“Lord Kilby!” her father exclaimed with obvious glee. “I had no idea you would be attending tonight. How are you faring?”
“Very well, my Lord, and what a pleasure it is to be in your company again.”
“Lord Kilby, may I introduce my daughter, Lady Charlotte Wentworth? Charlotte, this is Lord Percy Kilby, an old friend of mine. I had the pleasure of knowing his father at Oxford.”
Lord Kilby’s eyes were alive with interest now, that same odd smile curling over his face, his lips kicking up at one side. “Lady Wentworth, pleased to make your acquaintance. Might I request the honour of the next set?”
Charlotte felt on edge in the man’s company but knew it would be a terrible insult if she refused to dance with him without a reason.
“Thank you, my Lord, I would be delighted.”
Lord Kilby’s smile was a little more genuine now and at least it did reach his eyes when she agreed.Perhaps it is not all a mask, then.
He took her hand, and they walked to the dance floor, Charlotte painfully aware of the many eyes in the room upon them. She prayed that she remembered the steps and did not disgrace herself.
They moved seamlessly among the other couples, and Charlotte felt Lord Kilby’s hand settle lightly against the small of her back.
“I have heard a great deal about you, Lady Wentworth,” he murmured. “It is a pleasure to see you rejoin society.”
Charlotte managed a tight smile. “Thank you, my Lord, it is good to be back in London.” It was an abject lie, but Kilby seemed pleased by it.
“I was most sorry to hear of your mother’s death.”
Charlotte stiffened considerably and had to force her body to relax. “Thank you, my Lord.”
“I have known your father for some time. He visited my estate last year at Christmas for an event my mother was hosting. He is an excellent fellow.”
Perhaps you should be dancing with him then,she thought bitterly, aware she was being unduly unfair to the man but wishing she had never agreed to dance with him.
“Does your father have much business in town? I shall call on him as soon as I am able.”
“I do not know, my Lord, but I am sure you would be most welcome.” The words felt like ash in her mouth, and Charlotte was desperate for the dance to end. There was something probing about the man’s look, as though he saw through her façade and recognized the fear and uncertainty within.
On the other side of the dance floor, Malcolm Preston finished his glass of wine and rubbed his sweating hands against the edge of his tailcoat. Lady Elizabeth Ludlow looked exquisite this evening. He had only danced with her once before at the Addington ball, and even then, he had been too nervous to ask her anything coherent.
Now, five weeks later, he had spent a great deal of time planning what he might say and approached her carefully, hoping her card was not already full.
“Lady Ludlow?”
To his relief, she turned, and her face broke into a happy smile at the sight of him.
“Lord Preston! Good evening to you.”
“Good evening; I wondered whether I might have the pleasure of this dance?”
Elizabeth’s smile widened further. “I would be delighted.”
His body vibrating with excitement, as he took her hand and led her onto the floor where they joined the set. He could see Charlotte dancing with Lord Kilby, although she looked a little uncertain about her partner. Elizabeth’s small frame seemedswamped by the other dancers, and Malcolm, at nearly six feet tall, was worried he might topple her over if they moved too fast.
As they began to dance, however, he felt his nerves ease and looked down at her, trying to calm his thundering heartbeat. She was more beautiful than he remembered, and her long curling hair was fascinating to him. He found himself idly following the line of the ribbons that secured it as they danced.
“Are you fond of ribbons, my Lord?” she asked, a teasing edge to her voice that made his heart hammer against his ribs.
“My apologies, Lady Ludlow, but I was trying to ascertain how your hair remains upright.”
She laughed at that, her blue eyes glinting. “You would have to ask my lady’s maid, but she has her own way with my hair. It is not something that anyone should approach lightly.”
Malcolm gave a bark of laughter in response, making one of the other couples glance back at him.
