Page 30 of An Unlikely Debutante

Chapter Ten

‘Iwill only be able to dance two, maybe three dances with you,’ Alex said as he helped Lina from the carriage. She pulled a face. For the duration of the journey to Pottersdown Alex had been running through the rules and etiquette of a country dance.

‘What if you wished to dance only with me and I with you?’ Lina asked.

‘To dance three dances with the same person causes raised eyebrows and any more than that is verging on scandalous.’

‘What if you didn’t like a single other person there?’

‘Then I wouldn’t dance with anyone else, but I still could only dance with you three times.’

‘What if...?’

Alex gave her a hard look and Lina fell silent. She’d learnt over the past couple of weeks that there were many rules governing these social situations. It appeared you didn’t have to agree with them, but you did have to abide by them.

‘Is there any time limit on how long we can converse with one another?’ Lina asked.

‘No. As your sponsors for the Season, it will be expected that you return to either Georgina or myself in between dances. We can then introduce you to the other attendees.’

‘And if no one asks me to dance, I have to be content with just watching?’ It seemed unfair to Lina that it was the gentlemen who chose whom they danced with and when, but Alex had assured her there were few quicker ways to disgrace than a lady asking a gentleman to dance.

‘You will be asked to dance.’

‘You don’t know that.’

He frowned at her for a second and then shook his head, but didn’t elaborate any further.

The country dance was being held in a large hall in the centre of Pottersdown and their carriage had been forced to stop at the other end of the square due to the large number of people hurrying towards the festivities. As they drew closer, Lina could see the doors of the hall had been thrown open and soft music drifted out into the summer evening. Groups of young women, their arms linked, rushed past Lina and Alex, laughing and talking in excited voices.

‘It seems quite the occasion,’ Lina commented.

‘I suppose many of the young ladies and gentlemen of Pottersdown will never have the opportunity to have a London Season. This will be one of the highlights of the social calendar.’

Whilst Lina had been absorbed in Debrett’s earlier in the week Alex had explained the difference between the aristocracy and the gentry, and how it was only the ladies and gentlemen of the aristocracy and the very top levels of the gentry who travelled to London every year to partake in the whirlwind of balls, dinner parties and social events for a few months of the year.

‘Remember, it is only a month until the first ball of the Season. We will not have many opportunities to practise, so make the most of tonight. Think of this as a rehearsal, so try to fill your dance card and avoid any potentially scandalous situations.’

With her fingers gripping Alex’s arm, Lina allowed him to lead her into the hall. Despite the thumping of her heart in her chest, she was excited to finally attend one of these dances and the relaxed, happy atmosphere as they stepped into the hall helped her to let go of the tension she was holding in her shoulders and summon a sunny smile.

‘Lord Whitemore and Miss Lock,’ Alex said to a man to his left, who promptly announced their names to the room.

Lina wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but for a second people seemed to pause in their conversations and glance their way, before quickly trying to make it appear as if nothing unusual had happened.

‘You’re causing some excitement amongst these country girls,’ Lina murmured in Alex’s ear. She saw him grin quickly, before adopting a more serious expression. For the first few days of her stay at Whitemore House Lina had doubted if Alex even had a sense of humour, but as she’d got to know him more and more she realised she’d been mistaken. He had a quick, dry wit, which he covered well with a serious expression, so Lina had made it her aim to make him laugh at least once an hour and crack through the sober facade.

‘Behave,’ he said quietly.

‘I wager at least one or two are wondering how they can lure you off into a dark corner and compromise you.’

‘I’m not easily lured,’ Alex said.

‘But easily compromised?’

He shuddered at the thought of being forced into marriage by being caught in a compromising situation, but recovered quickly as they were approached by a middle-aged woman and a gaggle of daughters.

‘Lord Whitemore,’ the mother gushed. ‘How lovely to see you here at our modest little country dance! It was quite the surprise when they announced your name. I don’t suppose you remember little old me, but we were introduced at Mr Sotherby’s ball a few years ago.’

Lina watched as Alex bowed in greeting. It was clear that he didn’t have the slightest idea who this woman standing in front of him was, but he didn’t seem fazed at all.