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Before Ellie could respond, Dorothea had disappeared into the crowd. Standing on tiptoe, Ellie could see her sister bobbing through the throng of guests before disappearing into the dining room. At least she would know where she was.
And Ellie couldn’t blame her sister for wanting a moment alone. It had to be exhausting to dance so much. Ellie had managed to get out of it and had made a point to remove her dance card when she arrived at the ball, so she was able to witness the activity around her.
She would rather do that and have people frown at her for purposefully making herself unavailable for dancing by hiding her dance card than go through the humiliation of showing that she couldn’t really dance.
Derrick and Lady Northampton had tried to teach her, but Ellie felt like a newborn foal, and it just wouldn’t happen. Even on the simplest of dances. So, she chose to step back and watch her sisters, even though Derrick said she didn’t need to. Now that she was married, Regina and Dorothea didn’t need to worry about finding someone to marry. They could have fun, under a watchful eye.
Her sisters certainly looked far more relaxed in recent weeks than before. Ever since Derrick made Ellie his wife and they had their little cottage—which, much to Ellie’s surprise, hadn’t fallen down yet—things were looking better. Regina was happier, and she was smiling so much. And Dorothea was like a little girl again. As if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. That was good.
Of course, they would still be on the lookout for husbands, but Ellie knew they weren’t as stressed about it.
“What are you staring at?”
Ellie jumped and spun around. Randall was standing beside her, watching her with a wry smile.
“Mr Copelton!” Ellie pressed a hand to her chest, her heart still racing. “Did you have to sneak up on me like that?”
“I thought you heard me. My apologies.” Randall arched an eyebrow at her. “And what’s with the formalities? You know me, don’t you?”
“In mixed company, you know that’s not a good idea.” Ellie nodded at him. “Also, being so familiar with a gentleman when I’m a married woman? Probably not a good idea.”
“Alright, fair enough. I tried.” Randall looked around. “No husband? I was expecting to see North here, as well.”
“No, he wasn’t able to attend. Something about getting his books in order.” Ellie sighed. “I wish I could have declined to go as well, but Regina and Dorothea wanted to come here, and I couldn’t let them go on their own. They still need a chaperone.”
Randall grinned. “So, you decided to come.” He peered closely at her. “And you chose not to put that ghastly getup on as well. Good choice.”
Ellie tried not to touch her face as her cheek started to itch. “I’m glad I don’t have to wear it anymore. It did make me want to scratch.” She flexed her fingers, ignoring the itching. “It would have smudged the charcoal, and then I would have looked a fright.”
“Why charcoal? Not that I’m saying it wasn’t a bad idea, but…”
“My maid suggested it. An old trick from her mother’s days.”
Randall laughed. “I’ll remember that when I’m wanting to be in disguise.”
“Hmm.” Ellie looked around. “Weren’t you with Regina just now? Where is she?”
“I was coming to ask you. She said she needed to go to the powder room and left abruptly during our dance. And she hasn’t come back?”
“Really.”
Ellie searched the dance floor. Sure enough, no sign of Regina. But she had seen her dancing a moment ago, hadn’t she? How had she managed to get out of the room without Ellie seeing her?
“She’s probably still in the powder room.” Ellie tried to sound optimistic. “If she’s been dancing like Dorothea, she’s probably worn herself out.”
“I hope that’s the case,” Randall grunted. “I don’t like the thought of having a woman run away from me.”
“Doesn’t that happen all the time?”
“Ouch. You wound me, Lady Northampton.”
Ellie grinned and patted his arm. “I’ll go and find her. Don’t panic. She’ll be back shortly.”
She headed through the crowd, managing to get around people before they realised she was there and wanted to talk to her. Several of the guests had been trying to have a conversation with her since she arrived, and Ellie’s throat was sore from talking so much. It would be nice to go somewhere quiet where she didn’t need to talk.
That was something she could do with Derrick. He knew when there was no need to speak, and they could pass the time in silence. Ellie could cuddle into his side and just say nothing, and he wouldn’t force her to talk. It was like he knew when she needed the quiet.
He seemed to know just what she needed, much like a friend would.
