The sound of murmurous voices made her blink and she realized that they had come to a halt as the others did, and that everyone around them was congratulating one another on the dance, some applauding their partner and their fellows on the floor in a sound muted by the gloves they wore.
The duke smiled. Sarah smiled back, gazing up into his eyes. They narrowed a little as his grin widened and her heart melted again as she looked up at him, his gaze holding hers like there was nobody else around them.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
Sarah stammered her thanks and then, before she could say anything more, he bowed low and straightened up. She frowned, feeling hurt, but then she saw that his mother, the duchess, had appeared at the edge of the dance floor. The duchess saw her staring, and her gaze held Sarah’s, seeing her but ignoring her, not even acknowledging her existence.
“Son. There you are. Charles and Philipa were looking for you. They had a question for you.”
“I am certain it was not of such vital importance that I needed to be fetched straightaway.” The duke held his mother’s gaze. Sarah, standing behind him, tried not to smile at his neat reply. She saw the duchess’ eyes widen.
“Son! That is unfair. I have waited for at least ten minutes for your reply.”
Sarah was aware of the duke’s back stiffening at the words as though he had received a slap, but then she did not see them anymore as Caroline appeared, smiling at her as she glided through the crowd.
“Sarah! How lovely! There you are. I was just speaking to Lady Egerton. She was asking me about a painting. I have little knowledge of art, and so I sought you out to ask your opinion. If you could join us?”
Sarah nodded. Lady Egerton was a pleasant woman and good company. After the hard, cold stare that the duchess had leveled at her, it would feel pleasant and safe to be among friendly people again. She followed Caroline across the ballroom to the back, where Lady Egerton stood, and another young lady who she distantly recognized.
“Ah! Miss Brooke. Grand. We were just discussing the works of Constable.”
“Oh?” Sarah smiled. He was one of her favorite artists. She could happily discuss him for hours. “I am fond of his works.”
“Oh, good!” Lady Egerton smiled. “So am I. My mother is terribly critical of them.”
“Oh?” Sarah frowned.
“Yes. She always says that a painting ought to look like what it represents, and that Constable’s works do not.” She tilted her head. “Nor do mine, of course. But for a different reason.”
Sarah giggled. “My lady, I am sure that is not true. But I must add that Constable’s style is intentionally looser. He is attempting to convey what the landscape means to him, not what it looks like—or not exactly, at any rate.”
“Yes!” Lady Egerton beamed. “I thought so!”
Sarah inclined her head. “My lady, I believe you underestimate your deep understanding of art.”
“No.” Lady Egerton chuckled. “No, really. I don’t. But I am pleased to hear that you think so.” She shot Sarah a smile that seemed genuinely fond.
“Sarah is an excellent artist,” Caroline pointed out.
“Oh! Not excellent, my dear Caroline,” Sarah said quickly. Her cheeks were flaring with embarrassment. Lady Egerton shook her head.
“I am sure you are just shy, Miss Brooke.”
“I agree,” Caroline said quickly, making Sarah blush even more red.
“I do not like drawing. Or painting,” the other young lady commented. “Perhaps it is because I am not good at it. I do play the pianoforte, though.” She grinned.
“And you are excellent at that,” Lady Egerton teased her. “You must play for us later, Philipa. Lady Averhill has a pianoforte, do you not?”
“I do,” Caroline agreed. “Mayhap later, when we retire to the drawing room, you can...”
“No,” Lady Philipa said at once, laughing. “Victoria! You cannot make me,” she teased. “I am shy.”
“I know,” Lady Egerton said with a grin. “Perhaps all of us ladies are too modest.”
“Mayhap so,” Caroline agreed. Sarah smiled at all of them.
The warmth of Lady Egerton and Lady Philipa was soothing the ache of the duchess’s cool stare. And the excitement of having danced with the duke bubbled like champagne inside her, irrepressible and joyous, so that she could barely wait to see him again.
