Page 48 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
“Please allow me to make the introductions,” he said smoothly, smiling at each woman in turn. “Mother, these beautiful ladies are the esteemed Mrs. Hart and her enchanting daughter, Miss Amelia Hart. Mrs. Hart and MissHart, I present to you my mother, the Dowager Countess of Longley.”
Amelia bowed her head respectfully. “It’s an honor to meet you, my lady.”
His mother’s eyes sparkled. “The honor is all mine, Miss Hart. My son is quite taken with you. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
Amelia didn’t say more. A faint pink flush appeared on her cheeks. He couldn’t help but wonder why. Was it because his mother had implied he was smitten?
“Have you been in London for long?” the dowager asked Mrs. Hart, and within a matter of minutes, the two were engrossed in a conversation.
Andrew met Amelia’s gaze and tried his hardest to send reassuring thoughts from his mind to hers. Although honestly, he might need them as much as she did. He had the feeling that Miss Hart and his mother would be a formidable combination.
The carriage slowed as they neared Studholme House and joined a queue of their peers waiting to attend the ball. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for them to progress to the front of the queue and disembark.
Their mothers took the lead, sweeping through the double doors and the foyer to the edge of the ballroom.
Andrew noticed Baron Studholme’s expression waver as he saw them together. No doubt he was confused because the Harts hadn’t been invited. Nonetheless, Andrew had been assured that he and his mother were both welcome, each with a personal guest, so there was nothing he could say about their presence.
Perhaps he should feel guilty for springing them on Studholme without warning, but the man was a dreadful snob, and he deserved to be shaken up a little.
The baron recovered quickly, greeting Lady Drake andMrs. Hart with courteous bows—although one was certainly shallower than the other—before turning to Longley.
“So good to see you, old chap.” He shook Longley’s hand vigorously. “And in such lovely company.”
“Glad you could have us,” Andrew replied cheerfully. He bowed to Lady Studholme. “You have outdone yourself, my lady. It’s even more elegant than last year.”
She ducked her head. “Thank you, Lord Longley. I hope you enjoy your evening.”
This time, his smile was genuine. Lady Studholme was much more pleasant than her husband. “I’m certain we will.”
A string quartet was playing in the corner of the ballroom. Dancers occupied the ballroom floor. Andrew guided Miss Hart to the edge of the dancing and waited for the song to end.
“I assume I get your first dance, since I was your escort,” he murmured.
“I suppose so,” she replied. “That seems only right, since we are to marry.”
He chuckled. “Don’t speak too loudly or your mother will have planned the wedding before we even leave the ball.”
She peered up at him. “Would that be so bad?”
He was startled by the comment, but there really was no reason to be. Thanks to her, they both knew what this was. “I guess not. Itisour end goal, after all.”
The dancers reset their positions for the next song, and he took Amelia’s hand and led her to join them. When the music began again, they moved together as if they’d danced dozens of times before. Every time he reached for her, she was exactly where he expected. He couldn’t help smiling. Was this what marriage to her would be like? Always being pleasantly surprised?
If so, he was a lucky man.
“Why are you grinning like that?” she asked as she swayed closer to him.
“I’m glad we’ve come to an arrangement,” he told her.
Her eyes widened, but she quickly schooled her expression. “As am I.”
When the dance finished, he wasn’t ready to leave her company yet.
“May I escort you for a glass of lemonade?”
She searched his eyes, but he didn’t know what she was looking for. “I’d like that.”
