Page 42 of The Lady Was Lying
“Not at all, but you don’t know many of the gentlemen as I do.”
“I’m sure that is true.” His lips turned up as he shook his head slightly. “Even so, I assure you that I have everything under control. Jane is not the sort to sneak out of ballrooms. When she is not dancing, she remains with me or Emmeline. There has been no opportunity for her to be taken advantage of or otherwise led astray.” His lips turned up even more. “You don’t need to worry.”
“Perhaps not.” Belinda folded her hands at her waist. “But you’ve allowed her to dance with Lord Edwin more than once.”
“That is also true.” Sweeping his arm out, he gestured for her to precede him through the doorway. “Jane can dance with whomever she pleases. There is no harm in sharing a dance.”
“Perhaps not,” she repeated. “But?—”
“I am aware of Lord Edwin’s reputation,” he interrupted. “As is Jane.”
“She should not waste her time on men who are unworthy of her.”
“A dance here or there doesn’t qualify as wasted time. Refusing to dance with eligible men who have behaved in a respectable manner toward her only invites speculation and drama, whereas being esteemed by others and known for kindness will only serve Jane well.”
“If it were up to me, she’d avoid men like Lord Edwin entirely.”
“Should she avoid all the men you’ve kissed?” Sebastian asked as she placed her right foot on the block to climb into the carriage.
“Ha. Very funny. For your information, I’ve never kissed Lord Edwin,” she tossed the words over her shoulder before disappearing inside. The sound that escaped from Jane’s lips when Belinda slipped into the carriage was far too loud. And far too excited.
“Surprise.” Belinda attempted to match her sister’s enthusiasm with a wide smile.
“You’re joining us?” Jane asked, clapping her hands. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Belinda shrugged, not wanting to admit that she hadn’t trusted herself to attend, and really not wanting to admit that part of the reason she’d convinced herself to attend was because she believed James would be there.
She did not want her sister to get the wrong idea.
“It was a last-minute decision. I promised you my assistance, and I can hardly support your endeavors from home.”
“It’s hard to argue with such sound logic. I’m so delighted you’ve changed your mind. We’re going to have the best night together.”
Belinda hummed noncommittally.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Sebastian asked as he settled onto the plush bench next to Belinda.
“Not at all,” she replied honestly.
“Everything will be fine,” Emmeline assured them, reaching out and patting Sebastian’s thigh. Unlike Belinda and Sebastian, Emmeline was an eternal optimist, and it seemed as if she had full confidence that Belinda could attend the marquess’s ball without engaging in any behavior worthy of scandal.
Belinda could only hope that she was correct.
The ball was an undeniable crush. The scandal sheets would probably mark it as a great success, but Belinda would be hard pressed to agree, because she wasn’t having any luck identifying another suitor for her sister. Jane was obviously esteemed by everyone she encountered. She had been jolly and cheerful all night, but at no point had she appeared smitten, or even moderately infatuated, by the men who flocked to her side.
Belinda was caught off guard when her sister suddenly appeared at her side, grabbed onto her arm, leaned close, and with a twinge of panic in her voice whispered, “Can you dance with the duke for me?”
“What?” Belinda shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
Jane’s face scrunched. “I need to go to the ladies retiring room and—” She gestured over her shoulder where James was headed in their direction, weaving through the crowd.
“You can’t wait?”
“No!” Jane practically shouted, more agitated than seemed necessary.
“But—”
“Belinda,” Jane whined. “Please dance with Avondale for me.”
