‘I made a bad choice,’ he said. ‘I was engaged, as you’ve no doubt heard. But it was a mistake. Someday I’ll have to make a suitable marriage, but I’ve no intention of rushing into a long-term commitment for some time yet.’
‘So I’ve observed,’ she said softly.
‘You’re remembering that party in my garden?’ He sighed. ‘I can see it will take a long time for your opinion of me to recover from the night of our first meeting. You think me hard-hearted, and it’s true that I haven’t an ounce of romance in me, nor falsedreams of a happy-ever-after, not with my experience of life. But believe me, I don’t intend to use anyone unkindly.’
‘I can see,’ she said earnestly, ‘that your childhood didn’t encourage trust, what with a mother who left you and a father who found that his sons reminded him of her too painfully. Together we are a fine pair, aren’t we? Here we are, on our way to a party, and we’re talking in tones of utmost gloom. My lord, you did ask me if I had any questions, and I do. It’s a long time since I’ve been to a large social gathering like this, so I wonder what they usually talk about, these friends of yours. My chief fear is that I might find myself out of my depth.’
‘Out of your depth, Miss Summerby?’ He said it lightly. ‘I very much doubt it. You’re more intelligent than many of them, and better read too, I suspect. But you’ll probably find that the gentlemen talk about politics, or the latest news from the war in the Peninsula. The ladies enjoy whispering about the Prince’s female companions, but best to avoid that topic, since many of his friends will be there.’
‘My aunt went to Brighton parties occasionally. She told me that if there were local politicians attending, she would deliberately ask them awkward questions before departing.’
‘Good for her! She was certainly an exceptional lady, your aunt. She would have been very happy to see you now.’
Her eyebrows arched in mock surprise. ‘To see me going to this party? With you?’
He had to laugh. ‘That could be taken as an insult. No, I meant that she would, I think, have wanted you to enjoy yourself.’
‘Do you really?’
‘I do.’
For a moment she fiddled with her gloves then added more quietly, ‘We won’t have to stay there until the very end, will we?’
‘Of course not. I imagine we’ll have had enough after a couple of hours.’
She nodded but still looked uncertain. ‘Lord Rivington, I don’t wish to spoil your own enjoyment of tonight. I shall quite understand if you wish to ask other ladies to dance, since we are only going as friends, after all.’
‘My intention is to avoid other ladies. Remember? I’m quite happy to keep you company. And, Miss Summerby, one more thing. I don’t know who made your gown, but give them my congratulations. It suits you extremely well.’
She said very quietly, ‘You are not teasing me, are you?’
He shook his head. ‘Most definitely not.’
The thought of how she had been ostracized on account of her slight lameness made his blood boil. She had told him it was impossible for her to dance, but he wondered if maybe, during the years since her illness, she had just lost confidence in her own abilities.
His carriage was pulling to a halt, and after helping her down, he escorted her carefully up the wide steps to the house.This is all for show, he reminded himself,and surely, she knows it. But he needed to be careful because her heart, he guessed, was vulnerable still—although she would never truly want to be with a man like him, would she?
She deserved someone far, far better.
Kate was nervous, it was no good denying it. As a liveried footman led them towards the crowded ballroom, she felt the familiar panic descend:Please, please don’t let me trip or stumble.But then, she became aware of the Earl’s firm hand on her elbow.
‘I’m here,’ he murmured. ‘I’m staying by your side. Remember?’
That was the moment she realised that everything was different. When he introduced her to their hosts, she received Roland Darrow’s welcome courteously and even smiled when his wife blurted out, ‘Why, Miss Summerby, you aren’t in the least what I expected! People told me you were—oh!’ She clapped her hand over her mouth.
‘That I was a spinster? An oddity, perhaps?’
‘No, not at all! Well, maybe. But I knew you would be neither, because Dan has spoken most highly of you, and he is a perfectionist as far as his women are concerned!’
Her husband intervened. ‘My dear Rebecca, I hardly think you should refer to our guest as one of Dan’s women.’
‘Of course! I only meant it as a compliment and I hope you will enjoy your evening with us immensely. We have hired a French chef to prepare the buffet, and when you have eaten, you absolutely must join us in the dancing.’
‘Do you know,’ Kate heard the Earl say, ‘I’m not sure I’m in the mood for dancing tonight.’
‘Not dancing? That is such a shame! But you will still enjoy listening to our musicians, won’t you? Do help yourselves to champagne, and we’ll speak later!’
There were many more people wishing to greet the Earl, and he introduced Kate to each of them. But as soon as she could, she led him towards a quieter corner. ‘I need to ask you something, my lord. Rebecca Darrow said that you had spoken most highly of me. What exactly did she mean?’
