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Eden drifted through the ballroom at Percy’s Leicester Square residence, at once delighted to be in his home and annoyed his duties as host had kept him too busy to attend her. Catherine, who walked beside her in stony silence, was no doubt feeling the exact opposite on both counts.
Ravenwood was here, as Percy had predicted. The man had not yet come to greet her, which was doubtless adding to her stepmother’s agitation. Perhaps he felt it would be inappropriate to actively pursue her on his rival’s turf? Regardless of the reason, Eden was grateful.
There were a number of people here with whom she was unfamiliar and others she’d seen before but knew not. One in particular stood out to her, a man carrying a rather ragged brown leather portfolio under his arm. She remembered seeing him at the Sheffield ball, but they hadn’t been introduced.
His eyes followed her wherever she went. She knew this because he looked away every time she glanced in his direction. Every now and again, he appeared to be making notations of some sort in his book.
It was disconcerting to be under such scrutiny, and she told Percy about it as soon as he came to her. “Is he an acquaintance of yours or Ravenwood’s spy?”
“Mine,” he said, seeming a bit embarrassed. “Please pardon his rudeness—he’s a bit of an eccentric, I’m afraid.” He favored her with a warm smile. “Having said it, I cannot fault him for staring at you. You are an enchanting vision.”
“You are kind to say it.” His compliment warmed her. The effort she’d put into her appearance had not been in vain.
“I am but truthful,” he countered, a bit of mischief in his smile. “Come, I shall introduce you to the gentleman who’s been eyeing you all afternoon.” As they walked, he leaned closer to whisper, “I suppose you’ve also noticed our friend lurking in the corners?”
She nodded. “My stepmother is convinced he intends to sever ties with us simply because he greeted us with brevity. She’s in a state of near panic.”
His smile turned wolfish. “The wise man knows when he’s in enemy territory and at a disadvantage. He’ll bide his time and wait for a better opportunity. For now, he watches and observes both his opponent and his quarry.” His words brought her no comfort, and it must have shown on her face, for his manner gentled. “Eden, you’ve nothing to fear. I will speak to him and make him see reason.”
She wasn’t so sure. Before she could ask him anything further, however, they had arrived before his friend. Even now, he was scribbling away in his notebook, oblivious to all else around him.
“Will?”
The man looked up, startled. “Tavistoke. I beg your pardon—I did not even mark your approach.”
“Will, may I introduce my dear friend Miss Eden Lowther. Miss Lowther, this is Mister William Hogarth, my good friend and neighbor.”
Bowing, Mister Hogarth beamed in apparent delight. “I am your humble servant, madam. How do you do this fine day?”
“Quite well, thank you, Mister Hogarth,” she answered, curtsying to his bow. She eyed the leather folio, which he’d tucked up under his arm again.
“Will is an artist,” murmured Percy at her ear. “A very gifted one.”
His other guest pinked with pleasure. “You pay me too high a compliment, my lord.”
“Nonsense,” insisted Percy, waving away his objection. “I must bring her to your studio one day to see your work. Then we shall let her form her own opinion. Doubtless it will mirror my own.”
Curiosity pricked her. “Are you sketching, Mister Hogarth?”
Ruddy color suffused the man’s face. “I’m afraid it is a compulsion, madam,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh. “I cannot bear to leave my house without at least carrying the barest of tools needed to preserve a moment.”
“May I see?” she asked meekly.
The red in his cheeks deepened. “These are hardly worth a glance, I’m afraid. Just scratching at this point.” When she did not withdraw her request, he peeked into the folio and dug around for a moment before pulling out a very rough sketch of the ballroom section in front of them. Several rudimentary outlines of men and women crowded the page, as well as crude lines giving the room depth and perspective.
“You have captured the scene entirely,” she murmured in awe. A few of the people depicted had faces drawn in, but most were blank. Her gaze lingered over one. “That’s me, is it not?” Beside her was a tall figure that looked a great deal like Percy. “And Lord Tavistoke, just there.”
The man looked faintly ill as he nodded. “I can erase it if you prefer.”
She looked at him, horrified. “Of course not! I’m delighted to have been a subject of your skill. To my knowledge, I have never before been drawn by anyone. Papa has never seen fit to have a portrait made of our family.” She smiled at him, infusing the gesture with as much warmth as she dared with Percy standing near. “I like to think that this will perhaps remain to preserve the memory of me when I am one day gone.”
Mister Hogarth instantly brightened. “Then I’ll be happy to see it brought to completion. When it is finished, I’ll send it to you to keep as a memento of this day.”
A painting of her with Percy was a gift her parents would ill appreciate, but she would have it nonetheless. Perhaps it would serve as further impetus for them to accept him as her choice. “I would be honored, Mister Hogarth.”
Percy looked a little less than pleased with the man’s impulsive offer, but he nodded. “Perhaps it would be better if you allowed me to present it in your stead,” he suggested to Hogarth. “I’ll say I commissioned the work—and it will be truth because as of now I’m doing just that. Three scenes from today’s party to commemorate the event, this being one of them.”
