“’Tis a lovely evening for a dance. Cold outside, and yet warm in here.”
“Yes indeed, very warm,” Milly said.
“If I may be so bold”—one of the ladies turned to face her, and the other moved to stand beside her, thus blocking Milly in, which suited her just fine. They wore pastels, with a great deal of lace—“Miss Wimplestow is looking pretty this evening in that color. You have done a splendid job on that girl, Miss Higglesworth.”
Milly was sure she had never met the women, who on closer inspection had to be sisters. They wore small wire-framed round glasses, and were both petite and delicate.
“She does indeed look lovely,” Milly said.
“Not like that hussy Miss Jasper. Showing far too much of herself to my mind, and I know Edith agrees.”
“Oh I do, Agnes. Far too free with her ways, that one.”
Milly found herself smiling as the ladies began to pick apart the guests. She even joined in occasionally, and soon they were having a delightful time.
“I do believe he has padding sewn into his shoulders,” Milly said, looking at a young man prancing around the dance floor.
“Do you really, Milly?” Both ladies turned to study the man. “Well, I never,” Agnes added. “I think you’re right. After all, he is not a large man, so those shoulders do seem odd on him.”
Milly made an agreeing noise as her eyes sought Apple-blossom.
All seemed to be going well; the group she stood in swelled in number to include a few young men. Milly watched Mr. Howard enter the room, his eyes searching for and finding Apple-blossom. Seconds later he was striding across the room, weaving around people to get to her.
He then greeted everyone in her circle, before holding out his hands to Apple-blossom. The girl’s smile would leave no one in doubt of where his affection lay. Soon they were dancing.
Milly found the Wimplestows, and they had both watched the scene and were also smiling.
Excellent.She did not want to leave here, but would do so happy that her charge was settled with a man who would love and understand her.
“Well, I have to say that match has our endorsement, wouldn’t you say, Edith. That Mr. Howard is a splendid fellow. Has wonderful legs too. Never saw a man besides the Earl of Ellsworth fill a pair of breeches so splendidly.”
Milly spluttered at the mention of Joseph, and then coughed.
“We may be old, dear, however we are not dead,” Agnes said.
“Old,” Milly managed when she had herself under control. “Neither of you are old.”
They seemed happy with that, and continued their discussion on the guests.
Letting her eyes wander once more, Milly looked for familiar faces, and found Lady English. She would make sure to stay well clear of that woman. Her eyes kept moving until she encountered him. Joseph was standing with his brothers, having just arrived. Several people were rushing forward to greet them. The great earl, Milly thought. Did he hate all the fawning?
She had never given the matter much thought, but perhaps the man she now knew did not like aspects of what came with his title.
Evening dress suited him. Broad shoulders encased in deep blue, white shirt and necktie. White trousers, and black shoes. As he was facing her, she could also see a flash of gold and blue in his waistcoat.
The man was far too handsome.
Pulling her eyes from him, she found Apple-blossom, and was pleased that she was no longer dancing with Mr. Howard, but with another gentleman. While the girl could never be termed graceful, there was a certain beauty in the way she romped about the floor. Her partner certainly seemed to think so. A smile lit his face as he watched her.
Switching her eyes back to the earl, she found him looking directly at her. For a few heartbeats she was caught and held, and then she broke the contact.
“You cannot simply stand here with me all evening scowling, Joseph. It is not done, you will scare all the pretty woman away.”
Joseph gave Charles what he liked to call the Ellsworth eye. He didn’t flinch.
“You are the Earl of Ellsworth. It is expected of you to smile and dance with women.”
“I know who I am, thank you, Charles.”
