She took my hands and leveled a look at me. “How are you holding up? I read the ghastly articles in the newspaper today. How small of the people who broke the news.”
“You—you aren’t appalled?” I asked, worried that she would turn on me.
“Goodness, no.” She laughed. “Why would I be? Aren’t all of us here because we weren’t good enough for America? Until we had money, we were nobody, and now that we do, we’re trying to become somebody. Mrs. Astor might disagree, but one day, her opinion won’t matter. You’re no different than the rest of us.”
“But you’re not upset that I hid the truth?”
She leaned forward. “We’re all hiding something, Clara. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” She nodded to the duke. “Some more than others.”
A shiver ran up my spine at her words.
Alec was speaking to Lady Randolph Churchill. I glanced in his direction and Annabelle’s gaze followed mine.
“How is Alec?” she asked me.
I took a deep breath. HowwasAlec? How were either of us?
“I haven’t spoken to him since we arrived in London.” She sighed. “Mother has warned me not to, and to be honest, it’s been good for me. I have decided to leave Alec in the past.” She smiled. “Lord Devan is quite charming. I do believe he’ll propose at the end of the season, and I’ve made up my mind to accept.”
“Is he the man I saw you with at the opera?”
Her face glowed. “He is.”
“I’m happy for you.”
She leaned forward. “And what of the duke? Will you accept if he proposes?”
I looked in his direction again and he glanced up, noticing me in the middle of the foyer. He did not lower his gaze, but openly studied me.
It was maddening how difficult it was to read his emotions. Was he pleased to see me? Angry? Disappointed? Happy?
“I’m uncertain,” I finally said to Annabelle, though I knew I would accept, having no other option.
Several maids appeared with stacks of dance cards, which they distributed to the ladies.
“It’s been lovely speaking to you, Clara,” Annabelle said as Alec started toward us. “I’ll see you later.”
She left before Alec joined me. He glanced in Annabelle’s direction but made no move to call her back, nor did he look upset that she was gone. Instead, without a word, he took my dance card and wrote his name by the first dance.
“Finally,” he said with a tender smile, “I’ll get the first dance.”
“Thank you, Alec.”
As a maid handed Louise a dance card, distracting her attention, the duke used the opportunity to walk away from her.
My heart pounded hard as he approached and Alec stepped away.
“Miss Hill,” he said, offering me a slight bow.
“Your Grace.” I curtseyed, my legs wobbly with the effort.
“May I have the first dance?” he asked.
My lips parted in surprise, and then disappointment warred in my divided heart. I’d promised the dance to Alec, and I wanted to dance with him more than anything else, but it was imperative that I dance with the duke. Not only to show him that I was still eager to pursue a possible marriage, but to demonstrate to the rest of society that I wasn’t being cast aside.
Yet I couldn’t do to Alec what Aunt Maude had done to George.
Swallowing, I said, “I’m afraid—”
