“Mayhap I should be rather grateful to this young lady - whoever she is - for having stolen this gentleman’s attention and drawn away the interest of theton.” Wincing at his own harsh words, he shrugged one shoulder. “Very well. I shall attend the ball this evening and hope that it is as you say.”
Else I shall return to my estate without delay. I see no reason to linger here any longer than necessary.
* * *
I amnervous and I dislike being nervous.
Walking into the ballroom with his head held high, Gideon looked around the room with what he hoped was a distinguished air. He did not want to show any sense of anxiety, aware that hiding himself from society was perhaps not the wisest consideration at the present moment. If it was as had been suggested, then thetondid not know about his loss of fortune since he had returned to his estate very soon after the incident had taken place. Miss Lawrence had been correct to say he was not a gentleman with a loud manner or an obvious desire for company. That went in his favor, perhaps, although as yet he could not say for certain that it was so.
“Good evening, how very good to see you again. I had heard that you had returned to your estate, but now I see that you are back in London!”
Gideon nodded, a little surprised and frustrated at the tightness in his chest.
“Yes, that is true, but I decided to return to London - only for a short while, however.”
Just until I can discuss matters at length with my solicitors.
“I am certainly very glad to have you in our company this evening.”
Lord Gilmartin – their host for the evening - was warm and kind, clearly unaware of the difficulties Gideon found himself in at present.
“I thank you.”
Gideon smiled, nodded, and stepped away, following Miss Lawrence and Lord Foster, noting that her family stood nearby, although none of them were looking at Miss Lawrence.
“I was sure nothing would be said of you.”
The delight in Miss Lawrence’s voice made him smile, despite his own ongoing nervousness.
“Yes, indeed you were, and it seems that you have been proven correct.”
“Then I am sure that you are glad you came,” she shot back, one eyebrow lifting gently. “Perhaps you will not find yourself as much of a stranger here this evening as you feared.”
“I quite agree. You need not worry so much, I think.” Lord Foster smiled at him, then his brows drew together. “How is your arm this evening?”
Gideon grimaced and shrugged.
“That is what I find the most embarrassing. I am sure that thetonwill speculate as to my injury, and I cannot hide it from them either. I shall have to speak of it.”
“You ought not to be ashamed of your weakness. It is, after all, an injury that was done to you. It will take some time to heal.”
Gideon let out a slow breath.
“Yes, you are quite right.” His smile was brief for while he agreed with everything Miss Lawrence was saying, he did not feel as though he were able to do such a thing with any ease. Whenever a gentleman went to grip his hand, he had struggled to put the strength into his fingers that he’d once had, and oftentimes winced at others’ strong grasps. The pain shot down from his shoulder towards his hand with the stiffness in his fingers and his arm feeling as if it might never end.
“No doubt it will be mentioned at some point soon that I no longer have the strength in my arm that I once used to,” he grumbled as Miss Lawrence smiled softly. “I do not know what I shall say if someone should ask me how it came about.”
Miss Lawrence shrugged.
“You could simply state the truth,” she replied gently. “Say that you were attacked by an unknown assailant and that your attempts to recover have been successful thus far, but it will take a little longer for you to regain your former strength. As I have said, there is nothing that you need to be ashamed of.”
Gideon took in another deep breath and straightened his shoulders, looking around the room as he did so.
“You say that there are some other whispers this evening?” he reminded Miss Lawrence and Lord Foster, both of whom nodded fervently, with Lord Foster swiveling his head around as he looked about the room, as if in search of the very person they spoke of. Gideon cleared his throat. “Might you remind me what has taken place?”
“Certainly. Lord Coatbridge has been courting a young lady by the name of Lady Sara. To theton’s surprise, he has suddenly declared himself betrothed to another.” Lord Foster shrugged. “There is no explanation for it as yet.”
Gideon lifted his eyebrows.
