“You seem rather excited,” he commented.
Miss Bentley nodded. “I am,” she replied. “I’m not as nervous as I was last time, and I can’t wait to dance this evening.”
“I have no doubt that you will not lack for partners.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
Emma spoke up. “I must agree with my brother, and I rarely do.”
“That’s true,” Roswell replied.
Miss Bentley’s eyes roamed the room and a line between her brow appeared. “Is it my imagination, or is everyone staring at me?”
Roswell followed her gaze and noticed that the other guests were, in fact, staring in their direction. Many of the women had fans up to their faces, but it was evident they were gossiping about Miss Bentley.
“I wouldn’t give it any heed,” he replied. “Most likely, they are just admiring your beauty.”
Why had he just said that?
Miss Bentley smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I doubt that to be the case.”
Emma looped her arm through Miss Bentley’s. “Again, I must agree with my brother on this,” she said. “Although I really should stop agreeing with him. It is quite unbecoming of me.”
His mother interjected, “You must not let the gossips get you down. They aren’t worth your time or notice.”
As he started to open his mouth, Roswell saw Mr. Cosgrove approach him with a solemn look on his face. He tipped his head at the ladies before saying, “I need to speak to you.”
Roswell followed Cosgrove a short distance away. “Whatever is the matter?”
“I thought you should know that everyone here is gossiping about Miss Bentley,” Cosgrove revealed.
“Why?”
“Lady Persephone let it slip to Lady Rochester that Miss Bentley doesn’t have a dowry and was determined to make a match this Season, by any means necessary.”
“What does that mean?”
Cosgrove shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure, but no sensible man will want to associate with Miss Bentley now.”
“Even you?”
Wincing, Cosgrove said, “My father would cut my allowance if he discovered I was encouraging Miss Bentley, especially given the circumstances.”
“Coward.”
“You must understand my plight,” Cosgrove defended. “There is no denying that Miss Bentley is beautiful, but I still need to marry someone with a dowry to keep our estate afloat.”
“Poor Miss Bentley,” Roswell muttered.
Cosgrove glanced over at her. “Sadly, under the circumstances, it will be nearly impossible for her to make a match this Season,” he said. “You may as well send her home and try again next Season.”
“I’m afraid that is not possible.”
“Then I wish you luck.”
Roswell sighed. “Thank you for coming to me about this delicate matter.”
“I wish it hadn’t been such terrible news,” Cosgrove said. “Will you be joining us in the card room this evening?”
