Page 36 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“I am so glad to see you. There are far too many strangers here tonight, and I know that Mother is going to continually foist me upon them, telling me that I need to practice my homemaking skills. They are hoping for a match,” she said calmly, and Caroline’s eyes widened.
“To Alexander?” she asked, and Caroline pulled her away from the people to a large section of potted plants.
“Well, he has not said anything to Father or Mother thus far.” She blushed and looked down at her feet. “But I do hope that he will. We have spoken of… our affection.”
Caroline laughed and embraced her friend. “I am so very happy for you! I knew it was true, even if the two of you were too stubborn to admit it.”
“Yes, yes, I know.” She smiled, and in her eyes, Caroline could see just how happy Matilda was. “But I was afraid, and as you know, it is difficult for a young woman to do anything about it when she has an affection for a man. We are so very restricted.” She turned to the side and paused. “Forgive me, but Mother is calling me. I know we have our hopes, but we will have to see what happens. I only hope Alexander will have the courage.”
“I am certain he will. Go. You are the hostess and must do your best to show your mother all your skills.”
Matilda squeezed her gloved hand and then was off, into the crowd. With a sigh, Caroline watched as people began to file into the ballroom. She found herself a bit of refreshment and sipped idly as she waited for Charles to arrive. It would be pleasant to speak to him, but she knew she was not yet able to dance with him as many times as she wished.
I wonder what Father knows, however. Does he too think that I am interested in Alexander? Or if he knows about Charles, then perhaps it is a good thing that he seems to approve. Perhaps we might be able to tell everyone soon enough.
She was embarrassed, but she was not entirely displeased. Her eyes caught the faces of Oliver and Charles as they entered the ballroom in conversation. She took another sip and then put down her glass, and then she paused, feeling slightly faint when she saw Penelope approach Charles, her head held high.
Chapter 36
“By God, this is as good as any ballroom in London,” Oliver said, looking around the room.
Charles nodded in agreement, his eyes snagging on the crystal chandeliers that hung over the ballroom, the tables along the walls which were covered in food and drink. There were far more people than he’d expected, and a few of them he recognized from London.
“It seems we’ve been joined by many others tonight,” he said, pulling on his waistcoat as they walked to one of the tables. “Many of them are friends of my father’s.”
Oliver winced. “Well, I suppose then they will be keeping a sharp eye on you and will be able to return to London to tell your mother of your activities while in the countryside.” He winked as he drank from his wine glass.
“Thank you, friend. Really, it has been such an ease to have you here with me in the country. What would I have done without you?”
Oliver laughed, and the two of them strode on into the room, nodding to acquaintances along the way. “I suppose we ought to make ourselves very social tonight. For even if we have been joined by Londoners, the country folk are still watching us, sharp-eyed, to see what the newcomers will do and how they will act.” Oliver paused when his eye caught on something.
Charles turned to look, and he smiled when he saw that his friend was watching the young, red-haired Lady Keenan in conversation with a few other ladies.
“Ah, it seems that perhaps your head has finally been turned, old friend. Lady Keenan seems a fine woman. I should like to ask her to dance.”
“No,” Oliver said, but then he blinked as if he’d surprised himself, and he smiled. “I only mean that I wish to ask her to dance first, Charles. Do not get in the way.”
“I would never.” Charles was endlessly amused at his friend’s antics. He’d heard nothing from him about this woman after the dinner party, but it seemed that now, seeing her again, a change had come over him. “Go on, then. I am certain I can busy myself.”
Oliver nodded, no longer looking at Charles, and he left him on his own, putting his wine glass down on the way to speak with Lady Keenan. The musicians were already primed and ready, and Charles knew the first dancers would be making their selections. He was about to scan the crowd for Caroline when he jumped to see Baroness Wentworth standing at his side.
“Lord Spencer, how are you this evening?” the baroness asked.
She was looking well in a dark gown, her eyes bright and cheerful. She was not much older than Caroline, Charles surmised, and yet there was a bitterness to her that hung in the background of her expression. He was not surprised, as she had likely had to marry the much older man. At least the baron was a kind and good man, at least in Charles’ estimation.
He smiled at her. This was Caroline’s family after all, and he was eager to make a good impression. For one day, and one day soon, they would share with her family, their attachment.
“I am well, and how are you?”
“Very well, thank you. Have you met my nephew?” she asked, motioning across the room to where Max was speaking to a new young woman.
“Yes, I have, but we have not had a chance to have any sort of conversation.”
“Ah, I see. Well, it is good for the young men to know one another. I wondered, Lord Spencer, if you might be the first person on my dance card this evening? I am simply an old married woman, but my husband is not feeling well tonight, and I do so like to dance.”
Charles tried his best not to frown. He didn’t remember seeing her dance at the Merryweathers’, but he didn’t remark upon that.
“Why, of course.” He put down his wine, and he offered her his gloved hand.
