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then."
Lady Alicia was not best pleased with him. "I see
you had to make certain that the poor chit you
generously allow to stay in your home has a partner or
two." She sniffed, then latched on to his arm.
Marcus smiled inwardly. Pity Lady Alicia could not
see the slip of paper with every dance marked with
some peer's name after it. He'd wager it was filled
better than hers. He had not failed to note that fewer
men hovered about her, and wondered if her spiteful
tongue had something to do with it.
The cotillion proved a trial, for Lady Alicia appeared
distracted. She took a wrong step more than once, and
Marcus soon realized that she was keeping an eye on
Charis. It was rather amusing, really. Of course,
Charis outranked Lady Alicia, and she likely found
that hard to forgive. But there was a genuine glow of
delight about Charis that was fresh and heartwarming.
His second dance was a duty one with the
Silverstone daughter. She was a sweet little thing,
timid as a mouse.
When it came time for his waltz with Charis, he
found her surrounded by every unattached male who
could get close. He made his way through the group to
her side. "I believe this is ours?"
Charis gave him a delighted smile. "It is."
She licked suddenly nervous lips. All these men
around her were intimidating. Thank heavens Marcus
was to take her away. Then she remembered how his
arms had felt about her. It would be just fine. Marcus
would see she came to no harm and take care of her.
He had done that years ago, and looked after her well
now. His kisses she ignored for the moment. For now
she focused on the bliss of waltzing with Marcus.
Other matters could come later.
The dances that followed would be a comedown, she
knew. He was perfection when he danced. She glanced
up at the chiseled features. There was more to him
than met the eye. She could not imagine any other
man ordering such a flawless gown, and then lending
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the topaz jewels to set it off. He might look daunting,
but inside he was warm and thoughtful. She just knew
it.
The remainder of the evening went in a whirl of
partners, each one more fulsome in his compliments
than the one before. It was a heady experience. She
was delighted that Harriet had acquired a court of her
own. All in all she found the Silverstones' ball to be far
beyond her expectations.
Her mother was standing with Sir William when she
caught her elder daughter's eye. At her beckoning nod,
Charis joined her, as did Harriet and Lord Egerton,
who had been her partner for the last dance.
"I believe it time to depart. It has been lovely, but all
good things come to an end." With that, she went to
express her pleasure to her host and hostess, as did
the others. They took their leave, not without the
woeful notice of a number of gentlemen.
Marcus also observed the departure. He suggested
to Lady Alicia that the hour was late. Oddly enough
she went without an argument.
All he could think of was to get home. He left Lady
Alicia with unseemly haste.
Charis awaited.
Chapter Ten
Charis was still in a golden haze when she went
down to breakfast the next morning. Actually, it was
closer to noon and luncheon, she supposed. There was
food on the sideboard, and she found rolls and cheese,
then requested a pot of tea. She pulled a chair close to
the table so to prop her chin on her hand while she
contemplated her wild success of the previous evening.
She had earned dark looks from Lady Alicia, who
apparently thought it scandalous that Charis should
be so besieged. It had been great fun!
All her life she had longed to be the belle of some
ball, and now she had. Thanks to the gold tissue gown
and her pretty hairstyle and the susceptibility of the
gentlemen present, she had enjoyed a smashing
evening. She went over the various dances and the
gentlemen she had met, wondering if any of them
might be suitable as husbands. She was prepared to
wed almost anyone, but she preferred to have a
husband she liked if she couldn't have the one she
113
wanted.
Not long after, Harriet wandered into the room. She
selected similar foods, and after pouring a cup of tea,
joined Charis at the table. "If we were in the country
on such a pretty day, we could take our meal to the
arbor and enjoy the flowers," she said wistfully.
"You miss the country so much?" Charis wasn't
terribly surprised. Her sister had always felt strongly
about their country home, and although she had been
delighted to come to London, it was plain it wasn't
what she had hoped it would be.
"Yes. I think I shall look for a gentleman who likes
living in the country. There must be one somewhere,"
Harriet concluded pensively.
"We could take Ruff for a walk in the park. And
while we stroll along the path, you can help me think
of a means by which we can expose you know who."
Charis dropped her voice to a whisper at the last of her
suggestion.
"You mean Lady A?" Harriet whispered back. "Why
are we whispering?"
Charis rolled her eyes. "Our cousin has a way of
hearing what we say when we least expect it." Her ears
alert, she heard steps approaching and gestured to the
door. But it was only Seymour, and the girls chuckled.
"Is there something you wished to tell us?" she
asked the stately butler as he paused in the doorway.
"Sir Marcus has left the house. He wanted me to in-
form you that he wishes to speak with you when he
returns. He said it was rather important." What may [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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