Indeed, she was so struck by the change that she had to question it. “You are being awfully generous about this, Lord Tarporley. I am grateful.”
“Not at all, Miss Maxwell. It is I who should be grateful to you,” he replied shyly, clearing a dry throat. “I had not considered… certain things that you mentioned earlier. Already, I have spoken with three other ladies, using the advice you gave. I have never had a more… enjoyable evening, nor have I ever had such… engaging conversations.
“You were right to chide Roger and me. Those dull questions that everyone asks do not teach you anything, really, about the person you are speaking with.”
Beatrice, seated at Valeria’s side, crossed her arms over her chest and made a proud ‘harrumph’ of satisfaction. “My cousin is as wise as she is beautiful, Lord Tarporley. It is truly enlightening, the things a gentleman can learn from a lady if he just listens.”
She nodded toward the rest of the ballroom. “You ought to convert the masses to this ingenious method, though I suggestyou wait until afteryouhave enchanted a bride, lest you find yourself in last place again.”
The baron seemed less lenient with the spirited younger woman, shooting her one of his customary looks of disapproval. However, as he glanced back at the ballroom, an expression of worrydidflicker across his face for a moment, seeing his competitors and rivals all around.
“If you will excuse me,” he said abruptly, rushing off into the crowd.
Valeria snorted a chuckle and peered at her troublesome, delightful cousin. “I believe you have just lost me a suitor, Bea.”
“Either that, or he is hurrying about, telling every gentleman he has informed of your advice that it is nonsense, for his own benefit,” Beatrice countered, sipping from a glass of cloudy lemonade.
Valeria smiled sadly. “Perhaps.”
“Still, you have many more to choose from,” Beatrice said in a too-bright voice. “You must have danced with at least seven gentlemen tonight. Anyone stand out? Can you picture any of them waiting handsomely at the end of the aisle for you, ready to spend the rest of his life adoring you?”
It was as if Beatrice had reached into Valeria’s chest, put her hands around her lungs, and squeezed with all her might. Theevening, for the most part, had left Valeria feeling empty and disenchanted, like she was back at her debut again, making the realization that society was not what had been promised.
“Cousin?” Beatrice prompted, leaning forward in her chair, moving closer to Valeria. “What is the matter?”
Forcing a smile, Valeria shook her head. “It is my feet, that is all. They are in such enormous pain.”
“Did I say something to upset you? Goodness, this mouth of mine—I speak before I think. I am so very sorry,” Beatrice urged, taking hold of her cousin’s hands. “I thought you liked the viscount. I was… trying to tease and failed poorly.”
Valeriahaddanced a second time with Roger, which was as good as a declaration of courtship for some, but the second dance had only confirmed what she had already suspected: Roger was not for her. He was pleasant enough as an acquaintance, but he was not someone who would ever allow her to truly be herself.
The only dance that had made her feel anything at all was the one that should not have pleased her in the slightest. Yet, between the bickering that had taken place with Duncan, there had been little thrills of… real enjoyment. Comfort. Excitement. The sensation that she could be herself, and he would not bat an eyelid at her antics or interests; he would indulge them without hesitation.
And Ididget my apology…
It had not been quite as satisfying as she had hoped, though whether that had more to do with him leaving directly afterward; she was not sure.
“Forgive my silliness, cousin,” Beatrice urged, mistaking Valeria’s silence.
“Dearest Bea, there is nothing to forgive. I have had a tiring night; my mood has nothing to do with anything you have said. On another night, without pain in my feet, I would be chuckling at your teasing.” Valeria patted her cousin’s hand. “That being said, if you are not averse, I think it is time for us to depart.”
Beatrice nodded. “Of course, cousin. Shall we fetch uncle?”
“We shall collect him on the way,” Valeria replied, lurching to her feet. They throbbed terribly, though she would have found the strength to dance again if Duncan were to ask her.
His foot probably hurts just as much.She blushed at the memory, half-embarrassment, half-delight, for if she thought hard enough, she could steel feel the steadying grip of his hands on her arms.
“You deserve more, Valeria.”The recollection of those words stole the air from her lungs. How insistently he had grasped her wrist and whispered that; the urgency in his voice. The trouble was, she did not know what ‘more’ looked like, and she certainly did not have the time to spare on finding out.
“Cousin?” Beatrice said, weaving her arm through Valeria’s.
“Hmm?”
The younger woman hesitated. “Are yousurethere was not someone who stood out? Someone you might… favor?”
Valeria swallowed thickly, refusing to look her cousin in the eyes.
“I only ask,” Beatrice continued, when Valeria did not answer, “because I happened to see one particular dance. I was not alone in thinking it was… something extraordinary. My friends remarked upon it. Theyswooned, and you know my opinion on swooning—nevertheless, it was… special to behold. And I say that as someone who cannot abide the gentleman in question.”
