Her expression pinched and her voice rose. “That is ludicrous!”
Dancers on either side jerked their gazes towards Miss Barrows, but the lady waved a hand in their direction, as though dismissing the lot of them. Their attention waned, but Simon felt their regard as they feigned disinterest.
Tugging at his cravat, Simon tried to loosen it as he prayed the others would pay them no more heed. The last thing he needed was to stir up rumors about a heated discussion between him and a lady who was not his wife. The gossipmongers were still feasting on the mess he’d made withthat woman, and there was no need to throw them fresh meat. His gaze turned to Mina, but she was still in discussion with Lady Lovell.
Miss Barrows was caught up in her thoughts, and Simon was pleased to let the silence linger between them as the dance moved along. The steps were simple enough that they required little thought, and he was grateful for the respite. He cleared his throat and resisted the urge to remove his cravat (though the wretched thing seemed determined to strangle him).
Simon prayed Finch would forgive him for having spilled those secrets, but he couldn’t remain silent when the fellow was determined to be a fool.
“My thanks, Mr. Kingsley.”
“For rescuing you from an unsuitable dance partner or for the insight into my dunderhead of a friend?” Simon asked with a smile, which she answered with one of her own.
“I don’t know if I can give thanks for the first, as you called my wits into question while doing so,” she replied with a narrowed gaze, though her eyes sparkled with laughter.
“Perhaps if we expand on your poor qualities enough, the fortune hunters might leave you be. We could invent a whole list of revolting habits bound to scare them away.”
Miss Barrows sighed. “I fear it only entices them. The less desirable I seem, the more they believe they have a chance at gaining my favor.”
“I knew a fellow who loved to drone on about himself without a dash of inflection. Few could stand his company for more than five minutes.”
Miss Barrows gave him an arched brow. “So, I am to bore my suitors away?”
Simon’s own brows matched hers. “Perhaps. Or you could prove yourself unsuitable for society.”
Her smile grew. “I could take up smoking and fisticuffs or riding astride and cursing like a sailor.”
Simon laughed at that image and shook his head. “Perhaps not. Unless you wish to become a pariah.”
“Best not then,” she said with a chuckle, her steps growing lighter. “I suppose patience is the only answer. No doubt I will find some peace eventually.”
The last strains of the song came to a close, ending their set, and Simon gave her a low bow. “I do hope your peace comes far sooner than that, Miss Barrows. Yours and Finch’s.”
Miss Barrows curtsied and squeezed his hand. “I live in hope.”
Before he could escort her from the dance floor, Mr. Drake appeared at Simon’s elbow.
“Would you mind introducing me to your charming dance partner, Mr. Kingsley?” he asked with a pointed look to Simon’s left. Miss Barrows did not see it, but Simon followed the gaze to see Finch standing there with an expectant look, nodding at Simon to do as Mr. Drake asked.
Simon provided the necessary greetings, and Mr. Drake immediately seized the opportunity to claim the next set with Miss Barrows. A younger gentleman had been moving in their direction, but he veered away when Miss Barrows took Mr. Drake’s arm. The gentleman gave Miss Barrows a kindly smile, and Simon left the pair to their conversation about Mr. Drake’s wife and children and Miss Barrows’ visit to Bristow.
Chapter 31
“That was nicely done, Finch,” said Mina, as the two of them stood to the side, watching Miss Barrows and Mr. Drake take their place in the figure.
“I have no idea what you mean,” he said, though they both knew that was a fib.
Let him pretend if he wished. Matters of the heart resolved in their due course, and Mina felt no need to hurry them along. Unless the pair proved incapable of mending things, in which case she felt no compunction over prodding them in the proper direction. But it did her good to see Finch making the effort. Hope was not lost as long as they both cared, and a gentleman did not go to such lengths without his heart being engaged.
Simon left his former partner in Mr. Drake’s care and turned his attention to Mina. His gaze held hers as he wove through the assembly room, and her cheeks pinked. She could not help it. Her husband could discompose her as no one else could, and Mina grinned like a fool as he joined her.
“Miss Barrows is a fine lady and an enjoyable companion,” he said with a decisive nod, as though expecting some opposition to that statement.
Holding her breath, Mina prayed her husband would leave it be. The adorable man meant well, but pestering Finch or Miss Barrows was not the solution. Simon gave his friend a pointed look, but Finch refused to meet his eye, choosing to watch the dancers. Or rather, one particular dancer.
“Simon.” She detested chiding him, but he was so determined to swoop in and resolve everything immediately, and these situations were far too precarious for heavy-handed approaches.
Her husband straightened, meeting her gaze with a wide-eyed look. “Not that I hold Miss Barrows in special regard.”
