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Chapter 27
Instead of dwelling on all the gossip about Edward and Anna, Laura decided to do what she did best. Work. She did not once turn her head towards the dance floor for fear that she’d see them dancing together again. Edward had warned her; Laura had braced herself for the pain, and that bracing was not enough. She managed to encounter Diana one more time in the kitchen.
“Did the fresh air help?”
“Immensely.”
“You seem calmer.”
“For the moment.” Laura was not going to deceive herself into thinking that everything would be champagne and roses for the rest of the evening. The situation was considerably more difficult than that. Still determined to take her mind off matters, Laura decided to approach a different topic. “Diana, are you familiar with Graham Blackmore?”
“The master’s best friend. Of course.”
“How familiar are you with him?”
Diana knitted her brow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, have you ever had a conversation with him?”
“No.”
“You’ve never been alone with him?”
“Laura, what are you implying?”
Laura’s tone was hushed. “He mentioned you. When I was out on the veranda.”
“So,you’vebeen having conversations with Graham Blackmore!”
“He’s very personable.”
“I don’t know why it is that all the handsome lords of Britain wish to speak with you.” Diana threw back her head, coquettishly.
“Just listen. He mentioned you. Do you ever catch him … looking at you?”
Diana wrinkled her nose. “Well, now that you mention it, maybe once or twice. I assumed he found me strange.”
“I assure you that he does not.”
Diana fell silent, trying to make sense of what Laura was saying. She laughed nervously. “Are you implying that he fancies me?”
“His words expressed as much.”
Just then, Ermengarde intervened. “Oh, Laura. I’m so glad that you’ve made a full recovery. You’re desperately needed in the ballroom.”
Laura felt her heart sink. That was the last place that she wanted to be. “Very well.”
Diana said, “We’ll speak later.”
Ermengarde brought over a bowl. “Lady Anna Rutley is requesting this bowl of water for her beloved dog.”
Laura stifled a laugh. Did Anna truly bring her dog to the ball? She hadn’t seen Leonard all night. “Yes, ma’am.”
Laura took the bowl and tentatively walked out of the kitchen towards the ballroom. She tried her best to navigate around the guests without spilling the water. Laura was surprised that Anna hadn’t requested punch in the little dog’s bowl.
Finally entering the ballroom, Laura was relieved to see that Edward was not on the dance floor. In fact, he was nowhere in sight. She did instantly spot Anna chatting with some other ladies, the dog in her arms. Laura approached with the bowl.
“Oh, thank heavens!” Anna called out. “Poor little Lenny is so thirsty.”
