“Are you upset?” Mariel’s soft words and concerned gaze, had her snapping her head around.
“Yes. I’m insulted and feel angry for Eleanor. She is an incredible, intelligent woman, who is bored with her role in life. She’d been very excited.” She put down her half-finished cup of punch, afraid she might spill it in her frustration.
“You cannot blame Lady Dulac. It is what she was taught was the way of life.”
“But she’d agreed. It hadn’t even been that hard to persuade her. Did I let her think about it too long? Should I have waited until August to find my students?”
“I don’t know.” Mariel shook her head. “I’m not sure there is an answer to your questions. You are paving a new way, against the norm. I’m sure you knew there would be setbacks.”
That was true. It was one of the reasons she wanted to keep it all a secret. The less society in general knew of her enterprise, the less it would try to reject the project before it started. “I didn’t expect to lose a student before I’d even started.” She tried not to frown as she watched the dance come to an end. James had not returned to the ballroom, but many people were enjoying themselves, nonetheless. Obviously, the host needn’t be present.
Amelia came toward them as she exited the dance floor. “I must have a drink and a seat.” She scooped up a cup of punch and promptly sat in the closest chair.
Joanna rolled her eyes. “You cannot be complaining that you are so sought after.”
“I can.” Amelia took a gulp of punch and then followed that with a proper sip. “I may have many partners, but it appears that you have caught the attention of the duke himself.”
She schooled her features to show no reaction. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t pretend ignorance. You are far too intelligent for that. He danced the second waltz of the evening with you. No, that’s not what happened.” Amelia took another sip of punch. “He took you out on the floor for a waltz and transported both of you into a world of your own.”
She forced a chuckle. “You exaggerate. We did nothing but waltz. We’ve simply done so before, so we know each other’s nuances.”
Amelia shook her head. “That’s not it, and I’m fairly certain you know that. Everyone is talking about it.”
Involuntarily, she scanned the room as if she could hear what every conversation was about. She looked down at her sister. “I highly doubt that.”
“And then to take you out in the garden.” Amelia took another sip, but she looked up through her lashes with knowing eyes. “That was quite unprecedented.”
“Surely after an energetic dance, your partner, if solicitous, walked you outside to cool off.”
Amelia lifted her right shoulder and let it drop. “I suppose, but I doubt my dance partners have ever looked so purposeful.” She lowered her voice. “Did he kiss you?”
She sucked in her breath. “Is that what everyone thinks?”
“I have no idea what’s on the minds of these people. What I can tell you is that you and the duke make an exquisite couple, speaking on an aesthetic level.”
Her heart leapt at her sister’s evaluation. “As that is just on an appearance level, I will take that as a compliment. However, it hardly means the duke has an interest in me. In fact, he was quick to head to the stables while I spoke with Mariel. Something about a new foal.” She waved her hand as if her heart wasn’t beating faster than a race horse at Ascot.
Amelia studied her. “The stables? Very well, I will be sure to explain it as such.”
“Explain…never mind. It was a dance. That’s all.” It was far more than a simple dance. It was far more than a simple kiss. An explanation she’d read inthe bookcame to mind. It had said there were many types of kisses. She needed to check that again before she slipped it inside and see if she could identify the kiss. Had it simply been passion that brought their lips together or was it something more?
As if he’d heard her thinking about him, he strode into the ballroom from the inside doors. Before she could think to tell him of Mariel’s explanation, her older sister was at his side, chatting with him, obviously anxious to protect her reputation.
Amelia rose and stood next to her. “We are very lucky to have a sister like Mariel.”
She silently agreed. Too much attention had been stirred by her dance with James. She’d have to wait until dinner to slip out and retrieve the book. If she could find a minute or two to look up the explanation on kisses, she would.
“Come with me. I need to tidy up.”
At Amelia’s request, she nodded, and followed her sister out of the ballroom and down the corridor where a room had been set up for the ladies. They were about to enter when Lady Preston tapped her on the arm. “Lady Joanna, may I speak with you?”
As this was another mother of one of her soon-to-be students, she was quick to assent. “Yes, of course.”
The older lady looked about then motioned toward the parlor, its door open and showing it as empty of guests.
Guessing it must have to do with the school if the woman was so careful as to keep their conversation private, she was happy to repair there. As long as the woman didn’t pull her daughter from the school, Joanna would welcome any conversation about it.
