She told us how the woman had introduced herself as Mrs Spencer and that their conversation had at first been of the usual ‘Who are you here with?’ kind. But when Elizabeth had indicated Jane and me and then pointed out Lucinda on the dance floor with Mr Hart, the woman’s lips had tightened, and she had remarked that Elizabeth should pay heed to the company Lucinda was keeping.
‘I said, “Whatever do you mean, Mrs Spencer? Lucinda is dancing with that nice gentleman, Mr Hart, and having a splendid time by the looks of it.” But the woman said that he was not a nice gentleman at all. She then proceeded to tell me about how Mr Hart had made the acquaintance of her elder daughter, Cecilia, at the Season last year, and ...’ Elizabeth paused and lowered her voice. ‘She said she could not reveal exactly what he did as we were in the midst of polite society, but that his conduct was very bad. Shestrongly recommended that we sever Lucinda’s acquaintance with him immediately and pronounced him—and, my dears, this is distressing—a most appallingscoundrel.’
‘Oh no,’ said Jane worriedly. ‘We must rescue her at once when they have finished dancing.’
We looked over at Lucinda and Mr Hart. They looked to be getting along wonderfully, with much talking and smiling taking place.
‘But look at how happy she is,’ said Elizabeth mournfully. ‘Should we really be so hasty to separate them? What if Mrs Spencer is a spiteful mama whose daughter had gained, then lost Mr Hart’s attention, but through no fault of his own? She may be trying to interfere for her own gain. What do you say, Felicity?’
I took a deep breath, not knowing what to think. ‘Painting him as a reprobate is quite harsh, and we only have her opinion to go by. Still, perhaps it is better to err on the side of caution until we have more information about his character.’
‘Then it is settled,’ Jane said firmly. ‘Elizabeth and I will escort Lucinda to the tea room. And, Flissy, you can make sure that Mr Hart does not follow us.’
‘An excellent plan,’ I said. ‘But how am I supposed to carry out my part?’
‘Distract him by talking about the weather or some such. He’ll get bored soon enough and find someone else to dance with. Look out, here they come.’
Sure enough, the pairhad finished the dance and were coming over to us, cheerfully ignorant of all that we had been planning to break up their acquaintance.
‘Here she is, safe and sound,’ said Mr Hart, presenting Lucinda to us with a flourish.
Before Lucinda knew what was happening, she was told that tea was now on the agenda. Jane and Elizabeth firmly grasped an elbow each, and she was whisked off, leaving me alone on the bench to deal with a surprised-looking Mr Hart.
‘Ah, dancing is thirsty work,’ I said hastily. ‘They thought Lucinda would be parched.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘How discerning of them. But I take it you are not parched since you are still here?’
‘No, I am well ... hydrated,’ I said ineffectually.
‘In that case’, he said, flashing me a smile, ‘you can dance the next with me since I am now without a partner.’
‘Oh no, I cannot ... I am married.’
Mr Hart looked around. ‘Pray, where is your husband? Hiding in the tea room?’
‘He is in Derbyshire,’ I said, stifling a giggle. Maxwouldvery likely be hiding in the tea room if he was here.
Mr Hart raised an eyebrow. ‘Derbyshire! Then he will not mind if I steal you for one dance. If he is not here to witness it, there is no impropriety.’
Iswallowed. What Mr Hart was saying made logical sense. But still, I knew I shouldn’t.
‘Thank you, but I can’t leave my ... er ... belongings.’
Mr Hart eyed my bulging reticule. ‘I should think it should be quite safe, unless you have brought a kitten to the ball? If so, it might be best in the cloakroom as it may get squashed.’
I laughed at that. ‘A kitten?’
‘You may be surprised at the things the young ladies of Bath stow in their reticules.’
‘Well, if I had been silly enough to do so, I’m sure it would be quite suffocated by now.’
‘Indeed. So there is no need to stay here and look after an expired kitten. You may as well dance with me,’ he said with a grin.
I got the impression from this ridiculous conversation that he was determined to persuade me and would not take no for an answer.
‘All right,’ I said, giving in.
Well, I was itching to dance.
