Page 49 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Chapter Sixteen

Catherine looked acrossthe large foyer and into the ballroom beyond. Everything seemed the same—and yet so different. She now saw things through the eyes of someone years older, not a starry-eyed girl approaching her first Season. Glancing about at the women in the receiving line in front of them, she thought how young and fresh they all seemed compared to her. What if her attempt to land a husband failed?

She refused to believe that was possible. She couldn’t let Leah down.

They moved through the receiving line, greeted first by Amanda, who introduced her husband to Catherine.

“I’m delighted to meet you, Lady Catherine,” the handsome, fair-haired man said. “Amanda speaks fondly of you. Might you reserve the third dance for me? I’ve promised the first to my wife and the second to my mother-in-law.”

“Of course, Lord Stanley.” She flashed her friend a grateful look. At least one slot on her card would be filled tonight.

Amanda introduced her parents. It surprised Catherine when Lady Rutherford clasped her hand.

“It’s so very good to meet you, my dear. Your parents were great favorites in society. They are missed.”

Tears misted Catherine’s eyes. “Thank you, Lady Rutherford.”

Next, she met Viscount Aubrey. He was tall and lean, with the same dark blond hair as his sister, though his merry eyes were a startling blue.

“Amanda told me she had a new friend coming tonight. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Catherine.” His eyes gleamed at her. “Might you have the first dance open?”

She swallowed. “I do, Lord Aubrey.”

“I’ll be stuck in the receiving line for a bit. Go ahead and mark my name down if you will. I wouldn’t want to lose my spot and a chance to dance with you.”

“Certainly,” she said, sensing her cheeks pinkening due to his interest in her.

A servant met them as they left the line and handed them theirprogramme du bals. Catherine paused to record Aubrey’s name beside the first dance and Stanley’s for the third.

Morefield took the card from her. “I’d like to partner with you, as well. Do you have a preference?”

“Dance with me first, Morefield, then with Catherine,” Charlotte ordered.

He wrote his name in the second blank. “Done,” and returned the card to her. “I will see both of you soon,” he promised as he bowed and left them.

“We usually dance twice. The first one and the supper dance,” Charlotte informed Catherine. “After that, Morefield goes to the card room and I sit with the matrons. Though I still love to dance, I find after having two children that it tires me after a while.”

“I will sit with you and keep you company.”

“You will do no such thing,” her friend admonished. “I want you to dance as many numbers as you can. We won’t leave until the last song has been played.”

Two women paused in front of them. Catherine recognized both. Countess Lieven was one of the revered Patronesses at Almack’s and wife to the Russian ambassador. Catherine couldn’t recall the name of the other but remembered her mother hadn’t cared for the woman.

“It’s Lady Catherine Crawford, am I correct?” the woman asked sharply.

“Yes, ma’am.” Catherine curtseyed, dismayed the woman didn’t bother to introduce herself.

“I’m quite surprised to find you here tonight. Statham has only recently taken his title. That meansyoushould be in mourning.”

She’d known some would disapprove of her actions but Catherine hadn’t expected to be confronted so boldly only moments after entering the ballroom. She wasn’t letting Statham bully her and she would stand strong against this woman, as well.

“I have been in mourning for many years, my lady. Five to be precise. I lost both parents that night in the carriage accident. It merely took Papa longer to pass.”

“I say!” The woman looked appalled and quickly turned away.

The countess remained behind and said, “Do not listen to her, Lady Catherine. She’s old and spiteful. I, for one, am happy to see you here. How are you?”

“I am well, thank you.”

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