“Yes, they were kind enough to volunteer to help me through the season,” she replied. “Have you known Arthur long?”
He nodded as he whirled them around the dance floor. “I’ve known him since our first year at Eton. We became fast friends because back then we were two uncoordinated young men.”
“I can’t imagine either of you uncoordinated.”
“It’s true, we were.” He paused. “How does Lady Harriet pass her time?”
Harriet felt a strange sensation run through her when she heard his baritone. There was something special about it. “I’m an only child, so I spent much of my childhood alone. I had to make up games to occupy my time when I wasn’t reading or painting.”
“Do you ride?”
“My mother would only allow me to ride sidesaddle. I find that dangerous, so I learned in secret to ride astride. I don’t get much opportunity because the stable manager was under strict orders to only allow me out using a sidesaddle.”
“Perhaps we could go riding in Hyde Park one afternoon. I promise you can ride in whatever saddle you wish.” He looked down at her with the most amazing set of dark-gray eyes. She’d never seen anyone with eyes that shade of gray.
“I would like that, Lord Lucien,” she replied. Harriet noted young debutantes along the side still watching in envy. Perhaps Daphne was right. This was going to be her year after all.
The dance ended way too soon. Lord Lucien was the first man outside of Arthur who actually engaged in conversation with her and spoke to her as though she had a brain.
“Would you care for some punch?” he asked after he led her off the dance floor.
“Yes, that sounds wonderful.”
He walked her to a couple of chairs nearby while he went to get refreshment for them. While she was waiting, she noticed that same group of young ladies watching her closely. Their faces said it all. They were unhappy. Harriet pretended she hadn’t seen them. Winifred was still with them which puzzled her.
When Lord Lucien returned, he handed her a cup of punch and sat down next to her. “This is quite refreshing,” he said.
“It is. May I ask what you do for a living?”
“Of course. When I’m not traveling to my family estates to check on them, I can be found at my factory. I make rail cars for private and public use.”
“That’s fascinating. Do you do custom cars for important people?”
“I do. The Prince of Wales commissioned us to build two cars for his personal use.”
“That’s amazing. I’d love to see one someday,” Harriet said.
Just then when they were having a pleasant conversation, a young man approached them. Lord Lucien seemed to know the young man well by the way he greeted her dance partner. As it turned out, there were some guests he wanted Lucien to meet. Harriet wasn’t sure if this was the truth or a way to rescue their friend.
Lucien seemed unsettled about leaving her alone, but Harriet promised him she’d find Daphne if nothing else. There were a couple of dances before her one dance with Arthur. She saw Lady Edwina, the Countess of Somerset beckon her. As she was walking towards the countess’s small group of ladies, she noted her instinct had been right. Winifred and her friends had managed to lure Lord Lucien their way. They were all acting like giggly schoolgirls.
The Countess of Somerset was a friend of her mother’s so Harriet knew anything she said would be reported back to her mother. “Lady Edwina, how nice to see you.”
“Harriet. It is so nice to see you. Your mother mentioned you were staying in London with your cousin. Perhaps you can come for tea soon.”
“That would be very nice indeed,” Harriet replied.
“I saw you dancing with Lord Lucien. He’s up to his usual stunts I see.”
Harriet arched a brow. “What stunts? I found him to be quite refreshing compared to a lot of the gentlemen here.”
“He dances with one and moves on to another, or in this case a group of young ladies. He can’t be trusted,” Lady Edwina trilled.
“I thought that’s what men were supposed to do at functions such as these.”
Lady Edwina sighed. “Poor Harriet. You’re still naïve as ever. I suppose your father is going to have to arrange a marriage for you because you simply cannot do it on your own.”
“I don’t think it’s fair to judge me so soon. This is one of the premier balls of the season.”
