Page 175 of From Rakes to Riches

“Now, Miss Wingate, do remember everything we discussed. You must accept every invitation to dance until your card is full.”

Miss Wingate nodded.

“Are you feeling nervous?” Lady Pickering asked.

“Only about some of the dances.”

Apparently, her mother had taught her to dance, but with no occasion to practice or become proficient, the lessons had faded from Miss Wingate’s memory. Resultingly, she’d spent yesterday afternoon and a good portion of today with a dancing master.

Lady Pickering gently patted her arm. “You’ll do fine. Now, let us make the rounds and do your best to remember everyone’s name.”

Tobias again escorted Lady Pickering as they circulated the room, introducing Miss Wingate—and Miss Lancaster as her companion—to everyone they encountered. The higher the rank, the longer they stayed to converse. By the time they’d nearly reached the door again, Miss Wingate had received four invitations to dance. Then the music started, and Mr. Mansfield came to lead her onto the floor.

Tobias pivoted to excuse himself. He needed to extend his own invitations to dance.

“Just a moment,” Lady Pickering said. She edged closer to him, lowering her voice to a bare whisper. “Are you aware that your ward was seen walking in Hyde Park yesterday morning?”

Evidently that was bad, given Lady Pickering’s disdainful expression. Her dark brows were pitched low over her eyes, which flashed with mild irritation.

He looked toward Miss Lancaster, who stood far enough away that she couldn’t hear what they said. In addition, she’d fixed her attention on the dancefloor. “Er, no. I didn’t even realize she’d gone for a walk at all.”

“This must not happen. Ladies do not walk in Hyde Park before the afternoon. Do you know what sort of nastiness happens in Hyde Park in the morning?”

Tobias looked at her blankly. “I often ride on Rotten Row in the morning.”

“Precisely.Youare a man. And an obtuse one at that. You must instruct Miss Wingate, and more importantly, her companion, that they are not to do that.”

“I’m certain it was an oversight.” Except Miss Lancaster should have known better, shouldn’t she? But then Tobias didn’t know her that well. He’d relied entirely on Lucien’s recommendation.

“Good. You’ll need to keep a much closer eye on your household, particularly if you want to achieve your own goals. Regarding that matter, who are you considering?”

“Ah, Miss Goodfellow perhaps?” He still didn’t know who she was.

“Then why aren’t you dancing with her?”

Tobias glanced about, which was absurd since he didn’t even know who he was looking for. “She’s here?”

Lady Pickering sighed. “Have you even met her?”

“Probably.”

“Can you pick her out?”

“No.”

She exhaled with exasperation. “Come with me.”

He held up his hand. “Wait just a moment and then you may introduce us. Orreintroduceus.” He shook his head. “If you have other recommendations, I’d be interested to hear them. Just no young ladies in their first Season.”

“Why?”

“I prefer someone with a bit more experience.”

Lady Pickering’s brows climbed.

“Notthatkind of experience, though a widow would be acceptable.”

“I see. You want a woman who already knows who she is and what she wants.”

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