She smiled as demurely as possible. Ladies never accepted a compliment eagerly, but neither did they refuse it. Refusing compliments or anything, really tended to annoy gentlemen. That was one of the first lessons Ursula had learned from Mama don’t be petulant. Never be greedy. Accept what you’re given and no more. No more, and no less. Be content.
“Now,” he said briskly, straightening up. “The minuet?”
The music was just beginning, and couples were taking their places on the dance floor. Ursula did not respond, but no response, it seemed, was necessary. Lord Ashford took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. Glancing over her shoulder, Ursula saw Mama standing there, beaming with pride. Georgie stood beside her aunt, with an impassive expression etched on her face.
It struck Ursula then that Georgie did not have a partner. The two girls were the same age, but this was Georgie’s second Season. Her first Season had not been a successful one. There’d been no scandals, but no engagements, either.
At that moment the dance began, and Ursula carefully put all troublesome thoughts out of her mind, concentrating on her partner.
I suppose I will wed him,she thought, eyeing Lord Ashford’s face. He had a pleasant enough face, and his manners were likeable enough.I daresay I’ll be happy with him. I can learn to be content.
Life isn’t like the poems, after all. As Mama says, it’s best to temper one’s expectations. I’ll be a duchess. It would be far more humiliating to return next Season, having been dubbed the Diamond ofthisSeason without having made a match at all. It would be the talk of every drawing-room Imagine. The scandal sheets would love it.
“You seem preoccupied,” Lord Ashford said, breaking into her thoughts. “Are you feeling unwell? Is it the heat?”
Ursula blinked, coming back to herself. “N-No, nothing like that. I do beg your pardon.”
He smiled tightly. “Think nothing of it. You aren’t given to daydreaming, are you, Lady Ursula? I find it a most displeasing trait in a lady.”
She clenched her jaw. “No, of course not.”
“Wonderful! I am delighted to hear it.”
They didn’t talk for the rest of the dance. When at last it ended, Ursula found herself breathless and flushed. The other dancers stood around clapping, laughing and smiling at their partners. Ursula made a neat curtsey to Lord Ashford, who responded with a stiff bow.
She had not danced her best. Once or twice, Ursula was conscious of havingalmostmissed a step. Judging by the frown between Lord Ashford’s brows, he had noticed it. It would be a terrible embarrassment to make a mistake in a dance, especially for the Diamond and a duke’s son.
“Ah, your cousin is coming to claim you, it seems,” Lord Ashford said smoothly.
Glancing over her shoulder, Ursula saw that Georgie was indeed approaching her, gliding across the emptying dance floor. Several gentlemen eyed her appreciatively as she went by.
Among them was Sir Roderick Black, the rake who’d had the audacity to leave his card and some flowers for Ursula. His gaze followed Georgie, and he pursed his lips. Perhaps consciousof his stare, Georgie glanced over athim, and her eyebrows flickered.
Then the moment was gone, and Sir Roderick thankfully melted into the crowd.
Georgie approached Ursula and Lord Ashford with a smile.
“I wonder, Ursula, if you’d step out into the gardens with me? I’m so very hot, I need to take some air, and of course it wouldn’t be proper to go alone.”
“Of course, Georgie. I’ll come at once. Do excuse me, Lord Ashford.”
Lord Ashford bowed. “Naturally. You may reserve another dance of your choice for me, Lady Ursula. I shan’t be dancing again except with you, so if you could come and find me when our dance begins, and I shall oblige you.”
Ursula missed a beat.How does the man manage to make it sound as ifheis doingmea favour by dancing with me?
“As you wish,” she said aloud, hoping that she sounded properly gracious. “Come, Georgie.”
The two ladies pushed and shoved their way across the floor. The heat was even more intense than before, and already Ursula could feel sweat drying between her skin and the tight, satin dress she wore. The crowd around the refreshment table was impenetrable, with each lady and gentleman fighting to secure themselves a cool drink before the next dance began. At the side of the ballroom, the glass doors opening onto the terrace wereflung wide, allowing gusts of cool air to enter. However, the pleasing draught did not make its way deep into the crowd.
“Perhaps we should find Charlotte, if we’re going to wander in the gardens,” Ursula suggested. “The three of us could take the air.”
Georgie clicked her tongue. “We cannot drag Charlotte away from her own ball, silly. Mr. and Mrs. Winter have thrown this party forher, after all. She might secure a husband for herself tonight.”
“If she wants one,” Ursula pointed out.
“Every woman wants a husband,” Georgie responded bluntly, not turning around. “I did see her dancing with Lord Hartwell. It wouldn’t be anexcellentmatch, and he is considered rather odd, but at least she’d be a proper lady.”
At long last, they managed to stumble out onto the paved terrace beyond the doors. Ursula stopped, breathing in deeply, and tilted back her head. Closing her eyes, she let the cool night air wash over her heated skin.
