Cassandra’s heart quickened suddenly as she looked up into Lord Fernsten’s face. The gentleman was more than handsome, with a broad smile on his face that sent a flicker toward his green eyes.
“But of course, Lady Cassandra. Someone as beautiful as you must surely be offered more than one dance! I myself am the fortunate one to have been granted such a boon.”
Fluttering her fan lightly in front of her face, Cassandra became all too aware of the blush which warmed her. Lord Fernsten was indeed a very amiable gentleman, clearly desirous to offer her a great many compliments.
“You are very kind. I look forward to stepping out with you.”
The gentleman nodded and stepped away, leaving Cassandra to turn back to her small group of friends. There was Miss Wynch to her right, Lady Almeria to her left with Miss Madeley, Lady Elizabeth and Miss Millington coming to stand in front of her. They clustered around her, their expressions eager, and Cassandra could not help but smile.
“Did you say that Lord Fernsten wishes to dance with you on two occasions this evening?”
Cassandra nodded.
“Yes. We are to dance very soon, and then again near the end of the ball.” Cassandra clasped her closed fan in both hands, close to her heart, as she drew in a long breath. “I think him quite delightful. His manner is most agreeable and to ask to dance with me twice is… very kind.”
Miss Millington wrinkled her nose, although her eyes danced.
“I am afraid I cannot agree with you.Imust say that Lord Stockholm is the very best of gentlemen, for he asked me to dance with him within the first few moments after my arrival! I am sure that he saw me standing a little alone from the rest and therefore, thought to shower kindness upon me.”
“That was very generous, I would agree,” Lady Elizabeth remarked, her eyes glowing with obvious excitement. “It seems that, thus far, we have had an excellent evening and only the first few dances have been taken! Are not all of these gentlemen quite wonderful?”
Cassandra let out a contented sigh, her hands dropping to her sides as she looked around the room. It was more than wonderful, especially now, since her dance card was already almost full! Yes, she concluded silently, there were a great many excellent gentlemen present this evening. Her brows lifted gently, a sudden idea filling her heart. Could it be that, in this room, there stood the very gentleman who might, one day, be standing by her side as her husband? Could that fellow be here this evening?
Her lips curved.
Perhaps the gentleman I shall fall in love with has spoken to me already!
The thought sent such a brilliant smile across her face that, as her gaze roved around the room, another gentleman stopped suddenly, his head twisting towards her. After a few moments, he inclined his head and Cassandra, aware of his sudden interest, nodded at him. The gentleman then began to look around the room, craning his neck this way and that, although Cassandra did not quite understand why. It was only after seeing some beckoning, gesticulating, and whispering into another gentleman’s ear, that she finally understood what was happening, for when Lord Sotherton began to make his way towards her – the unknown gentleman beside him – she understood that he had been seeking an introduction.
“Lady Cassandra.”
Cassandra inclined her head.
“Lord Sotherton.”
The gentleman gave her a brief smile before gesturing to the other gentleman – who then stepped even closer.
“Forgive me for staring, but I simply could nothelpbut seek an introduction. It has thrilled my heart to see such beauty in that smile.”
All of her friends fell silent as Cassandra’s fan fluttered nervously near her warm cheeks. She said nothing, for the gentleman had, truly, spoken out of turn, as they had not yet been introduced. She looked inquiringly to Lord Sotherton, who flushed, and quickly made the introductions. He did not smile, however, and instead had a heavy frown sweeping across his brow. Cassandra could not imagine what had brought such an expression to his face.
“This is the Earl of Darlington,” Lord Sotherton finished, quickly, as the gentleman in question bowed.
“Lord Darlington.” Cassandra sank into a curtsey, making sure that it was perfect in every way. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Have you been in London long?”
The gentleman’s smile sent gold into his hazel eyes, the sharp planes of his cheekbones softening a little.
“I am almost always in London,” he told her. “But somehow, despite being so, I have never been introduced to you!” Again, Cassandra’s cheeks warmed and she fluttered her fan a little more firmly. “Might I hope that your dance card is not entirely filled, Lady Cassandra? Has fate kept one space for me, mayhap?”
A quiet giggle escaped Cassandra’s mouth as she slid her dance card from her wrist and then handed it to him. The gentleman was more than eager to stand up with her and she was delighted to accept. It was a compliment of the highest order, she considered, to have been sought out in such a fashion.
“Ah, it seems fatehassmiled on me tonight.” Lord Darlington dotted his initials quickly down for the quadrille, his mouth lifting as he looked back at her. “But I see that you also have the waltz.”
“Alas, I am not able to dance the waltz as yet, Lord Darlington.” Smiling a little ruefully as the gentleman’s face fell, she spread her hands. “However, I shall be able to do so at future balls.”
“Then I will be the first to stand up with you when you are permitted to dance the waltz, Lady Cassandra, you can be assured of that!” Cassandra giggled again, a little embarrassed at her reaction, for she did not quite know how to respond to Lord Darlington’s obvious flirtations. “The quadrille will have to suffice.” Lord Darlington grinned before handing her back the dance card. “Otherwise, I look forward to standing up with you for the waltz at our next opportunity, Lady Cassandra. Might I have your word on that?”
“You may,” Cassandra found herself saying, without having had any intention of speaking so.
