"Lord Gracewood, what an honour to have you here," Lady Strachan said as they entered the packed ballroom.
"I thank you for the invitation," Ezra said, glancing around to see who he recognised. As his mother had predicted, he could see the Duke and Duchess of Coldingham – and it was true, the Duke had once been a greater recluse than he. But perhaps he wanted to be back in society. Ezra really did not.
"I hope you enjoy yourself tonight," Lady Strachan said. It seemed she wanted to comment on what a rare occurrence this was, but did not wish to be rude.
"I’m sure we will, thank you," Mother said, ushering him in through the crowd of people to let the next attendees greet their hosts.
‘See? It’s not so bad, is it?’ Mother said, looping her arm through his and forcing him to walk around the outside of the dance floor, where so many ladies waited, wanting to be asked to dance. He wasn’t sure he even remembered how to dance. It had been so long.
"I’d forgotten how packed these places are – like cattle on market day," he said through gritted teeth. "And no strong drink to be had, I’m sure of it."
"You don’t need strong drink, Ezra," Mother tutted. "Let’s get some ratafia, and then you can ask a young lady or twoto dance before it’s time to eat. I’m not expecting that we will stay late into the night. I know that this is rather an ordeal for you, but there are so many lovely young women here waiting to dance. You cannot simply ignore them all."
Ezra glowered at the selection of women, feeling as though it was partly their fault that he was here, having to play this charade. He knew that wasn’t fair, but it didn’t change his mood. If they weren’t here – wanting to dance, wanting husbands – then his mother wouldn’t have pushed him into this.
There was a surprising selection of pretty young ladies there, considering they were in the countryside and it was the middle of the Season. Some, he supposed, were wives or widows enjoying an evening out without necessarily being on the lookout for a husband. Some looked like very young daughters – not old enough for a Season yet, but just acceptable to be out in society like this – and certainly far too young for Ezra to show any interest in.
And then there was a dark-haired woman in a blue dress. She was taller than the other women, and the hair intricately plaited on her head looked rather like a crown. She stood confidently, talking with the Duchess of Coldingham, and when she smiled, the room seemed a little brighter.
He was rather surprised to feel attraction towards a woman at the first event he had attended in five years. She was probably married, of course – but he thought he would ask her to dance anyway. After all, his mother wasn’t going to accept him sitting on the edge of the ballroom or disappearing off to the card room. So it was going to have to be done.
"Where are you going?" Mother asked as he slipped his arm out of hers.
He inclined his head towards the musicians. "You told me I had to dance, so I’m going to find a partner."
"Oh." She gave an approving nod of her head; she seemed to have expected to have to fight far more to get him to dance.
He approached the Coldinghams first, sure that they would introduce him. "Your Graces," he said with a bow of his head. "It is good to see you again, Coldingham."
In truth, he had not seen the Duke of Coldingham since he was Lord Warmley, before his father had died – before he had hidden himself away for a decade. But there was no need to say all of that. He had never met the Duke’s wife, although he had seen her out riding along the coastal path when he himself had been walking.
"Gracewood," the Duke said, his eyes widening in surprise. "How good to see you. How are you?"
"Very well, thank you – and yourself?"
"I cannot complain," the Duke said with a smile. "Allow me to introduce my wife, the Duchess of Coldingham," he said, holding out his hand towards the pretty blonde, who beamed in Ezra’s direction. "And this is Lady Constance Beaumont, an old friend of my wife’s."
Lady Constance gave a very brief curtsy and did not meet his eye.
"This is the Earl of Gracewood," the Duke said. "He lives over at Gracewood Castle."
"Ah yes, I’ve seen you out walking," the Duchess said. "Such a mysterious figure – although you look rather different without that beard."
She was the sort of woman that one could not help but smile back at.
"My mother made me shave it off," he admitted.
The Duke barked a laugh. ‘Mothers, eh? They can still make you do all sorts, even when you’re a grown man with a title. Don’t I know it!"
"Your mother is lovely," the Duchess said with a disapproving stare. "And you’re very lucky to have her, you know."
"Yes, yes – you both remind me every day," the Duke said drily.
Throughout this exchange, Lady Constance was silent. Was she shy? Ezra wondered. She was a striking young woman, and he could not believe that she was not used to attention.
The musicians picked up their instruments, and Ezra found himself feeling slightly nervous. It had been a long time since he had asked anyone to dance – and the last person he had asked had been Laura.
"May I have this dance, Lady Constance?" he asked, holding out his hand.
