AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lord Gloucester seems quite enamored,” Chloe whispered to her friend. “You’d think we had partnered him up with the most eligible lady in London.”
“From what Benjamin has told me, the Earl of Gloucester is not one taken in by high positions or hierarchy of any kind,” Maeve murmured, as if it were a great secret.
“What do you mean?” Chloe asked.
“Well . . .” Maeve paused and looped their arms together, the better to whisper gossip in Chloe’s ear. “I hear his late father was somewhat of stickler for the rules governing gentlemen. The current Earl did not agree with him, in many regards. In particular, I do not think the late Earl was very generous to those beneath his class. From what Benjamin said, the two gentlemen did not see much of each other these last few years.”
“Then the Earl is a man who sees people as they really are,” Chloe mused.
“How do you mean?” Maeve asked with her head tilted at an angle, appearing intrigued by Chloe’s words. Chloe felt examined, as if with that head tilt her friend was impersonating an owl, wide eyed and curious.
“I mean that he does not see titles or money. My goodness, perhaps Rosaline has fallen on the best dance partner here, after all,” Chloe said, gesturing to the pair again. “He will judge Rosaline as she is. He will not think ill of her for being the daughter of a tailor.” The mere thought made Chloe’s smile grow wider as she watched the two of them dance together.
Rosaline and Lord Gloucester circled one another, hand in hand. The smile they shared as they talked was a deep one. It was the connection of their hands that interested Chloe most, though. Hand clasps may have been a formal requirement of the dance, yet the touch of those hands seemed rather fervent, as if a thrill passed between them.
Chloe snatched her gaze away once again, feeling an unpleasant ripple of jealousy course through her. She rather compared it to when she was sewing and she stabbed her own fingers, missing the silver protective thimble entirely. That sudden sharp pain that reached deep into her core, felt very like this moment.
What right do I have to be jealous?
“Do you intend to dance tonight, Chloe?” Maeve asked. “I will admit I am intrigued to see how your gown looks when you dance.”
“Oh, I am not sure.” Chloe shrugged, though she couldn’t help looking through the crowd once again, in search of Lord Felton.
At last, he is here!
He had arrived at the ball and was standing at the entrance to the room, talking with the Duke and Lady Shrewsbury. He seemed happy, smiling and chatting away.
What would I give to be beside him now?
“Who would you dance with?” Maeve’s question made Chloe snatch her gaze away, praying Maeve had not seen just where she was looking.
“Oh, I do not know.” Chloe shook her head. “I would wish anyone I danced with to be a friend. A good friend.”
“Well, let us finish your introductions then.” Maeve finished the champagne in her glass and placed it down behind her. “Perhaps when all the introductions are done, we can find you that friend to dance with.” She sounded eager to see Chloe dance.
“Maeve? Have I not been introduced to enough people?” Chloe asked pointedly. “I have met so many ladies tonight, it must be enough to fill every pew in your chapel!”
“Yes, but you need enough ladies to fill a shop on a weekly basis, do you not?” Maeve said with a giggle of excitement.
Chloe knew Maeve was right. She nodded, for it was too important an opportunity to pass up on.
“Excellent, I am glad you agree. Come, let me introduce you to this particular group of ladies.” Maeve gestured to a group that was standing a little distance away. “As you can probably see, even from here, they are rather conscious of what they wear.”
Chloe tried to hold back her laugh as she saw the ladies adjust their clothes multiple times. Some pulled at the necklaces around their throats, to ensure the pendants laid perfectly flat, and others tugged at the feathers in their hair, checking they stood proud.
“They remind me of birds preening their feathers,” Chloe whispered, prompting Maeve to laugh as they stepped forward again.
“Come, let me introduce you.” As Maeve led Chloe away, Chloe couldn’t stop herself from looking across the ballroom.
Her gaze first fell on Rosaline and Lord Gloucester together, seeing how happy they were as they danced, and then her gaze shifted to the entrance by the doors and Lord Felton. He was looking around the ballroom, as if searching for someone. Chloe couldn’t help wishing he was looking for her.
Chapter 8
Leo
“This is absurd,” Leo muttered. He gave up trying to penetrate the circle of ladies and hurried to the side of the room. Chloe was difficult to spot in the middle of that crowd of women, for she was shorter than most, yet he had spied her there.
How could I miss her when she is wearing that gown?
