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“And I must get one now,” Sir John pulled away from his group of friends, determined to waste no more time now that his course was laid clear. He could think of a handful of mutual acquaintances who were present at the ball and might introduce him to the Lady Charlotte, but decided against each. It was crucial, he thought, that there be some air of mystery about him. It would never do to be associated, however unconsciously, with some twittering and portly matron who would undoubtedly begin by immediately airing her entire body of knowledge regarding him to Lady Charlotte.
“I can introduce you,” Lord Edward said putting his cup aside. “I’m acquainted with Keegain.”
“Oh no,” cried the others.
“That is assistance,” Henderson argued.
“We are to stay out of it,” Blakely added nodding his head vigorously.
“Very well then,” Sir John said. “I can do this alone. As I have said, it is a simple matter to get a young lady to fall in love.”
Sir John sought out the Master of Ceremonies and asked for an introduction. It was perfectly proper, but still kept him romantically removed from Lady Charlotte’s circle of known acquaintances, just as he preferred.
* * *
5
Lady Charlotte could scarcely catch her breath after the conclusion of her last dance. She saw the wisdom of leaving a blank space or two on her dance card, as her mother had insisted, if only to regain her equilibrium. But the dancing was simply so much fun that she could scarcely resign herself to sitting down at all.
She supposed there was something to be said for the entertainment provided in watching the other dancers from the outside perspective. Charlotte observed the graceful whirl of movement and color as the other dancers turned about the floor. The little interactions between partners fascinated her: a bored look, or an infatuated one, a slight caressing touch that might easily be explained away as a natural movement, a poorly concealed wince as toes were trodden upon.
Charlotte giggled. It was all rather like watching a play of sorts. She licked her lips thinking she was rather parched. Perhaps the next person who asked for a dance could get her some refreshment instead and they could converse rather than dancing. Oh, she hoped it was not some dull, boorish individual as she was quite thirsty.
In the moment, Charlotte’s eyes searched for her sister and she found Helen on the dance floor with a smiling gentleman. Good for her, Charlotte thought. She knew once Helen started to dance her nerves would disappear. And so it was.
Jane and Mother had retired to a further removed area with several other married ladies. Lady Charlotte began working her way towards them when she noticed that Lady Jersey had approached her mother. Lady Charlotte paused momentarily, unwilling to interrupt the dowager as she spoke to the Almack’s patron. Still, she felt a bit at a loss since her last partner had most indecorously left her at the side of the room without her chaperone. She flipped open her fan and waved it softly about her flushed face.
“My lady, yet another gentleman desires an introduction if you are agreeable to making the acquaintance?” the Master of Ceremonies said, materializing smoothly at Charlotte’s side.
“Yet another?” Charlotte repeated his phrase with a charming smile. “I fear you have been kept quite busy making introductions this evening. By all means, introduce us, of course.”
“It is a delight, I assure you, my lady,” the Master of Ceremonies bowed low to conceal his own besotted smile. He was no more immune to Lady Charlotte’s vivid beauty and bubbling enthusiasm than any of the young gentlemen clamoring for introductions. “Lady Charlotte Keening, sister to the Earl of Keegain, may I present to you Sir John Ashbrooke, only son of the late Sir Richard Ashbrooke.”
“It is both an honor and a privilege to meet the diamond of the new Season,” Sir John murmured, taking Charlotte’s hand briefly while keeping his eyes steadily fixed on hers.
Charlotte was instantly struck by Sir John Ashbrooke’s confident presence. A rush of excitement ran through her as she spoke. “Surely, it is entirely too soon for any one young lady to make such a claim, sir,” Charlotte answered glibly, but she found herself entranced.
Sir John was easily one of the most handsome gentlemen she had been introduced to this evening, with his thick dark hair and enigmatic azure blue eyes. He was taller than she, but not overly so. She did not have to crane her neck up to look at him, and look at him she did. She could not seem to help herself. When he smiled knowingly at her, she fanned herself lightly and hid her blush partially behind her fan.
“Perhaps that is so,” he continued. “But this is an excellent time to make the prediction as to your radiance, if you will excuse me for fancying myself a bit of a prophet. I do not believe that any other young lady here tonight has caused such a stir of admiration among the bachelors of theTonas you have done.”
“You jest.”
“I assure you I do not, and whatever else other gentlemen may think, I know for certain that no one has caused such a stir within my own heart.”
“You shall turn my head,” Charlotte said coyly, attempting to hide how her heart fluttered nervously in her chest.
“I certainly hope to do so,” he replied easily and Charlotte laughed at his moxie. In addition to being the most handsome, Sir John was easily the most outrageous and bold of the gentlemen she had been introduced to this evening.
“If you truly desire to solidify your reputation as a prophet, an even more apropos time for making predictions would bebeforethe ball or indeed, the Season itself, I should think,” Charlotte replied, thinking quickly of something to say to mask her excitement at the handsome stranger’s compliments. She felt a thrill at his words while simultaneously one cynical part of her mind doubted his sincerity. After all, flattery was easily bandied about. She had heard much of it this evening.
“You flatter,” she accused with a smile. “Oh, you are a knave, but I shall allow it. Under one condition.”
“Name your boon,” the gentleman said with a dramatic bow. “I am your obedient servant.”
Charlotte laughed aloud. He raised his eyes to hers and the sound caught in her throat. His deep blue gaze held her captive. His eyes are like the sea, Charlotte thought, calm upon the surface, but promising hidden depths.
“I fear, I am parched. Will you fetch me a refreshment?” She confided.
