Page 43 of Redemption of a Marquess

“Is he a rake?” she asked.

“He is.”

“You are afraid my reputation will be tarnished.”

“Something like that,” he said.

She shrugged. “I don’t really like him.”

“But you would have danced with him, despite my request that you not.”

“I will not dance with him, if you prefer I don’t.”

“That’s very generous of you, considering you coerced me into dancing with you.”

She gave him a bright smile.

An answering smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before he said in mock sternness, “Perhaps it isn’t you I need worry about, but the gentlemen you bewitch.”

She laughed again and said no more.

Three dances later, Mr. Westland escorted Jeanine from the dance floor and she had to admit she was fatigued.

“You look as though you could use some refreshment,” he said.

They approached a large alcove, but Jeanine stopped when it seemed he might continue inside. Lady Guilford had been very specific in her instructions that Jeanine was, under no condition, to enter an alcove alone with any gentleman.

She looked up at Mr. Westland. “I am thirsty.”

He smiled. “Let me fetch you some punch.”

She gave him a grateful smile before he left. Jeanine looked for a place to sit, but there was no place, save the alcove. She considered. After all, she wasn’t with a gentleman, so she wouldn’t be disobeying Lady Guilford. Jeanine sighed. Mr. Westland would return and then she would be alone with him in the alcove. The open balcony doors, thirty feet to her right, beckoned. She could cool off outside for a moment or two, then return before Mr. Westland made it back.

She wound her way through the crowd and out onto the balcony, which she was surprised to find deserted save for a couple who occupied a bench in the shadows of the far corner. At her appearance, they rose and hurried down the half dozen steps onto the lawn. She sat on the bench in the shadows to the left of the door, near the railing, and watched until the couple were silhouettes beyond the ballroom lights, and then disappeared amongst the darker shadows of trees and bushes.

Lady Claire had said that Grey promised her a walk in the gardens. Jeanine hadn’t seen him since their dance. Had he taken Lady Claire for that walk? Maybe they still lingered in the gardens. She breathed deep of the fresh air. The night was warm, but cooler than the stuffy ballroom. Maybe Grey would take her for a walk.

So far, she hadn’t met a single gentleman who suited her purposes. How long could she remain Grey’s ward if she didn’t find a proper husband soon? He said he would help her. That had to mean he would send her home until he found her a suitable husband, as he’d promised. Had he an elderly gentleman in mind? When she thought about it, it wasn’t surprising that an elderly gentleman wasn’t at the ball. How could a gentleman that old attend a ball? Well, perhaps he could, if he remained seated. But that would be no fun at all.

Tomorrow, she would ask Grey about his plans. Jeanine thought about Miss Stone. What would happen to her once she married? Jeanine would have to bring her to her new household. She couldn’t allow her to leave without a good position, because too many employers mistreated companions.

A man and woman emerged from the ballroom. Jeanine’s gaze lingered on the lady’s dark blue satin dress. She planned to ask Mrs. Morgan if she could make a dress of that color for Miss Stone.

The couple slowed, and the woman said, “Did you see them on the dance floor—and after the way he was carrying on with Lady Claire?”

Jeanine’s mind snapped to attention.

“The Morning Star is a master of deceit,” she said. “That girl cannot be an innocent.”

Jeanine jumped to her feet. “How dare you say such a thing.”

The man and woman whirled.

Jeanine stalked to where they stood. “His lordship was perfectly proper with me.”

The woman’s eyes widened and she glanced at the man, who said, “You misunderstand, my dear.”

“I didn’t misunderstand anything. G-Grey has been very proper, he even held me at arm’s length on the dance floor—which you would have noticed if you weren’t so spiteful.”