“Hmm. I did not realize I was so easily read. In truth... you have me concerned.”
“Me?” What had he done? How could he fix it?
She gave a little laugh, more just an expulsion of air. “I admit I do not allow many into my confidence... and I... I worry...” She trailed off, biting her lips together with a sidelong look at him.
He understood in an instant and took a step closer. “As I said before, I will not tell anyone your secrets.”
She searched his face then smiled. “Thank you. Truly.”
He nodded, trying to hide the fact that his heart rate had just picked up at the sight of her smile.
“Miss Faraday, I am so happy you were able to join us tonight.” Mother had arrived, and she took Miss Faraday warmly by the hands. Her voice dropped a pitch. “I do hope you will enjoy this evening better than the last in our home.”
Miss Faraday’s eyes crinkled at the sides. “I assure you, I hold no ill feelings. I was bound to embarrass myself in some way, with or without help.”
“Even still, we shall replace the memory with a good one tonight.” With that, Mother squeezed Miss Faraday’s hands, then moved on to the newest guests. At the same moment Charlie pushed himself between Lucas and Miss Faraday and bowed over her hand.
“Miss Faraday, might I introduce one of my friends? Lord Charleton.”
Lucas stepped back, allowing his brother to take over the conversation, though it caused an uncomfortable sensation in his midsection. But his brother was the one courting her, so it was natural that Lucas would move into the background.
Yet it currently felt entirely unnatural.
Soon, dinner was announced, and Lucas was placed on the opposite end of the table from Miss Faraday, who was conveniently seated just beside Charlie. Mother’s matchmaking, to be sure. He managed to keep up conversation with those around him throughout the meal, and he was able to ascertain from his seat that Miss Faraday stayed safe from both Charlie’s drink and his gesturing hands. He was nevertheless grateful to stand from the table at the end of the meal and enter the drawing room with the rest of the party.
“I had thought to have a bit of dancing, if everyone is amenable,” Mother announced. “Then we shall have tables placed for games and refreshment.”
The crowd of about two dozen persons made exclamations and noises of agreement. Soon someone was nominated to providemusic, and couples began to pair off. Lucas was actually rather surprised to see Charlie claim Miss Faraday’s hand for the first dance. That was more overt an action than he would have expected of his brother. Lucas traced their movement up and down the room until he caught his mother observing him and averted his eyes, embarrassment sending warmth up his neck.
Dash it all, but the discomfited feeling would not cease. Why should he feel unsettled at all? Why could he not just be happy that his brother seemed to be falling into his mother’s matchmaking schemes and hopefully removing himself from the more puerile stage of his life?
Lucas clenched his hand, then released it, pacing to the opposite end of the room in search of something or someone to take his mind off it all.
“Lord Berkeley,” Lord Danby greeted Lucas.
Lucas nodded. “Lord Danby.”
The man, who was close in age to Lucas but shorter by nearly a head, looked beyond Lucas. “Who is that woman there, dancing with your brother?”
Apparently he was not escaping thoughts of Miss Faraday even on this side of the room. “That would be Miss Faraday,” he said, without even turning back to look.
Danby nodded slowly, almost to himself. “I think I shall seek an introduction. Would you do me the—”
“Excuse me, Danby, I believe my mother is needing me.” He escaped before being forced to help Danby further his acquaintance with Miss Faraday. Since he’d said it, he needed to follow through, so he crossed to the corner of the room in which Mother was conversing with the Haddingtons and Lord Allston, another young man near Lucas in age. Come to think of it, there was an overwhelming number of youngmenat this party. Usually, it was the opposite as Mother subtly tried to offer marital options to her sons.
He frowned a bit. What was she up to?
“Ah, Lucas,” Mother said as he approached. “I was just telling Lady Haddington about your thoughts on the working class that you’d expressed the other night. She is founding a charity and was very interested in what you had to say.”
Lady Haddington nodded. “I have long told my husband that these people cannot possibly survive on the little they make—and for such menial jobs. Children even. Why, Lord Haddington might soon be attempting to garner support for a bill to prevent the hiring of children. The things they are allowed to do—it’s despicable!”
“Indeed it is,” said Lucas, “but if you take away a child’s ability to work, many families will suffer even more. We must address the problem elsewhere. In the wages. And the working conditions. And—”
“Oh dear, I wish I had brought my book with me,” Lady Haddington cut in. “I have a book, you see, where I keep all my ideas. Dear, did you bring it, by chance?”
Lord Haddington had been staring over his wife’s head, clearly not paying much attention to the present conversation. “What? Oh, ah, no, I did not.”
“Dear me. Perhaps I can call on you later to hear more of your thoughts. I can bring my daughter; I am absolutely certain she would be fascinated with the subject.” Her voice was well-practiced, with an oily slyness to it.
