Nick had forgotten that small nicety. She would probably annihilate him later, but it might be worth it. “Do you know Lady Telford?”
“Yes, why?”
“You’ll have to introduce me. I plan to do a bit of reconnaissance before springing the trap.”
Hawksworth shook his head. “You were in the army for far too long.”
“Be that as it may.” Nick grabbed his friend’s arm. “I need an introduction, and you will need to perform it. And I was in only a year longer than you.”
A few minutes later, Nick bowed and Hawksworth did his duty.
“It is a pleasure, my lord.” Lady Telford glanced from Hawksworth to Nick.
He cleared his throat. “I’d like to ask Miss Corbet to stand up with me.”
The older lady languidly waved her fan. “Then ask her.”
His cravat tightened. “I wanted to know if she had any sets left this evening. She is quite popular.”
Her ladyship’s lips curved in a catlike smile. “She is indeed, and your luck is not in this evening, my lord. However, I believe she still has a few dances open to-morrow for the Torrington ball.”
As luck would have it, he had accepted an invitation to the event. “Thank you.” He moved to the side a bit and watched Silvia gracefully perform her part of the cotillion. It might be a good idea to ask her with her ladyship close at hand.
He waited until Silvia’s partner returned her to Lady Telford and bowed. “Miss Corbet.”
Her fine dark brows drew together. “My lord?”
“I wish to ask you to dance with me at the Torrington ball.”
She opened her mouth and shut it again. “I—I don’t know what I have available. My dance card for that entertainment is at home.”
“Come, my dear.” Lady Telford seemed to purr. “I remember you had a country dance and the supper dance. Though I believe Lord Oliver intends to request the supper dance. It is a waltz.”
Lord Oliver be damned. “I’d like the supper dance.” Hawksworth poked Nick in his back. “If you would be so kind.”
Her ladyship nodded approvingly, while Silvia’s glare shot darts at him. But his friend was right. He had trapped her. She couldn’t do anything but accept.
With a smile he knew he’d pay for later, she responded, “Thank you, my lord. It would be my pleasure.”
At least she hadn’t gritted her teeth.
“I look forward to to-morrow.” He bowed to both the ladies before making his escape. If he remained too long, she was sure to think of a way out of standing up with him. “That didn’t go badly at all.”
“I hope she doesn’t carry knives,” Hawksworth remarked.
“No, not metal ones at any rate.” Though her tongue could flay the flesh off a man.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following morning, Vivian was donning her gloves when Lord Stanstead was announced. She attempted to tamp down the increasing sense of pleasure being in his company gave her. “Tell him I’ll be right there.”
She took one last look in the mirror. Her cherry-colored carriage gown was dramatically different than the shades of light blue she normally wore. The color brought out the pink of her cheeks, and it was time for a change. No longer would she allow her life to be ruled by men to whom she was nothing but a method to gain what they wanted, without concern for her.
One more day, that was all she would allow herself to have with Lord Stanstead, then she would start finding reasons she should avoid him.
Taking a breath, she blinked back the tears threatening to form. Now she was being silly. After all, one must live with oneself as God made one.
As Vivian made her way down the stairs, Lord Stanstead turned and gazed up at her. “My lady, forgive my being forward, but you look even lovelier than when last I saw you.”
