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“It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Whitworth,” he said, releasing her hand rather quickly.
Rowena smiled, more out of politeness than sincerity.
“Likewise, Lord Elsbrook,” she said. “May you find that intellectually challenging lady you seek.”
With that, she turned and made her way back toward her parents. She was still irritated at him having used her to escape dancing with a lady chosen by his mother. But part of her was glad that he had, which frustrated her all the more. Was the rest of the Season doomed to continue in such a fashion for her?
As Rowena had feared, no gentleman, save for the one who had used her, even so much as attempted to approach her for a dance. When Nancy rushed over to her, Rowena almost collapsed with relief. Until her sister spoke, that was.
“Sister, dear,” she cooed, brushing back a ringlet of her hair and tucking it behind her ear, “would you like me to introduce you to some of my other friends? I know many of the marriageable men here, as they were friends and associates of Colin’s.”
Rowena shook her head a little too firmly.
“No,” she said sharply. Then, she gave a nervous chuckle and gave her sister a soft smile. “No, Nan. It is all right. I am enjoying myself as I am. The right gentleman will come to me. I will not have to chase after him.”
Nancy studied her for a moment, and Rowena tried to look as confident and relaxed as she sounded. She wished she had drunk more champagne—she might have been almost believable if she had.
“Very well,” Nancy said at last, kissing her quickly on the cheek. “But if you change your mind, come and find me. I will be happy to introduce you to anyone you like.”
Rowena touched her sister’s arm and smiled again.
“I will,” she said. “But I’m fine. I assure you.”
When Nancy finally excused herself, Rowena went right back to the refreshment tables and helped herself to two more glasses of champagne. For the most part, everyone had gone from looking at her to trying their best not to look. Therefore, if she wanted to drink two glasses of champagne, what was it to them? Still, she drank one as quickly as she could, so she wouldn’t be holding two glasses long enough for anyone to notice.Can any of this get any worse?
The night ended at last, and Rowena did not see the baron again. She supposed he had managed to slip away from the party, and from his mother’s machinations, as he had confessed he had been hoping for from the beginning.
Though Rowena was still stinging from him using her, much as Jason had, she couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for him. He was just like her; being forced into a marriage he didn’t want, for the sake of a parent who was not giving him a choice. Still, she was glad their dance was long over and that she would likely never encounter him again at any other party. Or was she?
***
The following morning, Rowena smiled as the image of a handsome gentleman lingered in her sleepy mind. It only took her a moment to realize it was Lord Elsbrook. She flushed with irritation. How was it that she was still thinking of that rude man? Even if he was handsome, he was also rather arrogant. And his presumption that she was both gullible and emptyheaded like other women was insulting to her beyond belief. She wanted nothing more than to just forget the man and get on with her life . . . and the rest of the horrible Season.
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned in time to see Sally entering, wearing a very concerned expression.
“Sally,” she said, smiling. “Please, come in.”
The maid complied, but her expression did not change.
“Do you have a minute, miss?” she asked, biting her lip.
Rowena chuckled.
“I’m not even dressed yet, dear,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. “Of course, I have time to speak with you. What’s the matter?”
Sally took Rowena’s hand for a moment before quickly releasing it and wringing her own. Then, she sat down on the bed with Rowena, pulling something from her apron pocket.
“What is this?” Rowena asked, unfolding the paper Sally handed her.
“Look,” Sally said, sounding as nervous as she appeared.
Rowena’s heart sank as she realized she was holding the newest edition of the scandal sheets from theLondon Times.She swallowed, smoothing out the paper so she could read it. It didn’t take her any time to see immediately what the trouble was:
Shamed Whitworth Daughter Seen Dancing with Esteemed Lord Elsbrook.
She took a deep breath before skimming the article. As she read, it became painfully clear that no one in thetonhad forgotten about the scandal over her and Jason. It was the last line, however, that made her heart sink to her toes:
There can be no doubt that the bachelor in question only danced with the lady out of pity.
