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“With your rude behavior, you are bound to frighten away not only your prospects but Victoria’s too,” Frau Elinor said crisply.
“I do not need any prospects. And any man easily frightened away by me is not worth Victoria’s pinky finger, much less her hand in marriage.”
Frau Elinor pursed her lips. “So, you are determined to bundle me away and leave poor Victoria all alone as soon as she marries, then?”
“No, she won’t be alone. That’s why we are here, are we not? To find her the perfect husband.”
“Perfect? No such thing. In your stead, I would pay attention to—Oh, good evening, ladies.” Frau Elinor’s mouth split in a feigned smile as three women approached them. A mother with her marriage-aged daughters, no doubt.
Sebastian tipped his head in greeting and turned toward the dancefloor. He was glad that his aunt was interrupted from her diatribe as he had no interest in listening to more of her complaints. He would rather watch out for Victoria than verbally spar with his aunt on whether he should remain in England after Victoria’s wedding. Sebastian had made his plans. Now it was a matter of ensuring Victoria played her part in them.
Another lady approached them with her young daughter. After the greetings were exchanged, Lady Cunningham turned toward Sebastian. “Lord Roth, how lovely for you to sponsor your niece into English society. Is it true then that your brother is a duke?” She fanned her red cheeks, studying him carefully, sizing up his worthiness to marry her daughter, he presumed. The other ladies leaned in closer to hear his answer.
“I am sorry to disappoint. Alas, the duke is only a cousin on my mother’s side. However, I think of Victoria as my niece.”
“Oh, and she is no doubt very lucky,” the woman said, still eyeing Sebastian as if he were a piece of fish and she the cat. Was she looking for a husband for her daughter, or perhaps a lover for herself?
Either way, Sebastian was not interested.
“I see you are not dancing,” the woman continued.
“You have quite the observation skills,” he replied drily.
She frowned but didn’t relent. “My daughter is an excellent dancer. Perhaps you two should take to the floor.”
It was rude to turn down such a blatant invitation, but the last thing Sebastian needed was to dance with a simpering debutante and try to hold an intelligible conversation with her.
“I am afraid my duty is to chaperone my niece today, not to dance.”
Frau Elinor raised a haughty brow. “And am I a potted plant? Please, do not refuse a dance on Victoria’s behalf. I am a more than capable chaperone. I raised her, did I not?”
Sebastian stifled the urge to raise his eyes heavenward. “Of course, my dear aunt,” he said and offered his arm to the young lady.
She gleefully accepted, and they both ventured onto the dancefloor. Sebastian only hoped the majority of the dance was over, so he could bow out soon.
