Page 76 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
Fruits, meringues, syllabubs, cheesecakes, and many other desserts were set within reach, but Agnes wasn’t confident that she could handle any more food. There had to have been over twenty-five different platters of food throughout the evening, which was far more than Agnes was accustomed to.
Twelve had been her previous limit, but she was beginning to see just what Mrs Mellors had meant by the lavish living of the prominent people of Cheltenham.
“Shall we move to the drawing room, ladies and gentlemen?” the duchess announced, rising from her seat sometime later.
“Allow me to escort you, Miss Humphries,” said Jacob, helping her out of her chair.
“Uh ...” she stuttered, looking to William, but he wasn’t looking her way. Puzzled and a little hurt, she nodded at Jacob. “Yes, of course, Lord Sculthorpe. Thank you.”
Phoebe suddenly appeared out of nowhere and latched onto William’s arm as she ‘tripped’ forward and gave a squeak of alarm.
“Oh, forgive me, My Lord,” she cried, playing a damsel in distress with finesse. “My slipper must have hooked onto something.”
Agnes could feel her nose flare as she snorted quietly. Anybody with eyes could see that nothing had tripped her, but everyone seemed too concerned about Phoebe to bother looking for evidence.
“Oh, how strong you are, My Lord,” Phoebe simpered. “You didn’t stumble at all despite my sudden appearance. Will you escort me to the drawing room? I feel slightly faint after nearly taking a tumble.”
Agnes rolled her eyes and turned to Jacob. “Shall we, My Lord?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Jacob replied, breaking into an ear-splitting smile.
Agnes forced herself to return his smile, but all she could think about was William’s lack of insight into Phoebe’s behaviour. How anyone could not see the woman was blatantly flirting was beyond Agnes’ understanding.
It galled her to realise that William had not once deterred the young woman from the moment she arrived this evening, leading her to believe that he was just as interested in her.
Disappointed, Agnes entered the drawing room and allowed Jacob to direct her wherever he wished. To her dismay, Phoebe saw them and said something to William before approaching them, her hand still laying claim to his arm.
“I’m not certain if my mother will call for some dancing, but may I have your hand for the first dance, Miss Humphries?” Jacob asked before William and Phoebe reached them.
“I do not see why not, My Lord,” said Agnes, hoping they would do nothing but drink coffee and tea or play cards. She didn’t feel like dancing with anyone, not with her darkening mood.
“We are all together again,” said Phoebe seconds later. “This is just like the time we went walking together. Was that not a lovely day, My Lord?” she asked William.
“Yes, Miss Philips,” William agreed. “The weather was particularly good.”
“Oh, My Lord!” said Phoebe with a playful tap on his arm with her fan. “I meant the company, but I suppose the weather is worth a mention.”
Agnes had never believed a person’s voice could offend her, but Phoebe proved her wrong.
“Do you like to walk often, Miss Humphries?” asked Jacob.
“I do, My Lord,” she replied, grateful for his presence. “I often walk in Lydney but have not had as much opportunity to do so in Cheltenham. It is such a shame as there are many beautiful places to promenade.”
“I would be honoured to take you around town, Miss Humphries,” Jacob declared. “You simply say when you would like to go, and I shall make myself available.”
“That is very kind of you, My Lord,” said Agnes, wishing William had offered to walk with her instead. “I might just do that very thing.”
Jacob did an excellent job of helping Agnes not feel like a slighted woman beside William and Phoebe, but her irritation remained at the back of her mind. The four of them spent time talking, or rather, Phoebe took all of William’s attention and gave Agnes no opportunity to speak with him.
“I think it’s time for a little music and some dancing,” the duchess said, looking around the room. “I shall play a little tune, and I expect everyone to dance.”
Agnes groaned inwardly. She was afraid of this, not because she did not know how to dance, but she wanted to dance with William more than anything. That wouldn’t be possible with Phoebe hanging onto him like a desperate woman.
“Would you like to dance, Miss Humphries?” William asked, startling her.
Agnes stared at his outstretched hand, hardly able to believe that he had all but snubbed Phoebe in her favour. She lifted her hand and was about to say yes when Jacob stepped forward, slightly shielding her from William’s steady gaze.
“She has already agreed to dance with me, brother,” the younger man declared.
