She smiled as he approached, and there was a moment when he could admit she was lovely. She had blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her gown was perfection, not too revealing but still alluring.
Yes, she would make a pretty piece on any man’s arm. And with her fortune to boot, a hundred mercenaries would soon be knocking at her door.
Baldwin hated that he had to be one of them.
“Good evening, Miss Shephard,” he said with a stiff bow as he reached her side.
“Your Grace,” she said with a coy smile. There was nothing real about it—it was all put on for a show. Unlike Helena, who was only real. “I wondered when you would seek me out.”
He blinked at the playful forwardness of her words. “Did you?”
“I saw that you have danced with all the eligible young ladies in the room.”
He frowned. Well, he could addobservantto this young woman’s list of qualities, such as they were. Something he’d have to be aware of.
“I have saved the best for last, it seems,” he said, and hated how untrue the words sounded. But Charity liked them, for she blushed. “Is the next song open on your dance card?”
She nodded, and took his arm to allow him to lead her to their places. He stared at her as they waited and others took the floor. He could think of nothing to say to this woman. Nothing he wanted to know.
It was beastly of him, of course, not to give a damn. But how could he dare when he knew what would happen if Charity became the focused object of his pursuit?
The music swelled and he let out a soft breath. A damned waltz. Of course it was. She stepped up into his embrace and they began to turn around the floor in what felt far too close proximity.
“Your home is lovely,” she said, pulling him from his thoughts and reminding him once again how rude he was being.
“Thank you,” he said.
“I can’t imagine you prefer it to London, though,” she continued.
He shrugged. “They both have their advantages.”
She laughed. “Do they? London is so exciting. There is always some adventure to be had there, some new shop to find or thing to see.”
“I suppose,” he said. Honestly, he had not thought of London in that way in a very long time. It was a place where creditors could show up on one’s doors without warning and make a scene that would someday bring everything down around him.
“My father has always been obsessed with this country,” she continued. “He liked your side better in the revolution, though he never talks about it much at home, for obvious reasons.”
“Yes, I assume that would have him counted as a traitor,” Baldwin drawled.
She didn’t seem to take offense. “Oh, yes, he must keep his sentiments to himself. Whisper them to others who think as he does while he plays patriot in public so that he can continue to draw in funds.”
Baldwin’s stomach turned at such duplicity. But then, he was hardly better. All that he was doing was false, meant to keep his family afloat.
Charity was oblivious to his feelings and continued, “When he said he was bringing us here for a Season, I was hesitant, but I suppose I’m glad now. It got Helena and me out of boring old Boston!”
Baldwin glanced down at her. He had not wanted to dance with her, but now he saw a unique opportunity in doing so. He could ask her questions and find out more about Helena.
“It must be helpful to have a companion in your travels,” he suggested carefully.
“I suppose,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Although Helena was not much of a companion on the trip. She spent most of the crossing casting up her accounts on the prow of the boat.”
Baldwin stifled a smile at that tidbit. Though he didn’t like to hear of her suffering, he could file that information away about her. No boats.
“And do you two share the same…interests?” he said, still treading very carefully.
“Hardly,” Charity laughed. “Helena is a bookworm. You should see her devour them, one after another. She’d read the instructions on a tonic bottle and be enthralled. I prefer excitement. My papa owns a racehorse and he’s taken me dozens of times. I’ve even won some coin at it.”
She said the last with a little wink and his stomach turned. One more reason to avoid Charity as a bride. The last thing his family needed was another gambler. He’d had quite enough excitement in his day—he didn’t need her dragging him out and insisting she spend their money on horses.
