Something had changed. People not only met her gaze, but they were actually… talking to her!
When she had stepped into the Chaswick ballroom behind Reed and Goldie, her mother at her side, the people who looked her way had not turned away. No, they had held her gaze, almost polite expressions flitting across their faces.
And before she’d located a convenient corner to hide in, Caroline’s mother had been stopped by five, yes, five gentlemen requesting an introduction to her daughter.
Her very lovely daughter.
It was as though the debacle of her come-out had never happened.
Holding a glass of champagne in one hand and her fan in the other, she marveled that, although her dance card wasn’t completely filled, several presumably upstanding gentlemen had claimed dances. Even Lord Dankworth, the man she’d overheard refer to her as a “charity dance,” had begged an introduction.
Caroline hadn’t the heart to refuse him for fear of embarrassing her mother, who was obviously thrilled at Caroline’s startling popularity.
Up until that evening, no one had shown any interest in her eldest daughter, and she’d informed Caroline that she wouldn’t allow Melanie or Josephine to come out this year unless Caroline was “off the market.”
Dreadful words.
“What is happening?” Caroline whispered to Goldie.
Her sister-in-law tapped her fan against her lips thoughtfully as her eyes darted around the room. “It’s because Lord Helton singled you out twice now. This is how things work. Having caught the eye of an earl has apparently increased your value.”
“I don’t want my value increased.” She simply wanted to fulfill the promise to her mother—enduring the season and hopefully emerging unattached. And she might not accomplish that if she received an offer for marriage from an upstanding gentleman.
“Of course you do.” Goldie winked. “Is Lord Helton romantically inclined toward you? Has he… done anything to indicate—"
“Good lord, no!” Caroline shook her head. “We’re conducting business. It’s not… it’s not like that.” Even if he did hold her gaze longer than was strictly necessary and had granted her permission to use his given name.
Even though he had walked her home, and then given the impression that he might kiss her.
Because he had not—kissed her, that is.
He certainly wasn’t romantically inclined!
“It’s not at all true,” Caroline reiterated. “Not at all!”
“I don’t think anyone cares about the truth,” Goldie said. “All that matters amongst the ton is that an earl finds you desirable, therefore, you are deserving of their attention.”
But the truth did matter! That was why she’d gone to the newspaper. To somehow set the record straight about her brother. And to… make the paper better.
Confused and a little shaken, Caroline sipped her champagne. As the bubbles danced on her tongue, she pondered the one viscount, two barons, and three untitled but landed gentlemen who’d claimed dances after boasting of their connections. Was it possible that they had only done so because Maxwell singled her out at the musicale?
Were they really that fickle?
Goldie elbowed her, discreetly glancing toward the door. “Speak of the devil...”
Caroline followed her sister-in-law’s stare.
“…And he shall appear…” Caroline completed the quote.
Suddenly the lights were a little brighter, the music more melodic, and the champagne sweeter.
He wasn’t wearing his spectacles, and he squinted slightly. Not so much that anyone would notice, but she did.
He escorted his mother, holding one hand over hers protectively. His dark hair was smoothed away from his face and his jaw had been freshly shaven. Aside from a more formal jacket, however, he wasn’t all that different from the man who’d come to her house early that morning.
She was even willing to bet that when she had the opportunity, she’d find ink stains on his hands.
But he’d told her he was not coming! Why had he changed his mind? He moved across the floor and stood patiently while his mother greeted three other dowagers.
