She cast her gaze upward in thought. “You might impress women with your talent, and perhaps even convince them to dance with you.”
“Hmm.” I took a step forward. “Is that what you require of your dance partners? That they be skilled painters?”
Her lips pressed together, her eyes dancing with amusement. “I didn’t think to until this very moment, but perhaps I ought to begin requiring it.”
“Do you demand evidence of my skill, or will you take me at my word?” My heart thudded in my chest as I awaited her reply.
“I’ll accept your word.” Her gaze met mine. “Just this once.”
I smiled. I had never asked a lady to dance in such a peculiar way before, but the understanding between us was clear. Her next dance would be with me.
Before I could say another word, a breathless sigh came from my left, and then Miss Lyons was standing beside us. She pressed a hand to her chest. “How exhilarating! That was nearly as enjoyable as a country dance in Hampshire.” She turned her smile toward me, and it softened into nothing more than a coy upturn of her lips. Her large blue eyes were surrounded by dark, fluttering lashes. “Good evening, Mr. Croft.”
“Good evening, Miss Lyons.” My shoulders stiffened. I knew the look she was giving me. It was the look Miss Harriett Burkehad worn during each of our interactions. I had fallen for it then, like a fool, but now I recognized it anywhere.
“Are you fond of country dances?” Miss Lyons asked, taking a step closer. “I find thateverythingis more enjoyable in the country than in Town, would you not agree?”
“I do agree.”
She twisted her head in thought. “Oh, how I miss my horse, Millie. For a strange reason, this dance reminded me of her. I can only hope she is being exercised as much as she would be if I were still at home riding her each morning.”
Miss Kellaway’s brow pinched as she observed the conversation. Miss Lyons had stepped between us now. Every detail of the woman indicated that she did not actually feel at home in the countryside. I couldn’t stretch my brain enough to imagine her taking a voluntary walk through the woods or beside the bank of a muddy stream. She appeared to belong within the walls of a grand house, serving tea and gossiping with women like my sisters.
Perhaps that’s where she had heard about my love of the countryside and horses in the first place.
My skin prickled. What else had my sisters spoken about during tea?
I hardly knew how to respond to Miss Lyons and her unexpected declarations about her horse. “Millie is a charming name. What breed is she?”
Miss Lyons’s smile faltered slightly. Her eyes shifted to Miss Kellaway, who remained silent. “Oh.” Miss Lyons laughed. “I’m afraid I am not well-versed in such technical terms.”
“She’s a thoroughbred,” Miss Kellaway said in an abrupt voice. “Fifteen hands. And she’s actually my horse.”
I could only see the back of Miss Lyons’s head, but she seemed to be staring at Miss Kellaway for a long moment. The centers of Miss Kellaway’s cheeks were flushed, her eyesshadowed with irritation. The expression surprised me, but as soon as Miss Lyons turned around, her crown of golden curls hid Miss Kellaway’s face from my view.
“Alice, my dear. There is no need to tell tales to Mr. Croft.” She released an airy laugh. “Millie is indeed my horse, though Alice does ride her on occasion.”
“That isn’t true.” Miss Kellaway’s brow was creased now, arms crossed. Her voice shook slightly. Her gaze lifted to my face briefly before she took Miss Lyons by the arm. “Please excuse us.” The hasty whisper was followed by a tug, and then she was dragging Miss Lyons away from my side.
I saw Miss Lyons jerk her arm away from Miss Kellaway’s grip as they reached the edge of the refreshment table. They were too distant for me to hear their conversation, but a sickening feeling had already begun spreading through my stomach.
Penelope.A surge of frustration pushed me forward until I found my sister standing in the crowd with Loftus. Heavens, his cravat was billowy that evening. It swallowed up his entire neck and most of his jaw. When he saw my approach, he nudged Penelope. She cast her innocent gaze on me. “Brother! Why have you not danced yet?”
“Why did you share the news of my inheritance with Miss Kellaway and Miss Lyons?”
She blinked twice. Her lips sputtered. “You didn’t say I couldn’t tell them specifically.”
I groaned. “I said you couldn’t tellanyone.”
“And why not?” She scowled. “I was only trying to make you a little more desirable.”
My neck was hot. “Did you also tell them that I prefer the countryside? Or perhaps that I am impressed by a knowledge of horses?”
Her nose wrinkled with guilt, and she was silent for a long moment. “I assure you we didn’t speak of you theentiretime. Please, do not flatter yourself.”
My gaze traveled back to the refreshment table, where Miss Kellaway and Miss Lyons still appeared to be bickering. My heart sank at the sight of Miss Kellaway’s face, the smile erased from it. It seemed I had been wrong about her. All young ladies were the same. They sniffed out fortunes like hounds, setting their heart on a man for what he possessed and nothing more. I doubted either of the two women actually liked horses, or riding, or the countryside. They were willing to lie in order to elevate themselves and secure what they wanted.
A pinch of disappointment started in my chest, but I stamped it out. I hardly knew Miss Kellaway, and therefore she could have no hold on my emotions. It was better to uncover her true nature now than later, after she had fully stolen my heart. I could already tell that she was capable of it, and that was a dangerous discovery.
