Cassandra nodded her thanks, seeing that her cousin was genuine.
“I appreciate all you have said. My doubt comes from the fact that one gentleman appeared very disinterested in my conversation.”
Lord Yardley’s smile began to fade as he glanced at his wife.
“Lord Sherbourne appeared most disinterested in me. I did attempt to speak with him but he showed very little interest in anything I had to say.” A slight nudge of fear tried to fill her heart but she ignored it, pushing it down as Lady Yardley reached out to squeeze her hand. “What if other gentlemen are as he was?”
“I would say that Lord Sherbourne was not himself this afternoon.” Lady Yardley glanced at her husband, who then nodded. “For whatever reason, he seemed quite disinclined toallconversation, not just your own.”
Cassandra glanced from her cousin to Lord Yardley and back again, wondering whether Lady Yardley spoke the truth, or if she was merely attempting to make Cassandra feel better. Lord Yardley, however, was frowning and nodding slowly, one finger running over his chin and that gave her the impression that what Lady Yardley had said was quite true.
“His mood did seem to change once some of the other guests had arrived,” Lord Yardley admitted quietly. “I had not thought of that until you mentioned it, my dear. But yes, Lord Sherbourne did not appear to be at all inclined towards conversation. Therefore, I would not take it as a personal slight, Lady Cassandra.” Lord Yardley grinned suddenly. “That is, unless every other gentleman this evening ignores you and you will then find yourself in such a difficulty, you will not know which way to turn!”
“Yardley!” Lady Yardley exclaimed, clearly upset over his mock teasing, but Cassandra only laughed, thinking Lord Yardley the most amiable gentleman, and glad indeed that her cousin had found such happiness.
“I am sure you know that I am only jesting,” Lord Yardley clarified, hastily, although his lips were still upturned in a smile. “I would not have you take Lord Sherbourne’s silence personally. I am sure it had nothing to do with you.” His eyebrows lifted for a moment. “In fact, now that I recall, I am able to inform you that Lord Sherbourne has had something else to contend with.”
“Indeed?” Lifting one eyebrow, Lady Yardley kept her gaze trained on her husband. “Lord Sherbourne has always given the impression of being a very contented fellow, with very few troubles at all. What is it that he now struggles with?”
Interested in the answer to what her cousin had asked, Cassandra dropped her gaze to her hands, feigning indifference. She could not keep her interest from growing, however, for Lord Sherbourne had changed in a most noticeable manner – since he had been seemingly glad to converse with her at first, and thereafter had become very silent.
“You know very well that I have no intention of telling you anything.” Lord Yardley laughed, reaching to take his wife’s hand. “Although I suppose I am meant to have no secrets from you, so I find myself in quite a dilemma.”
Lady Yardley leaned forward, her smile sending a sparkle to her eyes.
“Tell me a little, my dear husband.”
Lord Yardley grinned, his expression softening. Catching the look shared between husband and wife, Cassandra looked away, warmth flushing her cheeks. This was the sort of intimacy that she longed for in her own life. Their love for each other was clearly the source of their happiness, and Cassandra could not help but be a little envious.
“I shall speak carefully, then,” Lord Yardley continued in a teasing manner. “And remind you, my dear Lady Yardley, that Lord Sherbourne has a mother still living. And thatheremains unmarried.”
At this, Lady Yardley giggled and shook her head, her eyes sparkling.
“I believe you have told me everything you can,” she remarked with a smile. “And I am sorry for Lord Sherbourne and his difficult situation.”
Cassandra too found herself smiling – albeit more from relief than anything else! From Lord Yardley’s brief explanation, she now understood that Lord Sherbourne was having some difficulties with his mother. Cassandra assumed that the gentleman was being hounded to marry, for was that not what every mother longed for? Cassandra could understand that, even if, as it seemed, Lord Sherbourne did not.
“Does Lord Sherbourne have no desire to wed then?” As both Lord and Lady Yardley exchanged a look, Cassandra frowned slightly, wondering at the exchange. “I would have thought a gentleman of his standing would require an heir.”
“All in good time.” Lord Yardley shrugged. “Those are Lord Sherbourne’s words, you understand. No one will tell him when he is to marry, save for his own heart.”
“Enough talking about Lord Sherbourne!” Lady Yardley gestured to the window. “We have arrived.”
There was an excitement in Lady Yardley’s voice that Cassandra did not share, such was her nervousness. Drawing in slow breaths, she sought out her courage and found that she had none. She had been presented, to theQueen,she told herself. Could a ball be so very different? Did it really require her to be so nervous?
Lady Yardley smiled in understanding of all that Cassandra was feeling at present.
“Make sure that you have your dance card ready, stand by me and all will be well.”
“And recall that you are not to dance the waltz this evening,” Lord Yardley added, a small smile at one side of his mouth. “In the balls thereafter, you may, but tonight, you may not. But do not be afraid. It will not set you apart or make you appear any worse than any of your friends. In fact, I am sure it will make you all the more appealing to the gentlemen of theton.” His eyes roved towards his wife again. “It certainly did for me.”
The flush in Lady Yardley’s cheeks was enough to make Cassandra smile, and her nervousness began to crumble. Her cousin was quite correct, she had nothing to fear. Therefore, she would do everything to make certain that she enjoyed the ball, and that meant letting go of her anxiety and instead, allowing her thoughts to drift onto how wonderful an evening this would be. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at her cousin and then moved out of the carriage, accepting the hand of the footman as she stepped down onto the pavement.
Her first ball was about to begin.
* * *
“Two dances, Lord Fernsten?”
