“That is all I ask,” Anna replied, thanking them. She looked across the ballroom, hoping to find her cousin. “I must find George. Then, my reign of tyranny can begin.”
It did not take long for Anna to locate her cousin once she began looking for him. The manor, and by extension the ballroom, were impossibly large. But George had the advantage of being taller than most gentlemen in the room.
She caught his shock of auburn hair and pushed through the knots in the crowds to meet him. He was standing with a group of gentlemen by the doors leading to the terrace behind the house, laughing about something that didnotseem like suitable ballroom conversation.
It was cooler here, and Anna relished the fresh air on her skin as she approached his group. She caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of the doors, the scarlet color of her dress chosen as an homage to her night at the opera.
“A-Anna?” George stammered, looking at her wildly. He almost dropped the glass of punch he was holding, promptly handing it to the man beside him. “What are you doing? Where is your father?”
“I have no idea, cousin,” Anna said, shrugging nonchalantly. “I shook him off even before I arrived.”
A wave of surprised laughter rippled through the group of gentlemen. It was entirely improper for a young woman to approach a group of men alone. But Anna knew this—liked it. She took in the faces of the men one by one, recognizing George’s riding friends, and Simon Stockton, and?—
“Your Grace,” she gasped.
The Duke of Wells glowered at her from across the group. He was dressed in a black velvet overcoat, his dark hair curling beneath his ears. He’d had cut it shorter since she had last seen him.
His new appearance, and the surprise of seeing him there, knocked the breath from her lungs.
“Lady Anna,” he greeted in turn, nodding once. Anna saw through the veil of his politeness. He was amused but also concerned about her interruption. “You are looking well this evening.”
“And I am feeling well,” she replied, maintaining her composure. “Despite the circumstances,” she added under her breath. She grabbed the dance card that hung loosely from her wrist, flashing it at them. “I was wondering whether one of you fine gentlemen would like to accompany me to the dance floor.”
“Anna, what—” George broke off, straightening his cravat. “This is highly unlike you.”
Highly unlike most women.I can’t think of a greater faux pas than asking a man to dance. When Ashwicken hears of this, he will be mortified.
She fixed Philip with a stare, hoping that out of all of them, he would understand her situation and invite her to dance. His lips parted in surprise, but then he turned away from her.
Anna raged inwardly. He hadn’t thought twice about helping her before. What had changed?
“Oh, come on then,” Simon said, slicing through the group and taking her dance card.
He was a handsome gentleman in his own right—tall, with a long, narrow nose and short blonde hair. Anna had never felt at ease around him. He was too confident, too smarmy. But on this occasion, he was her hero, and she loved him for it.
“These are all awful,” he complained, going down the list of dances. “A quadrille is next. I suppose that will have to do. Don’t embarrass me, Lady Anna.”
“Never, my lord,” she joked back as he led her toward the edge of the dance floor.
She cast a look over her shoulder at George, hoping he would forgive her impropriety. Instead, she caught Philip’s eye. He was leveling Simon with a dark look. It confused her, but there was no time to dwell on it. The music had just begun, and they were late to take their positions.
Simon grabbed her arm and pulled her into line. She let out a laugh as he grinned at her, dancing the first steps with an enviable lack of enthusiasm. Anna glanced around her, hoping to see a few familiar faces in the crowd.
Her father and Ashwicken stood side by side at the opposite end of the room to George. The viscount seemed concerned but not upset to see Anna on the dance floor. Her father, on the other hand, looked like he could rip her head off her shoulders. She smiled at him and danced more wildly, trading partners with the lady beside her until it came time for her and Simon to dance together again.
“I’ve been embroiled in some sort of plot,” Simon guessed as they twirled around the dance floor. “I can tell from the way you’re looking around. Subtlety is not your forte. Don’t worry your pretty head about it, Anna. I’ve known you long enough not to be offended. Who are we hoping to render green with envy tonight?”
“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean,” Anna replied, stumbling over her next step and correcting herself. It made Simon laugh. “I saw you from across the room and felt compelled to dance with you, even if you make me miss all the important steps.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere with me.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Let me guess,” Simon said teasingly. “This has something to do with the little black cloud that’s been hanging over George all week. Oh, he’s tried his best to hide it from me. But I can always tell when he’s upsetting himself with something. I wager he worries more about you and theSeconda Donnathan you worry about yourselves. Tell me I’m wrong. This theatre, you storming over to us… It’s about ruffling someone’s feathers—but whose?”
Anna kept quiet. Even though Simon was a good sport, she couldn’t risk saying anything about her father’s plans yet. Thankfully, their dance was coming to an end.
Simon chuckled, releasing her from his hold as the song ended.
