Page 16 of A Lady of Means
Drysdale gave a good natured laugh.“Do you also play an instrument by any chance?”
Moria probably could have interjected at some point.Moria did in fact also play an instrument, impressively some would say, but she just tilted her head to the side, reading the signs.
Margot talking with her hands, Drysdale dipping his head at something she said and then smiling at her.Margot was talking about the composition she was practicing, Drysdale’s eyes flew to Margot’s full lips.
Lady Althea pressed a hand on Moria’s arm, a gentle perusal of her feelings because there was barely a secret that woman couldn’t divine, but Moria gave her a small smile in return.Oddly enough, Moria didn’t feel jealous.
Moria had kissed Drysdale,and yet…and yet the thought of Margot kissing him didn’t do anything to her.She felt…indignant.But Devyn?
I want to push someone down a flight of stairs or toss a piano out of a window at the thought of someone else’s mouth on him.What does that say about me?
She didn’t puzzle over it for long, for the next song began.Moria let Drysdale take her in his arms and lead her onto the dance floor.She wondered for a split second how it would feel to be dancing with a different man’s arms around her, but batted the thought away when Drysdale’s small finger caressed her lower back.Only, she saw that more than twice, his eyes found Miss Wimbley again and his cheeks went a little pink when he realized she’d noticed.
Moria didn’t dawdle.Moria was a woman of swift action.
“Aaah!”She gasped, misstepping and grabbing onto him to keep from toppling over.
She winced, leaning down to grasp her ankle through her layers of skirts.
He stopped dancing, tightening his grasp.“Dear god.My lady, are you alright?”
“I miscounted the music is all, I think I…” she winced as he draped an arm around her and led her to an upholstered bench off to the side of the dance floor, “I think I may have turned my ankle wrong.”
Several onlookers had started to gather.Drysdale stood before her to block their view.
“Then I shall see to getting you home,” Drysdale insisted.
Moria patted his arm.“You’re so attentive, but my sisters will see to my welfare.I’m sure Miss Wimbley wouldn’t mind taking my place.”She looked around him to wave a hand at the young woman in the small circle of onlookers.To her credit, the softening of her eyes showed concern for Moria, or perhaps concern for being the object of her attention.
It was a test, if he was into Margot like she’d suspected, he’d take the out.If he wasn’t he wouldn’t?—
“Miss Wimbley?”
Moria had once thought Margot Wimbley plain, it turned out she’d just never seen the girl blush.When she smiled and blushed and held out her hand, she was radiant.Drysdale’s eyes seemed to reflect it.Crinkles at the corners held up by a smile of his own gave him away.
In seconds, Moria’s three sisters and companion materialized out of nowhere.All five women had to scrunch their skirts together to fit onto the upholstered bench on the outskirts of the dancefloor, but Moria relished their momentary closeness.At an event like this, she was often holding court, currying favors, collecting secrets, all while being trailed by Carina and Lady Gretchen, Drysdale, or other suitors.There was an uncommon reprieve being next to the people who knew her without wanting something from her.
“Mo, can I be of assistance?”Noelle had been the first one to her side.Fitz stood behind Noelle, staring down anyone who cast glances their way or whispered behind a fan.
Miss Kate Herring from the lending library approached.Moria barely knew the girl, didn’t like that smirk on her lips like she saw through Moria.So Moria made a show of wincing and pointing toward her ankle.
“I’ll be fine in a moment.Just turned my ankle wrong dancing is all.”
Olivia was immediately skeptical.“You’ve never misstepped dancing in your life.”
Trust Olivia to risk outing Moria’s ruse.But Miss Herring didn’t pick up the thread.“Perhaps it was a waltz?I’ve always found those rather tricky,” Kate offered.
Moria huffed and crossed her arms.“Awaltz?I’m not an amateur.Please.It was a jig.Which you would know if any suitors had asked you.”
Noelle discreetly stepped on Moria’s foot in silent reproach.Moria stared a hole through Kate as she said, “You can’t sit with us.”Sensing this was a conversation she wasn’t privy to, Miss Herring made a curtsy and stepped into a crowd.
Kathleen turned her attention from the young woman’s swift departure to study Moria’s face.“First you give Margot your dance with Drysdale, and then you give that poor young lady such a cut direct.Sometimes I don’t know what to make of you.”
“Because you’re like our mother,” Olivia said, tone laced with incredulity.
“But I’m not a regular mother, I’m your sister, like a more calm, understanding mother.”
“Please stop talking,” Moria said, cringing, then continued.“Miss Herring’s acquaintance does make me appear more benevolent in light of how the scandal sheets like to misconstrue my intentions, despite wearing the ugliest effing skirt I’ve ever seen,” she shuddered as if in distaste, then straightened her posture.“But she hasn’t earned a place among my confidantes yet,” Moria said with a shrug.“As for Miss Wimbley, I witnessed their interaction.It was…sweet.I merely got out of the way.”
