Unamused by his arrogance, Sabrina could only stare at him. Answering would only encourage him.
"Well, how do I look with buckteeth and crossed eyes?" he asked.
"My lord, you are incorrigible," she said with a smile.
"Thank you for the high praise," he replied.
Their guests began arriving. Adam and Uncle Charles flanked Sabrina and Courtney and made the introductions. Aunt Tess and Lady DeFaye stood on the other side of Uncle Charles.
Dudley Egremont, Viscount Dorchester, arrived in the company of his mother and his aunt. The viscount bowed low over Courtney's hand and insisted, "I claim all of your dances."
"My lord, you know that isn't possible," Courtney said with a shy smile. "The first dance belongs to Uncle Charles and the second to Prince Adolphus. You may have the third."
"Then I request the third dance, the last dance, and the one just before supper," Dudley said.
Courtney inclined her head. "I would like that very much."
Sabrina watched the viscount move away with his relations and then whispered to the marquess, "I thought only two dances were permitted with the same man."
"Correct, but I approve of Dorchester and believe Courtney and he would make a good pairing," Adam replied.
"A pairing?" Sabrina exclaimed. "Are we a couple of mares to be bred?"
"Lower your voice," Adam whispered. "I mean no insult to Courtney or you, but meeting marriage prospects is the purpose of a coming-out ball."
"Your word choice is poor," she told him.
"I apologize, Princess," he said. "I promise to choose my words more carefully in the future."
With a smile frozen on her face, Sabrina soon realized that Lily Armstrong had been correct. The ladies of the ton were like sharks looking for a weak spot in order to let blood. Looking past their smiles, she saw in their eyes that they considered her a potential rival for the season's prime husband catches. And from the looks the females were giving Adam, Sabrina realized they considered him to be one of the prime catches. For some unknown reason, that made her jealous. Touching her frog brooch or her ring made her feel more confident.
The moment Sabrina had been dreading arrived. Lord Briggs stood before them. With him was a voluptuous blonde wearing a white gown that left almost nothing to the imagination.
So much for undying devotion, Sabrina thought, disgruntled by his defection.
"Good evening, Edgar," Sabrina greeted him with a smile. "I'm pleased to see a familiar face."
"Sabrina, you have never looked lovelier," Edgar said, bowing over her hand. "May I make known to you Alexis Carstairs, the Countess of Rothbury."
Alexis Carstairs possessed the sweet expression of an angel and the body of a goddess. She had blue eyes, a straight nose, and flawless ivory skin.
The two women smiled insincerely at each other, natural enemies at first sight. Each saw in the other the qualities she lacked.
"Lady Rothbury, I am pleased to make your acquaintance," Sabrina greeted her.
"Adam has told me so much about you," Alexis replied, giving her a feline smile.
Sabrina nearly flinched at her words, but caught herself in time and managed to keep her expression placid. And then she recalled Lily's advice and imagined the woman without any hair on her head.
Determined to stand her ground, Sabrina touched the diamond frog brooch with her right hand. Both the brooch and the ring glittered in the foyer's candlelight.
"Dear Adam has been so helpful," she drawled, casting "dear Adam" a look of adoration. "I don't know how we would have survived without him."
"Yes, Adam can be so helpful. I'll see you upstairs," Alexis said stiffly, and yanked Edgar away.
"She forgot to keep her expression placid," Sabrina said, turning to the marquess, whose shoulders shook with silent laughter.
"How could I ever have thought you needed my protection?" Adam leaned close and whispered, "How does Alexis look as a bald woman?"
"She's not one of the acclaimed beauties, but she would be an original."
Adam burst out laughing, drawing everyone's attention. Sabrina noticed Uncle Charles's smile of approval and the speculative glances of several guests.
"What does the phrase 'The arrow has left the bow' mean?" Sabrina asked.
"It means whatever will be will be," Adam answered. "Fate has been set into motion and cannot be undone."
Sabrina never got the chance to question him further. A big middle-aged man wearing a blond wig stood in front of them.
Sabrina smiled, recognizing Prince Adolphus.
"Lady Abingdon, you are the perfect vision of loveliness," Prince Adolphus greeted her. "So lovely ... so lovely ... so lovely."
"Your presence honors me, Your Royal Highness," Sabrina said, dropping him a curtsey.
"This is Courtney, Sabrina's younger sister," Uncle Charles told the prince.
With an affable smile, Prince Adolphus turned to Courtney, who blushed and dropped him a curtsey. "I have wanted to meet you for the longest time," he told her.
"Your Royal Highness, I am honored," Courtney replied.
Adolphus looked from brown-haired Courtney to copper-haired Sabrina and then back at Courtney again. "Two sisters who look so very different," the prince remarked. "No family resemblance there. None ... none ... none." He turned next to Adam and said, "I heard about the shooting incident at White's. Glad to see you are as hale and hearty—"
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness," Adam interrupted. "Shall we go upstairs and begin the ball?"
Sabrina turned her head and stared at the marquess. Someone had taken a shot at him? Who would want him dead and then act upon that wish? Edgar Briggs popped into her mind, but she banished that thought as absurd. Edgar was incapable of stepping on an ant. Why, the marquess must have dozens of enemies. Successful businessmen were notoriously ruthless and ruined the hopes and the dreams of others.
"Sabrina?"
Adam's voice drew her out of her thoughts. She smiled and let herself be escorted up the stairs to the ballroom. Prince Adolphus walked beside her while Uncle Charles escorted Courtney. Adam walked behind with their aunts.
The orchestra began playing as soon as they entered the ballroom. Prince Adolphus escorted Sabrina onto the dance floor, and Uncle Charles did the same with Courtney. The two couples waltzed alone on the dance floor as custom required that the debutante and the most important man in attendance open the ball.
"Esmeralda will arrive later in the evening," Prince Adolphus told her. He chuckled and added, "She loves to make a grand entrance. Loves it ... loves it ... loves it."
Sabrina didn't give a fig about the opera singer. "Tell me what happened outside White's the other night," she asked the prince.
"An assassination attempt is no suitable topic for a lady's conversation," Adolphus chided her gently.
The dance ended before she could press him for more information. Courtney and she switched partners.
"Your father would be proud of you tonight," Uncle Charles said as they waltzed around the ballroom.
"Tell me about the incident at White's," Sabrina said without preamble.
"I don't know anything about it," Uncle Charles told her. "Adam doesn't tell me everything."
He was lying, Sabrina decided, but kept her expression placid. Since the night she'd met them, the St. Aubyns had lied to her about most of the important things. What else could they be keeping from her? In spite of their kindnesses to her, she was beginning to doubt their trustworthiness.
Adam claimed her for the third dance. He waltzed with the same ease and grace he'd demonstrated the day they'd danced without music.
"Making idle conversation while one dances is customary," Adam said.
"You never mentioned that rule to me," Sabrina replied. "My, how divinely you waltz."
"And you feel so good in my arms that I might never let you go," Adam said in a husky voice.
Sabrina blushed. Good Lord, why did he always find a way to confound h
er?
"You failed to tell me about the incident at White's," she said.
"It was nothing."
"You call an assassination attempt nothing?" Sabrina exclaimed, missing a step.
"Smile, Princess. Society is watching," Adam said. "Do not give them anything to gossip about."
Instantly, Sabrina smiled at him.
"That is absolutely the most insincere smile I've ever seen," Adam teased her.
"You didn't say smile sincerely, my lord, only smile."
Adam inclined his head. "Touché, Countess. Someone took a wild shot at Jamie and me the other night. We are investigating who the culprit might be."
Sabrina nodded. Her gaze drifted away from him until she spied her sister dancing across the hall. "Courtney seems to like Dudley Egremont," she remarked.
"I was hoping they would like each other," Adam replied. "They might find happiness as a married couple... . How was that for word choice?"
"Much better," Sabrina said. "I knew you would be a quick learner."
Adam laughed to hear his own words thrown back at him.
When the music ended, Adam led her toward the refreshment room, but Lord Briggs blocked their way before they reached it.
"Dance with me, Sabrina?" he asked.
Sabrina smiled. "Why, Edgar, I would love to dance with you."
She let him lead her onto the dance floor. The two longtime friends whirled around the ballroom together.
"Who would have guessed that we would end like this, waltzing in London," Sabrina said.
"Do not say end but rather begin," Edgar said. "Marry me, Sabrina."
"I have already explained my situation," Sabrina said. "Why do you insist on making this difficult?" She looked away, unable to bear the hurt in his hazel eyes, and missed a step when she saw Adam dancing with Alexis.
The baron's gaze followed hers. "They've been lovers since before her husband died."
"I don't believe you," Sabrina said, shocked. "No woman would be unfaithful to her husband."
"Your innocence is a most endearing quality," Edgar said. "May I call upon you?"
Sabrina managed a smile for him. "Visit me whenever you wish, Edgar. I will always have time for an old friend."
Sabrina begged off from his company when the music ended. Although she kept a smile and a pleasant expression on her face, the gossip about the marquess troubled her.
A man who cheated on his betrothed, Sabrina decided, would also cheat on his wife. She refused to marry a man who was destined to become a faithless husband.
Sabrina determined to put a brave face on the situation and ignore the gossip. She flirted and waltzed with Jamie Armstrong, Dudley Egremont, and a different man for each of the waltzes before intermission; but the thought of the marquess and that countess making love never left her.
Finally, when Adam presented himself for the last waltz before supper, Sabrina could scarcely meet his gaze. She was unusually quiet as they swirled around the ballroom.
"Princess, smile and say something," Adam ordered. "Unless you want to create a bit of gossip?"
Of all the unmitigated gall, she thought mutinously. How dare he threaten her with the danger of gossip. How did he even sleep at night? That harlot had a nerve showing up at her coming-out ball.
"You waltz divinely," Sabrina said with the sweetest of smiles.
"You said that during our last dance," Adam reminded her. "Only middle-aged people repeat themselves."
"Wonderful weather we've been having," Sabrina changed the subject. "Don't you think?"
Adam inclined his head.
"A bit dark tonight," she continued. "I dare say, the sky will lighten toward morning."
Adam burst out laughing, drawing the attention of several couples near them. "Princess, you are an incorrigible imp."
"Do you really think so?" Sabrina drawled. "I suppose one must always follow the rules: no laughing, no bolting food, no picking your nose."
"Enough," Adam said, laughing. "You've drunk too many glasses of champagne without food. I'm taking you to supper."
"I haven't had any champagne," Sabrina told him.
"Then that is exactly what you need."
Adam stopped dancing and, taking her hand in his, led her toward the door. The others followed them down to supper.
In the crowded dining room, Sabrina sipped her champagne and picked at a piece of turkey. "Why aren't you eating?" she asked.
"Custom requires that ladies eat first," Adam told her. "I'll have something later."
"Of all the stupid rules you've told me, that is the stupidest," Sabrina announced in a loud whisper, her green eyes gleaming with mischief. "Do you really care what these people think?"
Adam glanced from her face to the guests and then whispered, "No, of course not."
"Good." Sabrina speared a piece of turkey with her fork and raised it to his lips.
Accepting her challenge, Adam ate the piece of turkey. He glanced around and saw the shocked expressions on the faces of a few of the older women.
"Breeding does tell," Sabrina said, spearing another piece of turkey.
"Don't," Adam ordered in a quiet voice, touching her wrist. "Your future children will need the approval of these people."
"Quite right, my lord." Sabrina set the fork down and leaned close, asking in a whisper, "Is Alexis Carstairs still your mistress?"
"Princess, you have no tolerance for champagne," Adam said, avoiding her question.
"I suppose that's the way with your family." Sabrina sighed with exaggeration. "The St. Aubyns deal only in lies, half-truths, omissions, and avoidance."
"The truth should only be told in tiny pieces to those who might crumple beneath its full weight," Adam said seriously, his piercing gaze fixed on hers.
"I have never crumpled in my life," Sabrina informed him. "And you still haven't answered my question."
He stared at her for so long that Sabrina thought he wasn't going to answer.
"Alexis Carstairs is not my mistress," Adam said finally.
"Did she ever hold that exalted title?" Sabrina asked.
"Sorry, Princess. The rules permit only one prying question each evening," Adam said.
"Apparently, the rules need to be changed," Sabrina replied. "I am just the woman to do it."
"You will do no such thing," Adam told her.
When supper ended, the guests drifted upstairs to the ballroom once more. Walking beside the marquess, Sabrina could hear the musicians fine-tuning their instruments again. She also noted the surreptitious, longing glances that many of the females cast at the marquess. He appeared oblivious to all of that female adoration.
Once inside the ballroom, Sabrina left him. She danced the next nine waltzes with different men, each one handsomer than the last. Whirling around the ballroom, she kept an eye on Adam, who leaned against a wall and kept an eye on her. Surrounding him were several beautiful ladies, all of whom vied for his attention.
When the ninth waltz ended, Adam presented himself before Sabrina to claim her for the final dance. Before the musicians could begin playing, Baxter stepped into the ballroom and announced in a loud voice, "Madame Esmeralda."
An excited murmur raced through the crowd, and Prince Adolphus stepped forward to greet his old friend. Sabrina watched the prince kiss the diva's hand and then lead her across the room toward her.
"Esmeralda, I present Sabrina Savage, the Countess of Abingdon," Adolphus introduced them.
"Your presence at this gathering brings me honor," Sabrina said.
"The honor belongs to me," Esmeralda said, studying her with obvious interest. "I knew your father many years ago before you were born. I am sorry for his passing."
"Thank you," Sabrina said, and then realized the diva might know something about her origins. "Perhaps we could speak privately at a later time."
"Feel free to call upon me whenever you wish," Esmeralda said, inclining her head like a queen granting a favor to a courtier.
; Prince Adolphus led Madame Esmeralda to the top of the room, where the musicians stood. The diva proceeded to sing several songs of lost love, finishing to thunderous applause. Afterward, the prince led her back to Sabrina and the others.
"Thank you for sharing your voice with us," Sabrina said.
"Thank you for allowing me to share it, child," Esmeralda replied. She turned to the prince and said, "Are you ready, Your Royal Highness?"
"You aren't leaving?" Sabrina asked.
"An opera singer's life isn't as glamorous as you may think," Esmeralda told her. "Lack of sleep is a risk to my voice."
"Then I won't keep you," Sabrina said. "We'll meet again?"
"I am looking forward to it." At that, Esmeralda accepted the prince's arm and let him escort her out of the ballroom.
The musicians began playing the last waltz as soon as the prince and the diva disappeared. Adam led Sabrina onto the dance floor. Waltzing in his arms felt so natural, as if they'd done it a thousand times before.
"Do you think Esmeralda knows who my real parents were?" Sabrina asked him.
"If you are wise, Princess, never ask her that question," Adam replied, surprising her. "The knowledge will not enrich your life."
Sabrina refused to let him ruin her good mood. "Spoken like a man who knows where he came from,'' she teased.
"You are correct," Adam agreed with her. "I cannot know your feelings because I do not share your experience."
His words surprised her again. Sabrina had always considered members of the aristocratic set to be shallow, but the marquess was proving that assumption wrong.
The guests took their leave when the music ended. Adam stayed by her side until the last one had walked out the door. Only Uncle Charles remained behind, waiting in the drawing room for his nephew.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Adam asked her when they stood alone in the foyer.
Sabrina smiled. "The evening went better than I'd expected."
''I never believed you'd be anything but a huge success," he told her.
"I thank you for your confidence," she replied.
Holding her hands in his, Adam faced her and said, "What would make this evening perfect for me is a good-night kiss."
"And what will you do if I refuse?" Sabrina asked, gazing into the bluest eyes she'd ever seen.
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