“Promise?” she asked coquettishly.
“Indeed.” He held out his arm for her. “If we don’t leave now, we won’t.”
Mia smiled and hoped she would not embarrass herself or him tonight. They walked to the ballroom arm in arm with smiles on their faces. A nervous tingle flowed through her body, but she tried to ignore it and focus on the beauty of the experience. Simon had already told her that since it was a country party, Caroline didn’t stand on formalities and have everyone announced. This would allow them to slip into the room without as much notice. Mia would have to thank Caroline for that.
A slight gasp escaped her lips as she entered the room. The candles flickered from chandeliers above their heads. Women dressed in their jeweled tones mingled in the room with men in their formal attire. She had never seen so many people at any function other than Christmas service at church. Her tinge of nerves spread.
“You will be fine, Mia.” Simon squeezed her forearm slightly.
“I am not as certain as you on that.”
“Everyone will love you.” He led her toward his brother. “James, how are you tonight?”
Mia smiled at James. She had never seen him dressed so formally. “Good evening, James.”
“Mia, you look beautiful.”
Her cheeks heated at the compliment. “Thank you.”
While James and Simon chatted, she scanned the room for Selina. Finally, she found her friend across the crowded room. From Mia’s position, it looked as if Selina was being introduced to many people who hadn’t met her yet.
Once Simon finished speaking with James, he looked at her. “Are you ready for the introductions?”
“I suppose I am. Not that I’ll remember anyone’s name.”
“No, but they will remember you,” Simon commented.
For the next hour, Simon introduced her to so many people she lost count. Most people were polite but not terribly friendly. A few younger women eyed her in such an odd manner, she finally questioned Simon on it.
“Why are some of the women giving me such strange looks?”
He shrugged. “Most likely because they haven’t heard of you before now. You did marry an eligible earl too. Could be jealousy.”
Mia tried not to smile. A part of her liked the idea of snaring a very eligible bachelor from the highborn ladies. Although, she doubted what she saw in those women’s eyes was envy. She could have sworn there was pity there.
“I do believe the dancing is about to begin.”
“Dancing?” It hadn’t occurred to her before now but she had no idea how to dance. And she was at a ball! Of course, there would be dancing. Her hands started to tremble. “Simon,” she whispered, “I have no idea how to dance.”
“Indeed?” Simon’s chestnut brows furrowed. “This is all my fault. I should have thought about it and brought in a dance instructor before the ball.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “If you had married a real lady, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Mia, I never wanted a ‘real’ lady.” He stared down at her with love in his eyes. “I wanted you.”
“You did?” Was that really love she saw in his eyes? Tonight when they were alone, she would tell him how she felt about him. It was time to be honest with him. Even if he didn’t love her, at least he would know that he was loved.
“Of course, I did.” He kissed her gloved hand. “The dancing does not matter. When we return home, I will find you an instructor.”
“Thank you, Simon.” The man was so generous when he really shouldn’t be spending any money. “I don’t need an instructor. You can teach me.”
“Well, that might be very interesting,” he replied with a smile. He tilted his head. “Here comes the duchess.”
Mia turned just as Selina and the duke arrived. There was still something about the duke that made her nervous. Hopefully, in time, she would come to know him better. “Good evening, Your Graces,” she said with a quick curtsy.
“Please tell me you are jesting with that curtsy, Mia,” Selina said with a laugh. “I never want to see you do that again.”
“Why? Did I do that wrong?”
“No, the execution was perfect. But you are my dearest friend and should never bow down before me again.” Selina shook her head as she smiled. “Now come along. Let us show these people that the new Duchess of Northrop and the Countess of Hartsfield are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Why do I feel this could be trouble,” Simon said to the duke.
“Because they are nothing but trouble,” the duke replied.
Selina turned and stuck out her tongue at her husband as she and Mia walked away. “Come along, Mia.”
Mia laughed at her friend’s antics. But as they walked away, she noticed many people staring and whispering. She was certain the people were gossiping about them. Hopefully, they were noticing that Mia had the ear of a duchess.
They walked the room and as they did, Selina introduced her to a few people who Selina had already met. One or two of the women seemed genuinely pleasant, while others remained cold and aloof toward her. Mia didn’t care. She was at her first ball with her dearest friend in the world. The only thing that could make this night better was if her sister was with them.
Mia glanced around to see where Simon was, only to find him sneaking out the terrace door. The poor man really had an issue with crowds. She wanted to run outside and join him but Selina had to introduce her to a few more people.
“Mia, this is Miss Layton. We met the last time North and I went to London. Miss Layton, this is—”
“Oh, we have met,” Evelyn Layton said with one eyebrow raised.
“You have?” Selina asked.
Mia attempted to keep herself from scowling at the younger woman. “Yes, we met. Miss Layton and her family arrived a few days ago.”
“I see,” Selina said. “Since you two have met, we should continue around the room.” Selina led Mia away quickly. “What was that about? I could feel the ice forming around you both.”
“She’s the one I was talking to the other night when she mentioned some incident in London with Simon.”
Selina moved her to a secluded section of the room. “Didn’t you say anything to Hart about it?”
“No,” she admitted slowly. “We got off topic.” Her cheeks flamed as she remembered exactly how off topic they got.
“Ah,” Selina said with a smile. She introduced Mia to a few other people.
Mia pulled her aside. “How do you know so many of these people? You’ve only been the duchess for two months!”
“North insists I try to learn everyone’s name. He also assists me as we greet people. He will pretend to lean down and whisper something sweet when he is actually reminding me of their names.”
Mia giggled. “How sweet.” She never imagined the duke to be such a nice man.
“And necessary. I have no idea how people do it without some tutoring.”
“That’s easy. Most have been around these people all of their lives. We don’t have that advantage so we must do our best to learn people’s names.” Mia smiled. “After all, if we don’t, how will we ever know who the gossips are discussing?”
“Oh, we both know they are discussing us tonight.” Selina walked with her to the refreshment table where they picked up glasses of lemonade. She nudged Mia. “See the old biddies in the corner? They both keep nodding our way.”
Mia stole a glance toward the corner, then laughed. “That’s Hart’s grandmother. Come along, I shall introduce you to someone for a change.”
Selina grimaced. “I vaguely remember her. A bit of a dragon, isn’t she?”
“Only a bit.”
They approached Lady Hartsfield slowly and stopped a few feet away until the older woman beckoned them with one crooked finger. “Come along, girls. We are old women who don’t have much time left.”
Mia rolled her eyes. That woman would live to be a hundred. Mia introduced the dowager countess to Selina an
d the countess introduced them both to one of her old friends.
Simon’s grandmother scrutinized them both and then a slow smile lifted her lips. “For two girls of no consequence, you clean up nicely. I believe you shall do well in Society.”
“Thank you, my lady,” they said together.
“Now, why aren’t you young ladies dancing?”
“I am waiting for the duke. He wanted to lead me out for my first dance here,” Selina replied.
“And you?” Lady Hartsfield asked of Mia.
Mia glanced away and shrugged.
“Oh dear,” the older woman whispered. “Why didn’t you tell me that you couldn’t dance when you arrived? I could have arranged for an instructor.”
“Honestly, I didn’t think of it,” Mia admitted. “I feel terribly foolish.”
“Nonsense,” Lady Hartsfield said. “Your inability to dance is your husband’s fault.”
“That’s hardly fair,” Mia said. “He didn’t think of it either.”
Lady Hartsfield shook her head. “The boy should have known better. Your Grace,” she said, turning her gray eyes on Selina, “Did your husband make sure you could dance before attending this ball?”
“Actually, his mother and sister brought in a dance instructor before I attended my first ball.”
“Ahh,” Lady Hartsfield waved her hand. “I stand by my statement.”
“I don’t believe we had planned to attend until Charlie insisted we come down,” Mia said. “Speaking of which, where is he? I thought he would attend the party.”
“Charlie?” Lady Hartsfield laughed. “We can’t pull him away from the gaming hells to come out to the country for a few days.”
That was odd. Mia was certain Simon had told her that Charlie would be here. Perhaps he was held up in London and couldn’t get away. She and Selina moved on until they ran into the duke.
“I do believe this is our dance,” he said with a smile to his wife.
“I think you are correct.” Selina took the duke’s outstretched arm and then they walked to the dance floor.
Envy filled Mia as she watched her dearest friend. The duke was so in love with Selina. Mia wanted that. She wanted Simon to look at her with love in his eyes all the time, not just in the bedroom.
“They make a lovely couple, don’t they?”
Mia turned to stare at a beautiful young woman no more than twenty. “Yes, they do.”
“I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced.” The woman blushed. “I am Miss Anna Stone.”
“Mia Feather—Lady Hartsfield.” Mia would never get used to calling herself that name.
“Lady Hartsfield,” she exclaimed. “Please excuse my manners. I should have waited to be introduced to you.”
“Why?”
Miss Stone tilted her head with a slight grin. “Because that is how it is done.”
Mia supposed she should know that fact. “Well, I don’t stand on such stringent formalities, Miss Stone. I am a woman of the country where things are less rigid.”
“How wonderful. I’m also from the country,” Miss Stone said wistfully. “I wish more people were like you.”
Mia giggled. “I am quite certain you are in the minority there. Most people seem to love these strict social structures.”
“I don’t,” Miss Stone whispered. “I hate these balls.”
“Then why are you here?”
Miss Stone’s eyes widened. “I have to marry.”
“Of course,” Mia said, reminded again of how different her life was as a wise woman. No one cared if she married or not as long as she had a daughter to learn the practices she’d been taught by her mother.
“And I made a promise to Caroline to come,” she said. “Your new sister-in-law. She wanted to introduce me to one of her brothers. I can assume it is not the earl since you seem to have captured his heart.”
Mia wished that was true. She wanted Simon’s heart and all his love. “So are you here for James or Charlie? I don’t believe Charlie was able to attend.” Which was odd now that she thought about it. She’d been certain he would come to his sister’s party.
“I believe James. He is the vicar, is he not? I already met Mr. Charles Blakesworth at a ball in London. He is far too much of a rake for my tastes. I’ve never been one to believe in the idea of reforming a rake.”
“Well, James is a wonderful man.” Mia noticed James standing by a window, staring out into the gardens. “He is over there.” She pointed to his position.
A small sigh escaped Miss Stone. “Truly? That is him?” “Yes.” Mia almost laughed at the wistful tone of Miss Stone’s voice. Mia had a feeling James and Miss Stone would get along perfectly.
“I believe I will speak to Caroline about an introduction.” Miss Stone gave a quick nod and walked away with a smile.
Mia grabbed a glass of wine from a passing footman and walked out of the room for some peace. Hearing voices, she paused by the door as Miss Evelyn Layton said, “Of course, the earl doesn’t love her. He only married that little nobody for one reason.”
“Why?” a voice asked.
“Yes, why would he marry a little no one from the Midlands?” another voice chimed in.
Oh God, they were discussing Simon’s marriage to her. She should move on and ignore the gossiping women, but something held her there.
“You all must know the reason,” Miss Layton said. “After what happened to my cousin several years ago, no woman of standing would marry him.”
“What happened? I never heard the story,” a woman asked.
“Why, the earl beat him almost to his death. It completely ruined the earl’s reputation. He wasn’t invited to any balls by decent people. And what woman would want to marry him and take a risk that he would beat her to death?”
Chapter 25
Simon watched James return a young woman to her parents after dancing a quadrille with her. He walked over to the footman and grabbed two brandies. After strolling to the corner where James stood eyeing the room, he handed his brother a brandy.
“Perfect timing,” James said and then sipped the heady liquid.
“Oh? Need some fortification after that strenuous dance.”
James laughed. “Hardly. That dance was the highlight of the night. I hate to tell Caroline but her parties are rather dull.”
“She may be our baby sister, but don’t ever tell her that or she’ll have your head.”
“I know that.”
“So who was the woman? I don’t recognize her.”
“A friend of Caroline’s from Miss Templeton’s Refinement School.”
“And?”
James turned and stared at Simon. “And what?”
“Marriage material?”
James stole a glance toward the woman’s position. “Far too early to tell yet. Miss Stone was rather quiet but spoke well of the country life. I don’t believe she would miss Society.”
“That would be an asset.” Something struck him. “Miss Stone?” Wasn’t that the same name Charlie had mentioned?
“Yes, Miss Anna Stone.”
“Miss Anna Stone.”
“That is what I said,” James replied and cocked a brown brow at him. “Why?”
What had Charlie said about her? Caroline knew he had an infatuation with Miss Stone. “James, did Caroline introduce you to Miss Stone?”
“Yes, why?”
“Why indeed?” Simon mused. Something seemed very odd here. Why would Caroline introduce her friend to James if she knew Charlie was interested? “I need to speak with Caroline.”
“Good luck with that,” James replied. “The only time I have seen her today was when she introduced me to Miss Stone.”
“I will find her.” Simon drained his brandy and went in search of his scheming little sister.
Scanning the room, he saw her on the other side of the room. He strode through the crush but his stride turned to an amble as the crowd paused him far too many times. By the time he reached the other sid
e of the room, Caroline was gone. He swore softly under his breath but still drew the attention of a matron who frowned at him.
He searched again, only to find her dancing with her husband. At least now he had his target in sight and could move to the edge of the dance floor in wait. He tapped his foot in time with the music as the dancers moved across the floor. Finally, the music ended.
Caroline noticed him and smiled. She and Richard walked toward him. “There you are, Simon. Why aren’t you with Mia?”
“I need to speak with you in private, Caroline.”
“Can it wait? I need to make certain everything is ready for supper.”
“No, it cannot wait.” He took his sister’s elbow and escorted her out of the room. They walked into Richard’s study and Simon closed the door behind him.
“What is going on, Simon?”
“That’s what I am trying to determine. Why did you introduce Miss Stone to James?”
Caroline tilted her head and frowned. “Why not? I thought they would suit each other. They both prefer country life over Society and he needs someone who won’t miss London.”
“But what about Charlie?”
She shook her head slightly. “What about him? They would make a dreadful match. He loves town life. Plus he is far too wild for Anna.”
“But you knew he was infatuated with her!”
“What are you talking about, Simon? I knew no such thing.” Caroline dropped into a wingback chair and folded her arms over her chest.
Simon sat across from her and stared at her. His sister was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a liar. Unfortunately, their brother was. “Charlie told me that you had said if he could persuade me to come to the party, you would make sure Miss Stone was invited as well.”
Caroline sighed. “Simon, I haven’t seen or heard from Charlie in over three months. The last time I saw him, he begged me for money to pay off his gambling debts.”
“He told me his gambling debts were under control. That he was living quite nicely off his allowance.” Simon’s jaw clenched. Once again, Charlie had lied to him.
“Why would he lie to you about his money problems when he hadn’t before now?” Caroline asked quietly.
Simon thought back to Charlie’s stay at Hartsfield Park. He’d started talking about Caroline’s party from the start, before Simon had mentioned anything about the gold Mia had found.
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