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Of course, Rosabel thought with a silent sigh.Why did I enter into this exercise?“Well then, now you have me at a disadvantage.” She kept her smile pleasant and her eyebrows raised in inquiry.
The less tongue-tied of the two giggled again but managed to speak. “We’re sisters. We’re making our debut together, as our father said he couldn’t afford to do it twice. I’m Laura, and this is Lana.” Lana curtsied again when her sister introduced her.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Rosabel said when no further information was offered before prompting, “And you would be the Misses what?”
Laura’s ready giggle was making Bel truly regret her impulse, but she seemed pleasant enough. “I do apologize, my lady. We’re Bridgestone. Laura and Lana Bridgestone.”
“How do you do?” Rosabel responded pleasantly when they dipped again into curtsies. It made her feel beyond awkward considering they couldn’t be much younger than she. She turned to Lana, who hadn’t yet spoken. “Do you mind sharing your Season with your sister?”
Lana stared at her for a moment as though she didn’t understand the question. Then she giggled and shrugged. “I wasn’t presented with an option, for one thing, my lady. For another, we’ve done everything together since we were children, so I suppose I never considered this to be any different. It would probably be even more awkward without my sister.” She paused before looking uncomfortable. “Doyoumind sharing your Season, my lady?”
Rosabel smiled. “I suppose I asked for that question, didn’t I?” She glanced toward her middle sister, who was now trying to smile despite her red-rimmed eyes. “Mind is probably too strong. But I did have one Season all to myself. Since I have four sisters and am still unwed, I can hardly complain about sharing, now can I?” The three girls were back to staring at her as though she were an unknown creature. Rosabel had begun to long for her own room, preferably back home in Sherton. She kept her smile pleasant with effort. “Have you three made the acquaintance of everyone present? Ought I to introduce you to anyone?”
“Oh, no, my lady, thank you ever so, but we are acquainted with everyone.”
At that moment, Bel noticed the approach of two young barons she had been introduced to two nights before at Almack’s. She wasn’t sure if she ought to be relieved or dismayed. Was she about to have five awkward individuals to contend with or would the young men be able to take her place? Only time would tell.
The gentlemen greeted Rosabel and then she quickly performed the introductions before remembering that the girls had said they knew everyone. She had to fight not to roll her eyes at herself. The three girls seemed even more uncomfortable when presented with young men, and Bel was beginning to despair of them when a deep voice just behind her filled her with equal parts relief and dread.
“Good afternoon,” the Duke of Wexford offered the group without specifics before turning to Rosabel. “Might I have the pleasure of your company to circle the room?”
Even if she wanted to, Rosabel couldn’t refuse, but she was pleased to see that the young men quickly offered their elbows to the other debutantes and the five set off ahead of them.
“Did I interfere with your plans, Lady Rosabel?” His tone was quizzing, and Rosabel wasn’t sure what he was implying.
“Not in the least, Your Grace,” she answered, her tone cool as she placed her hand in the crook of his arm, accepting his escort. She had almost forgotten he had been watching her. She was surprised he was still present. “It is generous of you to be here still, Wexford. You are a good friend to Crossley.”
The duke almost frowned. “He has been a good friend to me. The least I could do is stay for the entirety of the celebration of his marriage.”
Bel was a little embarrassed that she had implied otherwise. She inclined her head in acknowledgement and wished the duke to perdition. An effort to think pleasant thoughts prevented her from stamping her foot and storming out of the room as was her inclination.
“Have you any idea where the earl will be taking Georgia for their marriage trip?”
“Crossley wants to show his bride off to all his properties so, they’ll be traipsing all over half of England for the next age.”
“Oh dear. My sister will be moping for months, then.”
Despite the fact that they were walking side by side, Rosabel could feel the duke’s scrutiny burning into the side of her head. She tried to keep her gaze averted from his by scanning the dwindling crowds. It had been almost a crush, despite the vast size of their rooms. Not bad for a wedding breakfast at which Georgia had wished to keep the numbers reduced. She supposed this was reduced for an earl’s marriage.
Rambling, even in her own thoughts, couldn’t hide the fact that the duke was staring at her as though he were trying to figure out how her mind worked. Or perhaps he was wondering if she had a mind. Rosabel wasn’t certain as she couldn’t read his thoughts, especially without even looking at his face. She couldn’t resist a quick glance at his features. His handsome face was clenched into what, for him, seemed to be a frown. He so rarely expressed his feelings in public so, she hadn’t ever seen him frowning but she rather supposed for him, this could be considered such. Rosabel was undecided if it was attractive or repellant. She was fairly sure if it weren’t directed at her, she would consider the rather fierce look to be powerfully appealing.
She felt her eyebrows rise although she tried to remain impassive.
“Is something amiss, Your Grace?”
“I haven’t decided,” was his nonsensical reply.
Bel allowed a tinkle of laughter, although she didn’t quite grin despite the fact that she was highly amused. Wexford sounded bemused. It was delightful. She would love to think she had confounded the duke, but she doubted his befuddlement actually had anything to do with her.
“Are you in need of refreshments?” she asked in a bland tone.
“You are a strange creature, Lady Rosabel.”
“Are you just now figuring that out?” she asked, not bothering to meet his gaze.
She nearly tripped over her own feet when Wexford laughed out loud, bringing the surprised gaze of everyone in the room to speculate over what they might be discussing.
“Control yourself,” she hissed while keeping her pleasant expression in place. “People are staring.”
