by Rose Pearson
“But no one will so much as glance at me,” she answered slowly, not wanting to make Lady Smithton believe she was ungrateful but rather stating what was more than obvious to her. “As I have said, I have not the figure nor the beauty of face to capture the interest of a gentleman.”
Lady Smithton, however, shook her head. “That is not at all true,” she stated quite sternly. “You have your hair in a chignon, and your gown is nothing more than a gray sack—although you will forgive me the harsh words.” She smiled apologetically, but Sarah merely shrugged. That was quite true. Her aunt had given her very little money with which to purchase new gowns and so she had been forced to buy the dullest, most staid dresses of all.
“I think you would look vastly different if you were to wear your hair in a less severe fashion and if you wore a gown that had some color about it,” Miss Bavidge interrupted, giving Sarah a warm smile. “It is only because your aunt has refused to buy you anything remotely fashionable that you have been forced to wear such a thing.”
Sarah nodded slowly, looking back at Lady Smithton, who was still smiling.
“It would be very generous of you, Lady Smithton,” she answered slowly, a small flush climbing up her cheeks. “Although I could never pay you back for your kindness.”
As Sarah had expected, Lady Smithton blew this away with an immediacy that told Sarah she was never to worry about such a thing again. She blushed and lowered her head, her heart suddenly quickening into a hurried beat, excitement beginning to wind its way through it. It was not an emotion she had ever truly had before, and the feeling of it was quite extraordinary. It gave her a flurry of hope, a promise that she could rely on Lady Smithton. If she were to have any chance at all, then she would have to depend solely on the lady’s kindness and guidance.
“Now, when is your next outing?” Lady Smithton asked, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
“I am to accompany my aunt and my cousin to Lord and Lady Martinson’s ball tomorrow evening,” Sarah offered, seeing Lady Smithton nod. “My aunt will be present, of course, but she often leaves me to accompany Miss Marks instead of having to go about it herself.”
Lady Smithton’s lips flattened, her eyes growing angry. “I see,” she replied, leaving Sarah in no doubt as to how she felt about that. “And what sort of creature is your cousin?”
Sarah hesitated, thinking of Miss Marks and wanting to ensure she spoke honestly. “I believe she is something of a flirt,” she answered, a little embarrassed. “I am given the blame, of course, but as yet, she has not had even one gentleman seek to court her. Her father, Lord Britton, believes this is my fault as I am failing in my duties in one way or the other.”
“When the truth is quite the opposite,” Miss Bavidge added, obviously upset on Sarah’s behalf. “I have witnessed Miss Marks as she goes about the ton. She has her head in the clouds and likes to laugh and tease and joke with every gentleman she is introduced to. She is not quiet and demure as she is expected to be.”
Lady Smithton said nothing for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders lightly. “That will change once I show an interest in becoming better acquainted with her,” she replied. “Not that I mean to boast, but the rumors and the like have, in their own way, increased my reputation somewhat. I am certain that if Miss Marks were to spend a little more time in my company, I could mold her into what a young lady ought to be and have her courted by at least two gentlemen.” She turned her gaze back to Sarah. “Whilst, of course, ensuring I do the very same for you.”
Aware that Lady Smithton would be doing this solely for Sarah’s benefit, she felt a fresh rush of tears fill her eyes but fought them back as best she could, not wanting to cry all over again. “You are very kind, Lady Smithton.”
“I want to help you both,” Lady Smithton replied, with a spread of her hands. “You need not continually thank me, Miss Crosby. I am certain we shall all become good friends very soon. And now,” clapping her hands together, she rose to her feet, “we shall go into town.”
Sarah blinked and threw a glance towards her friend, Miss Bavidge, who had a similar look of astonishment on her face.
“To purchase you both a new gown,” Lady Smithton continued as though this were something they ought to have understood. “At least two for you, Miss Crosby. You shall need to ensure that you wear one tomorrow evening, to the ball.” She gestured towards the door. “Do come along, ladies. We do not have a good deal of time, for Miss Crosby will soon have to return to her charge. Is that not so?”
“It is,” Sarah replied, somewhat breathlessly as she rose to her feet, feeling a little unsteady as she made her way towards Lady Smithton. Was this truly to happen today? At almost this very moment? She would find herself clothed in reds and greens and blues and mayhap all manner of colors instead of her dull, boring shades of brown and gray. It would give her a new lease on life, Sarah thought, seeing how Lady Smithton smiled. She would no longer feel like the shadow, floating across the ballroom entirely unnoticed by everyone.
“And should Lord Britton say a single thing, Miss Crosby, then you must inform me at once,” Lady Smithton insisted as they made their way to the front door. “I shall not have him interrupting my plans, no matter how much he believes you ought to wear these dark shades and nothing more.” Her voice filled with ire as though she were thinking back to some previous gentleman who had tried to force his way and his will upon her. “You will have the opportunity to make your own choices, Miss Crosby. You are not on the shelf yet. You are not a spinster.” She squeezed Sarah’s arm lightly as they came to the front door, making Sarah look into Lady Smithton’s face. There was a confidence there that Sarah longed to have, self-determination that, as yet, she could not truly realize.
“Have faith, Miss Crosby, that things can and will change for you,” Lady Smithton promised, her eyes straying towards Miss Bavidge. “And for you, too, Miss Bavidge. This season will not pass you by. You will not be lost amongst the crowd, considered too old, too boring, or too insignificant in the eyes of the ton. You will be noticed, admired, and, hopefully, courted by a considerate and worthy gentleman.” Her eyes grew steely. “For I shall make quite certain that any who approach you are worthy of you, ladies. There shall be no tomfoolery, no deceit, no eagerness to grasp a hold of a dowry or a title and nothing more.”
Sarah opened her mouth to say she had little dowry to speak of and that, therefore, she did not think any gentleman would seek that from her, only to see Miss Bavidge give her a slight shake of the head. She closed her lips tightly, wondering if Lady Smithton was speaking not of the gentlemen Sarah might come across but rather a gentleman she had once known. A gentleman who had treated her poorly. Had it been her husband? Or was there someone else Lady Smithton had difficulties with?
“Now,” Lady Smithton said briskly, dragging Sarah out of her thoughts. “I have the most excellent seamstress, and it is to her we shall go.” She laughed as the butler opened the door for them, chasing away the last of her stern demeanor that had been present only a few moments ago. “I dare say she will be thrilled to have two new and so very different projects.”
“I must hope so,” Sarah muttered, following out after Lady Smithton towards the waiting carriage and feeling as though her heart might burst with happiness.
Chapter Two
Viscount Daniel Ruddington narrowed his eyes as the young Miss Sophia Marks walked into the ballroom. She was, of course, dressed in a gown of the highest cut and fashion, which was a delicate cream with hints of blue here and there. This would highlight the color of her eyes and bring joy to any gentleman who perceived it—aside from himself, of course.
“Come now,” he grated, telling himself he would need to be a little firmer than that. “You know what you must do.”
Were he honest with himself, Daniel would admit he did not want to greet Miss Marks, did not want to enquire after her family and pass a few more compliments and general remarks before signing his name on her dance card, but th
e only way his plan would succeed in its entirety was if he did so. Therefore, he set his shoulders, lifted his chin, and began to move forward without once taking his gaze from the lady in question. She was walking alongside her mother, who was busy talking to another lady who kept herself glued to Lady Britton no matter which direction the lady walked. Daniel’s heart began to pound as his mouth went dry.
You are not this sort of gentleman.
“Yes,” he muttered to himself, his brows lowering over his eyes. “Yes, I am. I am this sort of fellow.”
The words spoken did nothing to encourage him, did nothing to buoy his spirits, but still, Daniel forced himself to put one foot in front of the other. Miss Marks was beautiful, elegant, and, from what he had heard, a little bit of a flirt. Therefore, it would not be difficult to get into her good graces.
“Oh, excuse me!”
He stumbled, crashing directly into another young lady who was wearing a gown of dark pink. She fell backward, her hands going out to catch herself as she slammed into the floor.
All around her, the whispers and the titters began in earnest, making Daniel curse his foolishness. He had been gazing so intently at Miss Marks that he had not looked where he was going. Being a tall, broad sort of gentleman, he carried a good deal of weight and had now managed to walk directly into a young lady, and, in doing so, had knocked her to the ground. His face flaming, he bent low and offered a hand to this young lady, whose face was now a little darker than her gown.
“I am sorry, truly,” he said, quickly, seeing how she grasped his hand tightly with the two of hers as he helped her up. He did not recognize her, and she did not so much as lift her eyes to his, keeping them downcast. “I did not mean to hurt you. Are you injured?”
“No.” Her voice was whisper-like, thin and lacking any strength. Glancing about him and seeing how those who had seen her fall were now watching her closely for any sort of reaction, Daniel’s jaw set firm and, taking her hand, he set it gently on his arm so that he could fall into step with her.
“Allow me to accompany you,” he said loudly as though she had begged him to take her somewhere. “We must make certain you are not injured.”
“Please,” the young lady replied as he began to make his way across the ballroom. “I am quite all right, truly.”
Daniel glanced down and, finally, saw the face of the young lady before him. She had thick, dark hair which had been piled up on the back of her head, with only a few tendrils escaping about her face. There was an angular feature to her face itself, but her light blue eyes seemed to swirl with different shades and tones, capturing his attention at once.
“You must allow me to remove you from that rather embarrassing situation, Miss...?”
“Crosby.”
“Miss Crosby.” He inclined his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “We have not been formally introduced, and for that, I am sorry, although I am glad to make your acquaintance.” His smile lingered, seeing how she finally began to smile back at him. “I am Viscount Ruddington.”
“How very good to meet you, Viscount Ruddington,” came the reply as though they had been formally introduced. “I am very sorry if it was I who got in your way.”
Shaking his head fervently, Daniel reached across and patted her hand with his free one. “A young lady such as yourself ought not to seek out blame, Miss Crosby,” he replied, noting with interest how the color shot back into her cheeks. This young lady was not at all used to gentlemen complimenting, or mayhap even conversing with her! “It was entirely my fault. I had my gaze fixed on something of note, and in doing so, did not look to see where I was going.”
“I see.” Miss Crosby looked away from him, her cheeks still filled with color. “There is nothing wrong, however, Lord Ruddington. My gown is just as it was, and I have no injury to speak of.”
“Nonetheless,” Daniel replied firmly, “I should return you to your mama—or whomever your chaperone might be.”
Miss Crosby said nothing for a moment or two, considering something Daniel did not have any knowledge of. Her gaze strayed around the room, searching for someone, or mayhap, looking to pull someone out from it.
“I—I am a chaperone myself.”
He blinked in surprise, and then caught himself before he said something he would regret. Miss Crosby did not look the age to be a chaperone and, in fact, he had taken her merely to be one of the many young ladies present this evening.
“What I mean to say is I am accompanying my cousin,” Miss Crosby continued, tripping over her words in an attempt to express herself a little better. “My aunt can be very busy in all her conversations and such like, and therefore, I must do all I can to aid my cousin.”
Daniel put a smile on his face, hiding his surprise as best he could. “I quite understand,” he replied, wondering if Miss Crosby was, in fact, nothing more than a poor relation who had been brought to London for a taste of society whilst still making use of her. “Might I inquire as to your cousin’s name?”
“Miss Sophia Marks,” Miss Crosby replied, jarring him. “She is the daughter of Lord Britton.” A small embarrassed glance reached him. “She is not, in fact, my first cousin but rather my second—or mayhap my third—but our families have always been linked due to the fact that both my father and hers bear a title.”
Daniel was struggling to think clearly, for the sound of Miss Marks’ name on Miss Crosby’s lips had flung him into such a cloud of astonishment and surprise that for a moment, he could say nothing. This was good fortune in itself, for he was now able to ensure he had an introduction to the lady. Fate was handing her to him as though she were on a platter, ready and waiting for him.
“I see,” he said, seeing how Miss Crosby was looking at him. “I believe I know your cousin. She has a brother, does she not?”
Miss Crosby nodded eagerly, appearing relieved that he knew the family. “Indeed, there is one elder brother, although he is not in London at present time.”
“I see,” Daniel said again, somewhat mechanically. “Yes, I believe I know of whom you are speaking. Might you be willing to give me an introduction?”
Much to his surprise, Miss Crosby’s face fell. Her smile died away almost at once as her eyes lost the warmth and sparkle that had only just appeared. Her lips curved down as she turned her head away, gesturing to her right with a limp hand.
“But of course,” she said dully, not quite looking at him. “This way, if you please.”
Throwing aside the fact that he had, in some way, saddened Miss Crosby, Daniel focused every part of his being on meeting Miss Marks. It was she that was his goal, she that could be his only aim. His heart quickened yet again, his blood running hot as a nervousness began to climb up his spine. Straightening his shoulders and clearing his throat gruffly, he followed after Miss Crosby, his eyes glancing from here to there as though he might be able to see Miss Marks sooner should he do so.
“Ah, Sarah, there you are!” A high pitched and rather shrill voice reached his ears before he could even catch sight of the lady in question. “I have been looking all over for you.”
“Forgive me, cousin,” Miss Crosby replied, gesturing towards Daniel. “I was just speaking to this gentleman, who now wishes an introduction.”
Daniel bowed low, no longer paying any attention to Miss Crosby. Looking up at his quarry from under lowered brows, he was pleased to see how Miss Marks blushed, curtsying beautifully as he raised his head.
“May I present Viscount Ruddington,” Miss Crosby said quietly. “Lord Ruddington, may I present Miss Sophia Marks, daughter of Viscount Britton and my cousin.”
“How delighted I am to make your acquaintance,” Daniel said quickly, not even thanking Miss Crosby for her introduction but fixing his gaze on the beautiful face of Miss Marks. “You are just as lovely as I have heard.”
Miss Marks blushed a deeper rose color, which, Daniel thought, only added to her beauty. “You are very kind, my lord.”
“I think you will find I
am very truthful,” he replied, knowing full well he was beginning to tease her but seeing that she was reacting rather well to it. “You must know I could not have lingered in the shadows for long this evening, not when I saw your beauty from the other side of the ballroom. I am so glad to have been able to make your acquaintance at last.” He pressed one hand to his heart, acting as though he were desperate for another piece of luck. “Can I hope you have even one space remaining on your dance card for someone such as I?”
Miss Marks laughed and raised her wrist, allowing him to grasp at the dance card that dangled from it. She did not remove it from her wrist so that he might see it better, and neither did he make any effort to take it from her. Rather, he held her hand in his whilst his other hand turned the card so that he might peruse it a little better. A small gasp of astonishment came from his right, making him look up to see none other than Miss Crosby staring at his hand holding Miss Marks’ one. He made to grin at her, thinking his flirtations would easily work on a poor cousin such as Miss Crosby, only for her to step forward and put her hand over his.
“If you will permit me, Lord Ruddington,” she said firmly, looking directly at him with a somewhat stern expression on her face. “I should take the dance card from my cousin’s wrist. You will not be able to read it otherwise.”
Daniel opened his mouth to protest that he was able to read it very well and even Miss Marks hissed something he did not quite hear, although the feeling was quite apparent. However, Miss Crosby was not about to accept either of their excuses for, before he knew it, his hand was freed from Miss Marks, and the dance card was held in his other hand. A little angry and certainly frustrated that a mere companion, a poor cousin of Miss Marks, had stepped in when she had no right to do so, Daniel lifted his chin and glared down at Miss Crosby, thinking he would say something to her, but much to his astonishment, Miss Crosby simply stared back, one eyebrow arched. It was quite clear she considered his behavior to be much too forward and she was not about to allow him to do as he wished, even though he was a gentleman.
