“Miss Perkins,” Robert announced, craning his head to get a glimpse. “You’ve lost a dance partner, Lucien.”
“Hm. What a coincidence,” Alexandra murmured from beside him, “for her to lose consciousness just as we all learned you were looking for a bride.”
“All the better for me,” he returned in the same tone. “I’ve eliminated her without having to engage in an actual conversation first.”
The music for a quadrille began, and Robert stepped forward to take Rose’s hand. “I believe this dance is ours,” he said, and led her away.
Lady Victoria’s partner likewise claimed her, leaving Lucien in the company of his aunt and Miss Gallant. He hadn’t claimed anyone’s first dance himself, preferring to observe his options. As Alexandra leaned closer, he was doubly grateful to be without a partner.
“I’m confused, my lord,” she said.
“I doubt that.”
“I was under the impression that you had no great expectations of your future spouse.”
“I don’t,” he said flatly, fortifying himself for another attack on his matrimonial search methods.
“And yet she must have enough courage to stand up to you, she must be able to converse in an intelligent manner, and she must have at least some knowledge of literature and the arts.”
“You think my standards are too high, then.”
“I think you have more standards than you’re admitting to.”
“Well, once I’ve eliminated every eligible female, I shall simply have to lower my standards until some chit or other matches up to them.”
“So perhaps you shouldn’t be so quick to eliminate Miss Perkins, after all,” she pressed, obviously undaunted by his warning glare. “You may find that no ‘chit’ can refrain from losing consciousness at the idea of marrying the Earl of Kilcairn Abbey.”
“You’re right,” he said, granting her a smile when he truly wanted to wring her slender neck. “I shall ask her and her parents to accompany me to the races on Saturday. That should give her the opportunity to make a better showing, don’t you think?”
“Y-yes, my lord.”
If he had to guess, he would say Miss Gallant was wishing she hadn’t pursued the conversation. In better humor, he folded his arms and went back to watching the dancers. Aunt Fiona stood closer than he realized, but when he glared at her she hesitated, then trundled off. Alexandra uttered a disgusted sound and followed his aunt back to her deaf friends. Lucien smiled. That would teach her.
Chapter 9
To Alexandra’s surprise, Mrs. Delacroix joined her and Rose at the breakfast table in the morning. Even more unexpected, considering that they hadn’t returned to Balfour House until well after midnight, Fiona was in good spirits.
“Rose, Miss Gallant, good morning,” she said as she swept into the room. “Don’t tell me dear Lucien hasn’t yet risen? Tea, Wimbole. And honey.”
“Actually, I believe Lord Kilcairn went riding this morning, Mrs. Delacroix,” Alexandra said as the butler and a footman hurried to provide Fiona with utensils and a cup of tea. “It’s delightful to see you up and about so early, though.”
“Yes, well, we have things to do today, girls.”
Rose swallowed a mouthful of biscuit. “We do?”
“Indeed. Today we will visit the British Museum.”
Alexandra nearly choked on her coffee. “We will?”
“And tomorrow I will have the coach take us to Stratford-on-Avon. That Shakespeare lived there, didn’t he?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“And, Miss Gallant, you’ve read his works, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I have. What—”
“You must select one of his better-known plays to read to us this afternoon. Rose will take one of the parts, naturally.”
