Page 16 of Forget Me Not

“You should be,” she whispered. “You are unlikely to win our wager so long as I have this monstrosity upon my head.”

He chuckled quietly. “I am not defeated yet.”

“Lucas, dear,” Lady Lampton said. “Do accompany Julia into the ballroom. Introduce her to the guests she may not know.”

He dipped his head. “It would be my pleasure.”

He offered his arm, which she accepted. She glanced back at their parents to see near-identical looks of sentimental happiness on their faces.

“They seem very pleased to be rid of us,” she said.

He smiled at her once more. “Perhaps they’re simply happy to help me win our wager.”

“Did you tell them about it?”

“They know I intend to do all I can to help you enjoy the evening.”

He kept her at his side as they moved from one group of guests to the next. Some she knew—families in the neighborhood—but most were strangers. Lucas knew everyone. Friends from his days at Eton and Cambridge. Members of London Society. Friends of friends. He knew their names without being prompted, remembered where he’d met them, asked after mutual acquaintances. He had an entire life away from this neighborhood, a life he repeatedly spoke of being eager to return to.

That was always his way.

The musicians struck up the opening strains of the first dance.

Mr. Barrington approached, and Julia found herself most pleased to see him.

“Miss Cummings”—he offered a brief bow— “if this dance has not been claimed, I would be deeply honored if you would stand up with me.”

She genuinely smiled, something she’d not assumed possible considering the manner in which she was spending the night. “I would be delighted.”

As Mr. Barrington guided her to the dance floor and the set forming there, she caught a look pass between Mr. Barrington and Lucas. It was a nod of acknowledgment.

How utterly humiliating.

“Did Lucas require you to dance with me?”

“I assure you he did not. I asked because I wished to dance with you.”

The dance began, and the steps separated them, but his words remained with her. He’d wanted to dance with her. That meant a great deal. She didn’t often feel truly wanted.

The steps brought her together with him once more.

“Lady Lampton can count her gathering a success,” Mr. Barrington said. “She will be relieved. This evening has weighed on her mind. It’s clearly very important to her.”

“To my father as well, though I’m not certain why.”

“I have a hypothesis that they wish the evening to adequately reflect their fondness for Lucas. I don’t intend to tell him though. He might hear my guess and grow insufferable.”

She appreciated the dryly delivered quip. “We mustn’t allow that.”

“He is already terribly pleased with himself for having managed touninvite Robert Finley without offending Mr. and Mrs. Finley,” Mr. Barrington said.

A hesitant wave of relief washed over her. “Robert Finley won’t be here?”

Mr. Barrington shook his head. Julia felt lighter on the instant. The evening would be far less miserable without that particular gentleman.

As the set came to its conclusion, Mr. Barrington walked with her toward the spot where Lucas stood surrounded by a bevy of young people clearly eager for his company. It was hardly a surprise that he spent so little time at home. He enjoyed Society and company. The quiet existence she lived here would never suit him.

“I am perfectly happy to sit in a chair along the wall,” Julia said. “Our mutual friend will be occupied for quite some time, I am certain.”

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