Page 40 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
‘She is not hiding any more,’ William jested as he joined them, having relinquished Susan to another partner.
They all looked at her then, watching her take her position in a new set.
Alethea was the eldest and the one they had all deemed prettiest for years, the one they all hovered near when the girls werewith them, while Susan had backed away and eventually left the room.
‘I should dance with her too then. If we are to spend the night extolling Susan’s charms then I ought to experience them,’ Fred quipped, mocking them all. ‘If I am to waste an evening at this ball I might as well appreciate the scenery.’
‘You must,’ Harry answered. ‘She’s a good waltzer,’ Harry added with a laugh.
Discomfort twisted within Henry’s stomach. They had conversations over preferences when discussing whores. It was uncomfortable to hear them discuss Susan.
Henry felt responsible for both Forth girls, his instinct was to be as protective as he would be when Sarah made her debut.
Self-centred, Susan had accused. He was, but now his selfishness absorbed Alethea and her. Yet, careless… He did not feel careless any more.
When the supper dance came he claimed Alethea again, this time for a country dance, and he enjoyed the dance immensely.
When he led her in to dine she spoke of her other dancing partners, all excitement, but he sensed her jubilant descriptions were designed to spur his jealousy and probably a hastier proposal. She need not waste her breath, he would not bend on his desire to wait a year.
Susan had danced with Harry again, so they came to join Henry and Alethea, and therefore so did Fred, Greg and William.
They made up a jolly, flirtatious table. Alethea glowed in the company of so many young gentlemen all vying for attention. Susan, however, became more withdrawn, like her old self, and spoke mostly to Harry who sat beside her.
‘How is your flower painting progressing, Susan?’ Henry asked from across the table. ‘Did you master that book?’
She looked at him and blushed. She was not easy in companystill, no matter that she enjoyed dancing. ‘My skill has improved. I am much better than I was. But I have not copied them all yet.’
‘What flowers? What book?’ Fred asked, leaning more towards her.
Susan began an explanation of her desire to be able to paint images in more detail. Now she had a subject she was comfortable with she conversed more easily, but then it was Alethea’s turn to be out of sorts.
Henry looked at her and began a private conversation about things they might do together while she was in town. She had always loved to be the centre of attention; perhaps that was why Susan had grown up in her shadow.
After they had eaten, when the dancing began, Henry stood to the side and watched the girls. They danced four dances without sitting down. He left his friends and walked about the edge of the ballroom, making his way towards Uncle Casper, Aunt Julie and his parents. They had spent most of the night together.
‘Hello, son, how is your night progressing?’ His father gripped his shoulder.
‘Good,’ Henry answered, looking across the room as Susan skipped down the centre of a set with a partner he did not know. He could not dance with Alethea again, but he could dance with Susan once more.
‘I saw you taking supper with Alethea…’
‘Yes.’
‘She seems very happy…’
‘She is.’
‘She looks very pleased you encouraged her to come for the season…’
‘Yes.’
The dance came to its end.
‘Excuse me, Papa.’ He left his father and crossed the room to meet Susan, before another man might ask her.
‘May I have your hand as a partner for the next?’ he asked when he reached her. The notes of a waltz began.
‘Yes,’ she answered, before looking at another gentleman and smiling an apology, as though she had expected him to ask. The man walked away.
