“Miss Lewisham.” He bowed.
“I have a few spaces left on my dance card,” she said, batting her eyelashes, which he’d always loathed women doing.
“Lovely.” He wrote his name down as she held it out to him.
“Warwick, if I may have a moment of your time,” Eden said from behind Miss Lewisham.
“Of course. Excuse me, my sister has need of me.” He bowed and moved away.
“Thank you, sister.”
“You are welcome, but Miss Lewisham is not so bad, surely?”
“Of course not, but she does rattle on a bit.”
“As do we all when nervous, and for young ladies—”
“You’re not going to lecture me again, are you? The twins have already done that about dancing with wallflowers and being nice to young ladies.”
“Well then, make sure you do. Now, go and find a perfect place to watch the performances which will start after this set, and remember to ask those around you to dig deep into their pockets. Rose and I will be first.”
“Yes, Eden.”
“Mr. Blanchet has offered to hold things for Samantha to throw knives at, so you are relieved of that duty, which I’m sure, considering the fuss you made, you are pleased about. She has begged me to go second as she is beseeched by nerves.”
“What? No, he’s not.”
Her eyebrow elevated. “Not what?”
“She is throwing knives at me, not him.” He didn’t add that she was right, and in fact he’d vehemently said he would not be her target but now would be.
“Oh well,” Eden frowned. “I don’t think you can perform with her now, as he has been asked and agreed. Indeed, Samantha seemed happy for him to be onstage with her.”
Before he could argue, she raised a hand. “I need to find Rose, and we will make our way backstage. I’m sure Mr. Blanchet will do fine. Go over there.” She waved her hand to the left. “The family have once again formed a gaggle, which James will no doubt disperse soon. You can watch the performance with them, little brother.” She kissed his cheek and left.
“Blanchet will not do fine,” Warwick muttered, searching for Samantha. “I will do fine.”
He walked around the room trying to find her but kept getting stopped by people.
“If I may have your attention, please,” James said from the stage.
“You’re frowning,” Cam said as Warwick reached him.
“I like to frown,” he snapped.
“Well, there is certainly a place for a good frown. One wouldn’t think at a charity ball surrounded by family, beautiful women, and friends, would be that place, however. Care to share your burdens, little brother? I’m good for it.”
“I have no burdens.”
“We all have burdens.”
“Shut up, James is talking.”
“Do you want to know what I think?”
“No.”
“I think it’s Samantha that has you out of sorts.”
