AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes,” he replied. “Tom has a small part in the new play at the Drury Lane Theater,Lord for a Season.”
“We must all go see it,” said Miss Sarah Moran, the shortest of the four young ladies. Arthur suspected that her sandy brows and eyelashes had been subtly tinted for her debut. Her light-blue eyes sparkled with interest in the chattering crowd.
“If Harriet can spare a moment from being lionized,” said Miss Charlotte Deeping. The tallest and most acerbic of the young ladies had been persuaded to wear ruffles, Arthur noted with amusement. Her black hair, pale skin, and angular frame seemed less spiky in this new guise.
Miss Harriet Finch turned on her, red-blond hair glinting in the candlelight. “Will you stop, Charlotte? I’ve asked you and asked you.” The volume of her protest caused nearby heads to turn. The glitter in her green eyes promised retribution. Oddly, of the four young ladies, she looked most apprehensive to Arthur. Since she was a considerable heiress, and thus could expect a warm welcome from thehaut ton, he didn’t understand her stiff expression.
“I’ve never seen so many people in one room,” said Miss Moran, in an obvious effort to smooth over the dispute. “And all strangers. Nothing at all like a country assembly. What do you do if no one asks you to dance? Sit and watch?” She eyed the rows of gilt chairs pushed against the walls with disfavor.
“You know I’ve promised you my brothers,” replied Miss Deeping. “You won’t lack partners.”
Arthur thought he might have met one of her brothers last season. He recalled a lanky young sprig named Deeping among the dandy set. Even in a padded coat he’d looked rather like a toothpick.
“You mustn’tmakethem ask me,” said Miss Moran.
“Nonsense. What are brothers for if not to follow orders?” Miss Deeping gazed around the room. Finding what she sought, she beckoned.
A tall, slender young man approached—not the exquisite one Arthur remembered. This one looked like a male version of Miss Deeping, in plain evening dress. “What is it, Char?” he said.
“Ask Sarah to dance,” was the imperious reply. “Sarah, you’ve met Henry.”
Miss Moran murmured an embarrassed acknowledgment. The young man grinned down at her. “Honored,” he said, sketching a bow.
“Where are Stanley and Cecil?” asked Miss Deeping.
Her brother gestured vaguely at the crowd. “They’re about somewhere.”
“Well, find them and bring them here.”
“I thought you said you’d rather be a wallflower than dance with a brother,” teased Henry Deeping.
“That was before I saw the walls.” Miss Deeping surveyed the large ballroom with uncertainty. Not quite as assured as she liked to appear, Arthur concluded.
“Right.” Her brother offered an amused salute. “I’ll be back in a tic.”
“And don’t think you can slope off,” added Miss Deeping. “You know what Mama said.”
“We are to do our duty to launch our odious little sister into society.”
“Beast.”
“I would say beauty, but I’m an honest fellow.”
“You are a pig,” said his sister.
With a grin and another bow, Henry Deeping departed on his mission.
“I won’t dance with Cecil,” declared Miss Finch. “He looks ridiculous. His waistcoats hurt one’s eyes. And all those fobs he wearsclinkwhen he moves. It’s the most distracting thing.”
“You can have Stanley,” said Miss Deeping. She seemed eager to make up for her earlier comment.
But before any of Miss Deeping’s brothers returned, a formidable dowager approached with a young man in tow. She introduced him to Miss Finch as a desirable partner, and he immediately asked her to dance. The beginning of a campaign to win a fortune, Arthur thought. He hoped Miss Finch might come to enjoy the process. Her demeanor suggested that so far she wasn’t.
Miss Ada smiled up at her promised husband. “We can show everyone how you have benefited from your dancing lessons,” she said.
The young duke grimaced. “Would you say ‘benefit’? But then, you are a generous creature.” When the pair had exchanged fond glances, Compton looked at Arthur. “Will you join me in a prayer that the first dance isn’t a quadrille?”
In fact, it was a country dance, to his obvious relief. Miss Deeping’s brothers turned up. The young ladies joined the set, and Arthur was left standing next to Miss Julia Grandison, wondering if he was obliged to ask the formidable lady to dance. There was nothing for it. He broached the subject.
