“I’ve noticed that Lord Harewood watches people.” Sophie blushed. “I do too, which is why I took note of his behavior. I would suggest that in seeing those ladies walk away from you, he may have been curious as to why and so engaged you in conversation.”
At Sophie’s suggestion, she found herself relaxing. That had to be it. The puzzle of Lord Harewood had been solved. “I do believe you’re right. That explains it very nicely.”
Sophie released her hand and smiled. “I’m so pleased I could help.”
“Well done, Sophie.” Ellie rose. “I suppose we should return to the ball now.”
“I hear music.” Georgie rose quickly, brushing out the skirts of her dress. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to dance once more. I so enjoy dancing.”
They were all aware that Georgie loved dancing. They also knew she only seemed to be asked once at every ball. If she were to be asked again, it would most definitely make her season.None of them were much sought after, which was odd, especially since Elsbeth had married.
She’d thought that would help the reputation of her school, as had her mother. “I’ll be quite happy to watch you. You do dance beautifully.”
Georgie hooked arms with her. “Thank you, Dory.”
As the four of them descended the grand stairs, she secretly hoped no one would ask her to dance. Dancing was not one of her better skills. Neither was conversation, for that matter. Now that she thought on it, she wasn’t quite sure shehadany skills. It was definitely something to ponder. Since skills were required in a wife and she wished to be one, she needed to inventory those she had. Perhaps she could become an expert in a few. Why had she never realized her lack of skills? The answer was obvious. She rarely contemplated herself when there were so many other people and subjects about which to think upon. Why, just the other day she had wondered why the Serpentine had been created…
Chapter Three
“Felton, did youhear me?”
At his mother’s irritated tone, Felton set his half-eaten toast back on his plate and directed his gaze toward her. What had she been going on about again? So lost in his musings over the quandary of Lady Dorothea, he hadn’t paid that much attention. “Of course I heard you. I was just waiting for you to be more specific.”
His mother widened her eyes incredulously, which unfortunately made them the largest feature of her face, giving her a bird-like appearance. “What more specificity do you need beyond asking for your presence at our house party starting next weekend at Sunnydale?”
Just when he’d thought the tedious season was over, it appeared he must endure one more fete. “As you know, I have much to attend to at Denton Hall. What days in particular do you require my presence?”
“All of them.” His mother’s words came out in an angry huff. “Whatever business you need to accomplish, do so at another time. To ease your mind, it is only a fortnight and the guest list is quite selective. I even included Lord Sommerset to keep you from being a bear. Your support of your sister will be much appreciated.”
He glanced at Rose, who sat across from him as they broke their fast. Her cheeks colored prettily.
“Need me for more introductions, do you?”
Despite her embarrassment over being the sole reason for the party, she stuck her tongue out at him like she had when she was just a child.
He chuckled. “Very well. I shall do all in my power to set you on a pedestal before my peers. Just try not to drool.”
He turned to his mother just as a napkin hit his chest. He glanced sideways at Rose, letting her know with a look that he’d be returning the favor at another time. “Mother, it will be an honor to advance my sister’s marriage prospects. Do you have a list of those who have accepted the invitations? I still have a sennight to make the acquaintance of those I may not know yet.”
His mother put down her cup of cocoa and patted at her lips with her own napkin before replying. “There may be one or two on the list with whom you are not as familiar, but it is difficult to know who is a member of your club and who is not.” The censure was clear in her tone. She had no use of gentlemen’s clubs, assuming they were like the gaming hells of London. He was quite sure his father, who was unusually absent this morning, had made it seem so on purpose, and he had no intention of enlightening her.
His mother rose. “I will retrieve the list from the parlor desk. The keys are in your father’s study.”
As soon as she left the dining room, a scone bounced off his cheek. “Damnation.”
Rose slapped her hand on the table. “‘Drool’? Truly? You can be such a bore.”
“And you, sister, can be such a child.”
She grinned even as she lifted another scone from her plate. “It’s my prerogative as the youngest.”
He held both hands out in front of him to defend himself from the missile about to be thrown. “I appreciate your position,but I don’t think Raleigh will enjoy cleaning my waistcoat…again.”
“Very well.” Setting the scone back on her plate, she sighed. “I wish Mother weren’t holding this party. I know she means well, but ever since Father said I could attend the Belinda School for Curious Ladies if I have no proposal by the end of the season, she has been almostdesperateto see me proposed to.”
He stiffened as dread filled him. “Father cannot allow that.” They couldn’t let Rose attend the Belinda School, especially when he hadn’t created a plan yet to make the ladies there sought after.
“I know. To be sure, I don’t think he’d accept a proposal at this late date, anyway. Thank you for seeing my dilemma. There is always next season. Maybe then, after a term at the school, I will have something of interest to convey in a conversation. We all know I’m quite boring.”
