“Oh, business associate? What sort of business are you in?”
Thomas quickly told her about the horses they were to breed and manage.
“Oh, how delightful. I adore riding Rotten Row and am often taking exercise there on my darling Caspar.”
“Your own horse?”
She nodded.
Back in the ballroom, he caught his Grandmamma’s eye as she watched him escort Lady Alderman back to her table. She indicated she wished to speak to him. And, after settling Lady Prunella, he went to his grandmother.
She was smiling broadly. “You spent quite a time on the terrace with that young lady.”
“Lady Prunella Alderman. Do you know her?”
“I know of her. We have not met before. But she comes from a very respectable family.”
“And does she meet your financial approval?” he asked somewhat snidely.
“I did not put her on my list because I have been unable to learn what she has to take with her into a marriage.”
Thomas was thoughtful. “Well, I quite like her. I believe I shall be seeing her again when I go up to London with George.”
That put a large smile on his grandmother’s face. “Then I shall make an effort to find out her worth.”
* * *
Jenny could not help but notice the Duke dancing with the very attractive young lady. And then he took her outside to the terrace where they conversed for some time. When they came back in, Thomas went to his grandmother and they spoke a few words, and she just beamed with pleasure. Of course, she knew the Duke was only performing his duty in looking for a wife, but she could not help but feel devastated by the direction the evening was taking.Andto top it all off, the young man, who had sat next to her at dinner, and who was scheduled to dance with her right now, did not show up. Obviously, he felt she was beneath his concern, and he had bailed on her.
Helena had been watching Jenny’s shifting mood and asked, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Somewhat,” she said noncommittedly.
“Did you meet anyone interesting at supper?”
Jenny told her about the walrus and the snobby young man who had just ditched his dance with her.
Helena cast a look at George and then asked her, “Do you want to leave? We could if you want—although I still have a number of partners to dance with—and my Georgie too, of course.”
“No, absolutely not. Nothing could induce me to ruin your evening.”
Helena patted Jenny’s hand and then turned back to chat with George before another gentleman came over to claim his dance with Helena.
George seemed to take pity on her and asked. “Would you like to dance again? I find I am free.”
Jenny smiled weakly. “Thank you, but I believe not. These dancing slippers are pinching somewhat, and I need to rest my feet.”
“Very well,” George said, looking relieved, as he stood and headed to chat with some of his friends while Helena danced.
* * *
Thomas made an effort to meet and chat with two more ladies he found passably attractive, but neither had the wit or charm of Lady Alderman, and only one had a living to bring to the marriage that would satisfy his Grandmamma.
The clock on the east tower had already struck midnight and the ball was beginning to wind down. Thomas needed to confer with Willoughby about managing a smooth exit for the guests, and he was assured a number of footmen were already in place and prepared to call the carriages as the guests began to depart. And for those guests staying overnight at Pemberton, a number of housemaids, and the guest’s personal servants were standing by to assist.
Wilcox slithered silently into the chair at the table next to his mother.
“Have you spoken to any of your friends?” he asked, leaning in and kissing her on the cheek.
