Page 47 of Shining Knight
“Where did you find it?” Eugenia asked.
“I commissioned it before I found out I was increasing,” Cecilia answered. “It will never fit me now and it would suit the occasion perfectly.”
Eugenia had to agree. It was a perfect blend of alluring and demure. “I thank you, Sister.”
Cecilia waved her hand. “You may thank me by finding your perfect match despite this ridiculous scandal.”
“I wish I could be more like all of you,” Eugenia said, disheartened.
“You need only to be yourself,” Isabella added earnestly.
Somehow, Eugenia knew that her preferred extravagant headdress would not be suitable for Almack’s. A certain image of Graham, presenting her with the bonnet he referred to as garish, came to her mind. A small smile came to her lips.
Emma misunderstood Eugenia’s smile, of course, but she would not enlighten them.
“That is more like it. Do not let them defeat you, Genie,” Emma said. “Revenge will be sweet.”
“I feel I should say something like, ’vengeance is mine saith the Lord,’ but I confess I agree with Emma,” Isabella added with a wry smile.
The sisters planned her appearance from head to toe and Eugenia tried to pretend that she was interested. The only thing she cared about was surviving the evening without being a complete outcast… or taking Graham up on his offer.
*
No single gentlemanin his right mind enjoyed going to Almack’s. They were all only there for one reason—either they were desperate to marry, or they were there supporting someone in their family who was desperate to marry. Otherwise, they were demented. Graham arrived earlier than he normally would have done, in his ridiculous knee breeches and dancing slippers. He could glide about the floor as well as any gentleman, but he did not like his entire ensemble being dictated to him by shrewish Society matrons.
Few people wanted the Knighton family as their enemy, but even a ducal family could not stop the tittle-tattle. This was the juiciest morsel of gossip to be had this Season, and it would take a great deal of behind-the-scenes effort in order to keep Eugenia from being shunned.
There was a hush when their party arrived. Every member of the Knight family arriving together was a scene to behold. Those people who were not dancing turned to watch.
Graham also turned to look and saw Eugenia on the arm of the Duke of Farnsworth; they were standing beside Knighton and his duchess. Behind them were Edmund and Isabella, with Heath and Cecilia and Lady Hambridge.
Eugenia looked magnificent, wearing a blue silk that was simply elegant. She must have taken advice from her sisters-in-law, he thought with a rueful smile as his feet began to lead him towards his second family.
He bowed before them. “Your Graces, Lady Eugenia.”
“Good evening Tinsley,” Knighton said, as though he hadn’t known perfectly well that he would be in attendance.
“I have come to beg Lady Eugenia for a dance, if she has any dances remaining?”
His gaze slid to hers, not missing the slightly annoyed yet amused glint in her eye. She hated this pretense as much as he, but it must be done. They had decided to cover her bruising with cosmetics, he noticed.
“Let me think; I might have a dance or two available.”
“But the first shall be mine,” the Duke interrupted. “And one of the waltzes.”
“Then I shall be next,” Graham remarked as he watched the duke lead Eugenia to the floor. The rest of the party began to disseminate amongst the crowd. They knew their duty was to prevent further scandal, such as anyone having the audacity to snub Eugenia, and to dispel any nasty rumors. For indeed, the latter were already circulating. He had heard them with his own ears.
“Mr. Tinsley,” a familiar voice said in his ear.
Graham turned to bow to Lady Jersey, also known as the biggest gossip in Town. “Good evening, my lady.” So, Sally Jersey thought to pry titbits from him, did she?
“Is it true?” she asked, finally looking at the duke and Eugenia, who were now dancing.
“To what do you refer, my lady?” he asked smoothly. He could play the game better than she, he was sure.
“You make a nice attempt, Tinsley, but you are thick as glue with the Knight family, do not deny it.”
“I will not,” he agreed.
