CHAPTER 8
After the dance had come to an end, Aaron offered her his arm, which she took at once. Together, they made their way off the dance floor and toward one of the tables. Judith noted chatter and stares being thrown in their direction and wondered what people were thinking of them.
Did they think they were here together? As in together as a pair? If so, this whole exercise might be for naught because nobody would be interested in her if they thought she was already attached to someone.
Aaron turned around and motioned for Marianne to join them for propriety’s sake. As if he had read Judith’s thoughts, he narrowed his eyes.
“Where is your dance card?” he asked, and she retrieved it from her reticule. The granite pencil dangled from it.“Very well. Lord Pembroke, you said?”
Judith nodded and looked at the tall, ginger-haired gentleman who had just stepped off the dance floor. Truly, she had no idea who he was and had simply picked him because Aaron had demanded that she choose somebody. He hadn’t appeared particularly pleased with her choice, and she wondered if this was because Lord Pembroke was perhaps undesirable or if there was some other reason.
Of course, she couldn’t think of another reason.
“Aaron,” she said, then quickly corrected herself. “Your Grace.” She had to remember to call him by his title when they were out together.“Are you quite sure that Lord Pembroke is suitable?”
He paused and wetted his lips, leaving a shimmer that drew the eye. His lips were plump, and if she hadn’t known him to be such a terrible rake, she might have wondered what it would be like…
Do not make a cake of yourself, Judith. Do not do it.
“Lord Pembroke is a perfectly suitable gentleman. Do not worry. Now come and let me introduce you.”
Judith nodded at Marianne to remain at the table and then followed Aaron across the dance floor. Multiple gentlemen and even more ladies greeted him with bright smiles, and she was reminded once again just how popular he was in these parts.
He had achieved something quite remarkable—the perfect balance of being in England and in town often enough to ensurethat everybody knew him, and being away long enough to remain an enigma, which made him interesting to everyone who met him.
She couldn’t fault them for it. She also found that the people who were the most interesting were those who traveled the most. She always loved hearing tales of foreign lands. Sally and her husband would often tell wondrous stories of their life in Spain and Portugal, as they kept homes in both countries. And Rosy, her dear friend Rosy, had traveled all around the world, it seemed. She’d spent her honeymoon in India and had written the most exciting letters from there, and just recently, she and her husband had gone on a Grand Tour of Europe, not that the war was over.
Judith was ripped from her thoughts as they reached Lord Pembroke and Aaron introduced her.
“Your Grace,” Lord Pembroke greeted, though he didn’t take his eyes off her. “Good to see you. I didn’t know you’d returned.”
“Just about a week ago or so,” Aaron replied.
“Ah, well, good to have you. And who have you brought with you?” Lord Pembroke looked at her with a wide smile.
Aaron chewed on his bottom lip, and she wondered why that might be. Was he nervous that she would make a cake of herself and embarrass him somehow in front of this gentleman? She couldn’t blame him, she’d done it before after all.
“Lord Pembroke, may I present Lady Judith? Judith, this is Lord Pembroke,”Aaron said and motioned to her.
She curtsied the way she’d practiced and ensured to keep eye contact with Lord Pembroke.
“Lady Judith,” Lord Pembroke said, bowing slightly, his ginger hair catching the candlelight.
His smile was warm and immediately put her at ease, yet she couldn’t help but feel nervous, remembering the disastrous introduction to Aaron’s friends at the park. She took a deep breath, recalling Joanna and Rosy’s words of encouragement.
“Lord Pembroke,” Judith returned. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Lady Judith,” Lord Pembroke replied.
Determined to make a good impression, she smiled brightly and focused on being charming. She noticed the grand surroundings of Almack’s—the glittering chandeliers casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests, and the soft murmur of conversation mixed with the strains of music from the orchestra.
“Are you enjoying the evening thus far?” she asked, without taking her eyes off him.
She remembered Aaron’s lessons and was determined to show him that she could be graceful and charming. Just because shehadn’t been on the marriage mart in some while, or rather interested in it, didn’t mean she’d lost all of her skills.
Lord Pembroke nodded. “Indeed, I do. Almack’s might not be known for its food, but I enjoy the music. Do you like music?” he asked.
She took a deep breath, relieved that this was the topic he’d chosen.Of all the things gentlemen liked to talk about, music was the one topic she felt confident discussing.
