Page 12 of Counting on Love

“No reason. Just I can see Plodgett’s eyes bulging from here. Oh. Lord Taverston has noticed you.” He elbowed Georgiana and Alice as though they were tavern bawds. “Do you see him? Look toward the east door. Here he comes.”

Georgiana complained nervously, “Father, I certainly hope you don’t intend to narrate the whole evening.”

“He is striding this way. Looking side to side. Smiling—”

“Stop!” She flushed with mortification and the effort not to laugh. “Someone will hear you.”

“Is that the best smile he can manage? It is more of a grimace.”

“Mama! Tell him to stop!”

Alice’s fit of giggles was not helping matters.

“Oh, well. He has been waylaid by Lady Drakemore. That woman. She’ll be angling for him to secure a dance with that daughter of hers.”

“Miss Christine is lovely!” Mama protested.

“Yes, she is. He should dance with her, of course. I’ll stop teasing now. He’ll be here any moment.”

Lord Haslet reached them first and nodded a greeting to the Duke before exclaiming, “Ah! What a sight. The three loveliest women in the room. Your Grace. Lady Georgiana. Miss Fogbotham.” He bowed to each of them in turn. Then to Alice, “What a perfect shade of blue your dress is. It makes your eyes look even greener and green eyes are, by far, the prettiest.”

Alice blushed. “Thank you, my lord. You’re very kind.”

It was gentlemanly of him to direct his attention to Alice at her very first ball, standing in Georgiana’s shadow.

Lord Taverston was not as considerate. “Hovington. Your Grace. Lord Haslet. Lady Georgiana.” He nodded and mumbled something like, “milady,” making it evident he’d forgotten Alice’s name. Then he turned directly to Georgiana.

“How prescient of me to have secured the first dance with the most beautiful lady here. I’ll be the envy of every man in the ton.”

“Congratulations. I know that’s important to you,” Hazard drawled. “And Lady Georgiana, you will have performed your charitable deed for the day.”

To his credit, Lord Taverston laughed. “Miss Fogbotham,” he redeemed himself by remembering, “Do take care of your shoulders. Hazard had been known to steer his partners into walls.”

“Only once,” Hazard said mildly. “And it was the lesser of two catastrophes. Shall we take a turn about the room? If we subject the Duchess to any more of our foolishness, she is likely to tuck the young ladies under her wings and bundle them home.”

Lord Taverston offered his arm. “Will you?”

Georgiana nodded. She and Lord Taverston led, with Hazard and Alice walking behind. The ballroom was expansive, with a checkerboard pattern of marble flooring and high ceilings glittering with chandeliers. It opened onto a terrace. Or would when the weather warmed. Tonight the glass doors were covered with shutters. A small orchestra had set up just to the side. They had been tuning their instruments and, from the sound of it, were nearly ready to begin.

“That is a beautiful color on you.”

“Hmm? Oh, thank you,” she said. She hoped he would not say it complemented her eyes.

“It makes your eyes glow.”

“Thank you.” There must be a book men memorized. “I think the music will be starting soon. There is Lady Andini with the Earl.”

He tucked her arm closer under his and watched with her. The Earl presented his sister, who welcomed them all and bade them enjoy themselves. Georgiana knew she would dance the first set with her brother but would not dance again.

The first strains of a lively country dance called to them, and they formed up their lines.

“Do you enjoy dancing?” Lord Taverston asked, putting his hands on his hips, and performing the opening steps with easy grace.

“I have heard that there are people who do not, but I have never met one of these strange creatures.”

He smiled: white, straight teeth and a dimple on one side. They circled one another.

“I have. I’m related to one.”