“And the captain?” Cassandra pressed with suspicious curiosity.
“I really cannot say,” Mary told her. “Considering his recent arrival, it might be unlikely.”
“And as long as the duke himself is present, what does it really matter?” Mr. Clemens asked.
“I don't suppose it does,” Cassandra said.
Nothing more was said on the subject though it did make Mary wonder if her friends might have developed an interest in Caleb's brothers. Both were handsome, but more importantly, if her friends formed attachments to them and married, they would become her sisters instead of just friends, which truly would be wonderful.
The carriage drew to a halt, and a footman dressed in red and black livery opened the door. Mary's parents climbed out first, followed by Cassandra, Mary, and Emily. They started up the steps while other carriages rolled up behind them. Doors could be heard opening and closing. Excited voices filled the air, mingling with the music spilling from inside Huntingham House.
Entering the foyer, the women removed their cloaks while Mary's father took off his hat. Everything was handed over to footmen who whisked it all away to an upstairs room.
“This way please,” said a man dressed in similar livery to the footmen but with extra gold embellishments. He gestured toward a wide doorway at the end of a hallway.
Mary's sister and husband stood just inside it, prepared to greet their guests as they entered the ballroom where pine garlands tied with red ribbons encouraged a Christmastime atmosphere.
“Your home is stunning,” Mary told Sarah and Huntingham.
“Thank you,” Sarah said, “but I dare say yours will be grander once you and Camberly marry.” Lowering her voice, she leaned in and whispered, “Has he asked you yet?”
“No. Not yet,” Mary confessed.
“Oh, but he will,” Sarah assured her. “According to the daily updates I receive from Mama, it is practically settled.”
Mary wasn't sure what surprised her more, the details of Caleb's courtship being aired in correspondence or the notion that anything was settled until he officially asked her to be his wife.
“Lilly is just over there,” Sarah added before Mary could comment. “I will join you as soon as I finish with the receiving line.”
Mary followed her parents further into the room.
“Do you see Camberly anywhere?” Cassandra asked.
Mary raised her chin in an effort to get a better look. “I don't see him or his brothers, so they must not be here yet.” She continued toward Lilly with whom her parents were already speaking.
“Tonight’s ball is not as busy as the ones hosted in the spring, but the turnout is still quite impressive,” Lilly told Mary when they had finished greeting each other.Excusing themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Clemens moved away to speak with some friends of theirs. “Sarah started the tradition of a Christmas dance the year after marrying Huntingham,” Lilly added. “You know how fond she has always been of this particular holiday, and hosting a ball gives her a chance to celebrate with friends.”
“So then I take it she never leaves Town during the winter as so many others tend to do?” Mary was actually quite surprised by how many people there were.
“She and Huntingham usually go away with the children in January, but look at the guests still arriving. I swear there are more this year than last.”
“Perhaps they have heard of the ball's success and want to experience it for themselves,” Cassandra suggested.
“It does seem that way,” Lilly agreed. She stopped a passing footman and looked at Mary and her friends. “How about some champagne?”
Emily, Cassandra, and Mary took a glass each and were preparing to taste it when two handsome gentlemen approached. “Mrs. Gilford. Your husband tells us your sister has returned.” The comment was made by the younger-looking man, whose hair was a similar shade to Mary's. He looked at her and her friends with polite curiosity.
“Indeed, Mr. Foster and Mr. Bale. Allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Mary Clemens, and her friends Lady Cassandra Moor and Miss Emily Howard.”
“Delighted to make your acquaintances,” Mr. Foster, with the blonde hair, said.
“Perhaps you would care to dance,” the darker Mr. Bale inquired. He looked at Lilly. “You must forgive us for not inviting you, but we'd rather avoid provoking your husband.”
Lilly smiled. “No need for apology, sir. I understand completely.”
Mary and her friends produced their dance cards, and the gentlemen scribbled their names.
“A lot must have changed during your absence,” Mr. Foster told Mary while Mr. Bale made conversation with Emily and Cassandra. Mr. Gilford, who'd arrived in the meantime, had begged a private word with his wife which, judging from the look in his eye, Mary interpreted as being code for something else entirely.
