“Most assuredly, my lord,” they said together, each sporting a large smile. “Tonight is truly Annalise’s first ball, and I am on the arm of a remarkable gentleman. What more could either of us ask?” Theodora declared.
“I mean to claim the first dance set,” Alexander instructed his sister, but she shook off the idea.
Alexander stood watchinghis sister perform a country dance with Mr. Kepper as her partner. Thankfully, Duncan had politely dropped the hint to several of Alexander’s cohorts in order to secure dance partners Annalise recognized rather than complete strangers. Alexander should have done the deed himself, but he was glad Duncan had practiced more forethought than had he.
After a bit, Beaufort sidled up beside him, gently bumping Alexander’s arm with his shoulder. “Every eye in the hall remains on your sister,” Beaufort confided.
“And your point?” Alexander asked without removing his own eyes from Annalise.
“My point?” Beaufort asked with confounding casualness. “My point, Marksman, is, unless God deems it otherwise, I plan to marry your sister.”
Alexander swung his gaze away from the dance floor to stare into his friend’s steady countenance. “When did your interest in Annalise move to thoughts of marriage?”
Beaufort’s eyes remained on Annalise. “I thoroughly realize your point. Even so, such will not dissuade me. I have always said I would recognize the right woman when I claimed her acquaintance.”
Alexander’s frown deepened. “I want Annalise to have a Season. To have all those things she has been denied.”
“Such as someone who loves her unconditionally?” Beaufort asked with a silly grin plastered upon his lips, which added to Alexander’s irritation.
“I love her unconditionally,” Alexander argued.
“Not the same type of love, Marksman, old chap, but I will promise to permit your lovely sister her Season. Yet, you should know that I plan to court her officially during those months with the intention of securing her hand as the end result.”
“You are serious?” Alexander demanded.
Beaufort’s smile widened. “More serious than you have ever known me to be. In fact, as our estates are only a few miles apart, I should be your first choice for Lady Annalise. I will not be taking her away from you completely. Keep that particular fact in mind as others approach you for permission to court her. You already know something of my wealth, so there is no need to discuss it until you and I sit down for the marriage contract.” He added, “By the way, I do not intend to play fair, which means I will often be asking for forgiveness, not permission, from you, beginning this very evening.”
“My sister will be the one you must convince, not me,” Alexander declared.
“I love a good challenge,” Beaufort said as he eyed Annalise with amusement marking his features. “In fact, I am unofficially declaring myself. Society will notice my actions, but Lady Annalise will not, for she has yet to be spoiled by the rigid rules others place upon her, which is something I adore about her. I am claiming a ‘second’ dance—the supper dance no less.Between the dance and the meal, I will have her all to myself for more than an hour. Many will recognize my manipulation, but I doubt your sister will be among them. You should claim your wife for the supper dance, and then join your sister and me for the evening meal.” He chuckled. “We might require a chaperone.”
“What of Julia?” Alexander demanded. “I will not have my sister second to your long-time mistress.”
“While you were enjoying Theodora’s finer qualities, I released Julia some time ago,” Beaufort confided. “I would not expect Lady Annalise to tolerate the knowledge of my spending time with my mistress. Your sister might be jealous enough to take a sword to Julia, do you not think?”
“I am not happy with this development,” Alexander emphasized.
“Look at her,” Beaufort said as he watched Annalise and Kepper performing the dance. “When we are in Ireland, all will consider her as Irish as they are.”
As the music came to an end, Beaufort presented Alexander a brief bow. “I will be just as satisfied to have Lady Annalise all to myself at supper. I will return her to your side when the music begins again.”
As his friend walked away, Alexander knew displeasure marked his own features. He was not prepared to lose Annalise to another so quickly, but he knew Beaufort could be quite determined when he set his mind to a task. “If Beaufort thinks to dine alone with my sister, he has another ‘think’ to acknowledge.” He turned to where Kepper had come to stand beside him. “Beaufort extended an invitation for me to join him and my sister for supper,” he explained. “Would you care to join us?” Kepper shrugged his supposed indifference. “Why do you not claim Theodora for this supper set so we might all sittogether? She and I danced together twice already, but I will claim a different partner.”
Kepper looked off to where several young ladies watched the couples taking their positions on the dance floor. “I would not mind spending more time with Miss McGinthy without declaring my intentions.”
Alexander smiled easily. “Miss McGinthy it is. I am your servant, good sir.”
