Page 40 of The Virgin in the Rake's Bed
“Nonsense. I enjoyed it, and I have been sure to invite every eligible bachelor I could think of. The decent ones, at least,” she said, and Catherine could not help but smile.
Quite what constituted a “decent bachelor,” was somewhat beyond her. If the women in the Duchess of Sinclair’s salon were to be believed, then there was no such thing as a decent man, and yet here, the ballroom seemed filled with men, far more so than women, of whom there were but a token number, perhaps only enough so that half would always be left out of the dance.
“And I am supposed to seek these gentlemen out?” Catherine asked.
Rebecca and Samantha looked at one another with exasperated expressions. “What do you expect us to do, Catherine? Are we to marry the men ourselves? You must do something. What of all the lessons in seduction you have received? Are you not going to practice them now?” Samantha asked.
Catherine was not used to such forwardness. It had seemed easy enough in Ian’s company. He had led her through the steps, and she had felt entirely at ease in his company. But now, faced with thirty or so bachelors, she wondered how such lessons would really work when put into practice. Should she simply approach a man and ask him to dance, she wondered?
“I am to wait for one to come to me, though make it clear I did not invite him,” she said, remembering Ian’s words on dancing.
“But how will you select the one you wish to dance with?” Rebecca asked.
Catherine thought for a moment. She looked around the room at the assortment of men gathered in small groups, waiting for the music to begin. She spotted a man, perhaps a few years older than herself, handsome and dressed in an officer’s uniform. He had dusty blonde hair, and an attractive smile. He was, to look at, everything she desired, though of course, in speech and conduct he may have been entirely unsuitable – that was the risk she took.
“That one,” she said, nodding toward the gentleman, who seemed to sense he was being watched, turning and catching her eye with a smile.
“Lord Walker’s son, a captain in the militia, his name… let me think, Archibald, that is right,” Samantha said, and Catherine nodded.
“I have made my intention clear with a look. Let us see if he takes the bait,” she said, and to her pleasure, the captain stepped away from his companions and made his way toward them.
“The art of seduction,” Rebecca remarked, and she and Samantha slipped away into the crowd.
“Captain Archibald Walker,” the man said, bowing to Catherine, who adopted her most disinterested look, whilst being entirely interested in the handsome man whose smile was enchanting.
“Catherine Ferguson,” she said, hoping he would not know of her betrothal.
“Charmed, I am sure. I could not help but notice you arrived alone. Are you unaccompanied?” he asked.
“No, my friend is Lady Brimsey, your hostess. She is chaperoning me, along with our friend Lady Somerset,” she replied, attempting to sound disinterested, remembering Ian’s words about displaying little enthusiasm, even if one’s interests are aroused.
“Ah, both of them are delightful women. I have only just returned to London from billeting in Derbyshire with the regiment. As dull a situation as could be imagined. There was no society in the district, and the most excitement afforded us was a dance at the assembly rooms in Rowsley,” he said, laughing and shaking his head.
“Then I am sure it is a pleasure for you to return to London, sir,” she replied, and he nodded.
“Particularly when the company is so… alluring,” he replied, and she blushed.
“I am sure it is,” she said, just as the music struck up.
“Would you care to dance?” he asked, and Catherine made a show of pondering his request, intending, of course, to accept it.
“I am not familiar with the tune, but yes, I shall endeavor it,” she replied, taking his arm.
She felt pleased with herself at having accomplished her goal, whilst making him think it was entirely of his own doing. It was her glance which had attracted him, a glance she had prepared to give, after a scrutiny of the room. Now, she had allowed him to think it was he who had claimed the dance, whilst all the while it was she. A dance which now she would thoroughly enjoy before attempting the next stage of her plan. She had lied about not knowing the tune – she knew it perfectly and now led him through the steps, whilst allowing him to believe it was him leading her.
“You dance very well,” he said, as they twirled to the waltz, the throng of couples around them creating quite a show at the center of the ballroom.
“As do you, sir,” she replied.
“I am surprised a woman of your charms has come here alone this evening. It does seem rather odd that there are so many unattached men and women here. I grow suspicious that our hostess has ulterior motives,” he said, and Catherine laughed.
“I am sure she is merely playing her part in the ton. After Derbyshire, you should be pleased to have such opportunity,” Catherine replied.
“And indeed, I am,” he said, as the music came to an end.
Catherine now faced a choice. Should she accept a second dance with the handsome officer or practice her skills further on another gentleman? The matter was settled when the captain excused himself for a few moments, promising to return as soon as possible. She glanced around her, and found her eyes resting on a young man, whose gaze soon turned to hers. She smiled at him, and a moment later he was at her side, introducing himself as Lord Arthur Ardley, whose father was the Duke of Chesterton.
“And I am charmed to meet you, Miss…?” he said, bowing and taking her hand to his lips.
