Before she could respond to that nonsense, although he wasn’t exactly off the mark, the music drew to an end. After dipping into a curtsy as Gideon bowed over her hand, she took the arm he extended her, and together they began moving off the ballroom floor.
Her feet began to drag when she suddenly realized there were numerous gentlemen watching her with what seemed to be smiles of anticipation on their faces, which left the distinct impression they wanted a moment of her time and also suggested that Gideon had been right in that society was now quite ready to fully embrace her—a notion that left her oddly unsettled.
Twenty-One
Resisting the urge to flee in the opposite direction, Adelaide kept a smile firmly in place, relief flowing freely when, before any of the gentlemen had an opportunity to single her out, Camilla materialized by her side. After exchanging curtsies, quite as if they were merely friends greeting each other, Camilla turned to Gideon, who immediately took hold of her gloved hand and placed a kiss on her fingers.
“By your smile,” Gideon began, “I have to think you’re pleased with how the evening is already unfolding.”
Camilla’s eyes sparkled. “Pleased is putting it mildly because that was an almost flawless performance on the dance floor, except for a few stumbles and an occasional frown, something I doubt anyone took notice of because everyone is tittering about your attention to Adelaide as well as the fact you sought her outalmostthe second she entered the ballroom.” She turned to Adelaide. “As I’d hoped, you’re the talk of the ball, but you mustn’t linger with Gideon. Gentlemen are even now waiting to add their names to your dance card, so off you go.”
Adelaide shot a glance to the gentlemen in question, refusing a shudder when the gentleman still perusing her with hismonocle sent her a wave. She sent him what she hoped wasn’t a weak smile in return before she leaned closer to Camilla. “I’m not certain I’m up for taking on an entire onslaught of gentlemen right now.”
“Of course you are, and you’re going to use the onslaught right this very minute to further cement the idea you’re now a most sought-after lady about town and certainly never should have faced societal ostracization in the first place.”
The inclination to balk was immediate, but before she had an opportunity to do exactly that, Camilla gave her a less than subtle nudge toward the waiting gentlemen.
Sending Gideon a last glance, one he didn’t notice because his eyes were narrowed on the gentlemen she was expected to approach, Adelaide forced another smile and began strolling into motion as she heard Camilla mention something about Gideon using a scowl to great effect, adding in a bit about him not needing additional acting lessons after all because he now looked somewhat menacing, which was surely going to lend everyone the impression he was completely enthralled with Adelaide.
There was a part of her that couldn’t help but wish that was actually true, while another part of her, the sane part, cautioned her against longing for any such thing, because it was sheer idiocy, given that Gideon wasn’t enthralled at all but was merely playing a part in Camilla’s grand scheme.
Pushing aside her fairly depressing thoughts, she plowed onward, forced to a stop when Mrs. Thurman Chandler, the former Miss Suzette Tilden, stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
Adelaide refused to allow her smile to slip, even though Suzette had been the bane of her existence for years, until she’d tried to douse Adelaide with punch during the Newport Season and Gwendolyn Brinley had not only stopped her but also drawn attention to the antics young ladies got up to as theytraversed the marriage mart. Fortunately for Suzette, Gwendolyn had an eye for matches and had pointed out the obvious to Suzette toward the end of the previous summer, which was why Suzette was no longer on the marriage mart, although why she was now smiling at Adelaide was definitely a reason to proceed with caution because one never knew what devious plots Suzette was up to at any given moment.
“My dear Adelaide,” Suzette purred, reaching out and taking hold of Adelaide’s hand. “It’s been ages since we’ve spoken, and my oh my how you’ve ... changed.”
Adelaide tried to retrieve her hand, giving up when Suzette tightened her grip. “I haven’t changed that much” was all she could think to respond.
“On the contrary,” Suzette argued. “During all the many, many,manySeasons you’ve been out, you never attracted the notice of a man like Mr. Gideon Abbott before, nor any other worthy gentleman, but tonight, well, the gentlemen seem to be lining up in the hopes of you granting them time in your ... interesting company.”
It was immediately evident that not everyone was keen to embrace her as one of the latest darlings of the Season.
Adelaide cleared her throat. “Always lovely to see you, Mrs. Chandler.”
She refused a wince when Suzette gave her hand an unusually firm squeeze before she released it and then gave her a less than gentle tap with her fan.
“Now, none of this Mrs. Chandler business. You must call me Suzette and you must agree to lunch with me at your earliest convenience so that we may catch up.” Suzette smiled, although it didn’t reach her eyes. “I assure you, I’m all aflutter to learn what you’ve been up to of late as well as learn how in the world you managed to endear yourself to Camilla Pierpont.”
“I’ll be certain to send a note around to arrange a time for what sounds like a delightful lunch.”
“See that you do,” Suzette said before she took Adelaide completely aback when she suddenly linked her arm with Adelaide’s. “With that out of the way, allow me to perform an introduction to a gentleman who’s incredibly anxious to become known to you.”
Given the way Suzette’s eyes were now gleaming in a malicious fashion, it wasn’t a stretch to conclude that the gentleman Suzette wanted to introduce her to would probably not be a man she’d want to spend time with.
“How very kind of you to want to introduce me around, Suzette,” Adelaide began. “However, I wouldn’t want to take up more of your time.”
“Nonsense,” Suzette countered. “It would be my pleasure to make you known to Mr. Dudley Paulding. Granted, he’s not firmly ensconced with the Four Hundred as of yet, but ladies are already whispering tonight about what a catch he is. Not only is he handsome, though in a somewhat common fashion, but he’s extremely wealthy and even owns his own yacht.”
“Stellar qualities to be sure.”
“I think so too,” Suzette said before she yanked Adelaide into motion, making a beeline for the man who’d been watching her every move through a monocle.
Thankfully, after performing a formal introduction to Mr. Dudley Paulding, Suzette sent Adelaide an innocent smile that wasn’t fooling Adelaide for a second before she dipped into a curtsy and wandered away, saying something about looking forward to lunching with Adelaide soon.
“My dear Miss Duveen,” Dudley said, drawing Adelaide’s attention. “May I dare hope you still have dances available, given that you arrived late to the ball and I haven’t seen you speaking with anyone but Mr. Abbott?”
Having no choice but to admit she did have available spots on her dance card since Dudley had been watching her far too closely, Adelaide slipped the card from her wrist and handedit to him, not wanting him to linger over her hand since he’d lingered a touch too long while Suzette performed introductions. Much to her relief, after he added his name with a flourish, additional gentlemen began clamoring for her attention, which gave her a credible reason to put some distance between herself and a man who seemed a little too enthusiastic about becoming better acquainted with her.
