Page 84 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘That would be most welcome.’

Simon saw his sister-in-law’s eyes on him as he escorted Miss James from the dance floor to the edge of the ballroom, stopping to pick up two glasses of punch on the way. The ballroom was hot now, with the press of bodies, and it was a relief to step outside into the cool air.

‘I think Midsummer might be my new favourite time of year,’ Miss James said as they chose a spot by the stone balustrade. She leaned on it, looking out at the garden and the night sky beyond.

‘What has it displaced?’ Simon asked.

‘I do love Christmas. There is something rather magical about crackling wood on the fire whilst it snows outside and you are all snug inside. But I will never forget this wonderful Midsummer night.’

‘Forgive me, Miss James, but have we met before?’

‘No.’

‘You seem very certain.’

She smiled at him. There was no guile in her expression, and he realised that she had no expectation from him. Most young women he was introduced to looked at him as something to be conquered. Their ultimate aim was to impress him so they might have a chance at becoming his countess. It was tiresome and meant he had started to avoid situations where he was likely to be pushed into small talk with unmarried young women. Miss James had no calculating aspect to her; she was not trying to impress him. It was refreshing to talk to someone and realise they wanted nothing from you.

‘I think I would remember, my Lord.’

‘You are from Northumberland?’

‘Yes, my family live only a few miles away.’

‘Then, our paths must have crossed at a ball or a dinner party, surely.’

He saw her eyes widen and a look of panic on her face. He wondered for a moment if she might try to flee, but instead she fiddled with her glass and then took a great gulp of punch.

‘I have a little confession,’ she said, leaning in closer so only he could hear her words. ‘This is my first ball.’

‘Your first?’

‘Yes.’

He looked at her closer, wondering if he had been wrong in assessing her age. He’d placed her at around twenty or twenty-one. Young still, but certainly old enough to have been out in society for a good few years. It was hard to tell with the mask covering her eyes, but he did not think he had got his estimation wrong.

‘I have been to dances,’ she said quickly. ‘Just not to any balls like this.’

‘How can that be, Miss James?’

She bit her lip and flicked him a nervous glance.

‘If I tell you, you might have me escorted out.’

It was his turn to smile.

‘I doubt it, Miss James. Unless you tell me you sneaked in with the sole purpose to sabotage Lady Salisbury’s ball or steal her silverware.’

Miss James pressed her lips together and then leaned in even closer, her shoulders almost touching his.

‘You are half-right,’ she said, her voice low so only he could hear.

‘You plan to steal Lady Salisbury’s silverware.’

She flicked him an amused glance. ‘No, I am no criminal, but I did sneak in.’ As soon as she said the words, she clapped her hands over her mouth in horror. ‘I can’t believe I just told you that. It was the one thing I was meant to keep secret tonight, and it is the first thing I tell you.’

Simon felt a swell of mirth rise up inside him, and he realised for the first time in a long time he was having fun. Fun had seemed a foreign concept these last few years. In a short space of time he had lost his brother, inherited a title he had never wanted and been forced to confront the issue of his own mortality. He’d been forced into making monumental decisions over the last few weeks, everything serious and fraught with emotion.

‘You sneaked in?’