Chapter Four
The days werebusy with trips to the modiste, the milliner, and others as the first official ball of the new season was about to happen. When she entered the drawing room to meet Arthur and Daphne, she knew she’d done well in her preparations. Her hair was pulled off her shoulders in an elegant style. She wore her new deep-blue gown.
“You look beautiful, cousin,” Arthur said with a smile.
She knew right then she looked better than before. Her cousin wasn’t one to hand out compliments unless he meant it. “Thank you.”
“Are we ready to leave then?” Daphne asked. She was wearing a gorgeous emerald colored gown. Harriet was sure her cousin’s wife could not look bad, no matter what she wore.
“I know I am,” Harriet said.
“Ladies, shall we?” Arthur inquired. “The carriage is awaiting us.”
Harriet was awestruck as they pulled up in front of the Duke of Northumberland’s home. Candles were lit in every window of the house, along with torches lining the walkway. To her it looked like a magical place, something out of a romance novel, leaving her to feel the night was going to be special.
She could have spent more time admiring the house, but before she knew it she was entering the ballroom, which was already filling up fast. She recognized more people than she thought she would. As before, Arthur signed her dance cardin hopes of encouraging other young men into doing the same thing.
Recognizing Winifred standing in a small group of young ladies, she made her way to her new friend. As Harriet neared, she noticed a couple of the girls were the very ones who mocked her during her debut season. The other one she knew by sight but had never spoken with. A part of her wanted to flee, but she was determined that this season was going to be different.
Nearing the group, a pale-blonde in a bold yellow smirked. “Back for another disappointing season?”
Harriet placed herself next to Winifred, thinking she would be her savior again. “I’m back but it’s going to be far from disappointing.”
She glanced at Winifred and said hello, but Winifred pretended to be deep in conversation with the woman she wasn’t familiar with. Harriet dismissed any thoughts of friendship.
“I imagine no one has signed your dance card?” another snickered. This young lady had buttercup-colored hair and wore a moss-green dress.
“Only my cousin,” Harriet replied.
“Pity,” the pale blonde said before turning her attention to the girl next to her.
Now Harriet was seriously considering leaving and hiding for a while. Before she could, Daphne walked up to the group.
“Here you are, Harriet. Come with me. There’s someone Arthur wants to introduce you to.”
The group appeared confused because they still thought Harriet could not gain the attention of any man. Daphne and Harriet walked quietly until they were out of hearing distance of the women.
“I don’t understand. I thought Winifred and I got along well. She wouldn’t even talk to me just now.”
“Don’t concern yourself with that. You’re about to be introduced to the Duke of Northumberland’s son and heir. He asked Arthur to introduce you to him.”
“What?” Harriet stammered. “What is his name?”
“Lucien.”
“He’s not that young man talking with Arthur, is he?”
“That’s him,” Daphne replied, indicating a tall, black-haired young man. His hair fell to the bottom of his collar.
“Why would he ever want to meet me, let alone speak to me?”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
A moment later she was standing in front of Lord Lucien Kingston, heir to the Duke of Northumberland. His striking good looks took her breath away. He asked her all the usual questions before asking her for a dance later but inquiring if she’d like to dance the one that had just started. She looked towards Arthur to make sure it was acceptable. He quietly nodded and Lord Lucien took Harriet’s hand and placed it on his forearm. Trying not to smile, Harriet walked alongside him. This had to be a dream. It couldn’t be real. From the faces of various young ladies they passed, she realized it wasn’t a dream and they were green with envy.
He took her in his arms once on the dance floor just before the musicians started playing a lively dance. She tried not to stare, but being this close to a man as breathtakingly handsome as Lord Lucien was made it near impossible.
“Your cousin tells me you’re staying with them through the season.”
