Page 83 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
“I doubt it,” William countered. “They know you are with me, and I would never let anything happen to you.”
Agnes smiled. She couldn’t help it. “Be that as it may, My Lord, I do have to return to them. I look forward to our first dance.”
She curtseyed and hurried away, part of her wanting to turn back and look at him. Agnes couldn’t expect William to only focus on her when there were other guests, but she had the dance to look forward to.
“What did he say?” Lavinia asked as soon as Agnes reached her side.
“He asked to dance the first dance with me,” Agnes told her. “Naturally, I said yes.”
“Oh, this is so romantic,” said Lavinia with a sigh. “You both have stars in your eyes. It makes me miss Paul.”
“I’m sure he misses you as well,” Agnes assured. “Would you like something to drink? I am suddenly parched.”
“Not yet, but I heard someone comment on how lovely the champagne is. Perhaps you can get us both a glass while I keep our chairs. I’m worried someone will take them.”
Agnes nodded and weaved her way through the crowd to where a refreshment table had been set up. She hadn’t arrived yet when a voice whispered a greeting into her ear, startling her. Agnes searched for the source and found Jacob.
“Lord Sculthorpe!” she exclaimed.
“You look lovely this evening, Miss Humphries,” he complimented. “The gold in your dress captures the same colour in your hair.”
“Thank you, My Lord. You look handsome.”
“Thank you,” he said, grinning as he bowed. “Do I look as handsome as my brother, or better?”
Agnes didn’t know how to answer that. Truthfully, she preferred William but saying that might hurt Jacob’s feelings.
“I, uh, cannot choose between you,” she finally said.
“Perhaps not yet, but you will,” he replied cryptically. “Have you come for the champagne? It’s the best you’ll find in all of England.”
“That is precisely why I am here, My Lord. The ball has just begun, but I am already thirsty.”
“I do not blame you,” the man said. “I have yet to see Miss Philips. Do you know if she has arrived?”
Agnes would prefer it if the woman didn’t arrive. “No, My Lord.”
“Perhaps William knows,” Jacob commented. “He always seems to know when Miss Philips is around. Do you not think them a good match, Miss Humphries? Everyone says so. It seems my brother is just as interested.”
Agnes picked up a champagne glass and sipped it slowly, giving her time to think. Jacob was convinced William was interested in Phoebe, and he believed they matched well. He lived with William and knew these things, leaving Agnes in the dust. It seemed that her worst fears were coming true.
“Would you do me the honour of giving me the pleasure of the first dance?” Jacob asked.
“Your brother has already asked to dance with me, My Lord,” Agnes told him apologetically. “Perhaps the second dance.”
“I will be right there to take you from my brother,” he promised, but it seemed that there was underlining to his words that went beyond talk of dancing with her.
Agnes eventually returned to her sister’s side, hiding her dismay at what Jacob had told her. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions just yet and waited for her first dance with William to gauge where she stood with him. It was all rather confusing, but Agnes was willing to give William the benefit of the doubt.
Jacob could have misheard or misread the situation and made his own assumptions, so it wouldn’t be fair to judge the marquess based on what someone else had said. Agnes didn’t have to wait long for her first dance, holding her belly as William approached her. However, he didn’t have the smile he had given her earlier this evening. Instead, he seemed agitated.
“Are you ready, Miss Humphries?” he asked, holding out his arm.
Agnes took it and nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
William led her to the middle of the floor and expertly guided her into the moves of the waltz. Agnes was not accustomed to it yet, but she soon picked up the steps and felt rather proud of herself.
“You are a wonderful dancer, My Lord,” said Agnes, striking up conversation.
