He touched her, restraining her. “Please, Miss Hughes, I feel we know each other well enough to dispense with formality.”
She was relieved. “You British are all so formal!” she explained. “It has been shocking, trying to adjust.”
“Yes, I imagine so,” Tyrell said gently, with a benign smile. He held out his arm. “Shall we take a turn about the gallery?”
She glanced at Devlin, who had turned to stare at them. “I doubt he will allow it. I have been insufficiently flaunted.”
Tyrell’s smile vanished. “Virginia, may I speak freely?”
She tensed. “Please do.”
“My entire family is furious with Devlin for his behavior and his bringing you here is the least of it.”
She gaped. And she was aware of Devlin leaving his group of gentlemen and striding calmly toward them. She was not deceived. She saw the purpose in his stride and sensed the determination, as well.
“I merely want to advise you that there will be justice, Virginia. You will be shortly compensated for all you have been through, my father will see to it.”
She had no idea of what he meant. Compensation? Suddenly she was seized by hope—would they aid her in paying off her father’s debts? That would surely be compensation for all she had been through!
Devlin paused, taking Virginia’s arm. “Are you trying to lure away Virginia’s affections, Ty?”
“As if I would ever trespass uponyouraffections, Devlin,” Tyrell said.
Devlin nodded while Virginia ignored the exchange, too busy thinking about the compensation that would soon be hers. Finally it seemed as if her terrible turn of bad luck was about to change.
“Shall we dance?” Devlin asked almost formally.
She started. “I lied. I cannot dance, not a single step.”
He finally smiled at her. And the warmth reached his eyes. “I find the whole pastime rather boring myself. Shall I get us some champagne?”
She nodded, wishing he had suggested that they leave. She felt fortunate to have thus far escaped any unpleasant and humiliating encounters.
Devlin nodded and walked away.
Tyrell said, “As you are otherwise engaged, good evening. I hope we shall see each other soon.” He bowed.
Virginia smiled, curtsied and watched him leave. And suddenly she was truly alone.
It was an odd feeling, and not a pleasant one, to be surrounded by three hundred and fifty guests yet to be standing conspicuously by oneself. And shewasconspicuous. With Devlin and Tyrell gone, several groups had turned to gaze at her and she had the distinct feeling that she might be the topic of conversation. One group of ladies stared and spoke rapidly, fans fluttering. Virginia felt certain that they were discussing her.
She turned her back to them and was faced by three handsome gentlemen, and in unison, they all smiled at her. She took a step back.
They approached. The nearest one, a gentleman of thirty or so with shocking red hair and extremely pale blue eyes, bowed. “I do not believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance,” he said.
She smiled, summoning up all of her courage now. “No, I do not think so. I am Virginia Hughes.”
“John Marshall, at your service,” he said, with another, more cursory bow. “You are an American?”
She nodded. “Yes. But I have come to England to visit my uncle, the Earl of Eastleigh.” That story had served her well and she decided to continue it.
“So Eastleigh is your uncle?” Marshall seemed delighted. “And you are in Captain O’Neill’s party tonight?”
She could not decide if he knew that she had accompanied Devlin alone. “Yes.” Her smile was fixed.
“May I present my good friends, Lords Halsey and Ridgewood?”
Virginia smiled and exchanged pleasantries as the men bowed. She felt as if she were surrounded by the enemy—which she most certainly was.
