by Aileen Fish
His brows drew together and his smile wavered. “Perhaps I’ll see you this evening. Which assembly will you attend? I could reserve my dances now.”
“Lady Joanna has a private engagement this evening, sir. If you’ll excuse us, we’ll be on our way. Come, girls, we don’t wish to be late.” Aunt Ophelia nudged the two girls to move along, and she and Mrs. Clawson followed directly behind them.
Sir Frederick drove away without further fuss, much to Joanna’s relief. “That man,” she said as soon as he was gone.
“You cannot marry him,” Amelia said.
“No, you cannot.” Aunt Ophelia spoke as though she’d never allow it. “There’s no concern of that happening, is there?”
“As I told you, Aunt, he and Northcotte have some sort of agreement.”
“Sir Jasper has heard some talk about him. Something to do with money lending,” Aunt Ophelia added.
Joanna considered that. “Northcotte can’t have borrowed money from him. We are not in difficult finances. Although, he did say we couldn’t afford for me to spend the summer in Bath. I first saw Sir Frederick in Newmarket, so I assumed they were buying or selling horses.”
“How are you coming with encouraging Mr. Lumley? You two were quite cozy at my card party.”
Speaking over her shoulder, Joanna replied, “I believe he cares for me, but how do I draw him into an understanding?”
Mrs. Clawson’s soft voice barely reached Joanna with all the noise of the street. “With some men, you must make your affections quite plain.”
Aunt Ophelia patted Joanna’s shoulder. “I agree. We won’t go so far as to be bold or brazen, but obviously we haven’t been plain enough.” She took Joanna’s arm. “And in the meantime, I shall speak to Northcotte. That young man needs reminding exactly what his duties as a guardian entail.”
They walked briskly to where the carriage waited, and after dropping off the Clawsons, went straight to Joanna’s town house. Scurrying at her aunt’s heels, Joanna asked Starley if her brother was at home.
“He’s in his study, my lady.”
“Thank you.”
Aunt Ophelia entered the room without knocking. Northcotte jumped to his feet. “Aunt, Joanna, I didn’t know you had returned. Shall I ring for tea?”
“Not for me, thank you, Robert. I won’t be staying. I’ve some concerns about one of the gentlemen who has made his interests in your sister quite plain.”
He smiled, his features softening as if relieved. “Splendid. Does he wish to meet with me?”
“He already has,” Joanna said. “Sir Frederick.”
Robert’s reaction surprised her. He took a step back and went pale. He quickly recovered after grabbing the back of his chair. “Is there a problem with the man?”
Aunt Ophelia shook her head. “How can you ask that? Can you truly say you are considering him as suitable for your sister?”
“Aunt Ophelia, I know you understand how complicated the matter of betrothals can be. There are many areas to consider.”
Joanna studied him, trying to see beyond the vague responses he gave.
Their aunt continued. “You cannot have seen the man in a social situation. He’s awkward. No, that’s too kind. He’s a social half-wit. Honestly, Robert. He cannot have any social connections that would benefit either of you, and you certainly don’t need business connections. You must tell the man his offer will not be accepted.”
“I’ll take your opinion under consideration. I appreciate your stopping by this afternoon. I’m sure Mother would love to say hello.”
“I hope you do consider what I’ve said. Your father would not wish his daughter to end up in such a mésalliance.” Aunt Ophelia turned, nodded to Joanna, and left the room. Joanna followed her out, afraid to see whether Robert seemed to be considering their aunt’s request or had set it aside completely.
Chapter Fifteen
A collision between two carriages blocked an intersection delaying the arrival of David and his family at a grand home in Mayfair. A long line of carriages waited to draw near and allow their passengers to disembark. David would wager the delay was a plot from a merciless God trying to foil his plans to show Lady Joanna how he felt about her.
“David, if you scowl like that when we get inside, no one will ask me to dance,” Hannah complained.
“With the variety of rakes and popinjays who are likely to attend, that would be a blessing,” he muttered.
“You could have gone to your club and no one would have missed your curmudgeonly presence.”
Mother waved her lavender-scented handkerchief beneath her nose. “Children, please, do not give me a headache before we arrive. The crush will do that soon enough. Let me have some peace while I can.”
Banished to the nursery until he could behave. He was seven-and-twenty, for God’s sake. He should be due some leeway in behavior now that he was a man. Allowed to have moods on occasion. It was not as if he was always cross. Only when his plans went awry.
Trey poked his arm. “Shall we divide the ballroom again to find Miss Clawson and Lady Joanna?”
“That would be smart. Reserve whatever dances might still be available.”
Mother turned her attention back on David. “You dance often with Lady Joanna.”
“She’s pleasant company. If I must attend these assemblies, I see no need to be miserable the entire night.”
“No one is twisting your ear to make you attend.” In the light from the carriage lamps, he thought he detected a small smile on her face.
“You threatened me before the Season began. I thought it was expected of me to accompany Hannah to as many balls as I could.”
“That was before Trey came to Town. He enjoys dancing as much as Hannah does. I suppose if you’d prefer to travel with your horse, I’ll excuse you from further obligation.”
Now he felt like a heel. He didn’t mind watching out for his sisters. Truth be told, he couldn’t help but feel protective of them. And now he needed to go to as many assemblies as possible when Lady Joanna was in attendance. “The Season is half over, and we’ll be leaving soon for Stephen and Jane’s wedding. I won’t mind joining you for the short time I’ll be in Town.”
“Besides, Lady Joanna will be there,” Trey added.
Mother nodded. “Is that important to you? To continue to see her?”
Her piercing gaze probed him. “She makes the evening more pleasant.”
Mother smiled and looked out the window. “That’s often how it begins. If one is lucky.”
His luck hadn’t been good on a regular basis of late, so he would not look for that to be the foundation of his marriage. He shook his head.
Luck.
Marriage.
The word still made him quake. While that was the logical progression of an acquaintance made during the Season, the idea made his heart race. He needed to adjust to the thought before speaking of it aloud.
The carriage lurched forward a few more feet, carrying him closer to Lady Joanna. He pulled back the velvet curtain to see how far they had to go. Still too far to suggest Mother walk the distance with them. She would not be pleased if she were glowing before she crossed the threshold.
Hannah also looked out her window. “Look at all the people. So many are walking up to the house from here.”
“They most likely rented hacks,” Mother said. “You will look all the more distinguished when you step out of your father’s carriage.”
Hannah sighed. “But anyone who matters will already be inside, and partnered.”
Mother lifted her chin. “Anyone who matters will be waiting for you to arrive before asking the other ladies to dance.”
David smiled. His mother played the countess well. It was hard to look at his sister and think she might one day be a countess, or a marchioness. She’d only begun wearing her hair up.
Trey adjusted his waistcoat and tugged at the sleeves of his coat. “I hope Miss Clawson thinks I matter and saves a dance for me.”
When the
y finally made their way into the ballroom, David spotted Lady Joanna first thing. She was in the center of the floor, gaily bobbing through the dance steps. Her cheeks were flushed most becomingly, her smile bright.
He looked for Lady Ophelia, believing that was where Lady Joanna would return after the dance. Making his way around the room, he took up watch near where the older woman stood. He surveyed the room for familiar faces and realized with whom Lady Joanna danced. Sir Frederick.
Bollocks.
That confirmed his suspicions the fates had it in for him. However, if they danced this early, maybe he hadn’t asked to sit with her at supper.
David found out soon enough, when the dance ended and Sir Frederick escorted her back to her aunt’s side.
“Thank you,” Joanna said, sounding dismissive to David’s ears, but apparently not to Sir Frederick’s. The man remained with her.
Undaunted, David walked up. Before he could speak, Sir Frederick dismissed him with a little wave of his hand. “Move along, Lumley. The lady has a companion at the moment. You are not needed, or wanted, here.”
Lady Joanna gasped. Her eyes popped wide open.
David feigned a stab to his chest. “I am wounded you aren’t delighted to see me, Sir Frederick. That was the sole purpose of my venturing to this corner of the ballroom. I suppose I must continue my turn about the room.” He bowed to Lady Joanna. “Would you care to join me?”
Sir Frederick stepped forward, blocking Joanna. “She is with me, as you can plainly see.”
“What I see is that your set of dances ended and you neglected to offer refreshment or see if she’d prefer to step outside where the air is cooler. Neither of which precludes me from doing so.” He held out his arm. “My lady?”
Her blink broke her blank stare, then she smiled. “Thank you, sir.”
David led her away before Sir Frederick could say more. “Lady Joanna, how is your evening progressing?”
“Very well, now, thank you.” She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling in the light from the chandelier. “I’d begun to think you would not be in attendance this evening.”
“I fear we were on the wrong side of a collision and had to wait for the carriages to be moved.”
She frowned. “I hope no one was hurt.”
“There didn’t appear to be any injuries to the occupants, and the drivers were fit enough to right the one that toppled, with the help of some men on the street.” He saw her concern increase, and added, “None of the horses were injured, either.”
Her breath escaped in a sigh. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“I would be glad to hear you have a set open for me. That was my biggest concern while waiting on the street.”
“I’ve the third set free.”
“It would be an honor to dance it with you.” The room was not so large they could remain away from her aunt—and Sir Frederick— for long, But David walked as slowly as possible. “Which meeting will Patriot enter next? Does your brother tell you his plans?”
“No, he doesn’t. Where is Triton entered?”
“To be honest, I’ve considered taking him north, seeing what the competition is like there.”
Her right eyebrow lifted behind the curls on her forehead. “Are you afraid he’ll continue to lose to Patriot?”
“I’m not afraid of anything.” He let that hang in the air a moment as they completed their circle. “It’s purely business. Give him the best record possible.”
Lady Joanna nodded. “Ah, yes, to increase his stud fees.”
Sir Frederick must have been listening, for he jumped in, his arms folded across his chest. “Really, Lumley, to speak of such things with a lady, and in such a social setting.”
“Mr. Lumley and I often speak of our horses. We are both fond of runners.”
Shaking his head, Sir Frederick said, “I’m certain Northcotte would not approve. And neither do I. My wife will not discuss horses, or gambling—”
“Then perhaps you are considering the wrong lady for your wife.” David forced himself to keep his voice down. “Would not it make more sense to find a woman who already has the qualities you seek, rather than mold one of your choosing into something she isn’t?”
Lady Ophelia’s friend, Sir Jasper, stepped in. “Is there a problem, gentlemen?”
David gave the man a slight bow of acknowledgement. “None, sir. We’re merely discussing runners. You know how passionate we can become over our horses.”
“Quite. I’m glad there’s nothing to be concerned about.” Sir Jasper didn’t move from Lady Joanna’s side.
The way Sir Frederick remained planted in place, his legs spread slightly, arms still folded, he appeared to be marking his territory. It wasn’t jealousy coursing through David at that moment, but a need to protect a friend. Sir Frederick rubbed him the wrong way, beyond his grating manner. There was something pure evil in that man. Why had he singled out Lady Joanna? There were plenty of pretty ladies seeking husbands. Any one of them stood a chance of being the type of wife he claimed to want, many even more so than Joanna. It didn’t make sense.
At that moment, a young lad who didn’t seem old enough to have chin whiskers approached hesitantly. “Lady Joanna, I believe this next set is mine.”
“Yes, it is.” She offered her gloved hand to the lad. “If you gentlemen will excuse me?”
David watched her glide away. The moment she disappeared into the crush, he turned on Sir Frederick. “You were out of line. A gentleman would never speak so plainly at a gathering such as this.”
“I only spoke the truth. If society cannot stand to hear that, they should pay attention to their own conversations and not mine.”
“So you say, but you hoped others would hear so you and she would be forced into the situation you desired.” David didn’t want to say the word betrothal for fear he’d do exactly what he was accusing Sir Frederick of. He needed to end the discussion before it got more heated. He casually moved to Lady Ophelia’s side. “You are not dancing, my lady?”
She waved her fan slowly. “I prefer to watch the younger set perform. Why aren’t you dancing? There are plenty of ladies who lack partners.”
“Perhaps later.” He didn’t enjoy dancing the way some did, and he only performed the steps with minimal grace, if their tutor had been correct. Part of him felt guilty letting young wallflowers wilt with each passing set, but he was not certain partnering with them, letting them have some hope he was attracted to them, was any kinder.
He didn’t have Knightwick’s cachet, so being seen on his arm would not draw other men to the wallflowers. And he didn’t have Trey’s exuberance in conversation to carry him through a set. Therefore, he stood on the outside and watched Lady Joanna move with joy.
~*~
Joanna could barely catch her breath when the music ended and her partner led her back to Aunt Ophelia. Seeing who else stood there made her stop breathing altogether, at least for a moment. Mr. Lumley and Sir Frederick were the bookends to Aunt Ophelia and Sir Jasper, and that bounder, Lord Westbourne had joined them while Joanna danced.
Mr. Lumley appeared nonchalant, but Sir Frederick’s eyes shot daggers at him. Lord Westbourne, on the other hand, was as cool and collected as if he believed no man was competition for him. Yet Sir Jasper flexed and opened his fists, practically daring anyone to challenge him.
Good heavens, what a recipe for gossip! Were she and her aunt to be fought over in front of half the ton? The men might as well rip off their shirts and box each other to the floor. A nervous giggle escaped, and she quickly covered her mouth. Perhaps that would not be the best thing, having them disrobe in the ballroom. The matrons might gasp if a fight broke out, but would faint dead away seeing half-naked men.
She carefully avoided greeting anyone by name, so she didn’t have to acknowledge Lord Westbourne. The man made her shudder. She thanked her partner for the dance, stepped between her aunt and Mr. Lumley, and pulled out her fan.
“You dance so elega
ntly.” Mr. Lumley’s voice next to her ear sent shivers down her spine.
“Thank you. Sometimes I feel as though I’m galloping about the floor.”
“You are exuberant without losing grace.”
Feeling even more heated, she fanned herself hard. “You’re being too kind.”
“I’m not. I would never beguile you with flattery. There’s no need, with such a specimen as you.”
“Now you do go too far,” she whispered. “Everyone will hear.”
“I’m not afraid to let them know I think you’re lovely.”
She could think of nothing to say in response. His words overwhelmed her. If what he said were the truth, she wished Sir Frederick would hear. She wanted to tell the man this was the way to court a lady. She wanted to believe Mr. Lumley was courting her.
Sir Frederick wandered away. Sir Jasper left, too, and Lord Westbourne took his place beside Aunt Ophelia. He spoke in low tones, but his voice carried to Joanna. “Have you considered my offer?”
“Do not speak of it here,” Aunt Ophelia bit out.
“I am not a patient man.”
Aunt Ophelia turned to Joanna. “I saw Lady Jersey earlier. Have you seen her gown? The embroidery at her hem must have taken the seamstress months to complete. I’ve never seen the like.”
“I shall look for her when I’m dancing. I did see the most exquisite hat, though. Large rubies surrounded by white, downy feathers on an emerald turban.” Joanna had seen nothing of the sort. Lady Jersey’s gown was their secret code to launch into a conversation sure to send off whatever obnoxious gentleman had joined them.
“My, it sounds striking. I wonder if I could find the right shade of gold silk for a turban to match the topaz pendant my dear husband left me. What do you think? A matching gown and hat to draw out the amber in the stones.”
Joanna grinned. They enjoyed seeing who could design the more outrageous costume. “I wish Mama would allow me to wear red. I would dress in it from head to toe, with ermine at the sleeves and around the train. Do you think I should borrow Mama’s rubies or emeralds to wear with it?”
Mr. Lumley coughed beside her. She smiled at him. “What do you think? Should I have a red gown made this Season? Or wait until winter?”
