Page 56 of His Bluestocking Bride

Ellen stood at the front of the shop when he entered, her brows furrowed in a deep frown. “Who was that?” she asked, glancing back to the window where he saw Selene’s figure marching rapidly down the street. “You made her upset.”

Marcus shook his head. “It’s no one of consequence. Someone I used to know.” He looked around the shop, not seeing its keeper anywhere. “What of the dress? Will it suit you?”

“I believe so. They will make a few small alterations and deliver it this afternoon,” she answered slowly, regarding him with a quizzical frown. “Are you well, Marcus?”

“Yes. Very.” He smiled and offered his arm to her. “Would you like to go home by way of the book shops?”

Her eyes brightened and Marcus knew he had hit upon the right topic to inspire a change of subject. He had no need to speak of or to Lady Castleton ever again. Whatever the spell she had placed him under, it had been successfully broken by the woman at his side. Ellen’s was the only smile that would ever have power over him again.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ellen stood next to Lady Annesbury, her eyes taking in the crowded ballroom. “This is the most people I have ever seen in a room together,” Ellen said, barely loud enough for her mother-in-law to hear.

Lady Annesbury, who insisted Ellen call her Mother, chuckled and waved her fan in a languid manner. “Dear child, you have seen nothing yet. This ball had a very select guest list. Never you fear. In time you will be at ease in these circumstances.”

Though Ellen appreciated her mother-in-law’s advice, she did not see it coming to fruition any time soon. They had arrived at this, her first ball in London, half an hour previous and still Ellen couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact with anyone. She’d been introduced to several lords and ladies by Lady Annesbury, but she doubted she would remember their names.

Bath society, which had once seemed more than adequate to her, she saw as a pale shadow compared to what London could offer.

She also missed Marcus’s company. Lucas had taken him off to speak to a lord-something-or-other about the French war. Ellen would much rather have gone with them and listened in on the political conversation than attempt to make an impact on the social circle of Lady Annesbury.

As if her morose thoughts had summoned him, Lucas appeared at her side. “If it isn’t my new sister. How goes it, Ellen?” he asked, bending to speak directly in her ear.

Ellen narrowed her eyes at him. “Do not even attempt banter with me, brother. You took my husband away with you and have yet to return him.” She had found herself comfortable with her brother-in-law nearly at once. He had come and spent weeks at her cousin’s home in their childhood, after all, and had teased her mercilessly back then.

“I do apologize for borrowing him for so long,” he said. His eyebrows lowering, Lucas assumed an expression of contrition. “It could not be helped. I needed a second opinion and I trust his.”

“And did you lose him?” she asked, making a show of looking about them. “You ought not to be so careless with your brother. Especially now that you have me to answer to.”

Lucas chuckled and then offered her half a bow. “I apologize, Mrs. Calvert. My brother was snatched out of my care by a very insistent baron who wished to have a word with him. Lord Falkham.”

“The Falkhams are here?” Ellen asked, her eyes widening with excitement. “Why didn’t you say so straight away? Where are they?”

“On the other side of the room.”

“Ellen,” her mother-in-law said, “you may go and greet them, but I do have others I wish to introduce you to.” She gentled the command with a smile, but a command it remained. Ellen nodded her understanding.

“Mother,” Lucas said, straightening to his full height. “Come now. It’s Ellen’s first London ball. It’s a time for dancing, not introductions to all our stuffy friends.” Lady Annesbury huffed, but Ellen saw a twinkle of humor in her eye.

“Very well, very well. Go see your friends, dear.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Ellen said, trying to keep from smiling. She dropped a curtsy before taking Lucas’s arm. But rather than lead her around the crowded dance floor, he walked directly to it.

“Will you dance with me, Ellen?” He tilted his head to one side and offered her the barest smile. “You haven’t danced yet. I would like to be the first.”

“Very well.” Ellen sighed as though put out. “But you cannot distract me after that.”

He nodded, pursing his lips most seriously, and took her out on the floor to join the next set, a reel. Ellen relaxed, especially when she realized she and her brother-in-law would start the set by merely standing and staring at one another until their turn to move came.

“How are you enjoying London?” he asked from his side of the line.

“It’s big and loud, and terribly crowded,” she answered, lifting her eyebrows. “But besides all of that, I like it tolerably well.”

Lucas seemed to bite the insides of his cheek at that and it took him a moment to answer. “Your head is not turned by the dazzling dresses or sparkling wealth?”

Ellen shook her head, lowering it slightly as she did. “Does that disappoint you?”

“Not at all. I think it’s perfect, for you and Marcus. He doesn’t enjoy society either, you know.”