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“Not everyone wants a scandal,” Ethan told Christopher. “Why is that the first thing you want to do? There are other ways a gentleman can get married.”
Christopher gasped as if he couldn’t believe what Ethan had just said. “I only brought up the scandal in case he worries she won’t accept his proposal or in case he’d rather make things interesting.”
“How is a scandal interesting?” Piers asked.
“Well, it would make this ball more memorable,” Christopher replied. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to fall asleep.”
“So many people have kissed at balls that it wouldn’t interest you anymore,” Ethan pointed out.
Christopher thought over his friend’s words. He nodded. “Ethan’s right.” He looked at Byron. “Can you do something like pretend to fall on top of her while dancing or get her to passionately kiss you while she’s sitting on your lap on the bench out on the veranda? Something like that would be exciting.”
“That’s all unnecessary,” Piers argued. “Besides, I happen to know something about her father, and he would be sorely displeased if a scandal touched his daughter. That could hurt Mr. Tumilson’s relationship with his future father-in-law.”
“It is nice when you get along with your father-in-law,” Ethan agreed. “It took ten years, but now when I’m invited to my father-in-law’s residence, I know he won’t force me to do any fencing with him.”
“It’s hard to believe he ever threatened you,” Piers said. “Why, just the other day, he was telling me that you’re good for his daughter and grandchildren. I got a bit jealous over that. I never had my father-in-law’s approval, and considering he’s no longer alive, that chance will never come. Mr. Tumilson, you’re better off doing things the right way. The Duke of Dormondton is a reasonable gentleman. He’s mindful of propriety, but he doesn’t think he has all of the answers to everything.”
The music stopped, and Byron’s gaze went back to Eleanor. He only wanted to know if she’d have another dance or take a break, but Piers, once again misunderstanding his interest in her, jabbed him in the arm and gestured to her.
Though Byron wasn’t accustomed to letting anyone tell him what to do, he realized this was the only way to get Piers to stop pestering him. He left the three gentlemen and made his way to Eleanor. Unlike the Duke of Winnett, he didn’t have to compete with other gentlemen for the next dance. She happened to have no one else coming up to her at the moment.
“I don’t suppose you would be willing to have a dance with me?” he asked.
“Have I done anything this evening that you don’t approve of?”
“No, and judging by how pleased the Duchess of Ashbourne is, I surmise you aren’t risking her disapproval, either.”
“In that case, I’ll be happy to dance with you.”
Byron pretended he didn’t notice the wink Piers gave him as he got ready for the next dance.
“I noticed you were talking to Lord Edon,” Eleanor said.
“How? I didn’t see you look my way.”
“I glanced over while I was turning around in the last dance.”
She had? He blinked in surprise. Perhaps if he wasn’t paying attention to the ridiculous conversation the gentlemen were having, he would have noticed it. This wasn’t good. He hoped he hadn’t missed anything important this evening.
“Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone realized it,” she said as the music started. “I was subtle.”
“Subtle is good. A lot of bad things can happen if others figure out what you’re thinking. The element of surprise is in one’s best interest.”
“Now, that’s where you and the Duchess of Ashbourne disagree. She wants my actions to be noticeable.”
“But that’s to attract a suitor who’ll eventually propose to you. That’s different from what I do.”
“When you put it that way, I suppose the advice is right, even though it is conflicting.”
“Sometimes life is about contradiction. What works in one case won’t work in another one. For instance, I don’t usually play the role of a suitor. This has required me to be out in the public far more than I’m used to. Most of the time, I hide in the shadows.”
“Do you feel awkward right now?”
“No.” He was just annoyed that he had been talked into dancing by a gentleman who couldn’t mind his own business. But that was something he’d rather not tell her.
“I feel awkward.”
This was the second time she surprised him. “You don’t look awkward.”
