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The music began again, and the liveliness of the dance precluded further conversation. By the time we were finished, I escorted Thea toward my mother, trying not to notice the perfect rosiness in Thea’s cheeks and the brilliant sparkle in her round, blue eyes. It was no wonder Thea had a string of admirers wherever she went. She was beautiful, with a sweet heart-shaped face that inspired one to consider poetry or the last time they watched a sunrise.
I had watched the sun rise all week in Thea’s presence, and I wasn’t sure which of the two—the landscape or the woman—were more breathtaking. It was unfair. She would be much easier to dislike if she had a more sour countenance.
“You look lovely dancing, Thea,” Lady Edith said. “I do wish you would have been with us when we hosted Felicity’s bridal ball.”
“We can have another,” I said. Thea would need something to commemorate her entrance into Society.
“Thea will certainly need one in London.” Lady Edith looked to Felicity. “If that is something that you think yourself capable of?”
Felicity nodded resolutely, looking at her husband. “We can manage, I think. Must it be a very large ball?”
Lady Edith considered the question. “Mr. Northcott certainly had many friends, Mrs. Northcott as well. I imagine they would all expect invitations—”
“I have no desire to pander to my parents’ friends.” Thea turned her attention to Felicity. “Whoever you choose to invite will be perfectly acceptable to me. Having no ball at all would be perfectly acceptable as well.”
Felicity would undoubtedly prefer that option, too, but it would not be enough for Mother.
A throat cleared, gathering the attention from everyone in our group. Alfred Upshaw stood behind Thea, so I sent her an amused smile before she turned around and faced her suitor.
“I hoped to ask for your company during the next set, Miss Northcott. An injury to my foot prevents me from dancing at present, but I would be glad for a turn about the room, if you would honor me with your company.”
Faced with such a plea, Thea could hardly refuse the man.
“If you’ve injured your foot, would you prefer to rest?” she asked with perfect cordiality.
“Yes, that would be nice,” he said. “The supper tables are cleared by now, I am sure.” He bent his elbow, offering her his arm, and she took it. Upshaw likely did not identify Thea’s attempt to remove herself from obligation to him. Fortunately for Thea, being the daughter of a practiced politician had undoubtedly aided her in the art of careful diplomacy, and she allowed Upshaw to lead her into the adjoining room.
“Is it appropriate for them to go off together alone?” I asked, watching their retreat.
“They’re hardly alone,” Mother said. “The doors to the dining area are wide open and people have been coming between the rooms for the last few dances. I am certain others have sought their respite at the tables as well.”
Still, watching Thea disappear on the arm of a man who’d once professed his love to her made my chest tight.
“Oh, there is Lady Whitstone and Miss Whitstone,” Mother said, sighing heavily. “Come, let us greet them.”
* * *
Thea
Mr. Alfred Upshaw’s professed love for me had not dimmed in the time and space that spanned the last few years. His fervent, eager eyes beseeched me to recall our final moments together at the Whitstones’ garden party before I set off for school, but I shook my head sorrowfully upon his inquiry, despite being perfectly able to recall that day with alarming clarity.
Mr. Upshaw had, in the relative privacy of the hedge maze, recited a poem to me he had written himself. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, for we left the maze to the sound of others talking about the fool they’d overheard reciting an awful poem, and Mr. Upshaw had flushed a deep enough red to give us away.
I had left him, the garden party, and then Chelton with great eagerness. It had not helped that Benedict had been among the party mocking Mr. Upshaw, and me by extension, his amusement irritating as he had walked past us with a woman on each arm. Nor that later Benedict had not seemed to understand why it had bothered me. His explanation had been something along the belief that I would naturally agree Mr. Upshaw was nothing short of ridiculous.
Of course the man was ridiculous, but I had been embarrassed, too. Foolish man.
“Are you happy to return to Chelton?” Mr. Upshaw asked me now, pulling out a chair for me to sit at one of the banquet tables in the adjoining room. People milled about, mostly older men or women who seemed to need a rest after the hearty meal that had been provided.
I smiled at Mr. Upshaw, careful not to beam too widely. I did not wish to give this man any false ideas about my affections. “I am always happy to be at Chelton. Lady Edith is like a mother to me, there is ample room for riding, and I am finding the new Mrs. Bradwell’s company very much to my liking.”
He nodded approval. “I am glad to hear that you still enjoy riding. Perhaps you might honor me—”
“Your foot,” I said quickly, hoping to avoid an invitation to ride together. I could not give the man any reason to believe his suit would be well received. He might still carry affection for me, but that did not abolish my other fears. A man in his situation, who was so quick to feel deep emotions, was not possessed of a sturdy enough character to be relied upon. “How did you injure it? I do hope it was nothing with lasting damage.”
He shook away the apparent surprise from my interruption. “It happened during the country dance. I’m afraid I moved the wrong direction and collided with Mr. Rufford. He stomped on it.”
“How dreadful.” Mr. Rufford wasn’t small by any means, and a collision with the man was sure to hurt. “I hope you are recovered enough to walk home.”
