She knew, of course, that forgetting somebody’s name or making a similar mistake would be most frowned upon. There was not a great margin for forgiveness in Society at any rate.
I can do this,Pippa reminded herself frequently. The blue gown had gotten her many compliments so far, and she felt more beautiful in it than she had in quite a while.
As Katherine had promised, there were a good many youngish men in the party, around Pippa’s age or a little older, trailing around behind older relatives or clustered with a group of friends in the corner.
Pippa found that Katherine, as the hostess, did not have much time to spend with her. It was a little nerve-wracking, but after the first hour, she began to feel alittlemore at home. People were polite, if not particularly effusive, and so far, all was well.
“I have somebody I want to introduce you to,” Bridget whispered, hooking her arm through Pippa’s. “Lord Owen Barwick, that gentleman over there by the refreshment table. He’s the Marquess of Allerton, and unmarried, of course. See how handsome he is.”
Pippa followed her mother’s gaze. A tall gentleman stood there, broad shouldered and remarkably handsome. He wore a blue coat in the latest style, and had his fair hair combed back in a dishevelled way that seemed very fashionable and very intentional. He had clear blue eyes, like chips of ice in his well-featured face, and those sharp eyes raked across the room.
He was standing with an older woman, tall and austere, resplendent in black velvet and studded with pearls and diamonds. She had grey hair piled ornately on the top of her head, and a severe, haughty expression.
“That is his mother, the Dowager Marchioness. Lady Henrietta Barwick, that is. Henrietta and I were friends, once. Of course, once I married your father and left Society, it was all at an end between us, but I believe she still has a soft spot for me. I wrote to her to inform her that I was coming to stay with William, and that our fortunes were on the rise. She responded most graciously. I think she will be most amenable to an introduction, so you must be on yourbestbehaviour.”
Pippa swallowed thickly. The nerves which she had just begun to get control over began to return.
“I… Do I have to meet him now, Mama?”
Bridget threw her an incredulous look. “What a question! Of course you must. Lord Barwick may be theonlygentleman you need to meet at this party, if all transpires favourably between you. You must know that I am thinking of you making a match of it, don’t you? You might have a dowry settled up on you by William, and our connection to the Willenshires will do us a great deal of good. The Barwicks are rich, to be sure, but notquitesuch an old family as we are. There’s a great deal to be gained on both sides.”
“He’s very handsome,” Pippa managed hesitantly. “But he seems very stern. And… and see how he glared at that lady just there, in the pink dress. Oh, lord, Mama, they’re laughing at her behind their hands! That is most cruel.”
“Well, she should be more careful with her appearance, then, shouldn’t she?” Bridget responded heartlessly. “Come, I shall introduce you now.”
Pippa could not have said where the panic came from, only that it was powerful and sudden. She swallowed again, anxiety shimmering in her stomach.
“Not just yet.”
Bridget threw her an annoyed stare. “Whatever is wrong with you, Pippa? This is ourchance, and you are wasting it?”
“I…I…” Pippa floundered. She was suddenly aware that she had to get out of the crowded ballroom, and she had to get out right away. The noise was suddenly unbearable, as was the heat.
I can’t breathe.
“I need some air,” she said stoutly, turning away before her mother could grab her. She hurried through the crowd, knocking against people in her eagerness to get out. She twisted around, making sure that her mother was not following her.
Just as she was almost running, she walked straight into the back of a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman.
“Ouch,” she managed, stumbling back. She would likely have lost her balance and landed in an undignified heap on her backside, had the gentleman not grabbed her by the elbow, steadying her.
“Thank you,” she began, an apology dying on her lips, as she looked up at the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
Chapter Six
Nathan blinked down at the young woman who had just walked into him.
She was yet another unfamiliar face at the wretched party, the one his mother had strong-armed him into attending.
“What are you going to do, Nathan, sit at home and work all day? You mustsocialise.”
He felt as though he’d socialised quite enough. More than enough, in point of fact.
“I’m sorry,” the woman said, at the same moment he said, “I do beg your pardon.”
“I only wanted some air,” the woman continued, nodding towards the French doors behind him. “It’s far too hot in here. Not,” she added hastily, “that I am not enjoying myself. It is a very nice party.”
Nathan chuckled faintly. “I’m not sure that’s the fashionable opinion. It’s the end of the Season, so you should be saying that everything is dull, and everybody is tired, and there is hardly anybody left in London.”
