“Have you seen any sign that Lady Mary, Lady Jane, or Lady Emily are present?”
“I have not seen Lady Jane or her mother in some time, however, her father is to your right against the wall at the far end,” Cousin Apollonia informed him. “I do not see either Lady Mary, or Lady Emily, but Miss Turley is behind us.”
He turned suddenly and saw her party being greeted. “Do you have eyes in the back of your head?”
“Indeed I do.” Cousin Apollonia smiled smugly. “I am astonished you have not noticed them before. Shall we linger for her party?”
“If Grandmamma doesn’t mind.” He glanced down at her.
“Not at all.” His grandmother looked at him, a curious expression on her face. “I am looking forward to speaking with her aunt.”
More likely, she wished to study Miss Turley. Geoff was not at all sure how he felt about that. His grandmother was a formidable old lady, and he didn’t want her scaring Miss Turley off.
A few moments later, Turley hailed Geoff. “Harrington, well met.”
“Good evening, Turley.” Geoff turned and inclined his head to the man. “Miss Turley”—she offered her hand, and he bowed over it—“how fortunate that we arrived at the same time.”
She was even more beautiful than she had been this afternoon. Her flaxen hair was a riot of curls. A Prussian blue ribbon studded with pearls peeped out from between them. Once again, he wished he could touch one. Pull it down just a little to see if it would pop back up. If they were betrothed, he could take such a liberty. “It really is a squeeze.”
Just then, Lord Fitchley approached Miss Turley. “Miss Turley, my dance, I believe.”
“It is, my lord.” And just like that she went off with the other man.
Geoff didn’t know what he’d expected, but it was not that. He had wished to talk with her.
“My sister is much admired,” Mr. Turley mused. “If you wish to stand up with her at the next ball, you had better request a set this evening.”
It probably behooved Geoff to be much more attentive to Miss Turley than he’d been to Lady Charlotte. He did not have time to waste.
He followed Cousin Apollonia and Grandmamma through the crowd to the back of the ballroom where Lady Mary’s father, the Duke of Groton, stood. She was off to his side, her head together with another lady’s, and didn’t seem to notice Geoff’s approach.
“Harrington.” The duke, a friend of his father’s, inclined his head. “Congratulations on your position with Sir Charles. I wish you well.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Geoff glanced at Lady Mary. “I came to ask your daughter to dance.”
“Allow me to introduce you. Mary.” She hurried to her father. “May I make you known to Lord Harrington? Markham’s heir, you know.”
Lady Mary turned her cold, pale blue eyes on him, and Geoff repressed a shiver. “How do you do, my lord?”
He bowed, and when she did not even offer her hand, he tried to think of a way to remove himself as quickly as possible. Yet, her father was there and he must still ask her to stand up with him. “I am well, thank you.” For some reason, he felt an urgent desire to run a finger between his collar and his neck. “I would like to ask you to stand up with me.”
Lady Mary’s chilly blue eyes rested on him for several moments as if she could not believe he’d had the temerity to request a set. “My card is full.”
“Perhaps at the next ball,” he said only to be polite.
One pale brow lifted. “Allow me to make clear to you, my lord, that I have no desire to live abroad.”
Geoff had never been spoken to so dismissively. On the other hand, he could cross her off his list. Not only was she not interested in the life he offered, she was not at all suitable for the position. “In that case, I shall bid you good evening.”
“Good evening, my lord, and good luck.”
Before he could respond, she turned and smiled at a gentleman approaching her, and her countenance no longer appeared as if she belonged encased in ice. So that was the way of it. He would simply have to concentrate on the other ladies.
Keeping to the sides of the ballroom, Geoff circled looking for Lady Emily. In fairness, he ought to give the girl another opportunity. Finally, he gave up and focused on locating Lady Holland. She would know if Lady Jane was present and be able to introduce him.
“Lord Harrington.” The very woman he was looking for came up beside him. “I require your assistance to dance with a young lady who has no partner.”
“I would be happy to stand up with her.” Her ladyship placed her hand on his arm. “By the by, I am seeking an introduction to Lady Jane Summers.”
