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Lord Dorrington’s brown eyes were almost lost beneath heavy lids and his fat cheeks, but he smiled benignly at Nancy. ‘How do you do, Miss Sunday? I hope perhaps we will hear you play the pianoforte. I love a good tune.’ He turned away to greet the next in line.
Lady Dorrington gave Nancy a cursory glance. ‘I hope you enjoy the evening.’
Nancy curtsied. ‘Thank you, my lady. I’m sure I shall.’
‘Come along, Nancy.’ Felicia beckoned to her, frowning. ‘You keep yourself to yourself, my girl. Remember your place.’
‘Don’t be hard on her, my love,’ Claude said gently. ‘Nancy isn’t used to such gatherings.’
‘She has to learn, Claude. Why do you always take her side?’ Felicia unfurled her fan and waved it vigorously as if to underline her words. ‘Come with me. Nancy, follow on and speak only when you’re spoken to.’
Nancy sighed. Life with Felicia was not easy, but she could see that Felicia had already forgotten her as she was claimed by someone who was clearly an old acquaintance.
‘Enjoy yourself, Nancy.’ Claude winked and walked away, following his wife and the gentleman who had claimed her attention.
‘That man has the patience of a saint.’
Nancy spun round to see none other than Gervase North standing behind her. He was so close that she could smell his expensive cologne and a slight hint of Havana cigar smoke.
‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded crossly. ‘Why do you always turn up wherever I happen to be?’
‘That’s the trouble with London society, my dear Nancy. It’s a small world.’
‘I don’t want anything to do with you, Gervase. Go away and leave me alone.’
He pulled a face. ‘Now, Nancy, that wasn’t very nice. I don’t see anyone rushing up to ask you to dance, or even to pay their respects. It’s not easy for a newcomer to break into society.’
Nancy stood her ground. ‘Then how did you accomplish it, Gervase? As I understand it, you have run through your inheritance at the gaming tables and you are not welcomed by your family in Devonshire.’
‘That’s rather harsh. In fact, hardly anyone is welcomed by my cousin Christina, and poor Sylvia is a chronic invalid. My mama was a Greystone and, as the only male heir, I should have inherited Greystone Park. That is why I return to Devonshire and my ancestral home.’
‘I know nothing about that, nor do I want to. Now, please go away and leave me alone.’
‘Don’t be unsociable, Nancy. I was going to ask you to join me in the next waltz.’
‘I would rather be a wallflower and sit with the matrons and plain girls than dance with you.’
He proffered his arm. ‘You don’t mean that, my dear. I know you took a fancy to me when we were partners at the quaint entertainment laid on at your dancing school. And to tell the truth I find you very attractive.’
Nancy could see Felicia glaring at her from a distance and she knew she was beaten, albeit temporarily. She laid her hand on his sleeve. ‘One waltz, if you promise to leave me alone afterwards.’
‘On my honour as a gentleman.’ Gervase smiled down at her in a way that made Nancy’s heart beat just a little faster. She was making every effort to dislike him but she was aware of the envious glances of several young ladies, and she had to admit that Gervase was a fine figure of a man, and undeniably handsome. But as he led her onto the dance floor and slipped his arm around her waist, she remembered how he had behaved on the night of Poppleton’s ill-fated ball, and she stiffened.
‘Try to relax, Nancy. This is a waltz, not a walk to the guillotine.’
‘You have such a way with words, Gervase.’
‘And you are determined to place me in the wrong, no matter what I say or do. But I will convince you that you are mistaken. By the end of the evening you will be eating out of my hand.’
‘I certainly hope not,’ Nancy said drily, but she was prevented from saying anything more as he whirled her round the floor with such grace and ease that the other couples moved out of their way and people stopped to watch. Unfortunately, Felicia happened to be watching and her expression was anything but encouraging. The dance ended and Gervase led Nancy from the floor.
‘Leave me now,’ Nancy said in a low voice.
‘But, my dear, I was going to offer you some refreshment. A glass of champagne, perhaps?’
Nancy could see Felicia steaming towards them. ‘Gervase, please move away. Mrs de Marney is coming and she doesn’t look happy. I am supposed to keep in the background.’
Felicia caught up with them, holding her hand to her breast. ‘Are you trying to bring on my palpitations, Nancy? What did I tell you about making a spectacle of yourself?’
