Page 49 of The Banished Bride
The devil take it. It was clear that this campaign to was going to be infinitely more daunting than facing off against Marshall Nye himself.
“You look absolutely divine this evening.”As he spoke, Jack executed a skillful bit of footwork to avoid collision with an elderly gentleman whose partner looked to be as broad in the beam as a ship of the line. His grin then became even more pronounced. “And judging by the number of besotted gentlemen all but kneeling by your chair, you have converted more than your share of acolytes.”
“I can’t imagine what on earth has inspired such silly behavior.”
“Can’t you?” His brow arched up, but instead of answering directly, he went on in the same teasing vein. “I take it Woodbridge is reduced to squiring Miss Robertson about the floor because he didn’t think to secure a spot on your dance card in advance. No chance now. He would need a regiment of foot soldiers to cut a path to your feet, even if there were a blank space left. Which there isn’t.”
“You may be sure that the earl has not the least interest in stepping out with me,” replied Aurora rather stiffly, taking great pains not to look in Alex’s direction.
That was certainly true enough, she thought. He had not so much as glanced her way the entire evening! His gaze had been riveted on the voluptuous raven-haired beauty whom he had partnered for the first waltz. Or, to be more specific, on the goodly amount of cleavage that the lady’s low-cut burgundy gown showed off to perfection.
Her eyes pressed closed for an instant, as if such action might also help banish the picture of how the lady’s head had tilted back in soft laughter at something Alex had murmured close to her ear. And how dazzling his smile had been in return. To her dismay the threat of tears stung her lids.
What did it matter that he had held another woman in his arms? He would very soon have another wife in his life, and she should be well glad of it. Better to live with an aging governess and a calico cat than with a handsome husband whose sentiments would never match her own. Alex didn’t love her, and the pain of knowing that his eyes—and his heart—could not help but wander would be unbearable.
She blinked once more and forced her attention back to her dance partner. “And of course, there is no reason for His Lordship to ask for a set,” she added with a shrug of unconcern. “Duty has obliged him to dance attendance on me quite enough over the past week. I imagine he is delighted to be free of the obligation, at least for an evening.” So delighted, she added to herself, that he had rather dance with Robbie than consider asking for her own hand.
“Ah. yes,” murmured Jack. “You did mention that you are related to his aunt. By marriage, is it?”
“Yes.” Her mouth set in a grim line. “The connection is through marriage.”
For a moment he was silent, a thoughtful expression on his features. “Hmmm. That must make you related to Alex by marriage as well.”
Aurora’s foot jerked left when it should have slid right, causing her to come down rather heavily on his foot. “Oh, do forgive me, Jack,” she gasped as he stifled a little yelp of pain. “I-I did warn you that I have very little experience in the making my way in Polite Society.”
“You are doing marvelously well,” he reassured her with a game smile while trying not to limp too noticeably through the next series of turns.
For a moment Aurora thought she had managed to change the direction of the conversation as well, but Jack’s next words proved his curiosity was not so easily squashed as his toes. “I take it the two of you were not aware of your, er, relationship during the time in the North?”
She bit her lip. “His Lordship and I had met only once before, a long time ago when I was but a child. My name, as well as my person, had changed in the meantime, and as he chose not to reveal his true identity, neither of us had the slightest inking of the connection. It was only by merest chance that the truth came to light when I was summoned to London on … family business.”
“A strange twist of Fate,” he said with a faint smile.
Ha! That was putting it rather mildly, thought Aurora to herself.
He gave a slight cough. “To return to the question of your new admirers—perhaps you should know that Lady Renfrew has let fall several interesting comments during the evening.”
“Has she?” To her vast relief, Aurora recognized a flourish of notes that indicated the melody was nearing its end. “Well, I imagine one does not reach such an advanced age without having picked up at least one or two things that are worth listening to.”
There was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Especially when one is a nosy old lady who makes it a point to learn everyonditthat is repeated in Town. As a matter of fact, the topic of conversation was you?—”
“Me!”
“A lovely lady with an aura of mystery about her—you may not be acquainted with theton, but surely you understand human nature well enough to know how tantalizing that is. On top of that, Lady Renfrew has made it a point to mention that you have … expectations.”
“Expectations?” she repeated faintly.
“Of coming into a generous settlement. And of seeking a husband.” He cleared his throat. “She has dropped more than a few hints that Mr. Sprague is no more. Is that true?”
“Yes, Mr. Sprague has departed from this world,” she answered through gritted teeth. “But I assure you that I am not seeking a new husband.”
“Ah. Well, given your sentiments on the first one, I suppose that is not to be wondered at. Still, Lady Renfrew did say that?—”
This time, Aurora sidestepped the issue with a bit more adroitness than before. “Surely you are too much of a gentleman to put too much credence in gossip.”
His mouth opened, then shut.
Seizing the advantage, she hurried on. “Oh, look, I do believe that is Mr. Drimble, my next partner, who is waving at us.” She made a show of consulting the card dangling from her wrist. “Yes, so it is.”
