“Ah, Lord Brownley,” the Duke greeted heartily. “Such a wonderful ball you’ve put on, I must say. Seeing how full it is, I wondered if I would even see you.”
The Earl of Brownley smiled respectfully, as he always did. Only a few months before, he’d attempted to court Alice, but she’d rejected him before things could advance beyond pleasantries. Back then, she’d found him a bit prudish and, standing before her now, he didn’t appear much different.
“Nonsense, Your Grace,” Lord Brownley said with a reserved smile. “I am pleased to see that you could attend. It has been some time since we last spoke with one another.”
“Yes, some time indeed.” The Duke looked expectantly at Alice.
Noting her cue, Alice curtsied politely and plastered a smile on her face. “It is a pleasure seeing you again, My Lord.”
“If it is, My Lady, then will you do me the honor of sharing a dance?”
Alice almost sighed. She wasn’t opposed to dancing with gentlemen tonight, but from what she remembered, Lord Brownley was a tad…boring. Even so, to be nice, she nodded. “Of course, My Lord.”
His smile widened and he offered his hand, which she took. He led her into the midst of dancing couples, pulling her closely as they began to waltz.
“I do not know how well I’ve shown it just now, Lady Alice,” Lord Brownley began. “But I was quite happy to see that you’d decided to attend.”
“Had I dared to miss it, My Lord, my Father would have thrown quite a fit,” Alice said dryly. When Lord Brownley looked quizzically at her, she shook her head at her slight joke. “I only mean to say that he is quite fond of you.”
“And you, Lady Alice? What do you think of me?”
“You are a polite gentleman,” was the only thing she could think of.
Lord Brownley seemed pleased by it, however. “Ah, that is enough to fill my heart for the rest of the night. And I must say, My Lady, that you look positively radiant this evening.”
“Why, thank you, My Lord.”
Lord Brownley smiled, but said nothing to continue the conversation. He was certainly a proficient dancer, twirling her around the room to the lovely notes of the song that played. The silence dragged on and Alice had just gotten comfortable with it when he broke it.
“Your hair is quite dark, My Lady,” he said. “Though the light shines upon it, it seems to draw the glow within itself. The antithesis of light itself.”
Alice blinked at him in surprise. “Have you read the works of John Michell?”
Lord Brownley looked down at her in complete bemusement and confusion. “I…pardon me, My Lady. I do not know who that is.”
“Oh.” Alice’s excitement fizzled to nothing.I suppose it was meant to be a compliment then.
The silence seized them again, this time far more uncomfortable than before. Alice hoped Lord Brownley wouldn’t say anything else and would let the rest of the dance pass in quiet, but her hope fell on deaf ears.
“What color would you say your gown is, Lady Alice?” he asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity. “I would label it a muted-lavender color, but perhaps you have something else in mind?”
“I am not sure,” Alice murmured, trying not to show her lack of interest in the conversation. “Lilac, I would say.”
“Ah, lilac. Yes, yes. That is quite a good assumption.”
Alice said nothing. Now, all she wanted was for the dance to be over. She counted the seconds, listening to the tune as it finally came to a close and resisted the urge to step away from Lord Brownley as quickly as she could. They stepped over to the side, out of the way of other couples who now approached the center of the ballroom to beginning dancing with the next song.
“It was a pleasure, My Lord,” Alice said simply, already planning to turn away.
“Perhaps, My Lady,” Lord Brownley called to her before she had the chance to escape, “you would like to take a short rest on the balcony? There is a lovely breeze out.”
“I…” Her mind raced for an excuse, one that wouldn’t be too rude. “I’m not sure I—”
“Pardon me.” Alice’s heart leaped into her throat at the sound of Lord Erlington’s voice. Her entire body began to tingle, the rush of relief when he came to stand next to her too much to contain. “I hope I am not disturbing anything?” he asked.
“No, My Lord,” Alice said quickly. “Of course not.”
“Wonderful.” Lord Erlington faced her, his eyes twinkling. “Then, My Lady, would you care to dance?” Instantly, she could tell he did this on purpose, that he’d slid in at the exact moment to save her from spending any more time with Lord Brownley.
