Page 33 of More than a Companion

“Your situation?”

“I am your companion and have been grateful to you for my time in London thus far,” Honora said, her words tumbling out over each other in an effort to have them all spoken before she lost her nerve. Her stomach was swirling, her back stiff, and her hands clenching into fists over and over again as she held them behind her back. “But I should like to be given the opportunity to see if I can find a match.”

Lady Langdon blinked in surprise and then, much to Honora’s horror, laughed aloud.

“My dear girl, there is no possible way that you wouldeverbe able to find a match!” she exclaimed, as though Honora had said the most mirthful thing that she had ever had the opportunity to hear. “Your father is almost destitute! You have no dowry and no gentleman in all of England would want a connection such as that!”

The words stung and Honora winced, all too aware of tears threatening – only for Lord Crampton to come to mind. She recalled how he had looked at her, the eagerness in his voice and the hope building in his eyes… and Honora felt her strength return.

“You may believe that to be true, aunt, and I will not pretend that it is at all likely that I will be able to achieve a match, but I would still like the opportunity to try.”

Her aunt shook her head.

“It is a foolish endeavor.”

“But one which I should like to take on regardless,” Honora insisted, moving a little closer. “For example, there is a ball tomorrow evening. Could I not go as your niece rather than your companion? And,” she continued, warming now to her subject as her nerves began to disappear, “if I receive no offers to dance, no interest from any gentleman, then I will, of course, return to being your companion without a word of complaint and shall never mention such a thing again.”

This seemed to spark an interest in Lady Langdon for, whilst she still frowned, she did not immediately refuse Honora’s request. Instead, she tipped her head, considering. Honora bit her lip, refusing to say another word until her aunt had made her decision, silently praying that she would be granted this one, single opportunity.

“A wager then, Honora,” her aunt said, rising from her chair and coming towards Honora, her hand reaching out to tip up Honora’s chin just a little. “One evening. One ball. If you manage to dance with at least three gentlemen, then I will consider no longer keeping you as my companion and will make certain you are introduced to the monarch and have your full introduction to society. However,” she continued, a gleam in her eye which told Honora she was certain of winning this particular wager, “if you do not manage to achieve this, then you will return to being my companion and you will never again think that such a thing is possible. You will not search for another opportunity, will not demand anything of me and, in turn, will stop speaking to any gentleman or lady in that forthright manner which I find so very disagreeable.”

Honora nodded, putting her trust in Lord Crampton’s words, and praying that he would do just as he had promised. Then her aunt spoke again.

“And if you lose, you will not engage with Lord Crampton again. Ever. Not a single word.”

A ragged breath was pulled into Honora’s chest as she looked into her aunt’s eyes and saw the determination there. The thought of being unable to converse with Lord Crampton again was a distressing one and Honora struggled to even think about what such a situation would be like.

But she could not let her fear and anxiety take this opportunity from her. Lord Crampton had assured her that he would dance with her and that he would introduce her to others who would be glad to stand up with her also. Taking in a deep breath, Honora nodded her consent, trusting that the scenario her aunt had set out as a consequence would never come to pass.

“Very well, aunt,” she said, seeing the slight smile on her aunt’s face as Lady Langdon turned away. “You have your wager. Three dances and I will gain the chance to be treated as an equal rather than a companion.”

“We shall see if you will succeed,” her aunt replied in a sing-song voice, letting Honora know that she thought her bound to fail. “And mayhap this will teach you, Honora, to be grateful for what you haveandwhat you have been given.”

Honora closed her eyes, swaying gently on the spot as she took in what this now meant. She would not have to hide in the shadows, would not have to stand as a mute, downcast young lady as her aunt regaled her acquaintances with sparkling conversation. She would no longer have to watch the dancers with eager yet sorrowful eyes, knowing now thatshehad the opportunity to stand up with them, to be counted as one of them – and to have a gentleman dance with her, just as the other young ladies did.

Lord Crampton.

A flicker of a smile pulled at Honora’s lips as she hurried from the room, leaving her aunt in solitude once more. There was a growing excitement now deep within her heart. She was going to be able to dance – and to dance with none other than Lord Crampton, a gentleman whom she had thought so little of and yet now found herself looking forward to being not only in his company, but in his arms.

I will be waiting.

Honora’s cheeks warmed as she hurried to the drawing-room, ready to write to him just as he had asked.

“I am able to dance with you, Lord Crampton,” she murmured aloud, as though he could hear her. “And I am looking forward to that moment already.”

* * *

“And a very goodevening to you, Miss Gregory.”

Honora dropped into a curtsey, praying silently that it was without fault. The Duke and Duchess of Strathaven were standing nearby and, whilst Honora was meant to be concentrating on greeting their host, she could not help but find herself being a little distracted by their presence.

“I am sure that this evening will be a delightful one,” Lady Hoskins said, as Honora smiled at her, pulling her eyes away from the Duke. “I have heard that your aunt is to give you this evening to behave as any other young lady might, Miss Gregory.”

“That is true, Lady Hoskins, and very kind of my aunt also,” Honora replied, as her aunt smiled and nodded beside her. “I am sure to enjoy this evening. I thank you for your kind invitation. It will be a most exceptional ball, I am sure.”

“And now I will thankyoufor your kind words,” Lord Hoskins replied, as his wife smiled warmly back at Honora. “Do remember to collect your dance card from the footman before you go in. I am certain it will be full in a few moments! Go, enjoy yourself, my dear girl. And you too, Lady Langdon – although I am sure you will spend most of the evening chasing away ardent young gentlemen from your niece’s company!”

“We shall see,” Lady Langdon replied, only for Lord Hoskins to chuckle and Honora to blush, albeit whilst appreciating the compliment. Together, she and her aunt quickly made their way into the ballroom – leaving the Duke and Duchess of Strathaven behind.

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