Alec’s hand tightened on my elbow, but was it from jealousy or the fear that I would pass out?
I had thought I knew what exhaustion felt like over the months I had trained under Aunt Maude. But the physical, mental, and emotional drain of being presented to the queen and then riding through Hyde Park in a sort of parade for others to gawk at us, followed by the tea party, and then the ball, did not compare.
I’d changed three times that day and was now wearing the most stunning Worth gown I’d ever seen. It was a red-wine-colored silk with gold roses embroidered into the fabric, and pulled back into an intricate bustle, with a gold-colored underskirt peeking from beneath. The decolletage was lowerthan I was used to, but still modest. I wore gold-colored gloves and slippers that matched the underskirt. Mr. Worth had said it complemented my brown eyes and hair, turning them to warm chocolate.
If the way Alec had been looking at me since we’d left 7 Buckingham Gate was any indication, I presented a beautiful picture.
After exiting the carriage, he offered me his arm as Aunt Maude and Lady Mandeville walked in front of us toward the large home of Lord and Lady Hawthorne, not far from Kensington Palace.
“I won’t make the same mistake I made at Mrs. Vanderbilt’s party,” Alec said, for my ears alone. “May I have the first and last dances tonight, Miss Hill?”
“Certainly not,” Lady Mandeville said as she turned to look at us, clearly overhearing Alec. “We must leave the first and the last dance for the Duke of Severton. I’m certain he will ask. Surely word of the queen’s compliment has already begun to circulate, and everyone will be eager to know Miss Hill. You may take one of Clara’s other dances.”
I wanted to look at Alec to see if Lady Mandeville’s words upset him, but I didn’t dare. I needed to put him out of my mind—especially now that I was about to meet the duke.
Neither of us said a word as we walked up the steps and entered the mansion, where we were presented to Lord and Lady Hawthorne. After I was given my dance card, Alec took it from my hand and wrote his name on one of the lines before handing it back to me.
He’d taken the dance right before the midnight buffet.
I smiled at him, knowing this meant he wanted to escort me into the meal and spend that portion of the evening in my company. Next to the first and last dances, it was the most coveted of the ball.
Alec returned my smile. “We can still be friends, can’t we?”
I nodded.
“There he is!” Lady Mandeville said quietly as we walked into the crowded ballroom. “The Duke of Severton. I was able to get an introduction two nights ago, so I can introduce him to Clara.”
I wasn’t sure which of the gentlemen she was referring to but my gaze scanned the room nonetheless. There were several handsome men, both young and old. For the first time, I wondered what he looked like. Was he one of the attractive men? His looks didn’t matter all that much, but if I was going to marry him, I hoped he would be pleasant to look at.
Several people stared in our direction as they whispered, and I wondered if they knew who I was. Had the queen’s comment circulated as Lady Mandeville claimed? Many guests at her tea party had asked me about it, but it was because Lady Mandeville had told everyone we spoke to.
“There’s Miss Wellington, Alec,” Aunt Maude said when she spotted Annabelle and her mother. “How fortuitous. You should go ask her for a dance or two.”
Annabelle was here? I could use a good friend right about now.
“I’d like to meet the Duke of Severton,” Alec said as he still held my hand secure in his elbow.
“There will be time enough for that later.” Aunt Maude nodded toward the Wellingtons. “Perhaps it would be best if we met the duke without you.”
“And there are the Garfields,” I said to Aunt Maude. “Over by the window.”
The other three looked in that direction and Lady Mandeville inhaled. “They’re being introduced to the duke as we speak.”
I shifted my gaze from Louise to the man she was speaking to, but before I got a good look, Aunt Maude grabbed my hand and began to tug me away from Alec.
“Alec, leave us,” she said in an authoritative voice. “We have business to conduct.”
I turned to him as she pulled me away, but he looked powerless to stop her.
“We must find a way to monopolize the duke’s time,” Lady Mandeville said in a low tone. “If it’s about money, we need to let him know that you are willing to offer whatever dowry he asks for.”
“That won’t be a problem.” Aunt Maude sounded earnest, but I knew better. How much money could she possibly offer when their financial situation was dire?
As we drew closer, and Lady Mandeville had a good look at Louise, she said, “So this is our competition? Clara is much prettier than Miss Garfield.”
“She’s smarter and more accomplished, as well,” Aunt Maude assured her, though I wasn’t so confident.
“There will be others seeking the duke’s hand in marriage,” Lady Mandeville continued. “We cannot let our guard down for a minute.”
