She didn’t know how she was going to get out of standing here and listening to Lady Edwina put her down. If her mother could have a twin, it would be Lady Edwina. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Arthur coming her way. He was smiling. It was time for their dance. Her savior.
“Good evening, ladies,” he said smartly. “If I may steal Lady Harriet for a few minutes, we have a dance.” He held out his arm to her and waited for her to put her hand on it.
“Yes, she needs to be seen more. Poor thing will never land a husband if she isn’t seen in the company of a man,” Lady Edwina said, in a judging tone. “Perhaps you and your duchess will have more luck than her poor mother did.”
“I have every faith in Lady Harriet,” Arthur said as he led Harriet in the direction of the dance floor.
“Thank you for rescuing me. If anyone could be my mother’s twin, it would be Lady Edwina.”
He grunted and the two of them began the waltz in the center of the room. “I noticed you danced and spent time talking with Lord Lucien. He rarely does that.”
“He is quite fascinating to talk to. Though I’m not sure now that I see the company he’s keeping.”
“Don’t pay them any attention. I can assure you they’re jealous you danced with him. He is very polite and would never dare slight anyone,” Arthur said.
“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
By the next time they swirled by the spot where Lord Lucien had been standing with the young ladies, he was gone. Harriet tried to make sure her glance was just that. The next time she caught a glimpse of him, he was deep in conversation with an older gentleman. Out of all the young men who’d sent her flowers, books, and candy, Lord Lucien outshone all of them. But she knew better than to get her hopes up. None of the gentlemen who’d shown a slight interest with her at the previous soiree had acknowledged her or else were not in attendance. Finding a spouse was hard work.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Arthur said, smiling.
She realized the dance was about over and she’d been somewhere else and not paying attention to her partner, even though he was her cousin. “It wouldn’t be worth it. I was just listening to the music.”
“It is very well played.”
The dance came to an end far quicker than she wanted. She wanted to hide as she came to the realization that the gentlemen who’d sent her gifts had merely been going through the motions as that ball had been to help shy ladies come out of their shell. That’s why they were ignoring her.
“Thank you, Arthur. You’re such a good dancer.”
“Don’t let Daphne know that. She’ll want me to dance with her even more. Speaking of Daphne, I’m going to take you to her so you’re not by yourself.”
“You’re such a gentleman, cousin,” Harriet replied.
As soon as Arthur took her to Daphne, Harriet noticed more young men glancing her way. Then came a group of three who introduced themselves and asked to sign her dance card.
Daphne was amused and whispered to Harriet, “See what happens when you dance with Arthur? Men flock to you.”
It was true. Arthur was becoming well known because of his position as an MP. He was known as someone who was fair, regardless of where he was. Parliament just gave him some extra exposure.
Harriet’s evening was nothing like her outings during the last season. Tonight, she’d barely had time to catch her breath with all the dances and conversations she found herself in. Somehow Daphne had disappeared from her side, but when she glanced around, she found her speaking with their hostess and another woman. The musicians, back from a break, were warming up for the next set. A familiar baritone interrupted her thoughts. Lord Lucien was standing in front of her. It was time for a second dance. Something that wasn’t normally done unless the man was interested in the woman.
He led her to the dance floor. Harriet could feel lots of eyes on them. She focused all her attention to the young man in front of her. The dance floor was crowded with couples, making it hard to do anything besides trying to keep out of other’s way. When the music ended, he led her to the side.
“Would you like to go out to the terrace and get some cool air?” he asked.
“I would,” Harriet replied.
“I will take you where your cousin will still see you,” Lucien said lowly.
She nodded and followed his lead. Standing next to the baluster, there were a few other couples near them, and some further down the terrace. Then she noticed there were a few out in the gardens walking.
“This feels so much nicer, don’t you think?” Harriet said.
He nodded. “It is.”
Lucien bent forward, so no one else would hear his words. “Lady Harriet, may I be so bold as to ask if I might call on you tomorrow?”
Maintaining her composure wasn’t as hard as she thought it would be, given what he was asking her. “Yes, you may. I look forward to it.”
