Page 38 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
‘I believe that Leamington’s ball will signal the start this year, even though it is early,’ her mother said.‘Andwhen I think…’ She closed her lips tightly and glared at the épergne in the centre of the table.
Thea knew what she had been about to say.And when I think we could have been accepting felicitations on your betrothal.
She felt like sighing herself, wishing she had not discovered that Hal was capable of deceit to gain his own ends, that he was a man who would lure her into a friendship under false pretences because what he wanted was a convenient wife and she happened to match exactly the list of desirable qualities for a duke’s bride.
She might have decided she liked him when she met him for the first time as an adult, might happily have married him.Perhaps she never would have discovered the devious side to his character.
Although, she reminded herself as she drank her soup, she would have known that he was selfish enough to have left her on her shelf until it suited him to come for her.Just because she was having trouble forgetting the way that he had dived to shelter that child from those thrashing hooves was no reason to forget why she had not wanted to marry him in the first place.
‘I am looking forward to the Hamptons’ ball tomorrow night,’ she said brightly.‘I have high hopes of meeting some new and interesting people.’
‘That is true, dear,’ Mama said, looking more cheerful.‘Daphne Hampton’s nephew Marcus is Earl of Porchester and he is unwed.He was not in London for last Season because he was in the Army and I had quite forgotten him.I believe that the Duke spoke most highly of him.’
‘Ha—?I mean, Leamington?’
‘No, of course not, dear.The Duke of Wellington.He expressed himself quite strongly when the old Earl diedand Porchester sold out.Such a pity—he would look particularly dashing in his regimentals.’
‘Better, perhaps, not to be influenced by the false glamour of a uniform,’ Thea said.It was difficult enough to judge a man’s character without adorning him with that classic beguiler of young ladies—a dashing scarlet coat trimmed with gold braid.
Chapter Twelve
The Countess of Hampton’s ball was a glittering affair, immediately pronounced a great success.
Perhaps piqued by the news that the Duke of Leamington was also holding a ball, Lady Hampton had held nothing back.Not only was there an excellent string ensemble, but there were Pandean pipes as well, and the band of her nephew’s regiment had been persuaded to play during supper.Rumours were already flying that Champagne was scarce now throughout London, she had bought up so much.
The ballroom had been dressed on a theme of ancient Greece to complement its marble columns and antique statuary.Swags of laurel and olive decorated the walls, white muslin was draped everywhere and small pages in white tunics stood around holding bowls overflowing with grapes.
The background proved an admirable foil for the ladies’ gowns, the footmen worked hard to press wine into every hand and even the rain pounding down on the roof of the conservatory which led off the ballroom did not manage to dampen the effect of a sunlit Mediterranean garden too much.
Thea was firmly resolved to enjoy herself, to flirt with any man who attracted her and to secure at least one dance with the Earl of Porchester.
In that she was immediately successful.Her hostess had her husband on her right side and her nephew on her left in the receiving line and Thea was conscious that he was regarding her with interest as he shook her hand.
‘Do promise me a dance,’ he said.‘I shall come and hope to claim the first waltz as soon as I am free of my duty here.’
Thea found herself smiling back at a pair of amused hazel eyes, an earnest expression and a beak of a nose that the Duke of Wellington himself might have envied.
‘I would be delighted,’ she said, and meant it.He looked…interesting.Not at all handsome, but very attractive.Honest and straightforward?Who could tell—certainly not she.
Her mood dipped when almost the first person she encountered as she entered the ballroom was Lady Helena Linton looking particularly radiant in powder blue with silver ribbons.
‘Lady Thea, good evening.A delightful crush, is it not?My goodness, what anoriginalhairstyle.How very, er, dashing of you.’
Jennie, experimenting, had managed to twist Thea’s hair into a pile of shining curls with one twisting lock falling to her shoulder.In Thea’s opinion—and she was sensitive about her hair, even though it was no longer so very red—it was both stylish and flattering, although perhaps a touch adventurous for an unmarried lady.
‘Why, thank you,’ she gushed, as though she had no idea it had been meant as anything but a compliment.‘My new lady’s maid created it.I wassolucky to obtain her services.I expect you have found it difficult to find anyone to give you a touch that’s a little out of the ordinary, but it is worth trying.’
And with a warm smile and the guiltily delightful sensationof having been at least as catty as Lady Helena, she moved on into the room.
Marcus Greyson, the Earl of Porchester, found her ten minutes later and ruthlessly disposed of the two young men who were asking her for dances.
‘A waltz, of course,’ he said when she opened her card.‘Or have I missed them all?’
‘No, my lord,’ she said, flattered despite herself by his eagerness.‘The second?’
‘Excellent.And another, if you please?’he asked hopefully.
‘I would be delighted,’ Thea said, ‘The fourth set?They are all country dances,’ and laughed as his face fell.
