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Lady Kipp-Landon’s eyes widened briefly. “Oh no, not at all! It’s quite fetching on you. I see you danced with Lord Markham.” She sidled closer to Nora as if they were friends. “Does he plan to call on you?”
For a moment, Nora simply stood there and tried to make sense of what was happening. Did Lady Kipp-Landonthinkthey were friends?
“I’m sure I don’t know,” Nora murmured. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find the retiring room.”
“Of course. It’s upstairs—you can’t miss it.” Her face brightened. “Lovely to chat with you. Mayhap we’ll see each other in the park tomorrow!”
Nora couldn’t help but look at the woman as if she’d sprouted a third ear. She’d seen Lady Kipp-Landon and Lady Abercrombie in the park the day after Lady Satterfield’s ball and they hadn’t said a word to her. What had changed?
She went to the retiring room and was fortunate to run into Lady Satterfield, who pulled her aside. “How is your evening?”
“Fine, thank you. I just danced with Mr. Dawson.”
“Ah yes. How was it?”
“Quite pleasant.” Nora had hesitated in her answer, but not because of her dance with Dawson. She was still thinking of Lady Kipp-Landon’s peculiar behavior.
Lady Satterfield looked at Nora intently, perhaps detecting her lingering unease. She lowered her voice and turned her back to the retiring room. “Is there something else?”
Nora glanced around the room. Aside from an older woman seated on a chaise near the corner, it was empty. “Lady Kipp-Landon spoke with me…as if we were friends.”
Lady Satterfield frowned. “What did she say?”
“She asked about Lord Markham, complimented my gown, and said she looked forward to seeing me in the park.”
Lady Satterfield was aware of how she and Lady Abercrombie had behaved toward Nora, especially the latter at Lady Satterfield’s ball. As promised, Kendal had mentioned something to his stepmother, and now Lady Abercrombie was forever banned from the countess’s invitation list.
Lady Satterfield’s gray eyes lit. “I see what’s happening. Lady Kipp-Landon recognizes that you are becoming popular. You’ve attracted the notice of several gentlemen, including an earl. She’d do better to have you as an ally than an enemy.”
Nora shook her head in disgust. “But it’s all so affected. She doesn’t actuallywantto be my friend.”
“Perhaps not,” Lady Satterfield said gently. “And you needn’t befriend her, of course. However, I would urge you to be pleasant, as it will only help your cause.”
So Nora would have to resort to deceit as well if she wanted to achieve her goal of finding a husband. She’d known, even in her youth, that one must put on a performance of sorts to gain acceptance and attract suitors. But now that she was older, she wasn’t at all sure shewantedto do those things. Her feelings of unease didn’t dissipate.
Lady Satterfield frowned slightly. “You still seem diffident. Is there anything I can do?”
Nora didn’t want to concern her. “No, I’m just out of practice.”
The countess brightened. “Of course you are. It’s quite a change of pace. You mustn’t worry about feeling overwhelmed or unsure. You’ll find your footing again, you’ll see.” Lady Satterfield touched her arm. “But if you want to leave any event ever, you need only say the word. Your well-being is my priority, dear.”
Nora smiled at her kind benefactress. “You are surely heaven-sent.”
Lady Satterfield laughed. “I’m not certain my husband or stepson would agree with you.”
“Nonsense. They both adore you.” Or so it seemed to Nora.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t try their patience from time to time.” She winked at Nora. “Come, I’ll wait for you while you tidy up, and we’ll head back down. You’ve another dance scheduled, do you not?”
Nora nodded. She conducted a brief toilette, then they returned to the party. As Nora began her next dance, she hoped that what Lady Satterfield said was true—that she’d become comfortable soon. However, the alternative, that she simply didn’t like this life, loomed in the forefront of her mind.
Maybe she’d be fortunate enough to find a husband who would provide a quieter country life as she’d become accustomed to. Perhaps someone like Mr. Dawson. Definitely not an Untouchable like the Duke of Kendal. That had been her ambition during her first Seasons, the sparkling dream that she’d foolishly thought was in her grasp.
This time she understood the possibilities, as well as the stakes. And she didn’t plan to fall victim to Society’s vagaries again.
Chapter Six
Brexham Hall, the London residence of Lord Fitzgibbon, was a century-old country house of Palladian design set upon some five hundred acres. Its grandeur and proximity to town made it a favorite haven of the ton. As such, Titus had been here only a handful of times, and never for Lady Fitzgibbon’s annual picnic.
