Page 25 of The Duke's Dream
“You faced the most powerful male in Britain. Granted, it was in your field of expertise, but remarkable nonetheless.”
An enormous sigh escaped Helene’s chest. “I danced with him, and only because your mother asked.”
Maggy inspected her willowy reflection in the mirror, shoving her black tresses from her forehead. “How can you be so nonchalant about it? I wish I could be so secure.”
As secure as King Lear handing out his crown… During the waltz, her heart had stampeded. Thank Apollo for her gloves, or His Grace would’ve noticed her clammy palms. Why did he have to appear here?
Helene hugged herself. “It comes with making a pirouette in front of a demanding audience. It’s either be assertive or fall flat on your face.”
“Oh, please! You made him laugh. I never heard him laugh. I would bet my pin money no one in the ton ever heard him laugh.”
Helene smiled, remembering his startled laughter. He should laugh more often. Laughing, he seemed much less imposing. If Celeste were here, she would twirl with glee, congratulating her success in turning the brooding duke into a cheerful one.
“Do you know him personally, then?”
“Know of him? Yes.” Maggy’s blue eyes widened comically. “Speak with him? Lady Margaret Thornley, speaking with The Silent Sovereign? Protector of high society’s golden gates? Unyielding as steel, the man who wields more power than the regent, who is shrewder than Wellington and more handsome than Byron? I would not dare. Why would I risk instant combustion? One of his looks could turn this lithe body into cinders.”
A flush spread across Helene’s cheeks and neck. During the waltz, she had almost done just that. Flared with the heat of him — his hands on her waist, the warmth emanating from his chest, the blaze of his stare traveling from her eyes to her mouth.
He no doubt deserved all the epithets Maggy had concocted about him, but when they had danced… A person couldn’t dance like that and lack passion.
“Lady Margaret, instead of a debut on St. James’s Palace, try for a season on Drury Lane.”
Maggy’s mirth faded, and she slumped back into the chair. “The presentation is in two months. What will I do?”
Helene forgot about the duke and went to her pupil. “If you practiced ballet every day, you too could gain confidence. And think of how happy it would make your mother, knowing the good money she is paying me will not be wasted.”
Helene hated the strict rules forced on these girls. They stifled Maggy whenever she had to appear in public.
“All you need to do is allow society to see the beautiful, funny girl you show me every time I come here.”
Maggy smiled sadly. “If I fail on that, too, I can find a spot for transportation to South Wales. Do you think the kangaroos would mind if I’m terrible at polite conversation? Perhaps they would eat me and put me out of my misery.”
Helene kissed the top of her head. “I would mind. And your mother loves you dearly, Maggy. She only wants what she thinks is best for you.”
Poor Lady Thornley, the grand hostess of society. She had hired Helene after several other dance masters had given up.
Maggy’s gaze drifted to the military tome on her desk. “Oh, well, I suppose she has to put up with me, huh? A shy girl who fancies military strategy? Just imagine, soon the ton will hail Lady Margaret Thornley, the Wallflower Warrior. What a sensation I’ll be, strategizing from behind the potted plants.”
Helene laughed. “Indeed, they won’t know what’s hit them. A lady with both brains and beauty, hiding in plain sight.”
A rasp on the door announced Lady Thornley. “Can I speak with you, Helene?”
Helene followed the imposing matron to her studio. She hoped she would not ask about Lady Maggy’s progress, as that took time. If Maggy were to be successful in coming out, she needed support.
“I’m certain Lady Margaret will be marvelous,” Helene said as she entered the sunny room.
Several unfinished canvases lay about as if waiting for a spark of inspiration to be completed.
Lady Thornley smiled. “I’m glad you are so confident, child. Has she mentioned her passion for military strategy?”
“I think it shows her exuberant intellect and—”
“How unfortunate that this war seems endless. If only Lord Thornley had spoken of anything else while she was growing up, she might have shared my interest in the arts. But... I didn’t call you here to discuss Lady Margaret.”
“No?”
“I wanted to show you a treasure.” Lady Thornley went to a drawer and collected a velvet-lined box. She opened a gold locket, revealing a diamond tiara.
