“No, it was my fault. I promised you that I should be here to make certain that Lord Darlington could not take the waltz from you, and then I found myself distracted.” Gesturing to Lord Knoxbridge, he threw his friend a smile. “Although I appreciate your support, Knoxbridge, enough to forgive you the distraction.”
“As do I.”
Lady Cassandra dipped into a brief curtsey, a gentle flush again rising in her cheeks, making her all the more beautiful to Jonathan’s mind.
“And that, it seems, is Lord Sherbourne’s terrible way of making an introduction.” Lord Knoxbridge laughed, shook his head, and bowed. “Good evening, Lady Cassandra. I am very glad to make your acquaintance. Lord Sherbourne speaks very highly of you.”
Lady Cassandra’s eyes widened, but Jonathan only shrugged, refusing to give any explanation of what he had said of her.
“And since I am not to have the waltz, might I be offered your dance card so that I can take another for myself?” Lord Knoxbridge continued, stealing away Lady Cassandra’s attention again. “I should be delighted to stand up with you.”
Lady Cassandra smiled, dropped her gaze, mumbled something, and handed it to him.
“I still have a good many dances remaining, Lord Knoxbridge.” Appearing a little embarrassed, Lady Cassandra licked her lips, her head tilting forward. “I had wished to have had a few more filled. I do hope that I will only have a few dances to step back from, for I do so very much enjoy dancing.”
“But you are to take only theonedance,” Jonathan warned, elbowing his friend as Lady Cassandra looked from him to the other and back again, her eyes a little wide. “Yes, Lady Cassandra. Lord Knoxbridge is one such gentleman who is not to be trusted.”
This was said with a grin and though Lord Knoxbridge rolled his eyes, he ultimately could not help but agree.
“Indeed, Lady Cassandra, I shall return you immediately to Lord Sherbourne’s side the moment the dance is at an end.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Jonathan replied, sending a wink in Lady Cassandra’s direction. She caught it, her smile lifting as she looked at him from under her lashes. At that moment, Jonathan’s grin fixed itself to his face, his heart clattering against his chest, and he could not even recall what they had been talking of. It was not until his friend nudged him that he finally caught himself again, clearing his throat and tugging his gaze away.
“The cotillion is upon us!” Lord Knoxbridge grinned as he offered Lady Cassandra his arm. “Do not fear, Lord Sherbourne. I shall have the lady back soon enough.”
Jonathan tried to laugh, but the sound knotted in his throat. Why he should find himself so spellbound by the young lady was quite inexplicable. He had met many beautiful young ladies in the last few Seasons but none had come to capture him in the way that Lady Cassandra had. He had never felt such emotions before. It was so very confusing, and he did not know whether he wanted to embrace it or run from it.
One thing was certain, however: he was now looking forward to the waltz with a good deal more enthusiasm. He could hardly wait for the moment when he could take Lady Cassandra into his arms and experience what it would be like to hold her so close.
That time was only a few minutes away.
Chapter Eight
“And are there any gentlemen who have caught your eye?”
Cassandra laughed as she looked at her cousin.
“I confess I have not allowed myself to eventhinkof a single gentleman this evening. I have been much too concerned with making sure that I behave appropriately and do not lose my head when a gentleman compliments me.” A slightly embarrassed blush warmed her. “At the first ball, I was determined to think well of everyone who said even the smallest of kind words to me, never considering for a moment that they had underlying, darker motivations. Now, however, I understand that such a thing may very well be so.”
“Unfortunately, that may be the case, but not witheverygentleman.” Lady Yardley shook her head, her lips pulling to one side. “I do hope I have not given you the impression thatallgentlemen are so inclined. In truth, only those who are a little overeager or who have a reputation – whether known to us or not – are the ones to be watchful for… and often, they are the ones who will compliment you from the very beginning of your acquaintance.”
Cassandra considered this for a moment, then nodded.
“I do think that is a very wise consideration.” Her face began to warm again as she thought of how quickly she had found herself enamored of Lord Darlington, given his flattering manner. “Gentlemen who immediately began to compliment me certainly caught my attention! But perhaps that was their intention all along.”
“Perhaps indeed. And some gentlemen may wish to be flattered.” Lady Yardley shrugged. “For some, they simply enjoy the attentions of many young ladies. I believe it makes them feel a good deal taller than those who surround them. They think themselves the very best, the most handsome, the most eligible of gentlemen, even though they have no intention of courtship or matrimony.”
A slight laugh broke from Cassandra’s lips as she recalled how a gentleman named Lord Southwick had done all that he could to compliment her, whilst somehow managing to compliment himself at the very same time. She had not needed Lord Sherbourne’s shake of his head to tell her that Lord Southwick wasnota gentleman to be considered.
“Lord Sherbourne has been a stalwart support to me throughout this evening,” she told her cousin. “I am standing up with him for the waltz, in place of Lord Darlington, who was most insistent that I give him what I had promised – though I did so when I did not realize his reputation.”
“I am glad that you are relieved from that.” Her cousin winced. “There is nothing so disconcerting as dancing with a gentleman who does not concentrate on his steps and seeks only to impress himself upon others – or who seeks to behave in a surreptitious yet inappropriate manner. You need not have any concern as regards Lord Sherbourne, however. He is an excellent dancer.”
A spark seemed to ignite itself in Cassandra’s heart as she considered Lord Sherbourne, but she quickly doused it and set her gaze on other gentlemen around the room. She reminded herself that Lord Sherbourne had no intention of marrying, and certainly would think her quite ridiculous if she even allowed her thoughts to linger on him for a moment, she pushed his image from her mind. No doubt her cousin would laugh at her if such a thing was ever mentioned!
“I have noticed that Lord Alderton is looking at you.” Her cousin glanced at Cassandra and then looked distinctly to her right. “You have noticed him, have you not? He seems to be more than eager for your attention.”
All thought of Lord Sherbourne left her as Cassandra’s heart suddenly quickened.
