Nora laughed, feeling much more confident than she had been moments ago.
It would be just fine. She only needed to focus on herself moving forward, on her wants and desires, and on finding a man who would respect all of those and yearn to give her the world.
She spotted a handsome face among the crowd, surrounded by ladies of the season and their mamas, and beckoned her friends closer.
“Lord Mortimer would make a fine choice, don’t you think?”
Penelope stared at him for a moment, then she nodded.
“He does have a decent record, though his sisters can be quite snobby. If he falls for you completely, he’ll pay them no mind whatsoever.”
“He does have kind eyes,” Jane added.
Nora nodded, taking in the baron’s handsome features for a moment longer before her gaze shifted to another man, this one even more handsome than the last.
“Oh! Look! It’s Lord Wemble! I say, he manages to look so immensely dreamy each time I lay my eyes on him.” She sighed.
“And he’s just returned from university. So, you know he does have some brains.” Penelope nodded in approval.
“I heard he volunteers in the soup kitchens in winter to help feed the poor.” Jane pointed out gently.
“Oh, a philanthropist. Or a poser. Either way, it means his image is good, and he wouldn’t want that jeopardized so easily.” Penelope nodded sagely.
Just then, the viscount they were talking about glanced in their direction, his eyes resting on Nora’s face for a second longer before he nodded at them.
With a blush, Nora curtsied demurely, and her friends did the same, both of them giggling excitedly by her side.
“That certainly gets things started for you, does it not?” Penelope teased with a grin.
Nora moved to pinch her friend, both of them giggling. Suddenly, Jane reached for her hand, tugging slightly to catch her attention.
“Just a moment, Jane – I must punish this insolent girl.” Nora grinned, her eyes still on Penelope’s playful expression.
“No – just – look!” Jane urged in a hushed whisper.
Nora finally shifted her attention in time to notice that the room had fallen silent. She straightened her posture, glancing around the ballroom as people stepped aside for a newcomer to pass through.
As he made his way through, whispers began to spread around the room, all in astonishment and wonder. It took a moment, but then Nora got a good look at who had walked in – Godric Millington, duke of Ironwell.
A hush fell over the room as those in attendance became keenly aware of the duke’s presence. Even the string quartet struggled to keep their focus away from him, some of them missing a few notes before catching themselves and continuing to play flawlessly.
Couples who were dancing stumbled to a stop, their gazes following the duke as he walked by the dance floor, whispers rising furiously around him. He moved with grace and poise, clearly unfazed by the remarks about him, but regardless, tongues continued to wag.
“Is that –”
“As I live and breathe! It really is him!”
“How odd to find him at such a public gathering! I believed he preferred to spend his time privately.”
“Chin up, ladies. Shoulders back, exude confidence! Good. Perhaps the tides have turned in our favor tonight.”
At the last remark from an eager mother, Penelope snorted and rolled her eyes, but Nora understood the excitement surrounding the duke’s arrival.
Women milled around him, clamoring for his interest as they bat their eyes and rolled their shoulders back in an effort to draw subtle attention to their bosoms. The men looked like they could not decide whether to be cross at the swift theft of admiration of the women or feel inferior about his presence.
His presence was certainly an unexpected surprise because he had not been seen in London for years, opting for a quieter life at his estate on the outskirts of the city. It was clear from his absence from public events and social functions that he did not particularly care for any of it.
So… why was he here? Why now?
