She bit her lip. “I’m really not sure…”
“Don’t pass up the chance,” Mr. Quinn told her as he leaned closer. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Ada. Enjoy it.”
“It will be fun,” Anthony added, “I promise.”
She paused just long enough to convey the extent of her doubt before expelling a deep breath. “Very well. But if anyone laughs at me I’m blaming you.”
“No will dare to do so,” he told her firmly. Taking quick stock of the room, he noted all the inquisitive stares directed their way. A fierce sense of protectiveness caused his hands to clench into fists. He met her gaze. “I can assure you.”
Her features softened and it appeared as though she intended to say something more, but whatever it might have been was left unsaid as another young lady came to join them. Anthony immediately recognized her as Lord Rosemont’s daughter, Lady Emily
“Good evening, Ada. Mr. Quinn,” said Lady Emily. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you arrive or I would have come over sooner.”
“It’s quite all right,” Mr. Quinn said, “Mr... er…Westcliffe, that is, came to greet us. Are the two of you perchance acquainted?”
“A little,” Lady Emily said. She smiled at Anthony while he informed her it was lovely to see her again.
“We’ve met at a few other social events,” he said, “but we’ve never danced with one another. Perhaps you’d care to change that this evening, my lady? If your dance card permits?”
“Certainly, Your Grace.” Lady Emily handed him her card and he wrote his name down next to two more dances. As long as he filled all the slots with other partners, he wouldn’t be free for additional dances with Miss Starling.
Remembering her, he threw a glance over his shoulder and saw that his friends had positioned themselves in a manner that stopped her from chasing after him. He sent them both his silent thanks while Lady Emily mentioned her father being nearby.
“He’s having a chat with some of his friends,” she said. “Perhaps you’d like to join him, Mr. Quinn? I’d be happy to make the introduction.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Quinn clasped his hands behind his back and looked every bit the part of an upper-class gentleman. “I’d appreciate that, Lady Emily.”
“In the meantime,” Anthony said, conscious of the fact that Brody and Callum would not be able to keep Miss Starling at bay forever, “I’d like to invite you to take a tour of the room with me, Miss Quinn. We can have refreshments, if you like.”
“Thank you, but…” She gave her full attention to her uncle. “Wouldn’t you rather I join you?”
“Not at all,” Mr. Quinn informed her. “I’ll be fine on my own and so shall you, provided you stay in the ballroom.”
“Of course, Uncle James.”
Mr. Quinn smiled at her with endless amounts of fondness. “Relax, Ada. Enjoy your evening out.”
Miss Quinn tracked his movements as he disappeared into the crowd with her friend, a slight crease on her brow giving evidence of her concern.
“You worry about him,” Anthony remarked.
She nodded and turned her attention back to him. “Of course I do. He’s like a father to me, and while I know events such as this aren’t as foreign to him as they are to me, I fear for him because of that. The confidence with which he has approached this evening could lead to terrible disappointment or worse.”
“How so?” Anthony asked as he offered his arm and proceeded to steer her along the periphery of the room. Noting the frowns of displeasure that some of the people they passed wore, he sent them each an angry glare of warning.
Treat her unkindly and you shall have me to deal with.
“His decision to open a bookshop twenty years ago marked his exit from Society. Not that he or my father were ever among the upper crust, but they were accepted. Going into trade changed that for Uncle James. As far as I know, he and whatever friends he’d had before cut ties with each other. I am the only company he’s kept since I came to live with him eight years ago. That sort of seclusion marks a person, Mr. Gibbs.”
“So you worry he’ll be out of practice and say the wrong thing?”
“Partly. I’m also afraid he’ll mention the shop when someone asks about his background. He’s so proud of what he’s built and for good reason, but no one here will want to rub shoulders with a shopkeeper. At best, they’ll make an excuse to quit his company; at worst, they’ll make a veiled comment. Either way, his enthusiasm over this evening is likely to see him hurt.”
Anthony considered this while keeping a careful eye trained on Miss Starling’s position. She’d managed to get away from his friends but did not seem to know where he’d gone just yet. He dipped his head closer to Miss Quinn’s ear and told her, “Your consideration toward your uncle is very commendable, and while I realize it might seem impossible for you to do so, I would advise you to try and ignore these concerns.”
“Mr. Gibbs, I—”
“Your uncle is a grown man, not a child. I think you’ll find him more able to deal with any potential unpleasantries than you give him credit for.” When she merely flattened her mouth and turned her gaze toward the point in which they were headed, Anthony asked, “What of your father? Did he remain in Society until his death?”
