Page 27 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

Savouring the contact, she withdrew her hand reluctantly, thinking it might be the last time she enjoyed his touch. ‘Very dagger-under-the-cloak, isn’t it? After tonight, I fear you’ll be the focus of so much attention, you’ll find it difficult to slip away at all. Englemere told us his club was all abuzz with the news of your elevation. No one knows quite how the word was spread—the gentlemen present at our dinner assured him they’d not said anything. But if all the men at White’s know about it, their ladies do, too.’

Richland’s smile faded to a grimace. ‘When our hostess greeted me by title tonight, I hoped it was only because she was a close friend of Lady Brockhaven.’

‘I’m afraid it’s more widespread than that. Which was why I wished you to meet me before you emerged into the ballroom.’

His irritated expression disappeared in a twinkle. ‘And here I was, thinking you wished to meet me so you might bask in my charm.’

She gave him a look. ‘That too. But I thought you would want to have The List.’

He groaned. ‘Yes, if the news is truly out, I shall have need of it. Is it safe to sit with you there on the sofa while I commit it to memory?’

‘Better to lurk here in the shadows. You’ll want time to read it, but we also want to avoid being discovered together.’

‘I wouldn’t mind a scandal if it kept the harpies away, but I don’t want to do anything that would tarnish your reputation.’

Would she mind being forced into wedlock by gossip—if the groom were him? Pushing away that nonsensical thought, she said, ‘We shall make quick work of it, then.’ Handing over the list, she continued, ‘You needn’t memorise all the names immediately. Sarah plans to present you to three of the “safe” matrons tonight—Lady Gawsworth, Mrs Wainwright and Lady Jersey. The latter is a patroness of Almack’s and one of the leaders of Society. She’s also famous for her flirtations and will happily draw you into the group of her friends who are equally amendable to flirting, the more outrageous the flattery, the better.’

‘Sounds like exactly the sort of safe feminine company I need.’

‘We’ve also listed six of the matrons who are most determined to snag a high title for their charges, ladies to avoid if you can. If Lady Jersey takes you up, she and her friends should keep you occupied enough to evade most of them. She will also fend off any female who had the audacity to try to lure away her latest flirt.’

He read the list quickly, then slipped it into his waistcoat pocket. ‘How do I thank you enough?’

‘Learn to enjoy your role—while still finding your way back to yourself.’

He frowned. ‘That sounded a good deal like “goodbye”. You shall not be rid of me, you know. I may only get two dances at each party, but I intend to claim them—waltzes for preference. You won’t cry off from our bargain, I hope!’

Warmth stole through her at his avowal of his continued desire for her company, lifting her sagging spirits. ‘Of course not. Though I can’t hope to enjoy your escort as often as I have had these last few weeks. There will be many of far more importance who will clamour for your attention.’

‘They will just have to wait—until I’ve spent all the time socially permissible with my first and best friend in London,’ he said stoutly.

She tried to beat back the eddies of delight that filled her. He was her friend, yes. But having watched her sister and Englemere, she knew, if he as yet did not, just how many and varied would be the claims on him. ‘I shall be happy to spend as much time as we can,’ she assured him. ‘But now, we’d better get back—separately. You go first. Sarah was going to locate as many of the “safe” ladies on our list as she could gather and will be waiting to present you to them straightaway.’

‘Onward, then. And thank you again.’

He bent towards her. For one fraught moment, she thought he might kiss her. With a rush of joyous expectation, she leaned up to him, her heartbeat accelerating, every nerve alight.

But at the last moment, no doubt recalling where they were, a ballroom filling with people nearby and the chance that at any moment, someone might wander in, he stepped back. ‘Save those waltzes for me,’ he said, giving her a bow instead, and walked away.

She remained a while longer in the shadowy alcove, waiting for her pulse to calm and her disappointment to dissipate. Silly, to be mourning a kiss that would have been highly inappropriate and risky to boot. She should rejoice instead that he seemed determined to continue their friendship.

Thrusting away any lingering concern, she made herself return to the ballroom, confident in the bond they’d established.

By late evening, that confidence was fading. As expected, when she returned to the ballroom, Richland was at Sarah’s side, Lady Gawsworth and Mrs Wainwright flanking him. As the music continued, he led first Lady Gawsworth, then Mrs Wainwright, then Sarah herself onto the floor. By then, Lady Jersey had arrived with a party of friends, to whom Sarah quickly presented him. After dancing with each of her set in turn, he was accorded the signal honour of escorting Lady Jersey herself to the refreshment room.

In between watching Richland, Emma danced herself, a pleasant enough occupation even if her spirits flagged. Pleasant enough until halfway through the evening, when Lord Aldersby arrived.

Unfortunately, he spotted her just as she spotted him. She tried to make her way to the ladies’ retiring room, but with having to avoid dancing couples and the guests conversing around the edge of the ballroom, Aldersby was able to intercept her.

‘How happy I am to see you, Miss Wellingford. But you are not standing by your sister? Most unseemly! When not dancing, you should be under Lady Englemere’s care, not walking about unescorted! Any gentleman with whom you dance should have escorted you immediately back to her.’

After gritting her teeth against the irritated reply that sprang to her lips, Emma said, ‘I’m making my way to the ladies’ withdrawing room, which is quite unexceptional for me to do unaccompanied. Indeed, if you will excuse me…’

‘Certainly. I’ll wait for you to emerge, then escort you back to your sister, so I may request her permission to lead you into a dance.’

She debated for a moment hiding out in the withdrawing room, but she would have to emerge sooner or later, and he most assuredly would wait for her—like a fox ready to pounce on a chicken venturing out of the henhouse, she thought uncharitably. It might be better to accord him his dances now, get them over with, and then escape to the withdrawing room.

‘If you wish to dance, I suppose I can wait to repair the torn frill on the hem of my chemise.’