A Lesson in Friendship

by Jennifer Connors

  With a smile on her face, she met her next dance partner. Although the conversation was not as entertaining, at least there was a lifting of the darkness that had been covering her heart. Ginny felt lighter, happier. And it was a great relief after all the suffering she'd had.

  Chapter 6

  When the first waltz finally came around, Conway had worked himself into quite a mood. He had been watching her dance all evening, first with his friend Devon, who had been avoiding him ever since, and then a number of silly men vying for her attention. Although she shouldn't have been enjoying herself, he could see that she did. Immensely.

  As he approached her, Sarah was speaking to a man Conway didn't recognize. Some untitled, rich man, no doubt. She was smiling and laughing at something he'd said, while sipping on some punch that the man had retrieved for her. Seeing her so carefree, lighthearted, made him even madder, since it wasn't his conversation or attention that had done it for her.

  “Excuse me, Lady Sarah. I believe the next dance is mine.” He kept most of his attention on her admirer, giving him a look of possession.

  “How sad, Lady Sarah. I had hoped to steal a waltz from you,” the man said, smiling at her in a lascivious way that made Conway want to take him outside and pound him into the ground.

  “I am sorry, Mr. Fitzgerald, but I've promised my first waltz to Lord Conway. Another time, perhaps?” Ginny glanced at her dance card, seeing that the final waltz was still open. “I do have the final waltz open, if you're interested.”

  “I am, indeed. I shall see you then, my lady.” Glancing at Conway, giving him a look of pure contempt, Mr. Fitzgerald walked away in search of some other victim.

  Ginny turned toward Conway and smiled. When Conway ignored her and kept his glance at her retreating partner, she cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows. “Did you wish to dance, Lord Conway? Or shoot daggers at Mr. Fitzgerald?”

  Realizing just what impression he was giving her, he muttered, “Never liked that man.” It didn't matter that he'd never met that man, except to feel the challenge being laid before him.

  “Mr. Fitzgerald? He seemed like a nice enough man to me. Is there something I should know about him?”

  Instead of answering, Conway grabbed Ginny's arm and led her to the dance floor. He positioned her in his arms, and expertly entered the rest of the dancers. Not speaking at first, Conway was certain that the girl before him was teasing him, trying to make him fall for her. Finally, it was Ginny who spoke first.

  “I have to admit that I've been having a lot more fun tonight than I've had before. Your friend Devon is quite a flirt. I'd forgotten how much fun that can be.”

  The look that came across his face startled Ginny for a moment. It wasn't as though she didn't know he was the one, but the flash of jealousy was so vivid, it almost scared her. They'd only known each other for a few days, so it seemed so unwarranted, so out of place.

  “Yes, Devon can be quite a flirt. I would not give much credence to his assertions, though. He would tell a girl anything to get what he wanted.”

  “And what does he want? Are you warning me that he will try to invade my bed?” Ginny could hardly keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “Are you afraid that he might usurp me out from under you?”

  The jealousy she'd seen was now replaced by confusion. “Of course not. Devon and I have been friends since our days at Cambridge. He would never...” before he could finish, he realized what he was just about to admit. Was she trying to get him to declare himself, just as her father had tried to do? Well, it wouldn't work. He would not be pigeon holed.

  “There's no middle ground with you, is there Lord Conway? I see you watching me and I think that you really like me. Then we talk and you act as though you would rather be anywhere else. Which is it?”

  Before he could answer, Conway needed to regain his ability to speak. Lady Sarah was not straight forward, she was just forward. Did he forget that fact every time he sought her out, only to be grimly reminded the moment she spoke? What was wrong with him?

  Deciding to be just as forward with her, in an attempt to shock her, he said, “I believe that I must forget how frustrating you can be when we are not together. But, as soon as you speak, I am reminded sharply of how unconventional and outspoken you are.”

  “You have no idea, Lord Conway. I'm not conventional... at least not anymore. I've decided that I would rather be mature and think of others, than most of the girls my age.”

  Conway felt a sudden pang of guilt. Not only did he give her mixed signals, she really hadn't done the same to him. If he'd given it any thought, he would have realized that she was often trying to allow him the ability to walk away if he wished. But, so far, he hadn't wished to walk away.

  Before he could respond, the dance ended and Conway was forced to move his partner and himself from the dance floor. As they approached her mother, who was busy speaking to another lady, Conway searched for the right words to speak before leaving her. When nothing came, he simply bowed his head and said, “I look forward to our next dance, my lady.” Then, he turned on his heel and went in search of his friends.

  Meeting up with Lord Townshend just outside the balcony doors, he asked, “How is your pursuit coming along, Townshend?”

  Arching an eyebrow to his friend, he replied, “Well enough. I have secured two dances, including the last waltz. Her mother continues to eye me speculatively, but Lady Penelope is obviously enamored.” Stopping to light his cigar, Townshend scrutinized his friend's face. “And you? Has the beautiful Lady Sarah finally met with your expectations?”

  “Not at all,” he replied, his voice distant as he pondered what to do next. He requested the supper dance in order to escort her to dinner. He had hoped that during the meal, they could talk and he could finally put his finger on what so attracted him to her, but now he wished he'd forgone the opportunity.

  “I saw Devon dancing with her when I arrived. What had he to say on the girl?”

  “So far, Devon has cleverly avoided me. Perhaps he thinks I am angry at him.”

  “I doubt he would care, Conway. Perhaps he is now as enamored as yourself. I find that I can hardly wait for our dance together.”

  It took a moment for the words to penetrate Conway's thoughts. But when they did, he turned and stared at his friend incredulously. “You have requested a dance with Lady Sarah?”

  “I have. As a matter of fact, I believe I should return to retrieve her. Surely you are not jealous, Conway.” There was laughter in his voice, as if prepared to give his friend a good ribbing if he should argue.

  “Of course not. It just seems that all my friends have become uncommonly curious over one new chit in her first season.”

  “I admit that my curiosity is more piqued by my friend's admiration, rather than by the girl herself. She is beautiful, Conway, but I know that your... interest is based on something far more substantial.”

  Snubbing out his cigar on the ground, Townshend left in search of his quarry, leaving Conway alone to wonder what was coming over him. No woman had ever left him so conflicted before. The more he thought about it, the more his mind told him to get away from her. He continued his musings, not realizing how much time had passed until both Devon and Townshend reappeared and joined him in the same spot where he'd been left.

  “Are you still here, Conway? Dear Lord, you had better do something soon, or I fear for your sanity,” Townshend said, as he lit another cigar and began to smoke it.

  “I could not abide dancing again. I shall dance with Lady Sarah for the supper dance, then afterwards, I shall leave. I believe I have had quite enough of this ball.”

  Devon, who watched the two friends closely, asked, “Are you not to ask me about my dance with Lady Sarah? I had thought you would be curious of my impression.”

  “Or mine, for that matter,” Townshend said.

  Looking between the friends, Conway knew his curiosity would win out, but hated to show his cards so easily. “Well...?” he asked
, as both friends smiled fiendishly.

  Devon was the first to reveal his impression. “I like her. She was bold and amusing. She was altogether not what I expected.”

  Townshend came next. “She asked me about you, Conway. How long we had been friends, how we met. Of course, our dance would not allow much in the way of conversation.”

  Glancing at Devon speculatively, Conway asked, “Do you have an interest in her Devon? Or were you merely hoping to find answers to why your friend acts like such an ass.”

  Usually, Devon would laugh with good nature and assure his friend that he would never try to steal a girl out from under him, but this time, with a serious face, he asked, “What are your hopes in concern of Lady Sarah?”

  A sinking feeling came over Conway, much more so than when that poser Fitzgerald was eyeing her up. Devon was a force to be reckoned with and not someone Conway wanted to battle over, especially over a girl. Before he could check his tone, Conway stated, “Stay away from her, Devon.”

  Finally smiling, Devon remarked, mostly to Townshend, “Well, there, I guess I have my answer then.”

  Looking away from his friends, Conway felt the shiver travel down his spine. Now he was left to wonder when he might come to his senses, if he ever would.

  ********

  Conway remained mostly silent during the supper dance. Lady Sarah spoke about this and that, occasionally asking questions about certain people, which Conway would answer with as few words as possible. All in all, he was being rude, but was in no way going to stop.

  Entering the dining room, he assisted Lady Sarah with filling a plate from the buffet, then sat her down in a far corner, just the two of them. As they passed by other tables, Sarah greeted her sister, who had been escorted by Mr. Richter and Lady Penelope, who had been escorted by some young buck wearing a ridiculously bright waistcoat.

  After seating her, Conway retrieved two glasses of watered down wine. After his behavior during the dance, Sarah said little and gave more regard to her plate than to him. Finally, he could stand the silence no longer.

  “Your meal is satisfactory, my lady?”

  Ginny regarded her dinner partner carefully. He'd been refusing to speak to her, to the point of rudeness, and now he was attempting conversation. Curious, she wanted to see where it would lead.

  “Actually, Lord Conway, I was thinking that the food is bland and tasteless. How about yours?” she asked, with a small smile on her lips.

  “I would have to agree. I find that when this much food is served, it is often of a very low quality. Which is why I usually leave before dinner is served.”

  “But not tonight. Should I be flattered that you stayed to escort me?”

  “Yes, I suppose you should.”

  Ginny wondered for a moment if he was joking. When he said nothing more, she assumed he was serious and was instantly turned off.

  “I'll try to show proper excitement over the honor you've bestowed on me.” Ginny never took her eyes from his, wondering on how he would handle her open sarcasm.

  “You may be the daughter of an earl, Lady Sarah, but you are not, by far, the most compelling woman here.” His tone was angry, as all the bottled up feelings of inadequacy began to bubble over.

  “I didn't realize that I found myself to be so compelling, Lord Conway. It's not me who keeps seeking you out, after all.”

  Sitting up straighter, puffing out his chest, he sneered, “A mistake I shall not make in the future, I assure you.”

  Confusion took over her face as she continued her unstinting eye contact. Ginny couldn't account for his anger or his lashing out toward her, but she'd be damned if she'd sit there and take it.

  “Allow me to save you the trouble of behaving like a gentleman. Good evening, Lord Conway.” Ginny stood up and walked from the room, hoping to find the ladies room before her face began to burn bright red. There was one thing that Ginny hated above all else, and that was anyone who was downright mean. If she had to guess, Conway was battling over his feelings for her and this was just another turn in the storyline.

  Entering the ladies retiring room, Ginny went behind one of the screens and sat down to rest. With everyone eating dinner, she figured she'd have the place to herself for awhile. Unfortunately, after only a minute, two other ladies entered the room and were speaking in hushed tones. Of course, this only made Ginny want to listen more, so she leaned forward and tried to make out their words.

  “Gertie, you cannot continue to be such a prude. You were married for over ten years and never once felt any sort of passion.”

  “Really, Frannie, enough. I never thought of myself as cut out for those types of parties.”

  “Tis nothing, really. You are masked, so to keep you anonymous. You talk to some gentlemen and if one catches your fancy, you find a place to retire with him.”

  Although the women were still whispering, they had planted themselves closely to Ginny's screen. She could hear every word and had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.

  “I have heard that it degrades into an... orgy.” The last word was nothing more than a hiss of sound, as if the woman couldn't bring herself to say it.

  “No, never. I have attended several of Lady Sinclair's events and it has never come down to that. It is simply a way to... shall we say, scratch an itch that has been lingering for over ten years.” Ginny could picture the woman, eyebrows raised in understanding.

  “Perhaps I am just one of those woman who does not feel pleasure from a man. That was what Reginald was always telling me.”

  “Pish. Reginald was too lazy to see to your pleasure. Every man I have met has made my pleasure his top priority.”

  “Oh, Frannie. I think I would die of mortification before anything would happen.”

  “I shan't try to convince you anymore. If you wish to attend, it will be held at Lady Sinclair's townhouse tomorrow night. You must present the butler with the secret word to enter. Could it be anymore intriguing?”

  “I am not saying that I will attend, but if I did, what is the secret word?”

  “Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and intoxication. There are many kinds of... pursuits available, but if you wish to attend, you must let me lead you through. There are those who seek out different kinds of pleasure than anything we would find appealing.”

  “Very well. I shall let you know tomorrow.”

  The two women were silent as they fixed themselves before leaving the room. Ginny's eyes were wide with fascination. She knew how debauched people could be in her time, but how bad could it be now? After her spat with Lord Conway, and her new found sense of adventure, Ginny decided that maybe she would try out a different kind of party. After all, what did she have to lose?

  Chapter 7

  My dear, are you certain you cannot attend? What if Lord Conway is there? What should I tell him?” Her mother's incessant whine was getting on Ginny's last nerve. Since early that day, Ginny had been complaining about cramps and that she was certain that her period was coming. How could she possibly enjoy herself that evening in such a condition? But, her mother was relentless.

  “I'm sure that Lord Conway will understand if I don't attend. Just tell him I'm unwell.”

  “What if he asks what is wrong with you?” her mother gasped at the thought of telling a gentleman about women issues.

  “He won't. No man wants to hear about a woman's suffering. Isn't that right, Charlotte?”

  Charlotte, who up until that moment had been putting on her gloves, glanced at both women. “Lord Conway is too much of a gentleman to ask such a personal question, mother. Although he may ask if he can call on you tomorrow to ensure that you are well. Do you think it would be appropriate for him to call on you, Sarah?”

  “Sure, that would be fine.” Anything to get the two women out the door and off to wherever they were going for the night. Ginny still had to get ready for her party, and figure out a way to get out without anyone seeing her.

  “Are you certain you would n
ot like me to stay with you? I would forgo this evening to keep you company.”

  “No, Charlotte. I will only be going to bed early anyway. You'd just be sitting around with nothing to do. Go and have fun. I'll see you tomorrow.”

  Lady Weston looked put out. “Very well. We should be leaving, Charlotte.” Both women finally went out the door and left in the carriage. Without a backwards glance, Ginny raced up the stairs and dismissed her maid for the evening with strict instructions that she wasn't to be disturbed.