Page 90 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
He scuttled quickly away, heading directly and unswervingly to Lady Diana.
“I think he likes her,” Luke said as he watched.
“Really?” Alison asked, a note of surprise in her voice. “What makes you say that?”
“Have you not noticed the way in which he is drawn to her?”
“They would be good for one another,” Alison said, nodding encouragingly.
“Yes. I think Thomas could do with a little companionship. Look how much brighter he seems now that they are talking?”
“Goodness me, you’re right. They light each other up.” She turned suddenly to Luke. “You don’t think she would hurt him, though, do you? She is not simply after any husband, no matter who he is? It could all be an act.”
“I don’t think so,” Jenny interjected, her words slow and considerate. She had, until now, been letting their conversation flow over her, but watching Thomas and Lady Diana, she could see how right they were. “As much as I am loath to admit anything nice about that lady, she does seem to soften an awful lot when she’s in his presence.”
“I’m not sure any of that family could be considered trustworthy,” Luke said with a sigh. “Not after… well, you know.” Jenny turned to him with a sudden brightness.
“Perhaps with her softened, she will be willing to give me some real answers about that.”
“Jenny,” Alison warned, although sympathetically. “It really would be better to do what you can to put it behind you.”
“You’re right, I suppose,” Jenny said, a note of resignation tinging her voice.
“The next set is your dance with Thomas, isn’t it?” Luke asked. “And then Lord Bexford. Lots to look forward to.”
“It seems it is, yes,” Jenny said.
She smiled politely, weakly, at Alison and Luke, then forced herself from her seat to where Thomas waited for her. They were to dance a jaunty tune, for which Jenny was grateful—it meant less time to talk, and more focus on movement.
And anything that stops my fountain of thoughts has to be a good thing.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Thomas asked as they took up their positions. He looked so hopeful that she couldn’t bring herself to admit the truth.
“I am,” she said meekly, quickly averting her gaze so that he didn’t see the truth in her eyes.
“Wonderful. You know, there are some excellent gentlemen here this evening. Perhaps you’ll allow me to introduce you to one or two. Maybe a little later on?”
“I rather think Luke has his intentions set on Lord Bexford,” she said.
“And an excellent choice he is, too. I think you will like him, if you give him a chance.”
“You are always so positive,” she said with a chuckle.
“It’s the best way to be, My Dear. Sadness and negativity will only get you more sadness and negativity. I know you have had a difficult time of it, but you really must not dwell on it.”
“You are right,” she said, smiling up at him, genuinely this time. “I will take your advice. Who knew I would ever have such a sage older brother?”
“What can I say?” Thomas said with a shrug and a coy smile. “I am a font of wisdom and knowledge.”
Jenny snorted, slapping him playfully on the arm, and she realized she was actually beginning to enjoy herself. Perhaps it was possible to embrace all the ball had to offer, after all.
She was still in good spirits by time her dance with Lord Bexford began, and she appraised him a little more kindly than before.
At two-and-thirty, he had the beginnings of lines around his dull gray eyes, and a slight silvering at the temple. He was a short man—shorter than Sebastian, at least, and his body was lean and weak. Still, he was pleasant enough. He smiled often and he was softly spoken, and from what little Jenny knew of him, he seemed to have a kind heart.
“Have you done much traveling, Miss Jones?” he asked as the music began.
“No,” she said, almost chuckling at the notion. “Not unless you count the places I visit in novels.”
