Caspian groaned and accepted a fresh drink from a servant. “I am the host. Guests are not meant to defeat me repeatedly.”
Mr. Harper shrugged. “Then perhaps you should improve.”
Thalia nearly spilled her port laughing. Even Seraphine found herself smiling broadly.
“You see?” Harper said, gesturing toward the women. “The ladies agree with me.”
“We absolutely do not,” Seraphine replied sweetly. “We are simply enjoying His Grace’s suffering.”
Caspian pointed at her. “You are all terrible people.”
Thalia patted his arm sympathetically. “Yes, darling. But we are charming terrible people.” The room echoed with laughter.
Suddenly Thalia clapped her hands together. “Enough standing about.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Let’s have a dance.”
Caspian groaned immediately. “That expression never leads anywhere sensible.”
“Nonsense,” she replied. “It leads directly to fun.” Before anyone could stop her, she swept across the room toward the musicians gathered in the corner.
The string quartet looked up expectantly as Thalia approached. She exchanged a few quick words with them before turning back towards the room. “The Barley Mow!” she announced triumphantly.
A cheer rose from several guests. Chairs were shifted aside. Conversations paused. The musicians raised their instruments. Then the lively tune began to fill the room.
Seraphine felt herself smiling automatically. There was something infectious about country dancing. Before she could take a step, Mr. Harper appeared before her and executed an exaggerated bow. “Lady Seraphine,” he said, extending his hand. “Would you do me the honor?”
She curtsied lightly, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I suppose I must, after your heroic victory at billiards.”
“An excellent decision.” His grin widened. “I should hate for my talents to go unappreciated.”
Laughing softly, Seraphine placed her hand in his. Together they joined the forming set while Caspian and Thalia took their places opposite. More guests hurried forward to participate. Within moments the room had transformed into a dance.
The music quickened. Couples began moving through the figures. Seraphine found herself laughing as she passed beneath joined hands and spun through the familiar steps. Mr. Harper was an excellent dancer. Light on his feet, attentive, and entirely willing to laugh at himself whenever he made even the smallest mistake. It was refreshing after so many stiff conversations with prospective suitors.
“You are smiling,” Harper observed as they changed places.
“I should hope so,” Seraphine replied. “I am dancing.”
He smiled. “A respectable observation.”
She laughed as they moved through another figure. Around them, the room buzzed with energy and cheerful noise. For a few precious moments she almost forgot every worry waiting for her beyond Amberhall Manor.
Then she twirled and saw him. Damien stood at the edge of the room near one of the windows. He was not dancing. He was not speaking. He was simply watching. Watching her. The smile faltered slightly on her lips. Even across the crowded room she could feel the weight of his gaze.
The music continued. The guests laughed. Mr. Harper said something that she barely heard. Because suddenly all she could think about was the Duke of Wexford standing in the shadows, watching her dance with another man.
His judgements are far too cruel to be simply regarded as helping me find a match. No, there’s something else happening entirely.
Chapter Nineteen
The following morning at Amberhall was filled with excitement.
"Good day, Lady Kane," Lady Seraphine said as she passed Lady Kane on the stairwell as she descended.
"And to you Lady Seraphine, I am headed back to my bedchambers. I have much packing to oversee before returning to London this day," Lady Kane said.
"Of course, I wish you a good return journey," Lady Seraphine said.
"You are very kind, good day," Lady Kane said then continued on her way.
