West forced himself to refocus and talk strategy with Reid on how to approach a few other guests the next evening. A part of his mind remained preoccupied, however, and he was pointedly aware of Lady Priscilla’s presence across the ballroom until the evening concluded.
CHAPTER 5
“Oh good, you’re here,” Elise said to Priscilla the next evening as she pulled her into the drawing room. “I’m so sorry, but I’ve had to seat you next to Lord Warrenton. I know,” Elise said in response to her grimace. “I do apologize, but Reid insisted he be present so they could discuss an important upcoming vote.”
“Well, if it’s for a good cause, I suppose I’ll be the sacrificial lamb.” Warrenton was generally known to be a bore, but even worse was the constant rancid state of the baron’s breath. Priscilla would just have to avoid looking at him directly when he spoke and hope the dinner aromas masked the malodor.
“Oh, thank you,” Elise said, clearly relieved. “I had been planning to place you next to Hampton, as I saw how he caught your eye last night, but Reid sprung a few gentlemen from Lords on me at the last minute. Why is he always doing this?” she muttered.
Priscilla was startled that Elise had noted her observation of the marquess during their brief meeting and found it interesting he was going to be at tonight’s dinner. She had been rather annoyed this morning, having found herself thinking about him when recalling the past evenings ball. Her mother was certainly pleased that the man had attended and was connected to theWestons. She’d have to make sure that at breakfast tomorrow morning she didn’t let slip he had also been at dinner tonight when her mother asked about the evening or she would never hear the end of it from her parents. Finding a new living situation really was quite imperative.
“Don’t trouble yourself,” she reassured Elise. “I’ll be just fine. If I’ve learned anything from my mother, it’s how to be charming.”
“Oh, don’t I know it,” Elise said with an eye roll as she disappeared into the crowd to play hostess.
Priscilla moved around the space, making polite small talk with many of the gathered guests. A low buzz began to spread around the room, signaling that the honored couple had entered, the very newlyweds she had used as an example for her mother only a few days ago.
The marriage between Viscount Hastings and his bride was still shocking to many. The new viscountess had been widowed a few years prior, and as she had not born children during her first marriage, many believed her to be barren. That a viscount who needed an heir would willingly choose her as a bride was seen to some as downright scandalous, but Priscilla found it romantic, a notion her mother clearly didn’t share.
That Sidney, Viscount Hastings, had been willing to fly in the face of convention, he showed just how deep his love for Angeline dwelled. And though still the talk of theton,the fact that Hastings was not ignoring his responsibility to his line or estate by seeking out his closest relative and heir had done much to sooth the sensibilities of those most concerned with the traditions that had ruffled with his choice of viscountess.
Watching the couple now, their love for one another was evident. And Priscilla knew they faced a long road getting here, making it all the sweeter.
As attention-grabbing as the Hastings were, Priscilla’s eye was nonetheless caught by Hampton as he entered the room. She observed as he greeted the couple of the hour warmly, shaking Sidney’s hand and clapping him on the back before leaning over Angeline’s petite frame to gallantly kiss her hand.
The marquess intrigued Priscilla, and she wasn’t sure why. She certainly wouldn’t consider him a marriage option as her mother so desired, and it would be much too risky to engage him in the affair she was considering, given the current attention on him as the newest lord in theton. Though the thought of engaging with him in such an intimate manner sent shivers down her spine.
Priscilla was saved from that train of thought when Elise summoned everyone for dinner, and she suddenly found Lord Warrenton at her side, ready to escort her to their seats.
“Your Grace, I feel so fortunate to have your company tonight,” he said after pushing her chair in.
Priscilla gave him a demure smile, trying hard not to visibly wince as his breath assaulted her. As she’d mentioned to Elise, she had been raised to be able to exude charm in any circumstance should it be needed. Unfortunately, she’d forgotten that lesson when she first made her come out and had used cattiness more frequently than charm. It had not worked well for her, and she cringed to think of it now.
Dinner plodded along and Warrenton kept up a constant string of conversation, caught up in his own self-importance. While irritating, his arrogance made it possible for her to only half listen, keeping him appeased with banal sentiments of agreement from time to time. Thus, she let her mind wander as she looked around the room and considered the men in attendance, looking for a partner in her scheme to discover the delights of lovemaking. Priscilla had absolutely no idea how to go about proposing such a thing, but she felt it wouldbe wise to find an eligible prospect before contemplating how best to broach such a potentially scandalous topic. But she was determined to enjoy her freedom and discover what she truly enjoyed and wanted in her life moving forward.
As she scanned the men seated to her left, her gaze once again snagged on the Marquess of Hampton. He was seated next to the woman of honor, and Angeline seemed to be enjoying his conversation immensely. Hearing her own companion continuing to drone on about his accomplishments, she was envious.
Just then, Angeline said something that made Hampton laugh, and the rich sound of it carried down the table to Priscilla. She noted the small crinkle lines of amusement that appeared around his eyes as he did so. It made him even more attractive, showing him to be a man of good humor who enjoyed life as it came enough for such lines to have formed over time.
Her attention was quickly diverted back to Warrenton, however, when she realized the baron was speaking of continuing to pay her attentions beyond this evening.
“. . . now that you are available, I think we would make a smart match, do you not agree?” The man was looking at her expectantly.
“I’m sorry, my lord, I missed what you were saying just now, would you repeat the question?” Priscilla thought she’d successfully concealed her horrified expression as what he was intimating seeped far enough into her consciousness for her to understand, but he looked displeased at having to repeat himself nonetheless.
Trying to mask his irritation, he said as sweetly as possible, “I’m looking for a wife, and now that you’re no longer in mourning, I intend to pursue you.”
“I’m flattered, but we hardly know each other, my lord.” She was trying to politely defer his attentions as he was the last manshe would ever consider marrying now that she had choices. She knew in that fact that she was a very lucky woman indeed.
“That is why we should spend some time together, to get to know one another better,” he replied.
“I’m not sure . . .,” Priscilla floundered, unsure what to say next to deter the man without harming his feelings. In the past, she wouldn’t have hesitated to verbally berate him, but the lesson to keep one’s own counsel at times had been hard won.
“You aren’t seeing anyone else, are you?” he asked sharply at her hesitation.
“Well, no . . .”
“Good, then I’ll find you at the next dance.”
