Her brother’s eyes danced with mirth as Lord Littleton bowed over her hand again. “Miss Turley, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to partner you for the first set?”
Elizabeth fought to keep her laughter in as she inclined her head. “Why, yes, my lord. I would be delighted to dance with you.”
“Perfect.” Her brother preened. “This will work out just as we want.”
* * *
Although Lord Littleton dined with them that evening, it was decided he should arrive at the ball after her party solely because she did not want anyone to think that she favored him. Especially when she was to stand up with the man for the first dance.
Lord Harrington arrived as she and Lord Littleton were taking their places for the waltz. As they twirled around the floor, she caught a glance at Lord Harrington. The scowl on his handsome face was all she could have asked for. Apparently, her brother had been correct. Lord Harrington appeared to be much more interested in her when she danced with Lord Littleton.
“Miss Turley.” Lord Harrington came up to her as soon as she had been escorted to her aunt. “Did you save me a second dance this evening?”
She gave him a look that she hoped was both sad but thoughtful by pursing her lips, and raising her brows as if saddened. “I did not, my lord. After I sent the note to you accepting your invitation for the carriage ride, I realized that I had not answered your question about the dance.” Not entirely the truth, but close enough. “As you did not remind me during our drive I forgot about it and gave the set to Lord Littleton.”
Lord Harrington’s rigid lips barely tilted up, and Elizabeth thought she had lost him for good. Then he said, “I would like to request a second set for tomorrow.”
Not for the first time, she wished that her aunt would agree to attend more than one event an evening, or remain after supper, but she would not, and Elizabeth’s card was full. “I am sorry to say that I have no more dances available, my lord.”
When it came time for her waltz with him, she wondered if he would bring the subject up again and was not disappointed. As before, she felt the heat of being in his arms as he twirled her around the floor. They had been, again, discussing his future position, when he abruptly said, “Forgive me for not obtaining a promise from you for a second set. It was foolish to have not realized and asked you again for the dance during our drive.”
He sounded so contrite Elizabeth’s heart began to yearn to apologize to him as well, yet she kept in mind what her friends had said, and merely replied, “I wish you would have remembered as well.”
Her brother’s scheme was working even better than she could have imagined it would.
* * *
Leaning against a pillar in the ballroom, Geoff couldn’t stop himself from scowling at the sight of another gentleman leading Miss Turley out to dance—for the second time this evening. Not only that, but Lord Littleton, the man who currently held her in his arms, had led her out for the opening set last evening and secured the supper dance this night as well.
Littleton had to be the reason Miss Turley didn’t have another set to give Geoff.
Damn it all to perdition. He hadn’t liked the man at Eton or university, and he damn sure didn’t like him now that the blasted fellow was trying to steal his bride. Everything came too easily to Littleton, and Geoff was bound and determined that Miss Turley would not be one of them. She was his.
He just had to find a way to make her—and everyone else in theton—understand that simple fact.
There must be something he could do. If things progressed as they had with Lady Charlotte, he’d lose Miss Turley as well. That meant losing his position with Sir Charles. An untenable proposition.
Turning to walk out of the ballroom, Geoff ran into one of the people he least wished to see. He bowed. “Cousin Apollonia, how are you this evening?”
“Better than you, I dare say.” She’d raised one brow, and her tone was as dry as the desert. “I can only assume you did not take her ladyship’s advice.”
He was not going to have this conversation. Not now when his temper was already frayed to a fine thread. There was only one thing to do. Geoff inclined his head. “Please excuse me,” he said in his haughtiest tone. “I was just leaving.”
“I do not doubt it.” His cousin’s remark was like a knife twisting in his gut. “Mayhap next time you will listen to older and wiser heads.” She glanced to where Miss Turley danced with Lord Littleton. “Two in one Season. I wish you better luck next time, but I doubt you will have it.”
As Geoff strode off with as much dignity as he could muster, his cousin’s light laughter followed him. He was not going to be made a fool of. Somehow he would get back into Miss Turley’s good graces.
Twenty minutes later he strode into his rooms and began searching his desk. “Nettle!”
“I did not expect to see you so early, my lord.”
“The ball was a dead bore.” Papers spilled off the desk scattering on the floor. “I need that list.”
“List, my lord?” Geoff’s valet stood just out of arm’s reach or he might have grabbed the man. He had always prided himself on his calm temperament. Now he wanted to strangle someone.
“Yes. I threw it on the desk a few days ago after I got back from my grandmother’s house.”
“And would the list have been in her ladyship’s hand, my lord?”
