As she twirled through the dance partners in her square, she spotted the man from the garden. Hard to miss, he stood at least a head taller than any other man in the room. She tipped a foot to curtsy to her partner. When she raised her head again, he and his partner had disappeared from her view.
Twisting around, she spotted him again, much closer now. His dark blue jacket fit his broad shoulders beautifully, but his blond hair fell in waves much too long for the current fashion. He flashed a wide smile at his dance partner. Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. That smile, along with his sultry gaze, was positively sinful. A flush rose across the lady’s cheeks, and Caroline also felt the heat rise in her own at witnessing the intimate moment. Then he and his partner turned in a tight circle, and his hooded gaze collided with Caroline’s. She stumbled, forgot to pivot, and bumped into the gentleman behind her. Lord Fenwick grasped her hand and pulled her back into their square of dancers.
She glanced over her shoulder at the poor man to whom she had collided, “Sorry.” She gave an apologetic smile. Her face flamed hotter; the man from the garden had surely seen that. Bringing her focus back to her partner, she smiled at him. “Lord Fenwick, are you having a nice time this evening?”
“Indeed. I’ve escorted my sister, who has traveled to town for the season. This is her first year out.”
Caroline sighed inwardly. And here was the reason he had asked her to dance.
He gave her a toothy smile. “I know she would be honored to make your acquaintance. Perhaps we could call on you this week?”
“My calendar this week is quite full. Perhaps another time.” Caroline answered vaguely and hoped he would have themanners not to press. For goodness’ sake, she was not the patron saint of new debutants. But she supposed she couldn’t fault him for trying. Suddenly, Caroline felt bone-weary. The set ended, and she clapped politely.
Lord Fenwick escorted her back to her mother, who had been joined by Caroline’s sister-in-law Emma. Emma’s mouth turned up in a smile when Caroline came up beside her.
“Lady Caroline, I hope to see you soon.” Fenwick bowed and walked away.
Emma raised one eyebrow, but Caroline shook her head. She wrapped an arm around Emma’s ever-expanding waist, giving it a gentle squeeze. Emma’s silver sequined mask had whiskers and two triangle ears. It was affixed to a short stick instead of having ties.
Emma held the mask up in front of her face. “Meow.”
“I have only seen you from a distance all evening. Are you having fun dancing the night away?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, very much. What about you, enjoying yourself?”
“Oh, absolutely. You know me, I love a party.” She laid her head wearily on Emma’s shoulder and sighed. But only for a moment. A lady could not indulge her weariness in public. Straightening, she put her smile back in place.
Emma lowered her mask, and her concerned brown eyes raked over Caroline. Then she turned to Caroline’s mother, who stood talking to Lady Hollister next to them.
“Duchess, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I suddenly feel like I have overexerted myself tonight. Do you think we could go home?”
Caroline’s mother immediately reached for Emma’s hands, looking her over for any signs of exhaustion. “Of course, my dear.” She glanced at Caroline. “And you also are looking peaked. I think it’s time to quit this overheated ballroom. I will just go find our hostess and say goodnight.”
“We will go find Gilchrest and meet you in the front hall.” Emma tucked Caroline’s hand into the crook of her arm, and the two of them headed around to the far side of the ballroom.
“Are you truly feeling unwell?”
“No, I feel right as rain,” Emma whispered. “After feeling cooped up and ill the first half of this pregnancy, it’s lovely to be able to eat and dance and socialize. Well, I am feeling a bit tired.”
Caroline squeezed Emma’s arm. “Thank you.”
“Not at all. Come on. I left Andrew by the card room, talking politics with his friends.”
As they walked down the hallway, weaving their way through the guests, Caroline again saw her mystery gentleman. He stood talking with her brother and Lord Winters. All three men held serious expressions. Drat, just what she needed to top off the evening. She’d hoped not to ever see this man again after embarrassing herself on the veranda and then again on the dance floor.
Her brother greeted them as they approached.
“Good evening, ladies.” He beamed at his wife. “May I introduce Lord Winters and Lord Wrotham.”
“Lord Winters, it’s nice to see you again,” Caroline replied.
“Wrotham, this is my wife, Her Grace the Duchess of Gilchrest.”
“Your Grace.” Lord Wrotham bowed over Emma’s hand.
“This is my sister, Lady Caroline Langdon.”
Caroline watched surprise flit briefly in the man’s eyes before he bowed smartly.
