Page 68 of Only Pleasure Will Do

Chapter 28

Resplendent in her newest finery, a beautiful robe a l’anglaise in brocaded deep Saxony blue silk, trimmed in lacy gold braid, Maddy shifted subtly from one foot to the other. All evening she’d been walking beside or standing next to Katarina, also elegantly dressed in a deeper blue gown of a similar style, but with silver trim to match the diamond and sapphire parure she wore, a gift from the marquess. Lord Dalbury stood on his wife’s other side, dressed in a splendid black silk suit that dripped diamonds. The couple complemented each other well, both in temperament and appearance.

Lord, but she’d smiled until her cheeks ached tonight, nodding and speaking pleasantly to each of the guests, her heart in her throat every time Katarina approached a gentleman. No matter what her friend said, she couldn’t believe nobody here would recognize her. Kat had consulted her on the guest list, of course, and she’d pointed out the names of at least a dozen gentlemen who’d been clients at the House of Pleasure. Those men had been promptly removed from the list, but there was always the chance someone would bring an uninvited guest along with them. With possible ruin imminent, was there any wonder Maddy would have loved to simply flee upstairs to her room and hide under the goose-down coverlet?

“I think the end to your torture is here, my dear,” Kat whispered to her and nodded to an older lady, decked out in an exquisitely embellished dove gray silk gown, miraculously the last guest to be met. “Lady Thorpe, how good of you to come. May I present Miss Forrester, daughter of the late Baron Forrester of Rayleigh?”

The woman’s eyes narrowed and Maddy held her breath as she’d done many times so far tonight.

“I thought I recognized your mother in you, Miss Forrester.” Lady Thorpe nodded vigorously, making the ostrich feathers in her tall wig tremble. “I knew her mother—your grandmother—well. Such a pity Anne died so young.” The lady smiled kindly. “You have her eyes, you know.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Concealing her sigh of relief, Maddy made her curtsey, and returned the smile. That was the kind of recognition she needed. People who would attest to who she was in her former life. “My father always said the same thing.”

“But why have I not seen you before, gel? Shouldn’t you have been out before now?”

That had been the question most often asked by the matrons and ladies of Society this evening. She’d allow to Kat to explain once again.

“Miss Forrester was so completely devastated at the loss of her father she took to seclusion in the country home of her guardians, Sir Peter and Lady Fitch.” The marchioness had the answer down smoothly after repeating it at least a dozen times this evening. Her bright blue eyes filled with compassion. “At Sir Peter’s death earlier this year, Miss Forrester’s remaining guardian suggested she return to claim her inheritance and take her rightful place in Society.”

“It seems Lady Fitch was neglectful in her duty to you, Miss Forrester.” Lady Thorpe’s mouth pursed, and she sniffed. “You should have been out years ago, if I remember correctly. You must be two and twenty by now.”

“Three and twenty, my lady.” Once more Maddy had to keep her eyes downcast. “I was so content in the country I didn’t actually desire to come to Town, Lady Thorpe. It brought up sad thoughts of my father.” A truth to be sure. “I’m sure you can understand that.”

“Certainly, my dear. And now Lord and Lady Dalbury have taken a keen interest in you, it seems.” The birdy little eyes flitted from Maddy to Kat. “I would have believed your guardian would be the one to—”

“Lady Fitch is unfortunately still in mourning, my lady.” Kat looked duly downcast. “And as my brother was the man who challenged Sir Peter, I persuaded Lord Dalbury it was only fitting that we sponsor Miss Forrester at this time. She was an innocent party in the quarrel, of course. I thought it the least we could do to take that burden off Lady Fitch.”

“Just so, just so.” Lady Thorpe shot an uncomfortable look at Kat. Everyone knew the scandalous reason behind the duel and the skill that Kat’s brother, the Earl of Manning, possessed with a pistol. Those with sense would not likely cross Kat, her husband, or her brother. “I do wish you well, Miss Forrester.” The woman’s bright blue eyes turned calculating. “If you will save a dance for my grandson, heir to the Marquess of Skegness, I think you will find him a very pleasant gentleman.” Curtsying to Maddy, Kat, and Duncan, Lady Thorpe took her leave, hurrying toward a young man in a vivid peacock blue suit with a black waistcoat embroidered in gold.

“This way, Maddy, if you please.” Duncan took her arm and escorted her toward a tightly bunched group of people.

Maddy tensed, dreading having to now speak innocuous pleasantries to all the strangers she’d just met then relaxed. The gentlemen were Lord Trevor, Lord Manning, and Mr. Morley, their wives nearby with their heads together in their own little circle. A moment’s reprieve at least.

“I will leave you in good company now,” he said, and his wife raised her brows. But he merely gave a shake of his head and unwound Maddy’s arm from his. “I promise to return shortly to dance with you, my dear, but at the moment I have another commitment that cannot wait.” He bowed, kissed his wife’s hand, and sauntered from the ball room.

Gazing around the crowded room, Maddy swallowed hard. Whether she was prepared or not, she was about to become the spectacle she had feared ever since this scheme had been hatched. From several groups here and there, young and not so young gentlemen were making their way toward her. Fright seized her, and she turned quickly to Kat, who had joined her friends and was talking animatedly with them. “Katarina, what am I to do?”

Her friend grasped her hands and gave them a squeeze. “Go have fun, my dear. Dance to your heart’s content. Show everyone you are as carefree as any young woman in Society and they will believe it.”

So much easier said than done.

“Miss Forrester?” A deep voice made her stiffen her back, and she turned to find a darkly handsome young man before her, his chocolate brown silk suit cut very well to show off his wide shoulders and trim waist. An eager look on his face that in her previous life she would have called “at the ready.”

“Yes?” She’d met so many people tonight his name escaped her.

“Lord Arrington, at your service.” Bowing gracefully, he smiled, bringing out a charming dimple in his left cheek. “I believe I’ve stolen a march on all the other bucks to be the first to ask you for a dance.” He gestured to the ballroom floor where couples were gathering, ringing the space where she would shortly dance. Faint strains of the orchestra tuning up could be heard over the din of the guests.

Her hands turned colder than ice.

This was the moment she’d dreaded but must meet with all the courage she could muster. She’d learned the minuet years ago but had had no practice, of course, until the past two weeks. Still, it was not the dance that concerned her as much as the audience. Every eye would be on her and her partner during this first dance, as Society got their first good look at Miss Forrester and judged whether she belonged here or not. Much as she wanted to, she couldn’t very well turn back now.

“Thank you, my lord. I am honored.” Head held high, a practiced smile on her lips, Maddy nodded then curtsied and allowed him to lead them to their place on the dance floor.

The steps, while not complicated, were fairly intricate, so she must keep her mind on her business instead of speculating about what the guests were thinking of her. Or wondering where Reginald was. She’d not seen him, of course, since last week’s stolen tryst. If not so nervous about the dance and her appearance, she would’ve been giddy with delight at the prospect of seeing him again. Shooting a quick glance around the room, she ascertained that he had not yet put in an appearance. So where was he? She would’ve been so much more confident if he were her partner this first dance.

The quick beat of the music began, and Lord Arrington bowed. Hastily, she curtsied then gingerly took his hand. Pray God he didn’t notice the chilly flesh of her fingers. Almost as though she’d been holding one of Mr. Negri’s ices in her bare hand. Thank goodness for gloves.

They commenced a promenade down the center of Dunham House’s grand ballroom. If she concentrated on performing the steps correctly, perhaps she wouldn’t notice the avid gazes peering at her from all around. The saving grace of the minuet was that the partners were too far apart and too busy remembering the next steps to have to converse during the dance.