Chapter 1
“There he is. It’s Lord Whiddon. Just there, by the pillar. And yes, of course, he is frowning.”
Miss Charlotte Mayne looked out across the ballroom to the spot her friend indicated. The other young ladies in their group did the same. Lord Whiddon. Something stirred in her, just looking at him. It was no wonder they all watched him. His was not the highest title in the room. His fortune might not be the largest—although the matrons whispered that it was plump enough. But saints be praised, he was certainly one of the most beautiful men of theton.
Beautiful. It was the right word. The sort of word you used to describe an ideal. The most stunning landscape. The most elegant settee. A breath-catching portrait. A perfectly proportioned stallion.
He put all of them to shame.
“Why is he notdancing?” Her cousin, Miss Harriett Mayne, sounded aggrieved. “He never dances.”
“He does,” Lady Mary Twynly corrected. “He always limits his choice of partners, though, to the wives of his friends.”
“Yes, but then he frowns at them across the room. Why?” asked Miss Winthrop.
“And why does he not dance with us? Any of us?” Harriet complained. “He even avoids a simple introduction, at least to any of the young, unmarried ladies.”
“He avoids us as if we are plagued,” Lady Mary declared. “Are we so frightening?”
“Yes, of course we are. One of us might fall into his arms or kiss him madly in the midst of a quadrille. He would be compromised and forced to marry,” Miss Winthrop said with a giggle.
“You jest, but I believe that is the crux of it. He has no wish to marry. That is what my mama says,” Lady Mary said. She leaned in closer. “Even the servants gossip of his reluctance. I heard the attendant in the retiring room call him Lord Unwavering.”
“Lord Unwilling,” quipped Miss Winthrop.
Charlotte looked to him again as they all giggled behind their fans. She had the uncharitable thought that he might be right to avoid them.
“You are very quiet, Charlotte,” Harriet said a bit sharply. “What do you think of Lord Whiddon?”
“I think he looks unhappy,” she said simply.
Purposefully, she turned away from the handsome earl. Lord Whiddon’s woes might be intriguing, but she had her own to consider. Her time, and her chances, were limited. She had managed, against all odds, to get to London for the Season. She had to make the most of the opportunity. She had to find a husband. A generous and understanding husband. Everything depended on it.
“Excuse me,” she murmured to the young ladies. “My aunt is signaling me.” She nodded and headed toward the ballroom entryway, where Aunt Bernadine beckoned her.
“Mr. Helden is coming through the receiving line now,” the older woman whispered. She took Charlotte’s arm and pulled her along with her. “We must see you situated so that when he spots you, he sees you at your best.” She scanned the crowd as she went. “Ah, yes. Perfect.”
Charlotte followed as her aunt moved toward the buffet set in an alcove at one side of the room. She nearly bumped into Bernadine when she stopped to address a tall gentleman moving in the other direction with a glass of champagne.
“Lord Treyford!” her aunt trilled. “How wonderful to run into you.”
“Miss Mayne! What a delight to find you here.”
Charlotte stared.Lord Treyford? Her aunt knew the infamous, world-traveling, treasure hunting earl?
“I’m thrilled to have the chance to thank you in person for the Nafran coin you sent. It is a highlight of my collection.”
“It was the least we could do, considering the help you gave us in sorting that old cache. I’m impressed you not only could identify so many, but knew their value, as well. Your help was much appreciated.”
“It was my pleasure. I do confess to being surprised to see you, though. I didn’t think you fond of these sorts of gatherings.”
“I promised my brother I’d come. And I might say the same of you, Miss Mayne. I didn’t think you often came to London?”
“Nor do I, but this year I am presenting my niece.” She waved a hand toward Charlotte. “May I make her known to you?”
Thoughts of Mr. Helden faded as Charlotte made her curtsy. She could not resist adding, after the pleasantries were exchanged, “Oh, but I so enjoyed your book, my lord!”
He grinned. “My thanks. I am glad to hear it.”
