“I haven’t even told you why or what for,” Purity protested.
“Who needs a reason?” the countess asked. “It’s the social season, and there are plenty of people looking for a place to be festive. Shall we, Diamond?”
“Whatever you want, my love,” he returned. “You ladies figure it all out in that magnificent way you have, send me the bills, and tell me when to show up.”
Chapter Eleven
Matthew tried to shake off the shimmers, as he called the case of nerves. He hadn’t felt the like in ... actually, never. Usually, he strolled into an assembly with the confidence of a single man about town who needed nothing and no one. And he often left with the female of his choice or at least with her agreement to meet discreetly later.
While somewhat surprised, he had been beyond pleased to receive an invitation to a party at the Diamonds’ residence. The earl and his countess were known as excellent hosts. Naturally, he concluded he was there at Purity’s behest. And thus, with his pleasure came a little nervousness. More than he’d ever felt in his life, he wanted her to like him.
If Purity believed him up to snuff in terms of his manners to be in her parents’ home and at their table, that was one thing, a rather good thing, at that. However, if she also wished to partner with him while dining, then he would know he was making slow but sure headway, like a ship sailing into the wind.
Unfortunately, on the appointed night, once Matthew arrived, he did not feel singled out despite having kissed her recently in the very room in which he now stood. Upon entering, he soon realized he was one of many unmarried men, including that oaf Emberry and even Quinn.
“Well met,” he said, shaking hands with the latter and helping himself to a glass of claret. “This is an unexpected gathering.”
“How so?” Quinn asked.
“I didn’t see upon the invitation any mention that this was an assembly of the desperately single.”
Quinn laughed. “You must not have looked closely enough, old chap. Besides, why else didyoucome?”
Foxford shrugged. “Curiosity, I suppose.” He wasn’t going to mention how he would go to the ends of the earth if Purity asked him.
“There’s Pearson,” he added as the viscount strolled in. “I suppose he had to be invited, given his title and fortune, but I swear the man could send a chattering monkey into a stupor of somnambulance within seconds. I can hardly keep my eyes open merely looking at him.”
“You’re in fine form tonight. Irritated that you won’t have the Diamond daughter all to yourself?”
Foxford made a face. “And how did you get on the guest list?”
“I have you to thank, don’t you think?” Quinn said. “I must have made such a good impression on your lady when you introduced me at the Tisendale ball.”
“You must have. It certainly wasn’t your behavior at Vauxhall.” Foxford was a little sore at Quinn for that debacle, as his friend had brought the three doxies over while Matthew was hunting down Purity with no luck.
Quinn winced. “I forgot she witnessed that.”
“What she didn’t witness,The Timesthoughtfully filled in.”
Quinn lifted his glass in a toast. “Ah, yes. I made out slightly less debauched by going home with only one game pullet.”
“I didn’t go home with any of them,” Matthew insisted, but he could see even his friend didn’t believe him. “In any case, I explained —”
He interrupted himself when the double doors to the drawing room opened and a bouquet of young ladies entered at once.
What a silly, fantastical, wonderful idea, he thought, to have all the ladies enter as a group. Yet it did none of the other females any good. His glance fell upon Purity and stayed there. Clad in a plum satin with silver trim, she was every inch a shining jewel.
“Breathtaking,” he murmured.
“Which one?” Quinn asked. “Or all of them?”
Matthew didn’t answer nor did he move. Most of the men took a step in the ladies’ direction toward one or the other, but he wasn’t most men. He watched the majority close in upon Purity, yet she waved them aside, nodding politely but parting them like tall grass. To his delight, she came over to where he and Quinn stood.
“Good evening, fair lady,” Quinn said first.
“Good evening, my lord. So glad you could come.”
And then she was all his. Matthew waited for the moment she held out her hand to him, the only man to whom she had given the favor.
