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“Oh,” his mother exclaimed, stage-whispering to the other ladies. “He would never be in polite society if he could help it. He’d rather spend his day in the barn with the horses.”
He smiled, forbearing the comment. It was mostly true. Luckily, Stephen was coming their way. He bowed to the ladies.
“Lord Sandbourne!” Lady Morton said. “Have you made the acquaintance of Lady Selina?”
“I have,” Stephen said. “I find her to be a genial lady. Very kind. Very proper.” He nodded approvingly. Stephen rarely had anything bad to say about anyone.
Jasper glanced over at Lady Leah, who looked as though she’d sucked on a lemon. He looked at Stephen, who sidled up next to him. The ladies began to discuss other guests who were there.
“How are you holding up, there, old bean?” Stephen asked in a low voice.
Jasper sighed. “As well as can be expected,” he replied.
* * *
It was getting late. The candles in the hall were beginning to burn low. The room was quite warm. The last dance had just ended, and the few couples bowed and curtsied to one another. The musicians ended the tune with a flourish.
Everyone clapped, applauding them.
Selina fanned herself as she stood beside her aunt and uncle. She’d danced for most of the night, and her slippers were beginning to pinch her toes.
“Well, I suppose we should bid our farewells,” Uncle Latimer mused. “It’s been a good night, hasn’t it?”
“The best, Uncle,” Selina agreed. She’d enjoyed herself. She slipped her hand into the elbow that her uncle offered her. Then, the three of them walked over to where the Dowager Duchess, Lady Leah, and the Duke of Gillingham all stood beside the door.
“We’re ready to take you home, my dear,” Uncle Latimer announced to Leah. “Your cousin has exhausted herself entirely. She’s danced with nearly every gentleman here, and she’s quite tired.”
Selina laughed.
“Have you had a good time, Lady Selina?” the Duke asked, beaming at her.
“I’ve very much enjoyed myself, Your Grace,” she said. “I kindly thank you for allowing me to come at last moment’s notice.”
“It’s my pleasure,” the Duke said, bowing to her. She felt her face go hot as she curtsied to him. Their eyes locked for a moment.
“I must say goodbye to Lady Morton,” Leah said. “Mother, you come, too.”
“Selina and I will call for the carriage to be brought round,” Uncle Latimer said.
Selina walked out of Gillingham Manor with her uncle, headed for their carriage.
“Don’t they look good together?” her uncle asked as they waited for the carriage to be brought around.
“Yes, very good,” Selina agreed, smiling. She knew that she felt a rush when she was near the attractive Duke, but she brushed it off as nothing more than mere fancy. With any luck, Lord Sandbourne would always be around. He was good for an interesting conversation, and nothing more.
* * *
Jasper and his mother walked Lady Leah and her mother to the landau that waited to take them to Kirby Hall. He offered her his hand.
“Thank you,” she said stiffly as he helped her up into the carriage. Something had happened at some point during the party, and she’d been bristly ever since. Jasper chalked it up to being tired.
Lady Selina and her aunt and uncle were waiting in the landau. Lady Selina’s face was turned away. He wished that she would look at him. He wondered what had caught her eye.
“Very soon, this will be all yours,” his mother told Lady Leah, taking both of her hands. “And I will get to go to my bed while you bid all of your guests goodnight.”
Lady Leah smiled at her. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You both must come to dine with us, tomorrow evening,” Lady Kirby said. “We can talk all about the party then.”
