“Miss Hamilton?”
She closed her eyes and exhaled silently, then turned with her debutante smile. “Lord Oliver.”
He bowed and offered his hand. “May I have the next?”
She blinked once, then shook her head. “I am so sorry, my lord. I’m afraid the next dance has already been spoken for.”
He straightened and smiled kindly. “Then may I take you back in to your partner?”
She considered him with a curious smile, and nodded, smiling more broadly. “That would be delightful, my lord, thank you.”
He held out his arm, which she took, forcing herself to maintain her composure as she reentered the ballroom. Let Geoffrey Harris think whatever he wanted. She would allow the men she wanted to court her, she would flirt and flatter and let herself be adored, and she would dance with whomever she wanted.
And at the moment, she was going to most heartily enjoy a dance with his brother.
“Single most uncomfortable moment of my life.”
“Seriously, Colin?”
“You need to get out more.”
“I need to get out more?”
“It was a touch nerve-wracking, I admit.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you see the way they looked at each other? I wondered who was going to start breathing fire and set the place ablaze.”
A snort. “The gossips will love this. They’re talking already.”
“Are you sure he went down this way?”
“Positive. Duncan told me before he ran for safety. Geoff!”
Geoffrey made no move to approach his friends, but also made no effort to hide himself as he stared out of the window nearest him.
After his dance with Mary, he had felt the need to flee the scene of his crime as soon as was respectably possible. He wasn’t sure what had happened out there, but that had not been him. He was neither that impertinent nor that petty. And yet, he felt justified in everything he said. He had been honest and straightforward, just as he always had been with her.
But he didn’t like the bitter taste in his mouth he’d had ever since.
And he didn’t like the way her waist had felt beneath his hand.
And he most certainly did not enjoy the way his voice had lowered of its own accord and rendered him a complete idiot who couldn’t look away from her.
“Geoff, I think we need to work on your hearing,” Colin announced as he approached, clamping a hand down on his shoulder.
Geoff snorted a light laugh. “I hear you, Colin, but it doesn’t always require a response.”
“Well said,” praised Derek, coming around his other side and leaning against the wall. “So, Geoffrey, would you like to tell us what that was all about?”
He looked over at Derek in apparent confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Nathan made a noise of disbelief. “Do you take us for idiots? That little duel you had with Mary Hamilton in the middle of the ballroom for all of London to see. I thought you were going to lose your head.”
“I thought she was going to slap him,” Colin offered with a hint of disappointment.
“I was just having a conversation with an old friend,” Geoffrey told them, keeping his face free from any residual emotion. “It was my only opportunity. She’s too busy at other times to see anybody besides her fawning fools. Except rarely,” he muttered as he recalled her words. “Where is Duncan?”
“He vanished some time before your grand finale,” Colin said with a wave of his hand. “Something about his sister that needed his attention, I really haven’t the foggiest.”
Geoff glowered darkly, which was fast becoming an expression of frequency for his face.
“If it was just a conversation,” Derek asked slowly, his voice even, “then I am curious as to why you have had that exact expression on your face the entire evening, particularly when you were staring quite fixedly at Mary?”
Geoff turned his gaze back to Derek, who didn’t even flinch.
“And I myself am wondering,” Nathan mused aloud, “what could possibly drive you, the most controlled man I know, to march across the entire ballroom and practically drag her on to the dance floor, away from her collection of men, and then engage in the most tension-filled dance I have ever had to witness in my life?”
“And I want to know…” Colin started, but Geoff just looked at him, and he clamped his lips together with a shrug and an impish grin.
“Things are… difficult at the moment,” Geoff said, choosing his words with care.
“For whom?” Derek murmured, a strange smile forming.
“She is being unreasonable and ridiculous.”
Nathan snorted. “And you are being mulish and gloomy.”
“And you cannot sleep,” Colin pointed out.
Geoff frowned at him. “That has nothing to do with Mary.”
Colin shrugged. “Both have you wandering random corridors, I made a logical leap.”
“Well, don’t,” he grumbled. He shoved off of the wall and looked at them. “And if you nannies are through with your interrogation, I’d like to return to the ball.”
They all stepped back and gestured for him to lead on. Their timing was impeccable and they nearly burst out laughing as Geoff walked past them and back into the splendor of the ballroom.
“I think he’s in trouble,” Nathan muttered softly to Derek as they followed.
“Oh, he most certainly is,” Derek agreed, grinning. “Beyond trouble.”
“What sort of trouble?” Colin asked eagerly, earning himself a look from the others. “What? What trouble?”
Chapter Fifteen
Mary sat among friends as she listened to Lily Arden perform her third piece of the evening, bringing sounds from the pianoforte that Mary had only fabricated in her wildest imaginations. The girl was supremely talented, and she was delighted that she had been able to have a hand in displaying that to the ignorant.
She glanced about her music room with a small smile, searching for the most likely candidates to approach Lily when she was finished. Mr. Parker, perhaps, as he was a great admirer of music and looked quite arrested at the moment. That would be a fine match, but Lily could do better.
Her eyes fell upon Thomas Granger, her roguish card player, and saw that, much to her surprise, he looked positively bewildered. His dark features were taut and his eyes wide as he stared at Lily in wonder. It was much to his credit, she suspected, that his mouth was not hanging open. Was he an admirer of music or just of Lily? She had no idea, but wouldn’t that be something? He would make a good match. An excellent one, to be honest. He might have been a rogue and a skilled card player, but he was perfectly respectable, charming, surprisingly shy in temperament, and his fortune… Well, it would be safe to say that he had the means that even if he had lost Mary’s entire fortune in a poorly played round, he would still have fortune enough to be wildly eligible.
The charming rogue and the modest beauty? She fought a mischievous grin as she looked between the two. That would be the most delightfully unexpected match.
Her glance about the room showed her who else was still in attendance, but none were paying so close attention. They were all politeness, and no doubt would applaud Lily most handsomely, but they were not awestruck. They didn’t appreciate her talent as Mary did, nor some of the other ladies in the room.
She took a moment to consider Kate, a wonderfully accomplished pianist herself, sitting near her husband, and watching Lily with a fond smile. Well, that was well done. If Lily could receive the attention and good graces of the Marchioness of Whitlock, her popularity would positively blossom. And Kate was fiendish enough that she would undoubtedly have her own ideas for helping Lily make a good match.
Mary had to laugh at herself. Since when had she become such a devoted matchmaker? She had never cared about such things before, and rarely even paid enough attention to know about the matches being made. That was her sister’s territory. And yet here she was, eagerly making
matches for a girl who had made no such desires known, and with a man she herself was being courted by.
Not that she would consider Mr. Granger for herself. It had become obvious early on that they wouldn’t suit, but they remained friends and he kept up appearances for no other reason than to give her a bit of a reprieve as needed, and to make her laugh. Not that his sense of humor was particularly ebullient, but he did say the most delightfully droll things when nobody was listening.
He would make Lily a fine husband, if they chose.
Lily finished her song, and smiled shyly at the gathering. Applause rang through the room, though some were only doing so because of appearances. Mary frowned as she noticed Lord Wofford only clapped twice, and then stifled a yawn behind his hand.
And he was not the only one to do so.
Attention turned to her as hostess and she adopted her public face and smiled. “Miss Arden’s talented fingers surely deserve a rest after so difficult a piece, particularly when she performed it so masterfully. Don’t you all agree that it was so?”
Now the applause was louder and more enthusiastic. Lily blushed from her seat at the pianoforte, but made no attempt to temper her sweet smile.
“I believe we may take a break from the music for now,” Mary continued, noticing out of the corner of her eye that Geoffrey was making his way to Lily with a cordial smile. Her tone slipped ever so slightly, but she managed to cover it with a laugh. “Unless anyone else should like a chance?”
“Will you not favor us, Miss Hamilton?” came the slightly higher-than-masculine voice of Mr. Beech, who was equal parts young and naïve, and too eager by half.
Other voices cried out for her, but she shook her head firmly. “No, I am not performing tonight.” She looked over at Lily, who was smiling kindly at Geoffrey, now at her side. Mary would ignore him. “Particularly after so exquisite a piece as Miss Arden has just played. I cannot exhibit anything half so great. No, no,” she insisted, holding up a hand at the protestations. “Not tonight, thank you.”
“Miss Harville?” Geoffrey suggested suddenly, looking at the round-faced girl sitting behind Mary. “Would you not favor us?”
Fanny Harville looked stunned, but delighted enough and she nodded.
Mary looked back at him with widened eyes, but he appeared not to notice as he helped Lily from the bench. Other faces in the room looked equally as horrified as Mary felt. She glanced longingly at the side door, which Winston had been instructed to leave open. She could not in good conscience leave the room when she was hostess, and Geoffrey knew that.
Her guests had no such restrictions. Several of the ladies claimed to be warm, and not a few gentlemen rose to assist them as they left the room. Derek and Kate stayed, though Derek watched the others leave with longing. Cassie glared at the retreating figures, then smiled encouragingly at Fanny as she took her seat.
Mary sighed to herself and settled into her seat. If Cassie could be encouraging, so could she.
Surprisingly, Lord Wofford didn’t leave the room. Nor did Lord Oliver, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Parker, or Mr. Burlington, all of whom appeared as though any other accomplished female were about to perform. Yet all of them, she was quite sure, had been a victim of Fanny Harville’s voice previously. They showed no sign of wishing to be anywhere else.
Well. She would have to seriously reconsider a few of those gentlemen for herself. True gentlemen, it would appear.
Decidedly against her express wishes, her eyes scanned for Geoffrey. She frowned ever so slightly as he escorted Lily from the room, already engaging her in more than polite conversation. Not that she expected Lily to remain. The poor girl had already played three times and with very little refreshment between. But Geoffrey…
She couldn’t help but flinch slightly as Fanny began with a truly horrific note that made her feel as though her stomach had been plunged into an icy trough. She glanced up to see if Fanny would look around at them all, but true to form, the girl was playing and singing with her eyes closed. Probably for the best. Mary closed her eyes as well, and tried to imagine something else.
“Pardon me, Miss Hamilton.”
She opened her eyes in surprise as Mr. Granger was sitting beside her now. “Mr. Granger?”
“I’m afraid I must take my leave,” he said softly so as not to disturb what was supposed to be music.
Disappointment hit her in the chest and she frowned slightly. “Oh.” Then she leaned in and quirked a half smile. “Is the entertainment not to your liking?”
He flashed a very quick show of teeth with a roguish grin. “No, indeed, it’s very fine…” He coughed softly with suggestion, and Mary fought the urge to snicker.
“No, I’ve had a pleasant evening,” he assured her, his smile retreating back into hiding. “I simply… I feel it is time.”
Concern knitted Mary’s brow. “Are you certain? We will have some other entertainment momentarily, and perhaps some riddles. I could use your cleverness there.”
He slowly shook his head, his eyes wandering to the door out of which Geoff and Lily had vanished. “I fear I will not be good company for you, Miss Hamilton. I really must take my leave.”
That, at least, Mary could understand. She smiled softly and nodded. “Of course, Mr. Granger. Thank you for your attendance this evening.”
He stood and gave her a slight bow. “Miss Hamilton,” he murmured. Then he swept from the room, his eyes avoiding that side door entirely.
Mary frowned in earnest now. Could Geoffrey not have seen what was plain for all? She snapped open her fan and began to fan herself in irritation, though the room was cool enough. She would have to speak with Geoffrey after all, though she had fully intended to avoid him all evening. She had been surprised to see him arrive at all, but then, he had promised to come for Miss Arden.
His words to her the other night echoed in her mind: “you have that party and invite Miss Arden and I will be her chief admirer for the entire evening. I will be so full of compliments that you will think you invited one of your fops instead of me.”
She snorted in memory. A fop he was certainly being, and certainly her chief admirer. But knowing Geoffrey, knowing his current feelings, he would do it merely to spite Mary, to throw it in her face that he was keeping his word.
A discordant chord on the piano caused her to jerk and she flexed her fingers painfully. She released a slow exhale and looked at her sister, whose face was frozen into polite support, but there was real pain in her eyes. Perhaps now they could prevent this from happening again.
At long last, it was over, and polite applause filled the room. Mary rose before anybody could be so cruel as to suggest another and smiled at the gathering. “Thank you, Miss Harville. It is so delightful to witness your improvements.”
Fanny smiled and nodded in acceptance.
“If you all would care for some refreshment, a light spread has been provided in the dining room. Then perhaps, we can reconvene in here for some games, and a bit more music.”
All rose and did as she suggested, finding the ones who had departed already in the dining room. Mary looked around for Geoff, who was still chatting with Lily. She walked over calmly as if she were merely taking a stroll about the room. Lily saw her approach and smiled.
“Miss Hamilton, thank you so much for this evening,” the sweet girl gushed, absently pushing a stray lock of her brown curls behind her ear. “It has been wonderful.”
Mary couldn’t help but smile. “I’m glad you are enjoying yourself, Miss Arden. I trust you have received some compliments?”
Lily blushed. “Quite a few. It’s a trifle overwhelming.”
“But absolutely deserved,” Mary insisted, putting a hand on her arm. “Now, if you don’t mind, might I borrow Mr. Harris for a moment?”
Lily looked up at him and nodded with a smile. “Of course!”
As if Mary had summoned her, Kate was suddenly there with her dark eyes trained on Lily. “You, my dear Miss Arden, put me quite to shame.”
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“Miss Arden, you know the Lady Whitlock?” Mary said quickly, making the proper introductions.
Lily curtseyed very prettily. “Only by sight, my lady. It’s a pleasure. Thank you for your compliment.”
Kate took the girl’s arm. “No, the pleasure is mine. Now we must talk at great length, Miss Arden. Your largo was so moving, I could hardly speak.” And with that Kate steered her away, taking her around the room.
Mary exhaled silently, then cast a look up at Geoffrey, who watched the ladies move fondly.
“You have to adore Kate, don’t you?” he said on a sigh.
Mary glowered. “I believe most do. Geoffrey, what are you doing?”
He looked down at her in surprise. “Standing here talking to you. And before that, complimenting Miss Arden and having a most pleasant conversation.”
“Well, stop it!”
He reared back in surprise. “Why? I told you I would come and compliment Miss Arden, and so I have. And not insincerely either, she’s remarkable.”
“Yes, yes, I know she is,” Mary snapped, clenching her fan in one hand. “And I’m becoming terribly fond of her, which is why you must stop.”
“Stop complimenting her?”
She huffed and turned towards him more fully so that others would not see her. “Stop monopolizing her. Don’t you realize that others may want to speak with her?”
He looked at her with complete incredulity. “Are you serious, Mary? Monopolizing? So says you, who monopolizes all attention everywhere she goes these days.”
She clenched her teeth together a little painfully. She must remain calm, she must remain collected. “Don’t make her fall in love with you, Geoffrey.”
“I have no such intentions,” he began, his voice beginning to rise.
“Shh!” she hissed, looking around quickly. She opened her fan and held it before her face. “You have paid her your compliments, now leave her alone.”
Secrets of a Spinster Page 16
