“I have not seenherbefore.” His eyes lingered for a moment, and Jonathan’s grin began to fade. “She is indeed a very pretty little thing.”
“And the cousin of Lady Yardley.” Jonathan responded quickly. “Lady Yardley is guiding her through this Season and I have agreed to assist wherever I can.”
This was stated with a very pointed look in Lord Knoxbridge’s direction and, on seeing it, Lord Knoxbridge let out a heavy sigh.
“And thus, you are tempted to claim her for yourself, then?”
The strange urge to state that, yes, hewascourting Lady Cassandra, and intended to make her his own suddenly pushed itself to the forefront of Jonathan’s mind. He did not say such a thing, however, shrugging and shaking his head instead of speaking a single word. Inwardly, however, he fought the idea. Why ever would he think of Lady Cassandra in that way? Yes, he had been affected when he had first laid eyes on her, but that had only been because of her beauty, had it not? Thus far she did appear to be very amiable and of a kind character… but she wanted a love match, and Jonathan himself had always rejected such an idea.
“It is a pity.” Lord Knoxbridge shook his head. “I should very much have liked to dance with her… holding her close in the waltz, mayhap?”
He chuckled, but a flash of anger ran through Jonathan as he clenched his jaw tight. It was only when Lord Knoxbridge’s eyes sharpened on his that Jonathan slowly released the tension now flooding through him, closing his eyes for a moment.
“Good gracious, you are taking your promise of help rather seriously, are you not?”
A wry smile ran across Jonathan’s lips.
“It seems as though I am.” He lifted one eyebrow. “And that means you arenotto dance with her. In fact, I will not even introduce you to her, not when you have such dark intentions!”
“They’re not dark intentions.” Lord Knoxbridge waved a hand. “Even though I have enjoyed close acquaintances with one or two ladies these last few Seasons, I swear to you I shall not consider Lady Cassandra in that manner.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You know that I tend to stay away from those innocents who have only just come out into society.”
His anger fading to relief, Jonathan found himself nodding.
“I am pleased to hear you say such a thing.” Jonathan’s reply came quickly as he reconsidered his own response in light of how Lord Knoxbridge had spoken. “Very well, I will introduce you to her, but any indication of even the smallest impropriety will not be tolerated. She is to be treated with great respect.”
His friend gazed back steadily into Jonathan’s eyes but after a few moments of silence, agreed.
“Very well. I do admit that I find the idea of merely dancing with no further agenda to be very dull indeed.”
Jonathan permitted himself a wry smile.
“It is unlike you, I know, but you must do this.” Keeping his voice and gaze low, Jonathan waited until his friend had nodded once more in confirmation. Looking back to Lady Cassandra, his heart lifted into his throat as he saw that she was speaking to none other than Lord Darlington. Wherever had he appeared from? And why had Jonathan not even noticed? “Excuse me, Knoxbridge.”
Moving quickly, he came to stand by Lady Cassandra’s side, only for Lord Knoxbridge to come to stand beside him. Throwing a glance at Lady Cassandra, Jonathan caught the smile on her lips, but not in her eyes. All in all, she appeared a little fraught, for her eyes were not lit with light nor her expression gentle. Her hands were not held loosely by her sides, but clasped tightly together in front of her. All in all, she looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“Lord Darlington,” the young lady continued, gesturing quickly to Jonathan himself. “Whilst I may be permitted now to dance the waltz, I fear I already have Lord Sherbourne’s name there on my dance card.”
“That is most unfair!” Lord Darlington threw up his hands. “Sherbourne, you must step aside, I am promised to the young lady.”
Reaching out for her dance card he made to tug it from her wrist, but Jonathan took a step forward and Lord Darlington immediately pulled his hand back to his side.
“I am afraid the matter is settled, Darlington.” Keeping both hands behind his back, Jonathan held his gaze towards Lord Darlington. “It is the lady’s prerogative as to who she gives her first waltz to, and if it is not to you, then such a circumstance is something you simply must accept.”
“That is not what was promised.” Lord Darlington scowled, stamping his foot once on the floor as his eyes roved from Jonathan to Lady Cassandra and back again. “I am most displeased.”
Jonathan rolled his eyes.
“It is a lady’s prerogative,” he stated again.
Glancing at Lord Knoxbridge, he widened his eyes in an attempt to encourage his friend to agree with him, and he let out a breath of relief when Lord Knoxbridge understood at once.
“I quite agree. If she has promised the waltz to another, then it is gone from you, Darlington.” Lord Knoxbridge shrugged. “You cannot complain about that. Surely there are many other young ladies you could dance with in Lady Cassandra’s place?”
Lord Darlington only scowled. He did not give a single word in answer but instead turned on his heel and marched away across the room, as if to state that, if he could not dance with Lady Cassandra, he would dance with no one else.
Lady Cassandra let out a long breath and closed her eyes, one hand on his arm, as she steadied herself.
“Thank you, Lord Sherbourne. Again, I am in your debt.”
