“I recall Lord Beaufort wearing something similar when we all traveled to Buckinghamshire. Tell me what you think: Would Richard look well in a rust-colored coat and a dark waistcoat?” Emma leaned in to say conspiratorially. “By the way, Dora, you should close your mouth, unless you plan to catch flies.”
Dora frowned and snapped her jaws together. “Remind me again why I consider you my friend,” she challenged.
“Because I asked you to stand up with me when I marry your brother Richard,” Emma said smartly.
“There is that, I suppose,” Dora declared with a smile. “And an absolutely gorgeous gown from Madame Emmeline.”
The unknown count greeted each of those Lady Joseph thought worthy of the gentleman’s attention. No less mortal than any other lady in the room, Theodora unabashedly watched the man.
Finally, he was before her and Emma. They made their curtsies, and he bowed. “My ladies,” Lady Joseph said with a large smile of victory, for having snagged the count as her guest, “may I present Lord Almano, freshly arrived from Sardinia. My lord, it gives me great pleasure to provide you with the acquaintance of Lady Emma Donoghue, whose father is Britain’s ambassador to the Northern Netherlands, and Lady Theodora Duncan, whose father is one of our leaders in Parliament.”
The gentleman bowed a second time. “Your servant, my ladies. I apologize for my tardiness,” he said with a soft lilt, customarily found in the speech of those who spoke the “romance” languages; yet, Theodora wondered if his accent was not a bit exaggerated. She was beginning to despise how her father’s “cautions” had her questioning every new acquaintance. She had initially questioned Lady Emma’s authenticity, and, now, Emma was one of Dora’s closest friends. “Did you enjoy the Bach piece, my ladies?”
Emma said, “You must ask my friend. Lady Theodora is the Bach expert, not I.”
“Did the quartet perform your favorite, my lady?” he asked with a knowing smile.
“The quartet is famous across Europe,” Dora said smartly. “I am confident my opinion would be of no merit under the circumstances. As they are to perform, in a matter of days, for both the United Kingdom’s current and future king, my opinion could be of no great consequence.”
“It would be so to me, my lady,” Lord Almano declared.
Theodora did not know whether to keep her “private shield” in place or permit it to drift downward. Did the count speakhonestly or in sarcasm? Was this man one of those who offered compliment after compliment? The expert cut of his clothes spoke of wealth and refinement, and he was assuredly handsome enough to attract a room full of women. They were surrounded by the proof of her observation. Many in close proximity leaned in to hear her conversation with the handsome count.
When she did not respond quickly enough, he offered an apology. “I have detained you too long, my ladies. I should finish my greetings and permit Lady Joseph to return to her hostess duties. I pray for the opportunity where we might encounter each other again, my lady. Lady Emma.” With another bow, the gentleman was again greeting Lady Joseph’s guests farther along the wall.
“Quite handsome,” Emma whispered with a chuckle.
Theodora permitted herself a small giggle. “I suppose broad shoulders, a full mane of hair, dark eyes, and a physique only found among those who practice a variety of recreational activities might impress others; yet, all my brothers could be described with a similar list of admirable qualities. How is Lord Almano different?”
“His lordship is not a brother,” Lady Emma declared.
