Page 22 of A Brilliant Match
Dorothea squared her shoulders and faced Lord Hastings. “I am very sorry, my lord. Tomorrow will not be possible. As you have just heard, I am promised to my sister.”
At this news, a frown line appeared between Lord Hastings’s eyes. “It is a shame. I shall have to delay the gratification of walking with you then, for I am returning to my estate afterwards for a span of several weeks.”
Weeks?A sense of urgency overtook Dorothea. By refusing, she was perhaps missing her only chance, if she did indeed hope to secure him.
She darted a look at her sister. “Perhaps a visit to themodistemight be arranged for a different day.”
“No, for Madame Fouchard has warned us that her schedule is becoming alarmingly full,” Sophia whispered, turning her face away from Lord Hastings.
Dorothea gave it up for lost. “I am afraid it is not possible, my lord.”
He did not tarry at their side after that. Somewhat defeated, Dorothea knew they must soon return to their box seats, although she had no inclination to move just yet. As she stood at Sophia’s side watching the crowds of people mill by, she wished she might greet everyone as so many others were doing. In all her dreams of coming to London, she had always envisioned a successful entry into Society, not one where she was forced to look on from the fringes.
Dorothea was about to suggest they return to their seats when they were hailed again. She recognized the voice and feared he would notice the agitation of her beating heart that caused heat to stain her cheeks. She turned slowly, coming face to handsome face.
“Good evening, Lady Dorothea, Lady Sophia. I’d hoped I might have the pleasure of meeting you here.”
Mr. Shaw bowed before them, sending his clean masculine scent her way as he stood upright. As with each time Dorothea met him, the man was impeccably attired, smiled charmingly, and was altogether too attractive. Her heart seemed to have a will of its own, despite how severely her mind scolded it.
Mercifully unaware of her thoughts, Mr. Shaw turned his winning smile to Sophia.
“You appeared to enjoy the opera exceedingly, for I believe I saw you wiping a tear. Confess it was so.”
It was no surprise that her sister blushed hotly, for that’s what she generally did around strangers. But what did surprise Dorothea was that she actually responded, and in more than a whisper.
“I’ve never heard anything like it. The melody was so moving when sung that way, wasn’t it? Even though I did not understand the words.” She clasped her gloved hands together as though trying to contain her enthusiasm to a level fit for public viewing.
“Alas.” Mr. Shaw exchanged a glance with Dorothea. “I wish I could claim being as sensitive to the arts as you are, Lady Sophia. It does you credit. However, I fear I am too prosaic a man to go into alt over the tragedies. I prefer comedy myself. And I prefer it spoken rather than sung.”
Yes!Dorothea wanted to say. But she did not like to admit she had anything in common with Mr. Shaw and therefore kept her lips firmly sealed. However, she could not help but appreciate the fact that he was the first man—ever, to her knowledge—who had been able to draw her sister out.
Mr. Shaw glanced ahead at the crowds that were thinning in the corridor. “Will you allow me to escort you to your seats?”
Dorothea was tempted to say not to trouble himself, considering his box was on the opposite side. Before she could do so, Sophia accepted Mr. Shaw’s arm. He stepped into the corridor and turned his inquiring gaze to Dorothea. In doing so, he bumped into the fashionable Miss Maryann Stanley, who was walking beside an older woman who might have been her grandmother.
Miss Stanley’s startled gaze lit on Mr. Shaw, and then on Dorothea and Sophia.
“Forgive me, Miss Stanley. I did not see where I was going,” Mr. Shaw said, turning his charming visage in her direction.
His smile must have worked its magic on her, as Miss Stanley returned, “We have not been introduced. How did you know my name?”
“Maryann, the opera is about to begin,” the older lady next to her urged. Dorothea revised her former opinion. It must be the companion and not the grandmother, for she spoke without any convincing authority.
With Sophia still on his arm and Dorothea a step behind, Mr. Shaw bowed before Miss Stanley.
“It is true we have not been introduced, but your reputation precedes you. And although we have not yet been formally introduced, I am Miles Shaw.” Casting a look of humor at Dorothea, he added, “Lady Dorothea and Lady Sophia, will you allow me to present to you my new acquaintance, Miss Maryann Stanley? These are two of the Earl of Poole’s sisters,” he explained.
Dorothea smiled and gave a hesitant nod. Although she was the social superior, Miss Stanley had everything she lacked in Society, except a title. She seemed to know everyone. And she was so vivacious and beautiful that everyone was attracted to her. Even Dorothea herself could not help but be drawn to her. Perhaps it might help to befriend her.
Miss Stanley’s slightly aloof expression toward Dorothea and her sister underwent a change. She became all smiles and curtsied.
“Are you indeed the late Earl of Poole’s daughters? I am most delighted to make your acquaintance, then, for he was a favorite of my father’s.”
The bell sounded, alerting them to the end of the pause between acts.
“I hope we shall meet again, now that we have been introduced,” Miss Stanley said, before taking the arm of her companion.
“That would be lovely,” Dorothea replied, still unsure if she was making the right social move. She thought she was, but despite her father’s letters, she seemed to be missing the code that everyone else knew about somehow—of who were the appropriate people to know and how to find them.
