Page 99 of The Swan Syndicate
He nudged her shoulder. “As you often say—funny.”
She grinned. “I have no problem meeting people, but you need to tell me if they’re important before greeting them. As hard as it is to believe, there’s only so much information I can store in my head in one evening. I’d prefer to keep the important stuff in there.”
“Fair enough.” He chuckled as he glanced around, sliding his arm around her waist. “How about every time I squeeze your waist, it indicates you’re about to meet an important person.”
She leaned in, her lips gently brushing his ear. “You just want to keep touching me.”
“Keep that up, and I’ll have to lock us in an empty drawing room.”
Her laugh was lusty. “Now you’re talking.” She nudged him back. “Thank you for erasing the nerves.”
He gave her a long look. “Anything for you, luv.”
She shook her head, and then her face brightened. “Lord and Lady Melville. How good to see you again.”
“You look lovely, my dear.” Lord Edgar Melville kissed her hand, then shook Beckworth’s. “I’m glad you made it. Hensley found himself a competent opponent at chess. They’re currently tied at one game each and are now battling to the end.”
“Really,” Beckworth responded after kissing Lady Flora Melville’s hand. “Perhaps we should go cheer him on.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“Why don’t you both go do that,” Lady Melville said. “Stella and I have other interests.”
Beckworth glanced at Stella, who nodded. She wouldn’t have minded watching the chess match, but she promised Beckworth she’d behave like the lady of his manor tonight, and that’swhat she’d do. “I’ll be in good hands with Flora.” She took the woman’s arm, and as they strolled away, she gave Beckworth one last look over her shoulder. His worried expression made her lift a brow. How much trouble could she get into at a ball?
Once the men had melted into the crowd, Flora steered Stella back toward the crowd of the ballroom.
“Elizabeth is holding court across the room from the musicians.” Flora nodded at a couple of women and stopped long enough for quick introductions before moving on again. “She doesn’t like shouting over them, but then who does?”
“Wouldn’t a drawing room be quieter?” Stella nodded to a younger couple Beckworth had introduced her to earlier. They didn’t seem high on his list of friends, but they’d seemed nice enough.
“Yes, but then she wouldn’t be seen by enough people. It’s not that she needs to be sought out by so many, but one must keep up appearances and their reputation.”
Stella never got the impression Elizabeth cared for such things, but she’d yet to spend much time with her in London. She supposed what one said and did at their country estates stayed at their country estates.
“There you are, my dear.” Elizabeth moved away from two women, who Stella guessed were a mother and daughter. “Sorry, Eloise, but you have all the information I know about Lord Hutton. I still think you’d be better off with Lord Fillmore, but that’s a decision you’ll need to make.”
Elizabeth took Stella’s arm and moved her and Flora toward the front of the ballroom. “I think I’ve had enough socializing for the moment. That woman can talk until it’s time for the carriages. And I don’t know why she bothered asking my opinion on who the best match is for her daughter when she’s never listened to a thing I’ve said before.”
“Well, she might have to this time,” Flora said as they worked their way through the crowd. She stopped long enough to unfold her fan and cover her mouth. She leaned over so only Elizabeth and Stella could hear. “I have it on good authority that Lord Hutton has already made a proposal to Lord Dorsey for his oldest daughter’s hand.”
“Dorsey, really?” Elizabeth seemed surprised then she shook her head. “He must want that country estate.”
“That’s what Edgar said.” Flora stopped long enough to grab a glass of champagne, and Stella gave the server her empty glass.
She was tempted to grab a new glass, but it would be a long night, and she needed to pace herself.
The threesome made it to the hallway, where it wasn’t quite as crowded, and Stella appreciated the cooler air. They were almost to what Stella assumed would be one of the drawing rooms when there was a commotion behind them.
She turned as a group surged toward them. Flora’s arm was bumped, forcing champagne to splash from her glass. Stella attempted to step out of the way, but droplets sprayed over her dress. Then she heard Elizabeth gasp.
When Stella turned to her, Elizabeth was holding her neck.
“Someone took my necklace.” Her face was pale. “Someone shoved me, and now it’s gone.” Her voice was becoming shrill.
“Are you sure it didn’t fall on the floor?” Stella pushed the women back and searched the floor, which was difficult with the hall becoming more crowded.
Elizabeth was shaking her head. “I felt fingers on the back of my neck.” She dramatically shivered. “I must have froze because the next thing I knew, I was jostled, and now my precious necklace is gone. It was a priceless heirloom.”
