Meg turned and stood on tiptoes to get a better look. “Why, Sarah Highgate. You’ve been holding out on me. You told me he was handsome, but dear heavens, you failed to mention he looked likethat.”
“I’ve never seen him cleanly shaven before,” Sarah answered lamely.
Meg swayed on her tiptoes. “I could swear I’ve met him before. The name was familiar, but I feel as if I would have rememberedhim.”
“It looks as though he’s taken some of my advice.”
“Hoby’s? Martin’s? Yardley’s?”
“And Weston’s,” Sarah replied.
“Very well.” Meg straightened her shoulders. “What can we do to help this poor soul? I’m willing to sacrifice myself.”
Sarah laughed at her friend’s antics. They both knew that Meg was madly in love with Hart, but it never stopped her from jesting about other handsome gentlemen. Just as Sarah was destined to marry Branford, Hart needed to marry well. And a penniless daughter of a baron, whose father happened to be their father’s sworn enemy, wasn’t exactly future countess material. No matter how much Sarah loved her friend, she knew her parents would never approve the match. And Hart had never seemed to even notice poor Meg.
“He’s looking quite fine,” Sarah said, glancing back at Christian again. “But I know he’ll need our help.” She gestured for her friend to come closer. “Here’s what I want you to do.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
When a small woman with bright green eyes and a riot of blond curls atop her head came sidling up to Christian, at first he thought little of it. He was concentrating on keeping his breathing straight with so many pairs of eyes on him. He’d no idea what a difference a haircut and some clothing could make, but by God, so far everything that Sarah had told him was paying off in spades. His appearance here tonight was certainly the first time an entire ballroom full of people had turned to look at him.
Lucy had promised she’d remain by his side, but he knew at some point he would have to brave the masses and ask some of these ladies to dance. Speak to them, hopefullysansstutter. Blast. It had all seemed so much easier with Sarah in Scotland.
When the tiny pink-clad woman tapped him on the shoulder, he turned to look at her with a frown. Did he know her? She was a pretty little thing, but no, he didn’t recognize her. “Yes?” he asked, blinking at her. For some reason, she didn’t make him nervous either. Perhaps it was the smeared chocolate on her décolletage that set him at ease in her presence. She was too small and cute to make him nervous. She reminded him of a kitten.
“I’m Meg Timmons,” she informed him. “Lady Sarah sent me.”
Sarah sent her? No wonder this young woman didn’t make him nervous. He glanced around the room but didn’t see Sarah. Where was she?
Lucy, who’d been keeping a close eye on him, leaned forward. “Ah, Miss Timmons. How lovely to see you. Do you know my friend Lord Berkeley?”
“I do not,” Meg replied, clearly relieved at Lucy’s having performed the proper introductions.
“I’m certain Miss Timmons would like to dance. Wouldn’t you, Miss Timmons?” Lucy continued.
“I would indeed,” Miss Timmons replied with a curtsy.
Christian cleared his throat. Obviously Miss Timmons had been sent by Sarah to ease him into the ball. No doubt she’d witnessed the commotion his entrance had made. He had to smile to himself. Sarah was indeed intent upon keeping her end of the bargain after all these months.
“I’d be honored if you would dance with me,” he said, entirely without stuttering. “If you would be so kind, Miss Timmons.”
“I’d love it,” Miss Timmons replied. Her smile was bright and infectious. He couldn’t imagine any man stammering in her presence. Sarah had sent the perfect friend to help him. But he remembered what she had said about Meg being hopelessly in love with another man. Meg was here as an emissary only. She wasn’t someone suitable to court.
He led the young woman to the dance floor and whirled her around in time to the music.
“How is your friend Lady Sarah?” he asked after they’d been around the floor once.
“She is doing quite well, my lord. In fact, she has a message for you.”
“Does she?”
“Yes, she says to remember your dance in Scotland and to pretend you’re there with her.”
Christian’s chest tightened. Sarah had remembered that he would be anxious and that his stutter would return in a crowd full of ladies. Especially ladies he was meant to court. Another reason her choice of Meg to approach him was perfect.
“She also wants you to take note of that young woman standing in the group just near the refreshment table.”
Christian glanced about to locate the group in question. There was a small blond woman standing in the middle of what appeared to be a dozen suitors. She was pretty and smiling and laughing, obviously holding court.
