by Alec, Joyce
She took in a quick breath.
“That is most generous of you, Lord Wetherby,” she said carefully, realizing that her heart was still quite uncertain as to what she ought to do. “I fear that I do, indeed, think a particular way when it comes to you. However,” she continued quietly, seeing how he looked away from her again, his lips tight, “I do have only one dance remaining.”
Lord Wetherby lifted his eyes to hers and looked back at her with such an uncertainty in his eyes that Frederica felt her heart twist painfully. Was he uncertain as to whether or not she was offering that particular dance to him? Did he think that she would be so cruel as to tell him what dance she had remaining, only to refuse to permit him to take it?
“Here.”
She slipped off her dance card and handed it to him and, much to her astonishment, Lord Wetherby let out a heavy sigh of evident relief before he took it from her.
“You have a forgiving spirit, Lady Frederica,” he told her, putting his name in the only remaining space. “I am most grateful.”
Frederica looked into his eyes and found herself smiling back at him gently, as though she wanted there to be no more difficulties between them. “But of course,” she said softly. “There is no wisdom in holding a grudge, I suppose.”
He said nothing more but bowed low, more formal than she had ever seen him before. She returned it with a quick curtsy, whilst the duchess watched on with interest. And then, he had turned on his heel and made his way from her, clearly only willing to return to her company once their dance was at hand.
“I think that was a wise decision, my dear.”
Frederica glanced at the duchess before returning her gaze to Lord Wetherby’s retreating back. “I must hope so,” she said, a niggle of doubt in her mind as she looked down at her dance card. “Let us hope that this time, he is not in his cups when he comes back to find me.”
“I am certain he will not have touched even a drop of liquor,” the duchess replied firmly. “I think he is a little more aware than that.”
Frederica smiled and made to say more, but then she saw Lord Stephenson approaching and realized that he was to be her partner for the country dance. Once more, she pushed all thought of Lord Wetherby from her mind and fixed her attention slowly to Lord Stephenson. Lord Wetherby would have to prove himself and that time was yet to come. Frederica could only pray that he would not break the fragile trust she had placed in him.
6
The relief that Percy felt as he made his way from Lady Frederica’s side was all-encompassing. He had forced himself toward her, had dared to ask her if she would accept a dance from him, and had instantly seen the doubt that had jumped into her eyes. The lady had been uncertain as to whether or not she ought to accept him, but he had told himself that, regardless of what she decided, he would accept it without question. Having fully expected her to refuse, to hear her offer him the final dance that remained on her card had been more than astonishing, and it had carried him from her side with both delight and gladness.
Perhaps he might be able to improve the situation between them both, in time. She was a very lovely young lady, certainly, but it was not her beauty that made him eager to improve his acquaintance with her. Rather, it was the sheer embarrassment that had washed over him time and again as he had thought about all that had occurred and all that Lady Frederica had endured from him. He still could not explain the reason for his appearance at the Duke of Ellsworth’s townhouse, could find no real reason for anything he had done that night, but certainly, he was the only one to blame when it came to his lack of consideration for Lady Frederica the first night they had been introduced. That, at least, was something he could improve upon. Whether or not she would accept him, Percy had told himself that she would know of his desire to improve matters in the hope that such a thing alone would encourage her to think a little less poorly of him than she did at present.
“Not that I do not deserve it,” he muttered to himself, making his way through the crowd and to a quieter part of the ballroom, where he knew he might find Lord Greenford. The gentleman grinned as he saw Percy, holding up a glass of brandy as though to say that he had acquired one for Percy himself.
“I thank you, but no,” Percy replied as Lord Greenford’s smile faded. “I am entirely without this evening.”
“Why ever for, old boy?” asked Lord Venables, whom Lord Greenford had been talking to. “There’s nothing wrong with it. I think it a very fine brandy indeed, although it is certainly not up to what I myself have at home.”
Percy smiled. “I am sure it is excellent,” he replied, “but I shall not permit myself to drink it, I am afraid. I wish to remain fully aware and awake at all times this evening.” He shot a quick glance toward Lord Greenford, who merely shrugged and set the second glass down on the table near to them. “Besides which, if I am to dance, then I will need to remain fully competent.”
Lord Greenford’s brows rose. “You are to dance?”
“Indeed,” Percy replied, feeling a sense of pride well up in his chest. “With Lady Frederica.” He chuckled as Lord Greenford’s eyes widened in evident astonishment. “You will understand now why I cannot take your brandy.”
“I do, I do!” Lord Greenford answered hastily. “Lord Venables, you must forgive us for speaking so—but it seems that Lord Wetherby is to dance this evening.”
“And must remain entirely sober throughout?” Lord Venables asked, sounding a little astonished. “Well, if you wish to do so, Lord Wetherby, then I suppose I cannot condemn you for it.”
“I thank you,” Percy replied, grinning.
“And you are only to dance with one lady in particular?” Lord Venables asked, and Percy nodded. “Why, do you have intentions toward her?”
“None at present,” Percy replied firmly, fully aware of what stepping out with only Lady Frederica would mean to the ton. Perhaps he ought to find another young lady to dance with also. A quick glance around the room told him there were many young ladies to choose from and, if he wished, he could ask one of the wallflowers that draped themselves along the side of the ballroom. They would not refuse to dance with him, and it would not cause a great deal of interest either. Satisfied, he looked around him again, only to see Lady Haseltine sending him back a look of her own, before pointedly glancing at her daughter, who stood beside her.
Percy turned away, feeling more than a little embarrassed to have been caught looking around the room in such an obvious manner. Lady Haseltine would have no doubt as to what he was seeking and, in looking at her daughter in that pointed way, he was being given a clear indication that she, at the very least, might be willing to dance with him should he ask.
Clearing his throat, Percy turned back to Lord Greenford and Lord Venables. “And are you to dance this evening, gentlemen?”
“I am already engaged for another of Lady Frederica’s dances,” Lord Greenford told him. “And I have a good many additional dances also.” Pulling out his own little card, he ran his gaze over it. “I have already danced with four different young ladies,” he said, puffing out his chest just a little as though this was some magnificent achievement. “And am due to dance with another three.”
“I care nothing for dancing,” Lord Venables said with a roll of his eyes. “Although I have been told that the young ladies of the ton find it very important. Therefore, if I am to secure any particular interest from any of the young ladies present, then I shall seek to do so,” he said with such a heavy sigh, it was as though he greatly regretted having to stand up to dance. “I find no enjoyment in being in their company when we dance, however, for they cannot really converse with me and I find myself somewhat dulled by their company. However, I have a few dances that are yet to take place but none for the present moment, thank goodness.”
Percy laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “I am sure you will enjoy them regardless, Lord Venables.”
“I doubt it,” Lord Venables sighed, only to straighten and then bow to someone j
ust behind Percy. Turning his head, Percy stepped aside as Lady Preston and her daughter, Miss Addington, came to join them. His brow lifted as he saw Lord Venables flush as though he were a little embarrassed to be in the lady’s company. A small smile tugged at Percy’s lips as he bowed, wondering if Lord Venables was just as unaffected by the lady as he claimed to be. He had been introduced to Miss Addington some time ago but found her very quiet. She was a lady who seemed to cling to her mother, although Lady Preston tended to speak over her daughter even if she was inclined to speak. From what he knew, Percy recalled that her father, Viscount Preston, had been something of a drunkard and had pushed his family perilously close to disaster. That had been some years ago, however, although the rumors of it still remained. She was not a particularly beautiful young lady and her quiet nature made her all the less visible to the beau monde.
Percy glanced toward Lord Venables, fully expecting Lady Preston to address him first. However, when Lady Preston spoke, it was not to Lord Venables or to Lord Greenford. Rather, she turned directly toward Percy and smiled at him, although it did not light up her eyes and was, in fact, a little tight.
“Good evening, Lord Wetherby,” she said as Miss Addington dropped into a curtsy, her head remaining bowed as though she did not dare look into his eyes. “I do hope that you are enjoying this evening?”
“I am indeed,” Percy replied quickly. “And you?”
Lady Preston’s smile remained fixed. “Some of it has been enjoyable,” she said vaguely, keeping her true meaning hidden. “Now, are you to dance this evening, gentlemen?”
Percy hesitated, seeing how Lady Preston looked from him to Lord Venables and back again, wondering why she seemed to be so very eager for him to step out with her daughter. He found himself rather reluctant, not at all certain that to be pushed into dancing with the lady was something he desired.
“I should be glad to, Miss Addington,” Lord Greenford replied, bowing quickly and then holding his hand out for her dance card. “I fear that I do not have very many remaining, but I am certain we can find one that will suit us both.”
A little relieved that his friend had taken Miss Addington’s dance card, Percy cleared his throat and, much to his relief, found another old acquaintance nearby. Excusing himself, he went to speak to the gentleman and left Lord Venables and Lord Greenford to write their names on Miss Addington’s dance card. He had no desire to do so himself. It was a little extraordinary, he reflected, that a lady such as Lady Preston should be so very forward in seeking out dance partners for her daughter. Normally, a gentleman was the one to make requests of the young ladies, with a mother or chaperone looking on. To be so pressing was very unusual. Mentally shrugging, he greeted his old acquaintance and fell into conversation with him, continually reminding himself that he could not be tardy for his dance with Lady Frederica.
* * *
“Thank you.”
Percy bowed low as his dance came to an end, finding himself more than relieved that he had managed to make his way through the dance without a single misstep. There had not been much said between him and Lady Frederica, but at least they had danced together. She had been waiting for him just after the dance had been announced and the relief on her face when he had stepped forward had been unmistakable. It had been with a sense of deep contentment that he had offered her his arm, knowing that he was in complete control of himself and would not make a ridiculous remark or a foolish gesture. The dance had gone very well, and Percy had found himself enjoying it, even though he had not shared much conversation with Lady Frederica.
“I thank you, Lord Wetherby.” Lady Frederica rose from her curtsy and, after only a moment, accepted his arm again. “That was most enjoyable.”
He beamed at her. “I am glad you found it so,” he replied quickly. “It will not make up for my foolishness or my insult to you at our first meeting, but I do hope it proves that I am determined not to do so again.”
Her eyes met his and, much to his delight, he saw a warmth in her green eyes that had not been present before, as well as a gentle smile.
“You certainly have done so, Lord Wetherby,” she replied as they approached the waiting duchess.
“And I know that I still cannot explain my strange appearance at your uncle’s townhouse,” he said hastily, wanting to say a little more before they reached her. “But for that, I can only apologize.”
“As you have done many times,” Lady Frederica replied, a smile on her lips as she glanced up at him. “Let us say that it is nothing more than a mystery and leave it at that.”
Percy let out a long breath, finding his spirits lifting. “Thank you, Lady Frederica,” he said as they reached the duchess. “I am glad that we were able to reconcile somewhat.”
Reaching the duchess, Percy dropped Lady Frederica’s arm and took a small step back, his hands now clasped behind his back.
“That was very well done,” the duchess said, smiling at him. “Have you enjoyed this evening, Lord Wetherby? Are you to dance again?”
“Not as yet,” he told her, aware of just how Lady Frederica looked at him sharply as he spoke. “It was my intention to dance with Lady Frederica this evening so that I might improve upon my last attempt.”
The duchess laughed and Percy found himself smiling back at her, thinking that the Duchess of Ellsworth was a remarkable lady who clearly held no grudge against him and was glad to see him attempt to reconcile with Lady Frederica. “I think you have done so,” she said kindly as Percy inclined his head. “Now, if you could only remember what you were doing in my husband’s townhouse.”
“I am attempting to do so,” he promised, a little wryly. “I assure you, I fully intend to do so.”
“Lord Wetherby?”
He glanced behind him, surprised to see Lady Preston and Miss Addington standing there. Excusing himself from Lady Frederica and the duchess, he turned around a little more and greeted them quickly.
“You were to dance with my daughter, Lord Wetherby,” Lady Preston said, frowning. “The cotillion.”
“I—I beg your pardon?” Percy asked, looking at the young lady and seeing how she dropped her head, her cheeks filling with color. “Without wishing to be rude, Lady Preston, I think you are mistaken. I have not written my name on your daughter’s dance card.”
“I am aware of that,” Lady Preston snapped, catching the attention of the duchess and Lady Frederica, who, being careful not to turn about and look at the lady, were clearly well aware of all that was being said given that they were within earshot. “But you stated that you would dance the cotillion with my daughter, did you not? I know that you were distracted by your other acquaintance—something I will state was a little impolite—but the promise still remained.”
Percy blinked rapidly, not at all certain what to say. From what he recalled, he had never once promised to dance the cotillion with Miss Addington. In fact, he had made quite certain to step away from the lady, so that he would not have to agree to dance with her at all.
“And then we see you stepping onto the dance floor with Lady Frederica!” Lady Preston exclaimed, gesturing toward the lady, who, having heard her name, turned to politely smile at Lady Preston. “Whatever is the meaning of that?”
“Again,” Percy insisted firmly, “you are mistaken, Lady Preston. I did not agree to dance with Miss Addington. Indeed, I wrote my name on Lady Frederica’s card before you and your daughter came to speak to me, Lord Greenford, and Lord Venables.”
Lady Preston let out a muttered exclamation and shook her head, clearly indicating that she did not believe what he had said.
“I do apologize if I had something to do with this unfortunate situation,” Lady Frederica said quietly as Percy shook his head, not wanting her to involve herself in this matter for fear that she would only think poorly of him again.
“You have done nothing wrong, Lady Frederica,” Lady Preston said sharply. “It is only that Lord Wetherby promised to dance the cotillion with my daughter but
instead chose to dance it with you. I do not hold you in any way responsible, Lady Frederica.”
Lady Frederica threw Percy a glance and he shook his head gently, one shoulder lifting as he did his best to communicate that he had no knowledge of what the lady was speaking about.
“I see,” Lady Frederica murmured, frowning as she looked back at Percy before turning her head to speak once more to Lady Preston. “Lord Wetherby is correct to state that he requested a dance from me before he moved to speak to you, however.” Her voice was a good deal firmer than Percy had expected, her tone measured but decisive. “I am afraid that there must have been a mistake of some kind.”
This seemed to throw Lady Preston somewhat, for she opened her mouth to respond to Lady Frederica, only to close it again as she saw the duchess frowning also.
“I am sure it is a matter that can be easily rectified, however,” Lady Frederica continued quickly. “Lord Wetherby, I do not mean to speak on your behalf, but might you consider dancing another dance with Miss Addington? I am not certain how many are left but I do hope that you have one or two free?”
Percy considered for a moment, seeing the expression of hope on Lady Frederica’s face and realizing what she was trying to do. In placating Lady Preston and her daughter, he would make certain that nothing untoward was spread about him through society. He grimaced, feeling a little manipulated by Lady Preston but aware that to do as Lady Frederica suggested was the wisest course of action.
“But of course,” he said after a few moments. “If there is another dance that you should like me to fulfill, Miss Addington, I should be more than glad to do so.”