Abigail cocked her head to the side. “Sophisticated. Daring.”
“Married,” said Penelope. “What?” she said in response to her sister’s expression. “Married to a wealthy, indulgent gentleman. Is there anything offensive about that?”
Abigail pursed her lips. “No.”
“Good, for it’s my goal in life.” Penelope shook her head as she surveyed the gown again. “It would make me look like I was wearing a fancy dress, but it really does suit your coloring, Joan.”
It was a little disappointing that they hadn’t both fallen over in raptures of envy, but Joan resolved not to think of that. Wanting to wear what other women would envy had never served her well. She thought the gown was lovely, and if even just one other person did ... for instance, perhaps Tristan ... she would count it a success.
Abigail and Penelope excused themselves a few minutes later. Their mother, fretting over their lack of dance partners recently, had impressed her son into finding gentlemen for them to dance with, and they were now required to stand with her until the assigned partners arrived—or so Penelope described it. Abigail rolled her eyes and murmured something about her father being more upset than her mother, but they left, and Joan was once again alone with her aunt. She scanned the room as discreetly as possible, and had just caught sight of Tristan’s dark head when another man made a very elegant bow in front of them.
“Good evening, Lady Courtenay, Miss Bennet,” said Sir Richard Campion.
“Good evening, sir.” Joan curtsied. Her aunt just dipped her head.
“You look exceptionally lovely tonight.” He included both of them in his compliment, but Joan noticed that his eyes lingered a moment on Evangeline, who looked remarkable in a gown of brilliant blue.
“Did you come over here just to express the obvious?” asked Evangeline lightly. “My niece looks magnificent, and I warrant everyone recognizes it.”
Joan blushed. Sir Richard smiled, his eyes crinkling. “I recognized it from the most distant corner of the room. I wonder if Miss Bennet would do me the compliment of partnering me in the next dance?”
She smiled in surprise. He was the one complimenting her. He was one of the guests of honor tonight, and gentlemen like Sir Richard Campion did not need to dance with spinsters, for any reason. And from the way her aunt looked on in approval, she was most certainly permitted.
“I would be delighted. Thank you, sir.”
He led her out for the quadrille. “Are you enjoying the ball?” he asked as they took their places with the other couples.
Joan could feel the weight of the surprised glances they were drawing. “Yes. I wish my aunt would enjoy it more, though.”
He paused in the act of tugging his glove for just a split second. “How so?”
She looked across the room and saw Evangeline watching them. “I think she gave up much she holds dear to play at chaperone.”
He gave her a long, searching look. “Has she expressed any discontent?”
“Not a word.”
The dance began and they said no more for a while. “I heard you had a great adventure the other day,” remarked Sir Richard when they had a quiet moment while the other couples performed the figure.
“You must mean ballooning.” She lowered her voice. “It was thrilling beyond words! But I gave my aunt quite a scare, which I regret very much.”
“I daresay she was able to understand, once she’d got over any surprise.” His eyes were kind.
Joan ducked her head. “Perhaps. But I had such remorse ... would you do me a great favor, sir?”
“Of course.” He took her hand and they circled the couple to their left, then their right.
“Would you ask her to dance?” Joan saw his mouth tighten. “For me. I would be so glad to see her enjoy herself.”
He was quiet again for a long time. When the dance ended he led her from the floor and bowed again. “I would ask her for every dance, if she would only consent to one,” he murmured. “I am not the party you need to encourage. Thank you, Miss Bennet, for a most enjoyable set.”
Evangeline stepped up beside her as he walked away. “How did you find Sir Richard’s dancing?”
“Very accomplished.” On impulse, Joan seized her aunt’s hand. “Dance with him.”
Evangeline blinked. “Don’t be silly, dear. I’m here as a chaperone—”
“And nothing will be amiss if you dance once.”
