Jenny took him by the arm and escorted him in anotherdirection.
Lydia looked at the Doctor, who, once again, appeared ready to dance when Doctor Winston came up toLydia.
“My darling, Miss Lydia, are you enjoying the ball?” heasked.
“Bernard, I have only just arrived, and only had one dance so far. And you? Have you and Aunt Lavinia had an opportunity todanceyet?”
Bernard frowned. “I am afraid Her Grace is insisting on Lavinia’s full attention this evening. It seems we may not get the opportunity to dance this evening. But I assure you we shall at ourwedding.”
“Then you must have a dance with me, Bernard,” Lydiainsisted.
“You are too kind, but you young folks should be dancing together. You do not wish to be dancing with an old fossillikeme.”
“Doctor, you are only as old as the lightness of your feet. And I am certain you can jig with theverybest.”
Bernard laughed. “Well, if you care for a turn around the floor I would be happy tooblige.”
Lydia and Bernard joined the dance, and he did perform most lively. Lydia quite enjoyedherself.
“Most enjoyable, dear Bernard. Thank you,” Lydia said after thedance.
He bowed. “I have paid my respects, and now I shall leave you to the youngercrowd.”
“Give my regards to Aunt Lavinia,” sheadded.
“I shall.” He turnedandleft.
Lydia, alone now, looked around the floor and spotted Ellen dancing with a young man she did not recognize. It did not appear to be the son of the Marquess of Huntly, as this man could be considered quite handsome. She also noticed Doctor Cooke dancing with Jenny, who was laughing and energetic in her twirls, fleuret, and Boureesteps.
She looked around for Edwin, but he was not to be seen. She saw the Duchess seated at a table observing the dancing, accompanied by Aunt Lavinia. But she could not find Reginald, as the dance had finished and he had disappeared. Perhaps he had gone for a bite to eat or a glass of champagne. Graham had found another young lady and was smiling broadly as theydanced.
Lydia decided to sit down for a spell. She turned toward a chair and was stopped by Reginald standingbeforeher.
“Miss Lydia, so popular, just as I suspected. I hope you have saved a danceforme.”
“Most assuredly, I have. And I am at your service,” Lydia said. “For I have quite exhausted my ardentadmirers.”
Reginald laughed. “I fear that you have barely scratched the surface of your pool of admirers. I expect that most are so overcome by your beauty that they fear to be rejectedbyyou.”
Lydia laughed. “Oh, Reginald, you really do exaggerate mostshamefully.”
“Thenallowme…”
The previous dance had ended and they were expecting the next dance to start when the orchestra took a break and the butler announced that a buffet was being served in theconservatory.
“Well, it seems I am to be thwarted, once again,” Reginald said. “Shall we head to thebuffet?”
“I would rather wait until the crush is over. Knowing the generosity of our hosts, I am certain there will be plenty of refreshments later in the eveningaswell.”
“Certainly. Would you like to take a stroll, then, outdoors in the garden? It is such a lovely evening, and the ballroom is quiteclose.”
“That would be nice,” Lydiaagreed.
Doctor Cooke led Lydia out a set of the French doors, leading to a balustrade. They stood overlooking the garden. The not quite full moon hung in the sky and cast a chalky glow over the gardenpaths.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering Lydiahishand.
She took it and they descended the stone steps onto the garden path. There was a light summer breeze that refreshed but did notchill.
