“One sly remark about my ruination, just one!” Sephi rushed down the stairs behind her in a haze of cornelian blue. “And I will not be held accountable for what I might do with one of Mrs Tait’s doubtless expensive forks.”
And besides, Verity wasn’t the only one with nerves tonight.
In the vestibule, they sought each other’s hands. “You look divine, Cousin.”
“Thank you.” A blush tinged Sephi’s cheeks. “As do you. I knew that colour would suit.”
While Jenkins the butler slid back the bolts of the door, Verity and her cousin twisted to the hall mirror.
Two ladies with eyes bright stared back, coiffures perfect, lips bitten red.
“I’m… I’m so nervous,” whispered Sephi all of a sudden. “My heart is fluttering like a trapped bird.”
Verity felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. “I’m nervous too, Sephi. What if I… I…” She shook her head. Recalled Aunt’s words. “But we have each other, and Mrs Tait has promised to sit us close.” Their clasp tightened. “And maybe the other guests are nervous too. After all, the Scandalous Scarlet Spinsters are attending. Well, two of them at least.”
Sephi nodded and pulled back her shoulders. “So beware Gentlemen of a Delicate Disposition! Heed me Daughters of Innocent Mien…”
“For we in scarlet,” Verity continued, “remain unbowed.”
A splutter of laughter and they turned to the door their butler held open. Seven years ago, he’d been her father’s footman, then promoted to his current position when they’d moved to London.
“Thank you, Jenkins.”
“A pleasure, Miss. I’ll be here when you return.” His lips curved. “And I believe all will go perfectly well. Just you see.”
Verity grinned. Jenkins was young for a butler but he’d been with them throughout. “What would we do without you?”
His lips twitched. “I shudder to imagine, Miss, but I daresay chaos would ensue.” He gave a shallow bow. “I’ll watch from the front step until you are safely inside.”
So with wide smiles and lighter hearts, Verity and her cousin stepped forth unbowed…to next door.
As Miles skeweredthe divine mutton cutlets, he wagered that no man had ever encountered such a grievous situation.
Mrs Tait, who hosted from the head of the table, was not one to seat her guests in accordance withTonhierarchy but rather at her whim.
Lord Ludford, whom Miles had hoped to be seated by in order to enquire after a root cutting from his agapanthus, was at the lower end of the table, and although the marquess had at first huffed with aristocratic displeasure, he was now absorbed in conversation with some scientist opposite, over their mutual pastime of entomology.
To one side of their hostess was Cousin Alasdair of all people and beside him was the young daughter of Lord Kane, a timid girl with a lisp. Miles had at first feared for the girl but he now saw the sense as she was mostau faitwith Paris, her mother having been born in that city, and where Dair had spent a goodly amount of time after Napoleon’s first abdication. Hence they talked of the glittering sights, the marvellous food and the insolent waiters.
Across the table from Miles sat an interesting young man who happened to be a cutlery merchant, Miss Persephone Nash aside him, while to her other side was a wealthy and silver-whiskered banker. Both gentlemen vied for Miss Nash’s attention like hounds with a bone, which appeared to bemuse the lady somewhat.
And so the thoughtful pairings continued…
Except when it came to himself.
Something must have gone wrong.
To his left was the hostess’ daughter, Miss Juliet Tait, a girl just as attractive and intelligent as her mother.
Quintessential countess material, in fact.
Accomplished in all ladylike pursuits, she relished Town life, esteemed Mozart and had a keen knowledge of Egyptian decor. Unfortunately, Miles preferred the countryside, couldn’t sit through the Jupiter Symphony without fidgeting and didn’t know his Horus from his hounds.
And then to his right sat…Miss Verity Seymour.
Other than their initial mutual acknowledgement, when she’d appeared to gulp heavily, they had not looked at or spoken a word to one another. Instead, they’d studied their white soup as though it were a never-before-glimpsed orchid before turning their attentions to the guests on their adjacent sides.
Yet for some galling reason, he could not help but be aware of her.
