Charlotte quickly began introductions. “Your Grace, this is my mother, of course. This is Joan, Irene, and Penelope.”
Victor bowed toward each sister in turn.
Joan smiled boldly. “Your Grace.”
Irene offered a graceful curtsy. “Thank you again for your generosity.”
Penelope tilted her head mischievously. “You are taller than Charlotte described.”
Charlotte looked horrified. “Penelope.”
Victor fought a smile. “Did she describe me often?”
“She complained about you often,” Penelope corrected cheerfully.
Charlotte closed her eyes briefly as Harriet gasped in embarrassment.
Victor, unfortunately, found himself deeply entertained.
“She exaggerates terribly,” he said solemnly.
Charlotte shot him a glare. “You encourage her.”
“Certainly, it is more fun that way,” he said with a wink toward Charlotte.
Harriet clasped her hands warmly. “Your Grace, I cannot properly express how grateful I am for your sponsorship of my daughters.”
Victor glanced briefly toward Charlotte before answering. “It gives me pleasure to help Miss Brown’s family.”
Charlotte looked away immediately, though not before he noticed fresh colour rising softly along her throat.
Interesting.
Victor straightened slightly. “I shall escort my grandmother inside. The rest of you must enter with us.”
The sisters blinked in surprise.
“All together?” Irene asked.
“Since I sponsor you,” Victor replied simply, “we shall enter as one party.”
Joan nearly looked ready to faint from excitement while Penelope grinned triumphantly at Charlotte.
Elizabeth patted Victor’s arm proudly. “My grandson enjoys dramatic entrances.”
“I enjoy efficiency,” he corrected.
As they approached the ballroom entrance, Victor glanced sideways toward Charlotte and discovered her smiling quietly at her sisters’ excitement. The expression transformed her completely.
Something tightened unexpectedly in his chest again.
Good God.
The ballroom doors opened. “The Duke of Mulford,” the servant announced grandly, “the Dowager Duchess of Mulford, the Dowager Baroness Linfield, Miss Charlotte Brown, Miss Joan Brown, Miss Irene Brown, and Miss Penelope Brown.”
Conversation softened noticeably across the ballroom as they entered.
The Dawson ballroom glittered magnificently beneath crystal chandeliers while musicians played lively strings from an elevated gallery overhead. Ladies in silks and jewels drifted across polished floors alongside gentlemen in dark evening coats, and every inch of the room buzzed with gossip, laughter, and whispered speculation.
