Page 8 of Shining Knight
“What is the matter, pet?”
She looked sideways at him, like she did when she was annoyed. The strains of a waltz began in the background and he held out his arm to her. “Shall we have our dance?”
“I believe this is my waltz, my lady?” Perth said from behind him simultaneously.
For some reason, Graham felt betrayed and gave her an arch look. “This is always my dance.”
“I told you this morning I absolved you of your obligations,” she said as she placed her hand in Perth’s.
Graham stood there for a moment in disbelief and watched as she smiled up at Perth while he drew her close for the dance.
Unaccountable anger swept through him and he was glad he had not yet asked anyone else to dance, for he escaped the ballroom, no longer in the mood for company. Let Lady Hambridge do her duty, for how much trouble could Eugenia get into at a ball? This was Eugenia, he reminded himself. She could get into trouble anywhere. He had done his fair share of watching over her. He did not wish to stay there and watch men pine after her, looking the way she did that night.
Thankfully, the hosts were no longer at the door, so his hasty retreat would not be remarked upon.
He stopped at the door, no doubt confusing the butler. What he should do, Graham mused, was go inside and start looking for his own bride. He smiled at the majordomo—who kept his face impassive—then made an about face and slipped back into the room.
The sound of Eugenia’s laughter rose to his ears. Turning his back on the tinkling notes, he looked over to the wallflowers, who were lining the wall, and marched straight towards them. He found the most frumpy, spotted one and begged a dance. Thankfully, he remembered her name. He led her to the floor. Perhaps she would have a surprising wit and he could find a bride amongst the overlooked.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Crittenden?”
She looked at his neckcloth, a crease between her brows. He realized she was counting. He stopped asking questions. At least it was easier that way.
He caught Eugenia’s look of surprise when she saw him waltzing with someone else and he smiled his grandest smile, truly enjoying himself. It was hard not to laugh when Eugenia tripped over Perth’s feet, but he was amused nevertheless.
When the waltz ended, he delivered Miss Crittenden to her chaperone and selected the next neglected young lady for a quadrille, then the next for a cotillion.
He stopped short of dancing the supper dance, having his own limits. He rejoined his friends and noticed Farnsworth leading Eugenia in for the meal.
“It looks like Lady Eugenia will finish this Season wed,” Petersham said, patting Graham on the back. “She has led you a merry dance. Do you think Knighton knows how much he owes you?”
Perth was watching Farnsworth with Eugenia, to all appearances not paying their conversation any mind.
“Do you think you have a chance?” Sir Martin asked Perth.
“He could almost be her grandfather,” Perth scoffed.
Graham coughed into his hand. “You could almost be her father.”
“But he is a duke. Ladies go crack-brained to be a duchess,” Sir Martin argued.
“I do not think Eugenia gives a fig for a title,” Graham interjected. “She is the least pretentious person I have ever met.”
“At least one would never grow bored being married to her. It would almost be like marrying one of the fellows. She can ride, shoot and play billiards,” Sir Martin said wistfully. “’Tis too bad she wouldn’t look at the likes of me, come to think of it… but I won’t poach your territory, Perth.”
Perth frowned at that. Good. “She is not my territory—yet, anyway—but I am glad to hear it,” he said dryly.
“May the best man win.” Petersham held up his glass and took a drink. “I imagine the betting books will be in a frenzy after tonight.”
Graham chewed on his lobster patty but it tasted like dust. Eugenia’s name being in the betting books was nothing new, of course, but this was the first time she had had any suitors he would take seriously.
They finished their meal and began to make their way back to the ballroom. Petersham and Martin made their excuses, since they were leaving for their club. No doubt to start the betting, Graham reflected dourly.
Perth went off to dance again and Graham thought he might just go home. He toyed with speaking to Eugenia, but he had little doubt she had given all her dances away by then if she had not bothered to save their usual dance. She could not have forgotten, since they had danced the first waltz since she came to Town two years ago.
“I think she might take, after all,” a lady’s voice said beside him. He looked down to see Lady Hambridge watching Eugenia proudly.
“I never doubted she would take. I only hope he is worthy of her.”
Graham bowed before the lady and took his leave. It did not seem Eugenia needed him after all.
