Page 4 of Just a Little Daring

August sighed and set down his empty glass. He had not intended to go to the Cavendish affair, but it was clear Bainbridge would not allow him to spend New Year’s Eve alone. Still….

“But you will undoubtedly be late if you wait for me. There’s barely time—”

“Then you’d best hurry,” Bainbridge said, grinning and showing his teeth. August sighed.

“No misbehaving, Bainbridge,” he said firmly. “And don’t try to manoeuvre me into doing something dreadful. I intend to find myself a wife this season, and so I’ll be on my best behaviour.”

Bainbridge frowned. “Yes, fair enough, but there’s no need to be a dull dog. I’m a dashed paragon these days, but even so—”

“No misbehaving,” August repeated, his tone brooking no argument. “I mean it. Those days are behind us, and I mean to keep them there.”

“Stop fretting. I’m sure he’ll come.”

Viv sent her brother an indignant glance. “I’m not fretting,” she objected, a statement he greeted with a pitying expression. “Much,” she amended, for honesty’s sake, because she had no secrets from Ash. How could she when they seemed to know what the other was thinking so often? They were very close, and though Viv had friends she trusted implicitly, her twin was always the first person she turned to when she needed a confidant.

“Well, Mama ought to be pleased. Parliament doesn’t open until the end of the month, so she feared everyone would still be in Brighton or in the country, but it’s a crush. It will be the talk of the ton for weeks.”

Viv nodded her agreement, too distracted to say more whilst her brother kept up an amusing commentary upon the guests, their attire, who they were talking to—and about.

“Goodness, will you look at Evie?” he exclaimed. “Such a change has come over her recently. I swear she gets prettier every time I see her.”

Viv turned in the direction Ash was staring and smiled with pleasure. “So she does. Another new gown. My, but she looks lovely.”

“I can’t believe she is still seeing Madame Blanchet. The old bat never designed that. The cut of the bodice is exquisite and quite out of the ordinary. I’d lay money on that being someone else’s work.”

“Ash!” Viv said with a choked laugh.

Ash shrugged. “Well, really. She’s not half so talented as she thinks she is. It’s all very well designing for the standard English rose, but give the woman anyone out of the ordinary and she doesn’t know what to do with her. A one-trick pony is the expression, I believe.”

Viv bit back a smile, remembering the irritated words Ash had exchanged with the woman when he’d seen the yellow gown. Viv had thought it beautiful, but had understood it did not suit her the moment Ash had held it up to her before a looking glass. It was perhaps not in the ordinary way of things to take one's brother to help choose her gowns, but Viv didn’t much care. She found the entire process tedious, and Ash got so heated when she chose badly that it was far easier to let him be a part of the process. How a man could choose so well for her and wear such hideous waistcoats, however, was one of life’s great mysteries. Tonight’s was a deep purple with tiny golden suns embroidered all over, and quite restrained by her brother’s standards.

“Miss Knight!” Ash called, grinning as Evie spotted them and hurried over.

“Good evening, Mr Anson. Viv,” she said, dipping a curtsey to Ash and embracing Viv. “Oh, Vivien, how beautiful you look. Simply ravishing,” she said, staring at Viv.

“We were just saying the same of you,” Viv said with a laugh. “What a lovely gown. That shade of sea green matches your eyes perfectly. Wherever did you get it?”

To her surprise, Evie blushed. “Oh, Madame Blanchet made it for me,” she said, though she avoided Viv’s gaze. Ash glanced at Viv, eyebrows raised.

“Does she have a new designer?” he demanded.

“Oh, er… no, she doesn’t. Do excuse me, I said I’d dance with Mr Godwin.”

Evie hurried off again as her partner came to claim her. The mystery of Evie’s new gown was swiftly forgotten, though, as Viv saw some late arrivals appear in the grand entrance to the ballroom. Their names resonated around the room as the butler announced them, and many heads swivelled to stare.

“The Most Honourable Lawrence and Arabella Grenville, Marquess and Marchioness of Bainbridge, and Mr August Lane-Fox.”

“Just breathe, Viv. Shall I fetch the sal volatile?” Ash asked with mock concern.

“Oh, hush up,” Viv said, not feeling half as unconcerned as she tried to sound.

To her discomfort, she felt her heart pick up speed. He was here, and looking devastatingly handsome. Truly, he was splendid, his hair shimmering like old gold beneath the blaze of the many chandeliers. Viv watched him covertly as he made his way around the ballroom with his friend Bainbridge and Arabella. He moved with easy grace, all long elegant limbs and broad shoulders. Viv’s mouth felt unaccountably dry.

“How do I look?” she said, turning to Ash, who returned a startled glance, having never been asked such a question before.

“Viv!” he said, laughing. “You’re not truly so nervous you’ve forgotten how beautiful you are? I mean, just glance at me if you need reminding. We’re gorgeous.”

Despite her nerves, Viv burst out laughing. “Oh, Ash. You are dreadful. What would I do without you?”