Her brows lowered then she snapped her head back to meet his gaze. “If I fail in my goal, I will be silent for the rest of the event, whatever it will be.” She pointed at him. “But you must promise not to draw me out when I am silent, as you are wont to do.”
The back of his neck pricked at her deduction of his actions over the last couple of days. “I agree to respect your silence.”
“Good. So no more kisses and only three sentences.”
Even as he imagined what the fortnight would be like if she succeeded, he squelched the inclination to tell her she needn’t be that way with him. Her success would be the beginning of his success and that of Belinda’s school, and all the students there would benefit, including his sister. He could not ask for more. Itwas a simple solution that put all the work firmly on her small shoulders.
Even as guilt snaked its way into his conscience, he pushed it aside. Lady Dorothea would benefit as well, perhaps even garner a proposal. It stood to reason that she would make the change for the better.
But was it truly for the better?
Lady Dorothea moved toward him. “Thank you for thinking of me. Your sister said you are very different from what everyone thinks of you, and I can see she was correct. I’d best gather Lady Sommerset and begin practicing my new conversation skills.” She snapped her mouth shut and grinned, then strode outside.
For some reason, the triumph he’d expected to feel was missing. This was definitely not one of those moments of happiness, but it should have been. Not willing to contemplate the feeling any longer, he left the library and made his way down to the billiard room. He would help his father with his hosting duties and observe the men his mother hoped to pair with his sister. Perhaps one there could appreciate Lady Dorothea as well.
Chapter Ten
Dory happily enjoyedthe first course, white soup. She had come to dinner quite pleased with herself, and to celebrate had worn her favorite blue dress. It helped bring out the blue flecks in her hazel eyes, which made them more the norm.
She’d spent the rest of the afternoon with the ladies, most of whom seemed quite nice and many of whom she had spoken to during the season. She’d had to silence herself twice. It would have been once, but as Lady Arabella had asked her a question to involve her in the conversation, it would have been rude not to answer. She’d allowed herself many replies, but upon a longer response, promptly stopped conversing again.
Perfection had never been her forte, nor did she wish it, so her two lapses were a very good beginning. It had been difficult, though, and when sent to her room to rest before dinner, she’d found herself falling asleep almost instantly. But now refreshed, she was quite ready for the challenge of the meal, which should be much easier since they did all have to eat. It also helped that the Earl of Dearling, a handsome man with light-brown hair, dark-brown eyes, and a quick smile, was seated to her right. She’d never encountered him before he arrived at Sunnydale, so she could make a good first impression.
Unfortunately, on her left was Lord Leighhall, a viscount she’d spoken to before, but who had walked away from their conversation. He was quite handsome with his blue eyes, blondhair, and rather long sideburns, but his fair looks hid a poor disposition, in her opinion. He was the oldest of the single men by at least ten years. She planned to speak to him as little as possible, which made her exercise in conversation rather easy. In addition, across from her was Lord and Lady Sommerset, a Lord Manning, whom she knew of but had only been introduced to earlier, and Lady Arabella, whom she quite liked after getting to know her better in the parlor. The lady, with her chestnut hair and brown eyes, was unremarkable in appearance, but her demeanor was lively and very engaging.
However, she was not a little disappointed that Lord Harewood had been placed much farther down the table of twenty-four, next to his mother. She glanced his way to see him talking to the lady on his right. She had hoped he could witness her success at dinner, only because it was at his instruction that she engaged in such a difficult exercise.
“Tell me, Lady Dorothea. Can you give us a hint as to what activities we should expect over the coming weeks?”
Lord Dearling’s address had her turning her attention to him.
“I’m to understand you arrived early and perhaps have been privy to what entertainments Lord and Lady Enderly have devised, besides billiards, of course.” He smiled warmly at her, his interest in her reply absolute.
“To be sure, my lord, I’m not certain if I am to tell, but I can say that there will be many of the usual amusements, with a surprise or two.” Pleased she kept her answer to one sentence, she lifted her wine to take a small sip.
“The usual? Would you say you excel at all these usual activities?”
She set her glass down while shaking her head. “Oh, my, I fear I am quite horrid at pall-mall. I do think I may simply watch. I could not imagine anyone would wish to partner withme, for they are sure to lose.” Lord Dearling’s eyes widened in surprise, making her re-count her sentences, but she’d only spoken three. However, discussing her shortcomings wasn’t perhaps the best course.
“Then I hope you will allow me to offer you some instruction. We could be partners, as I find the enjoyment of the game is in the playing of it, not in the triumph.”
“And well you should, Dearling.” Lord Manning, who sat across from Lord Dearling, smirked. “As I recall, last time you played, more than one ball went missing in the pond.”
Lord Dearling frowned, obviously not as comfortable with his own shortcomings as she was with hers.
She wished to make him feel better about them. “Lord Manning, there is no need to worry about anyone’s balls falling into a pond, mine included.”
The man raised his dark eyebrows is question but didn’t speak. Though he had darker hair than Lord Dearling and brown eyes to match, he was far lighter than Lord Harewood.
“That’s because there is no pond for them to fall into.” She smiled, quite pleased with her rejoinder.
Lord Manning gave a pleased nod and lifted his glass to her. “Then I say, it shall be a very good game.”
As Lord Dearling had become engaged with the lady to his right, she instead focused on finishing her soup.
“Lady Dorothea, I was surprised to see you attending this grand fete.” Lord Leighhall’s statement required a response, so she placed her spoon back in her bowl and forced herself to politely reply.
“Why, my lord?”
