Clara was not overly pleased with this report. “I wonder if he is too young to know what he wants in a wife.”
“Does any man—or woman for that matter—know what they really desire until they find the right lover?”
“He seems to be a good-tempered man.” Vivian would need someone like that if even half of the little Clara had been able to coax out of Silvia was accurate, which Clara had no doubt it was.
“He is that,” her friend agreed. “I’ve never seen him come close to losing his temper. Patient as well.”
“Both points in his favor, I should think.” She took a glass of champagne from a footman.
Almeria glanced around the crowded room. “I will say, that I can tell you where your cousin is by watching Stanstead.”
Raising her quizzing glass, Clara followed her friend’s gaze. The gentleman stood with a circle of other men; however, his attention was focused on the dance floor. “Indeed.”
Almeria’s lips tipped up slightly. “If he takes after the males in his mother’s family in temperament as well as appearance, when he falls, he’ll fall hard.”
“One can only hope.” And help ease the path of true love. She had purposely assigned Vivian a room in the other wing where she could come and go as she wished without anyone being the wiser. Perhaps, when they arrived home, Clara would have a small talk with Vivian in order to ascertain her interest in Stanstead. It might be a good match.
CHAPTER SIX
Taking Kit Featherton’s place as the gentleman hostesses most wanted was not at all bad. Rupert put down his wineglass and joined Serena Beaumont, who had beckoned him to dance with another lady. For years Featherton had avoided the popular young ladies by only standing up with those who found themselves without dance partners. No hostess worth her name would allow a young female to remain on the sides if a partner could be found.
A half hour later, he had just returned a young woman to her mother when Robert said, “Thank you for helping Serena.”
“Of course I’d be of service to her. She is my cousin. Although I find I like dancing with ladies who are not sought after.”
Robert grimaced. “If you say so.”
“No, truly.” Rupert grinned. Before falling for his wife, Robert had avoidedtonevents for years. “They are either extremely shy, in which case I can put them at ease, or so intelligent they overwhelm most men. In either case, it is much better than standing up with females who simper, bat their eyes at one, and have nothing of note to say.”
“Such as Miss Banks?”
Robert might be joking, but Rupert noticed the way her gaze had followed him and, with the exception of the one set he had danced with her, he would take care to steer clear of the lady. Not only was he not interested in her, he wanted her father’s support on a bill concerning former soldiers. “Precisely.”
“Watch yourself around her.” His cousin sipped his champagne. “I’ve seen her like before. One slip and you’ll have a quick trip to the altar.”
“Your warning is taken.” He searched the room until he saw Lady Beresford sitting with Phoebe and Lady Telford. Vivian was a puzzle he’d happily attempt to put together. Why, for example, did she dislike her husband’s cousin so much? That her marriage was not all it could have been, she’d said, but how had that affected her? “I am engaged for this dance. I’ll speak to you later.”
“One of the young ladies?” Robert asked.
“No, one of the older ladies.” Rupert didn’t even have to glance back to know his cousin was watching him. No matter how debauched Robert had been in the past, he’d always looked after his family. That was what had drawn Serena to him.
“My lady.” Rupert took Vivian’s hand, pressing his lips to it. “I believe this is my dance.”
She smiled up at him, her sapphire blue eyes shining with joy. “Yes, my lord.”
In a matter of minutes she was back in his arms again. For a few moments they said nothing. He spent the time enjoying the feel of her supple form and appreciating her grace as she followed his lead. Although she couldn’t be more than five years older than the young ladies making their come outs, she had an elegance about her none of them yet possessed.
He wanted Vivian, but more importantly, he wanted to know her. Her likes and dislikes, what she dreamed of, how she preferred to spend her days and her nights. His interest in her was different than anything he’d felt previously. Yet before he encouraged her affections, he must know that she wanted what he did. How would she feel about living much of the year on an estate and being a political hostess when in London? If their goals were not similar, then marriage to him would make her miserable, and he couldn’t bear that.
“You’re quiet, my lord.”
When he gazed down at her, no anxiety or trepidation showed in her countenance, merely curiosity. “I was enjoying how well you move through the steps.”
“It is easy when my partner is so skilled.”
“Oh no.” She was much more humble and reticent than the ladies he’d met before. Rupert wanted to draw her out, show her how special she was. “I refuse to allow you to throw my compliment back at me. You are by far the most graceful lady I’ve had the pleasure of standing up with this evening.”
He’d wanted to say forever, but something told him she would take that as mere flummery. The last thing he wanted was for her to think him capable of false flattery.
