Benjamin struggled to hide his grin, delighting in the mock teasing which filled her voice – which both of his other companions appeared not to be able to make out. Her eyes twinkled with stars, a bright illumination in a sea of blue and green shadows, and he found himself suddenly lost in them.
“Yes, well, my daughter and I have been acquainted with Lord Chambers for at least ayear, I believe, for we were introduced to him last Season.” The older lady linked arms with her daughter, but kept her gaze towards Benjamin. “I am certain that we shall be introduced to his wife very soon.”
“I am sure you shall.”
Clearing his throat, Benjamin looked towards Miss Carshaw, hoping they might continue the conversation, only for the other young lady to smile, reach out one hand towards Benjamin and touch his arm for a moment.
“I recall that you danced with me last Season, Lord Wiltsham.” She paused, one eyebrow lifting as Benjamin tried to smile. “I believe it was the cotillion.”
“I am afraid I cannot quite remember,” Benjamin replied, still struggling to recall the young lady’s name. “I am certain, however, that you would have dancedverywell.”
Miss Carshaw warmed the air with a smile.
“Alas, I have not yet had the pleasure of dancing with Lord Wiltsham. Tell me, Miss Pennington, is he a good dancer?”
The young lady blushed, smiled, and confessed to Miss Carshaw that yes, she thought Lord Wiltsham an excellent dancer. The tightness in Benjamin’s chest loosened with relief, knowing now the name of the young lady, at the very least, although he still could not recall the mother’s title.
“Look, my dear, there is Lord Stokes! And he is without any company whatsoever – we must go at once!”
Grabbing her daughter’s arm, the older lady immediately began to drag her away from Benjamin and Miss Carshaw’s conversation, leaving them standing quite alone. Benjamin’s mouth fell open in sheer astonishment.
Miss Carshaw giggled.
“I am sorry that your company was not sought after for long, Lord Wiltsham.”
“Thankfully, I am not too perturbed, Miss Carshaw.” Seeing the mirth in the situation, Benjamin chuckled lightly. “Unless you also intend to leave my company?”
“No, I think I shall stay here for a little while longer.”
Her smile softened and Benjamin, much to his surprise, found his heart quickening a little.
“Would you care for a turn about the room?” The question came to his lips before he had even thought to ask it, and he was uncertain why he had said such a thing, but the words were out of his mouth, and he could not take them back. Miss Carshaw’s smile slipped, and a hint of red danced its way across her cheeks. Was it simply from the heat in the room? He could not tell. “You have no chaperone this evening?”
Benjamin winced as he realized that he ought not to be evensuggestingwalking with her alone, unless under the sharp eye of either her chaperone, father, or mother.
Miss Carshaw laughed easily enough.
“You need not be concerned about such a thing, my Lord, not for me. My brother is present, and I am certain that he will be able to watch for me should he wish it.”
A slight puckering of his eyebrows came as Benjamin struggled to recollect the title of her brother, but dismissed it quickly enough.
“So long as you are quite certain that I will not be hauled before him to face his demand for an explanation as to why I was walking alone with his sister in the drawing room, then I suppose I can be quite contented.”
“I promise that all shall be well.”
She accepted his arm and they fell into step together, with Benjamin a little surprised at how much joy was in this moment.
“This soiree is quite crowded, with many more guests than I had expected, I confess.”
“Yes, I would quite agree. However, I have heard that Lord Shadsworth often throws occasions such as this, which have far too many guests invited. It seems that such a thing is almost to be expected of the gentleman!” Miss Carshaw smiled up into his face as Benjamin winced. “I have the impression that you would prefer a smaller number rather than a great crowd.”
“Yes, Miss Carshaw, I certainly would, yes.” He chose not to go into any particular detail as to why that was. “Would you prefer a smaller, more familiar gathering yourself?”
“I always think that a smaller number is preferable. You can have more intimacy that way.”
Miss Carshaw held his gaze, and for a moment, Benjamin was caught by the way that her eyes swirled with various shades of green, edged with blue. Licking his lips, he pulled his gaze away.
“I quite agree.”
