She also didn’t believe there was a “one.” She’d never witnessed the sort of love the poets praised. Lust, yes. Love, no.
Gently, she suggested, “The handsome ones do make you feel that way, but give it time. Learn to know his character.”
Cassandra grabbed Leonie’s arm. “My feelings for him run deeper than that. Someday you will know how I feel when you find ‘the one.’ There isn’t any of us who wants to be alone, not really. I mean, the three of us have all said we could manage, but when I was dancing with Camberly, I thought, yes, this is where I belong...” Her voice trailed off in a sigh.
“Excuse me, Miss Holwell?” a deep voice interrupted them. A strapping young man with a Viking’s blond hair stood before Cassandra. He, too, was inches taller than her. “Will you give me the honor of this dance?”
Cassandra’s immediate response was a frown. She made a begrudging introduction to Leonie. “This is Lord Dewsberry. He and my family have been neighbors of sorts in Cornwall forever. My lord, this is my good friend Miss Charnock.”
Thiswas the man Cassandra was avoiding. If he’d been a short, pock-faced, squeaky thing, Leonie could understand her friend’s complaints about him. However, Dewsberry was certainly as handsome in his way—well, there was the nose that had obviously been broken a time or two—as the Duke of Camberly.
Dewsberry bowed over the hand Leonie offered. “Of course, I have heard of you, Miss Charnock. Those who praise your beauty have not exaggerated.”
His compliment sounded a bit rote but Leonie didn’t mind. She was more bemused that he seemed obviously smitten with Cassandra... while Cassandra appeared anxious to avoid him. Perhaps if they had not been neighbors?
“Why have we not met before, my lord?” Leonie asked. Cassandra had never mentioned him.
“I spent time in the Canadian wilderness seeing to family interests and then my father died and we have been in mourning.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you for your kind thoughts.” He looked to Cassandra. “The set is starting. Will you come? You have not danced with me this evening.”
“I haven’t seen you dance at all, my lord,” Cassandra complained. They spoke with the familiarity of people who had run around in nappies together.
“I am honored you noticed,” he answered. “Flattered actually.” Leonie almost laughed at the way Cassandra reacted, as if she could bite her tongue for having said such a thing.
Lord Dewsberry offered his arm. “Come on, Cass.”
She did not take his arm. “I detest being call Cass.”
“Come along,Cassie?” He was prodding now. Leonie rather liked his spirit because everyone knew she hated “Cassie” most of all.
“Soren, what is my name?”
He grinned as if he’d known this was the way to earn her full attention upon him. “Miss Holwell,” he said easily, “will you join me on the dance floor?”
“I wish I could but then that would leave Miss Charnock alone,” Cassandra announced, but Leonie would have none of that. She rather liked Lord Dewsberry.
“Please, Cassandra, don’t worry. I am returning to my mother’s side.” Leonie had no idea if her mother was there or not. She just didn’t want the handsome Lord Dewsberry to be crestfallen on her account.
“Well—” Cassandra started, ready to have another excuse, but Lord Dewsberry interrupted her.
“Capital,” he answered, seizing the answer he wanted before she could give him the one he didn’t.
Cassandra groaned. “Don’t talk that way,” she chastised as he took Cassandra’s hand, practically dragging her to the dance floor.
Leonie looked at the other couples. Willa was paired with the handsome Camberly. They appeared almost comical together with him so tall and her so petite. Lady Bettina was shooting daggers at Willa with her eyes. Clearly, Cassandra wasn’t Camberly’s only conquest. Leonie wondered what Willa would say about him. She didn’t seem impressed.
Roman wasn’t amongst the dancers.
Had he left?
She didn’t dare search him out. In fact, she was diligently working to not make eye contact with any other gentleman. She was suddenly exhausted. Ducking her head, she made her way to the card room.
Fortunately, her father, too, was ready to leave. His luck had not lasted. He’d lost all that he’d won. They decided to take their leave.
Her father did not inquire about her mother’s whereabouts and Leonie had learned long ago not to ask questions. She might not like the answer.
