Page 22 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
Still, the very idea that Charlotte had been forced to dance the waltz with Graham was so humorous that Amanda giggled just thinking of it. “Surely it is not that absurd,” Lorna said in response to Amanda’s giggle.
Amanda assured her, “I was not giggling at the idea of the duchess scorning my brother. I was just reminded of how bad a dancer my brother is.”
“He seems quite graceful to me,” Lorna said with a frown.
Amanda rolled her eyes. “That is because you are silly in the head and think that somehow my brother is attractive.”
“There are quite a few ladies here who share that opinion of your brother. Perhaps it is you who are silly.” Lorna straightened her shoulders and gave Amanda a haughty look.
Amanda did not take offense she just smiled. “I cannot account for what madness takes hold of women during the season. I think it is his military career that makes people view him so.”
“I suppose it is different if he is your brother. You grew up with him.” Lorna turned toward the mirror that hung opposite the sofa and dabbed some powder on her face. She slid the powder back into her bag and sighed. “I should go. I have a partner waiting.”
Amanda nodded and gave the woman a little wave, which she returned. She left the room soon after Lorna, satisfied that her rumour had spread successfully. Amanda knew how society worked.
“Can I speak with you?” Graham appeared at her side. Although his words were spoken as a question, she could tell that he was not really asking.
Amanda mumbled, “Of course.”
Graham turned on his heel and led Amanda out of the ballroom. She was beginning to worry that perhaps he intended on making her leave as he walked further and further away from the party. He finally held the door for her to enter a room, which ended up being the library.
“What is this all about?” Amanda turned to face her brother, hands firmly on her hips and prepared to stand her ground.
Graham shut the door and asked in a low voice, “Have you lost your mind?”
“No, why? What are you going on about?” Amanda was taken aback by the fury in her brother’s eyes. “Is this about Charlotte being here?”
Graham shushed her. “Keep your voice down.
“Very well,” Amanda whispered. “I thought she might need some fun, Graham. She has been moping for ages.”
Graham retorted, “Perhaps that is because you have her indentured to yourself. Do you not think that might get old?” He raised his hand to stop whatever Amanda was going to say. “That is not the point I came here to make. Your little rumour about Miss Browne is irreprehensible.”
“So, you heard it?” Amanda giggled at the look on Graham’s face. “Oh come off your high horse, Brother. You danced with her. Do you not think that drew attention to her?”
Graham rubbed his face and Amanda shook her head at him. He growled, “You could ruin people’s reputations with games like this, Amanda. Take heed that the reputation you ruin is not your own.” With that, Graham stormed out of the library leaving a vexed Amanda behind.
Had Graham really just scolded her? He could be condescending and critical of her, but he had never scolded her. Amanda huffed. “I think the duchess deserves better,” she muttered to the empty room.
She collected herself then left the library to return to the party. She was met by her aunt. “Where have you been?” Lady Henderson’s face was settled into the lines of old frowns and creases.
“I was in the library. Graham wanted to speak to me.” Amanda folded her arms at the questioning. Surely her reputation did not make her prone to such things.
Lady Henderson eyed Amanda as if weighing her soul. She must have deemed her at least somewhat worth,y because the woman relented in her hard stare. “What did your brother want to speak to you about? It is not like Graham to interfere with your time at events.”
Amanda sighed in long-suffering. “Despite what you may think of my brother, Great Aunt Beatrice, he is prone to overreact at times.”
“So, you did something to him?” Lady Henderson did not seem to be having much trouble with that concept, Amanda noted.
She gave up trying to win her great aunt over to her side. It was clear that the woman had determined Graham to be the more responsible of the two of them. Amanda marked that down to the fact that Graham was the first-born son, and really, did they not always get treated specially?
“He was a teensy bit irate about a remark I made. He thought it might get back to his beloved duchess, no doubt. But we have sorted it all out.” Amanda shrugged. “Now can I get back to the party? I have suitors waiting.”
Lady Henderson relented and let Amanda go back to her knot of suitors, who were waiting for her return. Amanda gave her aunt a curtsey of thanks before she sauntered away. Everyone was making such a fuss tonight for no good reason. It was as if people did not know how to have fun anymore.
She was still flummoxed when she reached her suitors. “Miss Easterly,” Sir Chatham said with relief. “We were beginning to worry that you had grown tired of us.”
“Never,” Miss Easterly said with a smile. “I was delayed by my aunt. Now, what shall we do to pass the time? Oh, Miss Tennison, have you met Sir Chatham?”
