Page 107 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
Suddenly, a young lady stumbled when another couple collided with her and the gentleman who was her partner. She could not regain her footing and fell to the floor.
Viola gasped and immediately reached out to help the poor girl. “Oh, dear. Are you all right. It is a frightful crush out here, isn’t it?”
Lady Felicity Rose and her dance partner were the ones who had spun into the girl. Unlike Viola, thetondiamond stood there with a triumphant smirk on her face.
Alexander knelt beside the girl to help her up.
What did the diamond think she was gaining by demeaning the fallen girl?
Alexander assisted the embarrassed young lady to her feet since her partner seemed to have disappeared in the crush. As he and Viola guided her out of the line of dancers, he noticed the girl was limping. “You’ve twisted your foot.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be all right in a moment. Thank you for your kindness. I’m such an awkward thing. I wish I could hide somewhere until this party was over.”
Viola cast Alexander an imploring look before returning her attention to the girl. “Do you have a partner for the supper dance?”
She shook her head. “No, not that it matters since I cannot dance now anyway.”
“Then sit with us until you recover your strength. My husband will not mind.” She glanced at him again, her eyes still pleading.
“Yes, do join us when the bell rings for supper. I am Lord Ardley and this is my wife, Lady Ardley.”
She nodded. “I know. You greeted me on the receiving line, but I doubt I made the slightest impression on you. I never do. I am eminently forgettable.”
Viola inhaled sharply. “Don’t ever say that. I remember you. Miss Adela Swift, is it not?”
The girl’s eyes widened in obvious surprise. “Yes, it is. Thank you, Lady Ardley.”
“Call me Viola, please.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that. You are a viscountess.”
Alexander winked at Viola. “A brand new one. She was a vicar’s daughter until a month ago. Apparently, that is a crime to some people’s way of thinking. But I found her quite irresistible and had to make her mine.”
The young woman seemed astounded by their friendliness.
“I suppose you’ve been having a difficult time of it in London,” Viola said with a sympathetic smile.
Adela nodded. “I don’t fit in. I have made a few misfit friends, but they are not here tonight.”
“Ah, you consider yourself a misfit? Then my wife and I are bound to like you,” Alexander said, making a light jest since the girl seemed about to burst into tears. “Here, Miss Swift. Take my arm and I shall escort you to the dining room. No reason for us to wait and battle the horde once the supper bell rings. Is that all right with you, Viola?”
“Yes, an excellent idea. This will also allow us to talk quietly and get to know you, Adela.”
“Thank you, I would be honored.”
He seated Viola and Adela, and then left their side a moment to let his father know what had happened.
Lady Felicity Rose stopped him as he was about to return to the dining hall. “Why are you wasting your time with that country cow? Her father is a lowly knight. She is no one of consequence and her dowry is small.”
“What do I care about her dowry? The young lady was in distress and it seemed the right thing to do.”
She pursed her lips in disdain. “Is this what you war heroes do? Come to the rescue of every pathetic thing?”
“Kindness toward others is not heroic, it is simply common decency. Something you have obviously neglected to learn. What have you done lately to recommend yourself to anyone?” he admonished this diamond who was too caught up in her own importance. “I can assure you, your looks will soon fade and no man of quality will look twice at you, if this is all you have to offer.”
Well, now he’d done it. Offended her and would likely get himself slapped for it, which would certainly be reported in tomorrow’s gossip rags.
Fortunately, she merely sneered at him, even though slapping him had clearly crossed her mind. However, a quick calculation on her part brought her to the conclusion that striking him would bring the wrong sort of attention upon herself as well.
