Page 44 of Leap of Faith
There was no doubt part of the wager involved secrecy from Dominic, but with Rotham, Montford, Freddy, Carew, and his brother, someone was bound to slip in front of them. The Whitford sisters already had an army of chaperones, even though all of them would scoff to be labelled as such. Perhaps knights errant. The thought made Dominic smile, and that was the expression he was wearing when he re-entered the ballroom and almost ran into Miss Whitford and Carew as they headed to the supper room.
His first impulse was to join them to sniff out his old friend’s motives, then he checked himself. It was not like him to pay attention to one female overly much. It would draw more attention to her and only increase speculation and wagers. He looked around. Perhaps continuing his flirtation with Jemima Taylor would be the best thing to divert his attention, but she did not truly interest him, and it would be tiresome. She was waving her fan in a come-hither signal, and Dominic was toying with approaching her when his mother hailed him. With some relief that he had resisted his odd impulses, he went to his mother’s side. She was standing between a fountain of champagne and—was that chocolate? Dominic shook his head.
“Congratulations, Mother. You have achieved a sad crush by anyone’s standards!”
“I should say so!” She was wafting the fan he had given her to mark the occasion—a painted scene of heaven much like that of Verrio’sBeautimous. “The girls have all danced every dance, and with some very promising suitors.”
“I had noticed.”
“But what of Carew? I cannot think what he means by dancing with Faith twice. I believe he is a more devoted bachelor even than you, which is saying much. I think you should warn him away.”
“When he has done nothing more than dance with her twice?”
“He has never done so with any other innocent maiden before.”
Dominic could not argue the truth of that. However, he had no intention of interfering at this point.
“And then there is Freddy Cunningham, making up to a chit still in the schoolroom, engaging though she may be.”
“There is no harm in Freddy. Besides, she needs occupation.”
“Hopefully, the new governess will have the necessary energy.”
“Anyone else you wish to censure? Ashley perhaps?”
She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “That is a harmless flirtation. He has years before he is ready to settle down.”
“Unnatural, Mother! He is your best hope for grandchildren.”
“At least I do not tease you about your own single state.”
“It would do no good if you did.”
“Do I not know it. Will you not dance with anyone else?” she asked. “Other than Mrs. Taylor, who is making herself look ridiculous.”
“There is no need for me to dance attendance on the Whitford ladies. As you pointed out, the girls have danced every set.”
“I thought certain one of them, Miss Whitford perhaps, would set her cap at you.” She seemed to ponder this notion. “It’s something else to see a female who has no designs on you—quite the opposite, in fact! You seem to have little effect on her.”
“Lowering indeed! I do not think it has occurred to her that anyone might have designs on anyone but her sisters.”
Dominic saw Miss Whitford laugh at something clever Carew had said, so he left his mother’s side and went to Jemima Taylor.
CHAPTER11
The next day was almost equally overwhelming. Faith was hoping for a day to relax, but apparently it was as important as the ball itself.
As they had been used to do at home, her sisters all made their way into her chambers when they awoke, and either climbed into her bed or lounged on the chaise or window seat.
Her maid brought in chocolate and rolls and they set to discussing who they had each danced with and favoured.
“It was better than I could have ever dreamed!” Hope exclaimed.
“It was crushing,” Grace contended. “I need a week in the corner of the library with a stack of novels in order to recover.”
“Oh, I thought it was heavenly.” Patience smiled at her pun.
“Did you dance with anyone not wearing a red coat?” Faith asked her.
