One
“Don’t look now,” Blanche’s sister whispered. “Lord Bromley is coming.”
“Oh, bleeding hells,” Blanche muttered, eyes searching the crowd for an escape route.
Normally, the Dowager Duchess of Greystone’s annual house party was the height of elegance, a week-long tactical maneuver famously known as theDuke Hunt. But to Blanche, as she surveyed the sprawling ballroom of the Greystone estate, it felt more like being a cornered fox.
Lord Bromley was simply unbearable—he had quickly become known among the tonfor his drinking and presumptuousness, character traits of which Blanche, in particular, found appalling.
“It is only one dance,” Fanny said softly, taking Blanche’s hands affectionately. “Just one, and then you can go back to daydreaming about the heroes in your novels. You know theDowager is watching; she’s already matched so many couples. First her grandson, then your dear friend Christine, and only last season, her granddaughter was caught in the Dowager’s net. You wouldn’t want to be the first failure of the Duke Hunt, would you?”
The mention of her friend’s marriage—another “trophy” in the Dowager’s perfect record—visibly flushed Blanche, while her sister’s mischievous giggle echoed behind her as she disappeared from the room.
“Lady Blanche,” the viscount pronounced. “Will you do me the honor of the next dance?”.
“I don’t believe my dance card is free for this number, my Lord,” she triple-checked her empty dance card, which he managed to see as well, and smiled.
“Lucky me,” he said with a sneer, and extended a hand toward her. She took it reluctantly, trembling with anxiety.
As soon as Blanche—still flushed—faced him on the dance floor, the man took the liberty of asserting, “I must say I am flattered that you feel nervous in my presence, I?—”
“Oh, it’s just that I’m feeling quite hot,” Blanche cut him off immediately.
“Yes, you do look lovely tonight, Lady Blanche. Enough, at least, to have attracted my attention.”
Am I to take that as a compliment?
“I did not know that you took any interest in me,” she admitted, successfully concealing almost any displeasure in her voice.
“I didn’t,” admitted the viscount, lifting his face proudly, which was of no benefit to him, for from this perspective, the hollows forming in his vain attempt at a beard were much more evident. “But lately, I’ve found myself entertaining the notion of giving evenyousome consideration…”
“Oh, really?” Blanche was about to let out a sarcastic chuckle, but restrained herself. “And to what do I owe the honor of this sudden change of heart? Has the Dowager Duchess whispered my name in your ear as a potential target for your ‘hunt’?”
“Why, to your good fortune,” the viscount replied smoothly, with the smugness of a man who believed himself generous. “I have been considering certain noble ladies to offer them the honor of my hand in marriage. And naturally, you have come to mind.”
Oh, no… No, no, no…
“Suchhonormust be taken with caution, my Lord. I hope you will make your decision wisely.”
“Indeed,” affirmed the viscount, who seemed satisfied with Blanche’s consideration, not quite noticing that she was merely being sarcastic and coldly polite.
“Itisa matter Imustconsider delicately. My good reputation has won me the affection of certain noble families who wish to see their daughters well married. Though of course, I will not mention their names, out of respect for the ladies.”
“Of course.” Blanche nodded, feigning seriousness, or at least trying to. “You are a very thoughtful man, Lord Bromley,” she replied, anxious to be rid of the tedious conversation.
“So, I have decided that it is not only beauty or charm that should dictate my interests in choosing a worthy partner, for I need a well-bred and submissive lady who will recognize my greatness…”
“In which case, I am sure you will find a?—”
“Please, Lady Blanche, allow me to finish,” interrupted the viscount, halting abruptly in the middle of the room, drawing not only the attention of the ton’s most curious ladies but also causing Blanche to blush visibly.
The viscount’s hand clutched Blanche’s tightly as he paused after the dance was over, and he pulled her to a slightly more secluded corner of the room.
To Blanche’s fortune, it was not far from where they had been previously, so she could still see her family a few paces ahead.
She tried to catch her sister’s eye to seek help, but Fanny was, at that very moment, being courted by a handsome young man,to whom their mother was offering coquettish smiles without pause.
Only her father seemed truly aware of what was transpiring between Blanche and the viscount; yet, to her surprise and dismay, the Earl of Gooldwer did not appear particularly inclined to assist his eldest daughter. Thus, Blanche had to face the viscount alone.
