fear.'
'Damnably!' he fell silent, frowning. At last he said, 'did I advise you to open a dancing school?'
'No, sir.'
He rose and took a turn about the room, frowning blackly. Antonia clasped her hands before her. She said slowly: 'I have no cause to remember our meeting with anything but gratitude, sir.'
'The devil you do! I have but the haziest recollection - I remember taking you out of that brothel and putting you on the mail-coach.'
The grey eyes regarded him steadily.
'Knowing of - of our past meeting and my circumstances, sir, you have it in your power to ruin me. No-one else knows of that – incident. You will appreciate that I was not tempted to tell any of my acquaintance.'
'Nor I – all I wanted to do was to forget the whole damned evening!'
He frowned.
'I used to know a Philip Venn in Town a few years ago.'
'My father.'
'I knew he had a family somewhere…'
'I am his only child.'
'And you have been reduced to this!'
'Reduced ?' the lady’s eyes flashed, 'I was reduced to living as my uncle’s pensioner. My aunt and uncle were very good, but I could never forget that I was living on their charity. Here at least I have my independence and I infinitely prefer that.'
'Yes, I am sure you do. My apologies, Miss Venn.'
There was a silence as Dawkin reappeared with the refreshments, which he dispensed with a rigid propriety that eloquently expressed his disapproval. Unmoved by his silent reproaches, she glanced at her guest, concerned that he might detect some incivility in the butler’s manner, but she saw only amusement in his eyes. At length Dawkin departed at his most stately, closing the door behind him with a decided snap.
'I fear we offend his sensibilities.' murmured the gentleman, sipping his Madeira.
She nodded.
'I know it! Poor Dawkin – I only hope he will not leave us – he adds such distinction to the establishment!'
'Has he been with your family a long time?'
Goodness no! He comes with the house – that is, he was butler here when I took over the lease and he agreed to stay on.' Her eyes twinkled, 'He is a great asset!'
'No doubt.' He raised his glass. 'I wish you success with your business, Miss Venn.'
'Thank you – I – no doubt you would prefer Isabella to find another dancing teacher…'
'No, why should you think that? After my initial refusal today, I was ready to concede the point – until I discovered the chit had already left the house. But no, ma’am, I have no objections, except, perhaps to your youth…'
She put up her chin.
'I am full four-and-twenty, sir!'
'In your dotage, in fact!'
She bit her lip.
'Scarcely that, but to be serious, Sir Laurence, I am very pleased with the success of my dancing academy and I shall tell you the same thing I said to Lady Burstock – you are welcome to attend any of my lessons and judge my abilities for yourself.'
'Thank you, Miss Venn. I shall take up your invitation, perhaps, at a later stage.' He finished his wine and set the glass down, 'I must take my leave – to stay longer might do serious damage to both our reputations! I have already sent her maid home so I shall send the carriage for Isabella at four. Your servant, ma’am!'
Before Antonia could think of a reply he was gone, hurrying out of the room with his halting stride and almost colliding with Dawkin, whom Antonia suspected of hovering just outside the door.
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