William fidgeted. “Yes, I do.”
She smiled thinly up at him. If she could sense his discomfort, she did not care. Her round spectacles glinted in the copious candlelight, making it difficult to read the expression in her eyes.
“You are not dancing, your Grace.”
“Neither are you.”
She laughed at that. “Then I assume you know why I’m here. Tell me, your Grace, have you thought at all about our discussion?”
He cleared his throat, her stare burning into him.
“I… I’m not sure that is something we should discuss.”
“Oh, come, your Grace. Being demure does not suit you. I’ll be frank in a way you will not benefit from again in this society. Everyone is musing and conversing about your forthcoming nuptials. Every unmarried lady present envisions herself as the Duchess of Dunleigh. You would indeed make an exemplary husband, and every woman perceives it. You could readily have your choice, and all are acutely aware of it. That, sadly, signifies that every action you undertake, every word you utter, is subject to scrutiny. Should you be unduly careless, you may find yourself ensnared by some enterprising young lady, all but coerced into matrimony.”
He eyed her for a moment. “I imagine I know what that feels like.”
She allowed herself a small smile. “Why not exercise what little agency you have left? Announce your bride, before Society chooses one for you.”
He sighed. “Has anyone ever told you, Miss Bainbridge, that you are a terrifying young woman?”
“On several occasions, yes,” she answered, without missing a beat. “Now, to business.”
“This discussion wasnotbusiness?”
“Certainly not. It was free advice, which I do not usually hand out. No, I see that the dancing is beginning. You’ll be expected to dance, your Grace.”
“Yes, I know. I have to ask a lady to dance, and I am paralysed by indecision.”
Unbidden, his gaze wandered over to where Miss Brookford stood beside her mother. A gentleman was speaking to her now, a man he did not recognize. They were just talking at the moment, but no doubt he’d ask her to dance in a moment.
William’s heart sank, and then sank further at the realization that he wasdisappointed.
“Come, your Grace,” Miss Bainbridge said, intent gaze landing squarely on William’s face. “Ask me to dance, won’t you? It’s what expected of us both, I believe.”
She offered a small smile, wry and meaningful.
She doesn’t want to dance either,he thought, the inevitability settling over him like a heavy blanket.And yet we both have to.
“Miss Bainbridge,” he said, offering his arm with a flourish, “will you dance with me?”
She affected surprise. “Goodness, your Grace, what a surprise! But yes, I shall dance with you.”
Arm in arm, they moved towards the dance floor. He did not allow himself to look back at Miss Brookford.
Chapter Six
“Lavvy, I am quite exhausted!” Gillian gasped, flopping down into the seat her sister had procured for her. “I can scarcely stand.”
“I can see that,” Lavinia said, chuckling. “You’ve danced every single dance so far. Pray, do take your ease, or we shall be compelled to lift you from the floor shortly.”
In fact, Gillianlookedexhausted. At the beginning of the ball, she had been in excellent looks, but now her skin was pale and waxy. There was a sheen of sweat around her forehead and temples, which she delicately dabbed away with a lace-edged handkerchief. Lavinia eyed her sister worriedly. Gillian needed a drink, perhaps some lemonade or simple ice water, but the second Lavinia turned her back, their mother would likely find another gentleman to ask Gillian to dance.
The fact was that the girls were not used to such intensive dancing. In London, crowded as it was with belles and husband-hungry young ladies, every gentleman had about four ladies wanting to dance with him for every set. Gillian was pretty, and danced a good deal in London, but her dance card was never so full as it was tonight. Besides, it was well past midnight, and the dancing looked set to go on for hours.
“I think Gillian is tired, Mama,” Lavinia said, in a low voice.
Lady Brennon tutted. “She can’t be tired. The night is still young.”
