He stepped forward and bowed. “You look well this evening, Miss Kent.”
Well, but not lovely. Hmm. “My maid will be pleased you think so,” I said in a hushed voice so only he could hear my displeasure.
“And are you?” he asked.
I lifted one shoulder. “I would have preferred greater flattery than for you to comment after my health.”
Ollie’s head tilted to one side, a small smile playing on his lips. “You are cross with me.”
“You promised we would gather lavender this morning.”
“Ah, yes. I had business to attend to.”
“Business?” I frowned. Whatbusinesscould possibly have arisen since last night to this morning?
He nodded. “I apologize for not being able to walk with you, but I did bring this for you.” Ollie pulled out a sprig of lavender from his suit coat pocket and handed it to me.
I took the bloom and lifted it to my nose. I breathed in the rich scent, and some of my anger faded. Whatever business he’d had, at least he’d thought of me. I tucked the lavender into my hair. “Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.” He offered me his arm, and together we walked to where our parents stood by the door.
“Look at the pair of you,” Lady Winfield smiled. “All grown up. Quite a lovely couple, aren’t they, dear?”
“Quite,” Lord Winfield agreed, though he did not look up from his pocket watch. “Shall we?” He motioned outside to where two carriages waited in the drive.
Damon pushed himself off the wall and trailed behind us. He appeared to have about as much enthusiasm to go to this ball as a prisoner being escorted to the gallows.
I’d not given much thought to the seating arrangements for the drive to the Rumfords’ ball, but when Ollie did not join Papa and me in our carriage, disappointment took the seat beside me instead. No matter. We would have the supper set and all of supper.
The carriage ride to the Rumfords’ was not an unbearable distance, and when we arrived, servants clamored to open our carriage door. I could not stop myself from staring at the remarkable home as I alighted. While Summerhaven was a warm and welcoming manor house, the Rumfords’ home was a cold and cavernous castle.
Lord and Lady Winfield were announced at the ballroom door, followed by Damon and Ollie.
Several young ladies turned, smiling coyly. I worried one of them had their sights set on Ollie, but I was pacified when I saw that their attention was not on Ollie, but rather on Damon.
As he made his way to the card room, the hopeful women tried to gain his attention: a simpering smile, a well-timed step into his path, a fallen handkerchief, each girl cleverer than the last. But either Damon didn’t notice the girls or he thought thembeneathhis notice, because he didn’t stop to take their bait.
Papa and I were announced next, and as soon as we stepped into the ballroom, Lord Winfield led Papa into the card room. Only Ollie, ever the gentleman, remained with Lady Winfield and me—although another gentleman quickly pulled him into conversation.
Lady Winfield led me toward a group of women. My heart raced. I’d been so focused on Ollie that I’d neglected to consider the other long hours of the night. I was not an especially talented conversationalist. I could carry on a conversation with Papa or Henry or even Georgiana, but when dropped into a social situation with people I didn’t know, I either tended not to speak at all or to speak too much. Luckily, Lady Winfield served as my chaperone, and she could likely carry on a proper conversation in her sleep.
“Lady Rumford,” Lady Winfield said.
An elegant woman turned. “Lady Winfield.” She smiled. “I am so glad you have arrived.”
“The pleasure is all mine. Lady Rumford, please allow me to introduce Miss Kent.”
“Ah, Miss Kent,” she said, studying me. “Lady Winfield has spoken of nothing but you for weeks. I can’t seem to recall though, where is your family seat?”
“My family has no seat, my lady. But we reside in London.”
“Mayfair?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Cheapside, my lady.”
“Oh. How lovely.” To Lady Rumford’s credit, her face remained a perfectly polite mask, though she must have wondered how I—a girl without so much as a family seat—had the fortune of being connected to such a high-ranking and genteel family as the Jennings. Cheapside was a perfectly respectable area of London, though not as fashionable as Mayfair.
“London is my favorite place to visit during the Season,” Lady Rumford said.
