When dinner was finished, Lord Fleming clinked his glass. “I must remind everyone that it was Lord Robertson and Miss Bartlett who won at bowls this afternoon, so they will decide what we do this evening for entertainment. Lord Robertson, do you have any suggestions?”
Robertson cleared his throat. “I’ll leave the choice of activity up to Miss Bartlett,” he said.
She squealed with delight. “I choose dancing and would like the first dance with my winning partner.”
Robertson saw Lady Bartlett smile smugly. It was obvious she’d coached her daughter on what activity would best suit her scheme. He’d walked right into her trap, but he wasn’t about to let her win. “I’d be delighted to partner with Miss Bartlett for a country reel.”
“Good, that’s settled,” Lord Fleming said. “The gentlemen will join the ladies in a little while.”
Lady Fleming rose from the table, and the women followed her to the parlor, where she addressed the footmen. “Clayton and Edward, we will have dancing this evening, and the furniture needs to be pushed to the side.”
The footmen nodded and began moving the furniture out of the center of the room.
A maid brought in a tea cart piled high with delicious desserts.
“Anna, tea can be laid on the far table.”
The maid pushed the cart to the side and began arranging the service on the table. “Will there be anything else, Lady Fleming?”
“No, you may go.” She turned to Bett. “Lady Williams, I understand you play the pianoforte.”
“I do.”
“Would you consider playing for a little while, and then we can switch to another?”
“I would be honored, Lady Fleming.”
When the men returned to the parlor, Robertson went to Miss Bartlett to lead her in a reel. He saw Miles walk to Olivia and ask her to dance. His friend would look after her, and he was grateful for Miles’s quick action in claiming the dance to keep her safe from the clutches of either Lord John or any other man.
Lady Williams played a lively tune and everyone was having a grand time. Miss Bartlett clearly enjoyed dancing, and he was glad she was enjoying herself, but he planned on keeping his distance from her for the rest of the evening.
“You dance very well, Lord Robertson,” she said.
Robertson nodded, keeping conversation to the bare minimum. The last thing he wanted was to encourage the young woman.
She leaned into him. “May I confide something?”
“My lady, I hardly think I’ll make a good confidant.”
His answer didn’t seem to sway her, and she plunged ahead. “Mama says I must stay close to you, but I confess that, while you’re a fine gentleman, I’d rather spend more time with Lord John. He’s quite entertaining, and I enjoy his company.”
That got Robertson’s attention. Perhaps Miss Bartlett wasn’t in the dark about how things worked as he’d thought.
“Well, then. I’ll try to help make that happen more often then.”
“Oh, thank you, Lord Robertson,” she said with a smile that lit up her face.
“Of course. I shall endeavor to do my best.”
Chapter 16
Olivia was glad when Mr.Walker asked her to dance, as she felt safe with Everett’s friend. She was able to catch glimpses of Everett dancing with Miss Bartlett now and then, and true to his word, he seemed polite but aloof with the young lady. He was right—Miss Bartlett really was quite young, and Olivia hoped her mother would give her time to mature over the summer and fall before she entered the marriage mart next Spring.
The music wound down.
“Thank you for the dance, Mr. Walker,” she said.
“It was my pleasure, Lady Armstrong,” he said before escorting her to the side of the floor. He leaned toward her. “Don’t be nervous, my dear. I won’t leave you until Robertson returns.”
