“You haven’t told her of Papa’s agreement with Viscount Dudley?” Sebastian asked sharply.
“Of course not,” Quinn said in irritation. “I’ve not mentioned anything having to do with the viscount or Papa’s dealings with him.”
Sebastian nodded. “I just don’t want her hurt by this whole mess. Better she think the marriage was always arranged.”
“I don’t agree, but I am respecting Papa’s wishes in the matter.”
“That’s all either of us can do.”
Quinn leveled a stare at Sebastian. “You owe it to her to call Stuart off. Let her enjoy the season.”
Sebastian nodded. “I’ll take care of it. You go tell Jenna she is free to attend the ball without worry over Stuart.”
Quinn smiled. “That will make her happy, and that is all I want.”
“Me too,” Sebastian murmured.
###
Jenna dressed for the ball feeling a good deal lighter than she had earlier in the day. Stuart was no longer an issue, at least for the present, and she was free to enjoy the last waning moments of her freedom. She already regretted her outburst, and would at first chance apologize to Sebastian. It wouldn’t do for him to know the extent of her discontent. She would play the whole thing off as pre-nuptial jitters.
Promptly at eight, Quinn knocked on her door, and she made haste to go and meet him. She collected her fan and stole a quick glance in the mirror at her upswept hair before opening the door.
Quinn whistled when he caught sight of her. “You look exquisite.”
She smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Your partisanship is appreciated.” But still, the compliment thrilled her. She’d taken care in her appearance, donning her favorite peach silk dress and arranging her hair in the newest style. And now that Stuart would be nowhere near her tonight, she could relax and enjoy the evening. And look forward to her first rendezvous with Gray.
They hurried downstairs and Quinn handed her in to the waiting carriage. He and Sebastian climbed in behind her, and they set off for Lady Lockhart’s residence on Curzon Street.
“You look lovely,” Sebastian complimented.
She smiled at her older brother. “Thank you, Sebastian. And thank you for understanding. I do not know what came over me. I suppose I am a bit nervous with the wedding so close at hand.”
He reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “I only want what’s best for you, Sprite.”
She smiled at the name she’d been called since she was a child. Sebastian, Quinn, and Stuart had taken to calling her that during the endless summers she had spent following them around.
Several minutes later, their carriage rolled to a stop, and a footman opened the door and lowered the step. Sebastian climbed down and offered his hand to Jenna. He escorted her in and through the receiving line before stopping in the ballroom for Quinn to catch up.
“I will relinquish you now,” Sebastian said to Jenna. “But I won’t ever be very far.” He kissed her hand and walked slowly away.
Jenna turned to Quinn, a wide smile on her face. “I suppose I have you to thank for Sebastian’s change of heart.”
“He wants your happiness every bit as much as I do.”“Well, come then. Escort me across the room. I want a spot where I can see the entrance.”
He took her arm, and they made their way through the crowd. They paused to converse with acquaintances along the way before ending up across the floor from the entryway.
When they stopped, several gentlemen immediately came over to reserve a dance with Jenna. She smiled welcomingly at them and accommodated each of their requests. As she looked beyond their heads to the entrance, her smile froze, and her gaze riveted on the man greeting Lady Lockhart.
Dear heavens, it wasGray. And he was coming in her direction. Their eyes locked across the crowded ballroom, and the rest of the room disappeared for Jenna.
“I say, Lady Jenna. Are you ailing?”
She turned hastily to the gentleman who was speaking to her. Offering him a bright smile she said, “I am fine. Do be a dear and fetch me some lemonade.” Then to Quinn she murmured, “I have need of the retiring room. I shall be but a moment.”
Avoiding his questioning look, she hurried away. She slipped into the lady’s retiring room and stopped in front of the washbasin. Dipping a face cloth in the cool water, she dabbed at her flushed forehead.
She checked her appearance in the mirror, willing the high color in her cheeks to return to normal. He was here. The man she’d asked to become her lover was here. She’d tried to put her scheduled meeting with him tonight to the back of her mind, though she had thought of little else, but now it was shoved to the forefront in one startling moment.
