“Then he’s not competition,” Lord Black teased.
Harriet couldn’t help but glance at Winifred and roll her eyes. This man was impossible, but he did seem overly confident. All she wanted was a man who would talk to her in a meaningful way.
“Black, stop. You know good and well her cousin isn’t competition.”
He stuck his lower lip out as though his feelings were hurt. “You wound me, Lady Winifred.”
“Well, I see my aunt beckoning you. She must be going to scold you or have another young lady to flirt with.”
Black turned to leave. “Ladies, I look forward to our upcoming dances.”
As Harriet and Winifred watched him walk down the length of the dance floor towards her aunt, Harriet sighed.
“Is he always like that?”
“No, thank goodness. He means well, he just gets carried away. He’s actually well intentioned,” Winifred replied.
“You mean he tries too hard.”
“I suppose I do. He means well.”
“Should we walk to another part of the room? I believe most are congregating on the far side,” Harriet said.
Winifred giggled. “That’s because it’s near the food.”
“I should have been able to figure that out,” Harriet sighed.
This was what she got for not having a group of friends to help her with her confidence. Or even one or two close friendsshe could go to in order to complain about her mother. But her mother never allowed her to have any friends. She thought women were cutthroat when in packs of more than one. With her mother isolating her it kept Harriet from picking up what her mother called bad habits.
“It takes time. You’re smart, you just haven’t had a lot of contact with other young people.”
“No, and I can thank my mother for all the isolation I’ve had to endure,” Harriet replied.
Coming across a small gathering, Winifred began making introductions. During this, Harriet noticed her cousin Arthur approaching them. She wanted to laugh at how the others reacted to this handsome man.
“Lady Harriet, I believe it is time for our dance,” he said.
She put her gloved hand over the one he offered her. “You’re right, Your Grace.” He led her away from Winifred and the others and onto the dance floor. Arthur found a spot he liked and they got into position. Within moments he began to lead her around the dance floor with ease. Couples swirled by, but Harriet barely paid little attention to them.
“Are you enjoying yourself so far this evening? Arthur asked.
“So far so good. I’ve met a few young men. It was easier to talk with them than I imagined it would be.”
“Good, I’m happy to hear that. I have a couple of gentlemen I want to introduce you to.”
Trying to mask a horrified look, Harriet nodded slightly. “You have single friends here this evening? Please don’t tell me you’ve told them about my situation.”
“Of course I have single friends, but no I did not mention you to them. They simply received invitations like we did,” he replied.
“Oh.”
“Harriet, relax. Breathe. You’re doing so well and you dance better than most.”
She nodded and went back to concentrating on the dance. As the waltz was winding down, she noticed a pair of young men watching them. They weren’t as young as some of the others she’d been introduced to, but they seemed to be on the lookout for their ideal of a proper young woman.
As the dance came to an end, Arthur bowed handsomely and led her to the side where Daphne was standing. Probably a good thing because Winifred was entering the dance floor with a young man she’d not seen before. She seemed genuinely excited by this dance partner and Harriet wondered who he was.
“You looked so regal out there, Harriet. Your dancing is superb,” Daphne said with a warm smile.
