“Surely you jest, your grace. It is my understanding that all the pieces picked for this ball are carefully curated by the hostess herself, Lady Stamford.” Alaina met Graham’s eyes with a certain amount of puckishness of her own, putting a hand on her chest in jest.
Graham threw back his head to let out a burst of full laughter, and Alaina grimaced, self-conscious of the duke’s display. As the dance ended, she glanced about the room to see if any stares were directed their way, thankfully finding none. Graham led her to her mother’s side at the edge of the dance floor. From what Alaina could see, Charlotte and Eleanor had become fast friends.
“Mother, Lady Charlotte, I fear I have all but exhausted my dances with Lady Alaina and must entrust her to your care,” the duke said, gracefully acknowledging both women. As Alaina settled next to her mother, Christopher and Georgiana returned from the far side of the ballroom.
“…Surely you cannot think that. Marriage is not such an awful venture,” was all Alaina heard from Georgiana.
Christopher’s response was low, almost inaudible, as the pair rejoined the group. “There will be no matchmaking from you, Georgiana.”
One look toward the back of the ballroom told Alaina that the musicians were taking a quick break, leaving time for a bit of conversation.
“What were you two talking about?” Eleanor interjected.
“Oh nothing,” Christopher replied. “We were just debating the benefits of country air.”
Georgiana hurriedly added, “Yes, we were talking of the country air and its ability to test out a couple’s true compatibility. Sometimes the season in London leaves much to be desired.”
The marquess cleared his throat, and to Alaina’s ear seemed quite uncomfortable. Looking around the group, no one seemed to know what to say after such an odd statement. After what Alaina thought to be an interminable amount of time, she opened her mouth to say something, although not entirely sure what, when Georgiana queried her directly.
“Alaina, would you join me for a quick turn about the room?”
“Sure, Georgiana, it seems we are at a good break point in the music.” Alaina joined arms with Georgiana, missing the mothers’ approving looks, the duke’s kind attentions, and an odd look from Christopher.
As they walked the perimeter of the room, Georgiana chattered while Alaina followed her lead. Alaina heard something about garden parties, and the Ashford estate, its many good qualities. With the cacophony in the room, she was barely capturing snippets of the constant stream of thoughts from Georgiana, such that she was surprised when she was asked a question.
“What do you think?” Georgiana looked to the side to catch Alaina’s eyes.
“Of what?” Alaina questioned back, hoping her lack of attention did not seem rude.
“Of a garden party?”
“Sounds lovely.”
“Good, then I shall start planning.” Georgiana seemed to continue on with their promenade with renewed purpose, picking up the pace to traverse the remainder of the room.
“When will this party be, may I ask? It seems like you have months until the weather warms enough to truly do it right,” Alaina observed. They were so early in the season; there were still some months of cold weather to make it through.
“Oh, no dear, I plan to have the party within the month. The Ashford Estate is beautiful all year round, with plenty of space even indoors should the weather be too ghastly. If we are lucky, we will be able to enjoy the grounds with a bit of snow before things turn too warm. But do not fret, with strategically placed fireplaces, the Ashford gardens can be lovely and comfortable at least for a stroll. To be perfectly honest, I am already a bit put out by London this season anyways. It is absolutely dreadful to be here alone at the moment, and…” Georgiana paused, as if remembering something upsetting, turning her face into a sorrowful mask, eyes looking far away.
“Are you thinking of the encounter with your cousin?” Alaina questioned. The only confirmation she got from Georgiana was a slight nod. And without realizing it, they had arrived back at the group, making a full circle around the room in what seemed to be record time. It was Christopher that greeted Alaina first.
“Lady Alaina, I would find it a great honor if you were to join me in the next dance.” He spoke abruptly, less of a question than a statement.
Looking to Georgiana, Alaina found herself looking into twinkling eyes. “My dear, I do believe you were asked a question,” Georgiana needled Alaina good-naturedly, having recovered from whatever melancholy had affected her.
Turning back to face the marquess, Alaina assented to his request. “It would be an honor, my lord.”
The walk around the ballroom had perfectly filled the dead time in the music, and Alaina could see the musicians setting up for the next set. Accepting Christopher’s arm, he led her onto the dance floor, saying nothing, although taking great care to guide her through the crowd to the proper spot on the floor for the contradance. As they set up in lines opposite one another among the other couples, their eyes met, and Alaina felt a flutter in her stomach, similar to the beginning of the ball. As the music began, they met in the middle of the aisle.
“I do wish to thank you again for this afternoon, Christopher,” Alaina started.
“Like I said, there is no need to thank me,” Christopher stated flatly. “It is what anyone should have done. Rudeness like that should not be countenanced.”
“Ah, yes. You seem to have an aversion to such behavior, it seems,” Alaina teased.
Finally, through his gruff exterior, Christopher chuckled. “I fear it is something that I cannot let pass without a comment.”
“I must ask,” Alaina said cautiously, “Would it be possible for us to start over again? I fear we may have both misjudged.”
