Page 5 of The Marquess and the Wallflower
He recognized his name and turned round, grateful for the distraction from his own thoughts. Lady Julia Bolton was advancing toward him, pulling forward a young woman who was familiar to him. It took a moment to recognize her as the woman who had been announced by her father minutes ago, for this was her debut.
“Lady Bolton, how are you?” Aaron asked, bowing deeply to the first lady. He had known her since before she was wed and knew her to be a kindly sort, even if they had not had the chance to meet a lot in company.
“I am well indeed, though I am desirous to introduce my sister-in-law to good company.”
“And you chose me? I am flattered,” he said with a smile, turning his eyes on the young woman beside her.
“Do not be too flattered,” the lady said, looking toward Lady Bolton. “She has not yet said if I am good company myself.”
Aaron was startled by the wit, he found himself chuckling as he bowed to the lady before him.
“Lord Tattershall, may I introduce formally my husband’s sister, and my dear friend. Lady Emily Bolton.” Lady Bolton gestured to the young woman who hurried to curtsy.
To Aaron’s eyes Lady Emily seemed to be avoiding his gaze as she curtsied, but he thought nothing of it. He was busy thinking of what a striking presence she made. There were such large blue eyes in her face that it was almost impossible to look anywhere else, and the dark auburn hair tied in an updo was reluctant to stay in one position, with mad curls slipping down. She was quite beautiful, and when Aaron felt his eyes darting down to her curvaceous figure, he had to snap his gaze back to her face.
Be a gentleman, you fool. You should not ogle a lady so.
“It is a pleasure, Lady Emily,” he hurriedly said as he stood straight from his bow.
“Do not say that yet. I could be the worst company here.” Her playful tone made him laugh again.
Who exactly is this lady? She is quite different.
He glanced over his shoulder, watching where his family went. His parents circled the room with Jane and Hugh following on behind them. Aaron turned his eyes back to Lady Bolton and Lady Emily, deciding the greeting of his family could wait a little longer yet.
“I am sure there is much worse company,” Aaron said with a smile. “This must be your debut then, Lady Emily, how do you find it?” he asked, thankful for the distraction. She chewed her lip for a minute, making his eyes turn down to the pink lips.
What has gotten into me?
He snapped his eyes back to hers again.
“I believe it is proper to comment on the elegance of the event, perhaps say what a wonderful evening it is,” she said, though she smiled with the words, thinking something quite different.
“I sense a ‘but’ coming, and I am intrigued to know what it is.” His statement encouraged her, for she smiled even more.
“But I am so nervous I have already dropped one wine glass. Julia thankfully caught it before it smashed.” She gestured to her sister-in-law at her side.
“I was trying to tell her that we are all messes at our own debuts. No doubt we all have the same fears, the same nerves,” Lady Bolton continued on. “Wouldn’t you say?”
Aaron was distracted again. Out of the corner of his eye, Jane had moved into view. She had a habit of this, always staying within Aaron’s sight somewhere. Her dark blonde hair was coiffed perfectly tonight, styled in such a way that it emphasized her elegant beauty.
“Yes,” Aaron said, shifting his focus back to the two ladies in front of him. “You should have seen me my first night with the ton, Lady Emily. I believe in two of my dances I stepped on a lady’s toes, and the night was capped off with feeling ill thanks to a little too much ofthis.”He lifted the punch glass in his hands, gesturing down to it.
“Well, that does not sound so bad,” Lady Emily shook her head with her words. “I am still afraid of tripping in my dances and falling flat on my face. I would be a ugly sight, I’m sure.” Her wit made him smile again, startled by the freedom with which she spoke. It was different to other ladies, even to the lady stood beside her. Most were reserved, hardly forward at all, even those that were not, did not have such a good humor.
“Well, if you fall, I promise to be there to help pick you up.” His words brought a new smile to her face.
“Do not promise that yet. When it happens, it may be such an embarrassment that you may want to run as far as possible from the scene.”
He laughed warmly at the way she whispered, as if it would be a great horror to behold.
“Dancing, what a wonderful idea!” Lady Bolton declared at Lady Emily’s side. “We have yet to dance this evening, do we not?”
“Julia, please.” Lady Emily lost her smile entirely. She seemed to have turned a warning glare upon her sister-in-law.
“Please what?” Lady Bolton pretended innocence. “I was just thinking I would be glad to dance with my husband, which was all.”
“Sure, you were,” Lady Emily said, narrowing her eyes. “You were not thinking of making anyone else dance, were you?”
