“My charge has enjoyed herself immensely,” von Friesing gushed. “In fact, the Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville has paid particular attention to her and asked her to dancetwice.”
“Which is the sum total of the times I’ve been on the dance floor,” Tessa muttered.
“A fact that must be remedied.” The Duchess of Strathaven tilted her head at her husband. “Strathaven, weren’t you just saying you fancied a dance?”
The duke bowed. “Would you do me the honor, Miss Smith?”
To her bemusement, Tessa found herself doing a Scottish Reel with Strathaven. And then a Quadrille with the Duke of Acton. After that, the duchesses took her under their collective wing, insisting that she call them “Emma” and “Polly” and introducing her to a plethora of people. To Tessa’s surprise, she was welcomed into the fold.
Her dance card began to fill up. And even though her partners were aristocrats, they were actuallyniceto her. Her current partner was the Earl of Ruthven, a fit man with thick, greying hair and an avuncular manner. He led her into a waltz, navigating the constellation of bright, spinning gowns.
“What a charming cat you make, Miss Smith,” he said.
“I’m a ferret, actually.” When she saw his green eyes flicker behind his black feathered mask, she said quickly, “If it makes you feel any better, I’m not sure what you are either. A crow or raven perhaps?”
“I’m open to your interpretation.” He smiled. “In truth, I was a late addition to the guest list, and my valet scavenged this mask from God knows where.”
“Are you well acquainted with the host?” she asked as they whirled to the music.
“I do not know anyone in this room well. I am newly come into the title, you see, and from a distant branch of the family that no one expected to inherit.” He looked rueful. “Yet here I am.”
Feeling a sense of kinship, she confided, “I don’t know these people well either.”
“And yet you are swarmed by admirers.”
“Only because the Strathavens and Actons were kind enough to take me under their wing.”
“You are being modest,” Ruthven said. “You are as lovely and unique as that necklace you are wearing.”
“It belonged to my grandmama,” she said with pride.
She could feel Althea watching over her tonight. Guiding her past pitfalls and toward success.
After the dance, Ruthven returned her to her friends. Tessa noted a newcomer to the group; it was difficult not to. Petite and curvaceous, the lady had bright red hair and was dressed as some sort of yellow bird, an extraordinary quantity of feathers and ruffles on her gown. The duchesses were hugging her with unbridled delight.
“There you are, Miss Smith,” Emma said, beaming. “We just ran into our dear friend, whom we haven’t seen in ages. Miss Theresa Smith, meet Gabriella, Mrs. Garrity.”
Tessa’s nape stirred.Zounds, it couldn’t bethatGarrity…could it?
“How do you do, Mrs. Garrity?” she said cautiously.
“I’m very well. And do call me Gabby, everyone does. I must confess, I’m ever so relieved to be out of the nursery. That is where I spend most of my days, you know. Not that I’m complaining. Well, perhaps I am a little, aren’t I?”
Confronted with the flurry of words and big blue eyes, Tessa could only manage, “Um…”
“Oh dear, I’m talking too much, aren’t I? It’s a terrible habit of mine to chatter when I’m nervous,” Gabby said guilelessly. “It was bad before, just ask dear Emma and Polly, but I fear it’s gotten worse now that I’m with the children all day. I’m simply starved for adult conversation—”
“If that’s the case, Gabby, dear,” Emma (thankfully) cut in, “why haven’t you come to call? You’ve turned down my last several invitations.”
“I’ve been a dreadful friend—that is, if you still consider me a friend. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.” Remorse was written all over the redhead’s pretty face, which was rounded and sprinkled with golden freckles, so that even her look of despair was somehow charming. “I’vewantedto see you, but it’s been one thing after another. Between the children and the new country estate, Mr. Garrity isveryparticular about how it is to be renovated, not to mention Papa’s health not being what it was—”
“Take a breath, dear.” Polly patted Gabby on the shoulder. “Orseveralbreaths.”
The lady gulped in air.
“Neither time nor distance will change our friendship,” Emma said gently. “I meant only that we’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you. Ever so much.” Gabby bit her lip. “I don’t know how the two of you do it.”
