Cherise dipped her head as Helen performed a deep curtsy.“Of course, darling.It’s good to see you this evening, Lady Helen.I am in need of Thomas, though.There are those who do not believe he exists since he’s so rarely here in London,” she claimed.
“Of course, my lady,” Helen said, dipping another curtsy.
Tom gave her a beseeching look before he was led away through the crowd.
“He seems rather amiable,” Stella Jones Tennison, Countess of Everly, remarked as she joined her daughter at the edge of the ballroom.
“Indeed,” Helen replied, finally draining her champagne.“Nearly as much as Penton.”
Stella arched an elegant brow.“They are cousins, are they not?”When Helen responded with an uncertain glance, she added, “I am led to believe the entire family is amiable.”
Knowing to what her mother’s hints were leading—possible marital matches—Helen decided it best she change the subject.“Did you enjoy your dance with Father?”
“I did, and I still have all my toes,” Stella replied, grinning in delight.
About to mention it would be hard for her father to step on them given her mother’s expanding belly—the countess was due to give birth the following January—Helen decided against teasing her mother.The poor woman’s emotions seemed to change on a moment’s notice these days.At least her father knew what to do, although it frequently required the two of them to be behind closed doors.He was far more free with his kisses of late, too, but his displays of affection were at least limited to the confines of their townhouse in Mayfair.
At least, as far as she knew.
“Will he be dancing with you?”
Helen lifted her wrist so her mother could see the entry on her dance card.“The waltz,” she said, arching a brow as she grinned.She quickly sobered.“But don’t get your hopes up, Mother.He’s about to depart for his Grand Tour,” she warned.
Stella allowed a long sigh.“Did you haveyourhopes up?”she asked in a quiet voice.
Shrugging, Helen said, “I know better these days.”Her eyes widened when she realized two young men were standing behind her mother, apparently waiting for her.“Good evening,” she said, her simple words enough to have her mother happily stepping aside.
Within minutes, she had several more lines filled in on her dance card, a situation which pleased her mother and gave her hope for the immediate future.
Apparently Thomas Forster’s attentions had convinced other young bucks that they should seek her company.
Later, when he appeared at the appointed time for their waltz, Helen was still catching her breath from the last dance—a Scotch reel with Lord Penton.“Hello again,” she said, managing a curtsy.
Tom bowed and seemed uncertain for a moment.“I do hope my cousin didn’t step on your slippers,” he said, his gaze darting to David.
Although she hadn’t known for certain the two were related, Helen was happy for the confirmation.“Even if he had, I would have forgiven him.He’s a very amiable young man,” she said, watching as the topic of their conversation smiled and greeted every other young buck as if they were long-lost friends.His behavior with young ladies was the same, and she wondered how many knuckles he had already kissed that evening.“If he’s not careful, he’s going to find himself betrothed before the evening is over.”
Tom’s guffaw and subsequent smile resulted in a dimple appearing at the base of one cheek.“It would serve him right,” he commented jovially.He sobered somewhat and glanced about the ballroom before he leaned closer and asked, “Would you prefer to walk in the gardens over dancing, perhaps?”
Torn between heartily agreeing to the suggestion—the ballroom had grown quite warm—and suspicion as to the young man’s motives, Helen was about to reply that she would prefer to dance when he stepped even closer and added, “I fear I might step on your toes since I’ve never waltzed with anyone but my...mybrother.”This last was said in a whisper, and it was almost impossible not to giggle at hearing his admission.
“A walk in the gardens will be most welcome,” she replied, placing a hand on his arm.“Tell me, Mr.Forster?—”
“Thomas.Or you can call me Tom,” he interrupted.
“Thomas,” she said, rather surprised he would give her permission to use his Christian name when they had only just met.“Have you enjoyed your evening?”
“Oh, very much, although it has mostly been in the company of my grandmother’s friends,” he replied.They made their way to the back of the ballroom, darting around pockets of people in conversation.He held open a French door for her, and they both inhaled deeply upon leaving the ballroom.
“I didn’t realize Lady Devonville was your grandmother,” Helen said as they made their way along the pavers.A series of Japanese lanterns bobbed in the slight breeze, casting their shadows on the clipped lawn of the garden.
“Step-grandmother, actually,” he replied.“On my mother’s side.”
Helen struggled to remember what she had read inDebrett’s.“So...David, Viscount Penton, is your?—”
“Cousin,” he stated.“He’s going with us on our Grand Tour.”
“Us?”she prompted.
