Her eyes fixed themselves on Lord Darlington as he walked across the ballroom floor, a heartfelt sigh going with him as she wondered how long it would be until she was in his arms.
“Lord Darlington appears to be interested in your company a great deal.”
Cassandra opened her mouth to say that, yes, she was very glad of his interest, only to snap it closed as she noticed her cousin nearby. Lady Yardley had already warned her not to become too enamored of any particular gentleman – and to do so on the evening of her first ballwouldbe foolish. Taking a breath, she set her shoulders.
“I shall be glad to dance with him, as I shall be glad to dance with any gentleman,” she declared, inciting a look of surprise from Miss Madeley. “There are a great many gentlemen here I should like to dance with. I must remind myself that it would be foolish to think only of one in particular, when there are so many I am, as yet, unacquainted with.”
Lady Elizabeth smiled and came to stand beside Cassandra.
“I suppose that is true – and we are all agreed on our pact to aid each other in our search for a love match, are we not?”
Cassandra smiled at her.
“Of course we are.”
“Then, should one gentleman in particular catch your attention – catchanyof our notice, we would tell one another, would we not?”
The other young ladies nodded as Cassandra did the same.
“Certainly, I would,” she answered quickly. “But I can assure you all that, at this moment, I am focusing my thoughts on all of the dances I am to enjoy, praying that I shall not make a single mistake!”
A murmur of laughter ran around the group.
“I am sure you will not.” Lady Almeria gestured to the center of the room. “Look, the quadrille is almost upon us, which will be your time to step out with Lord Darlington.”
“While the rest of us watch with a great deal of envy,” Miss Wynch put in, making Cassandra laugh.
“I am sure you shall not, for you all have your own gentlemen to dance with, do you not?” Leaning closer to Miss Wynch, she smiled. “If we are to go by how successful this ball has been, then mayhap our hopes of being wed in a love match will be fulfilled a good deal more quickly than we expected!” Her shoulders lifted in a half-shrug. “Mayhap it is something of a foolish idea, but I am sure it could be done. Perhaps we shall all be blessed enough to find a gentleman who loves us before the Season is out.”
Chapter Four
“Thank you for dancing with me.”
Lord Darlington reached to press her fingers as they rested on his arm, his head close to her ear, and Cassandra jumped with a little surprise. It was not common for a gentleman to be so forward.
“But of course. It was kind of you to ask me,” she murmured, keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead rather than looking at Lord Darlington. She did not want him to catch any sort of flicker in her eyes, for while she might find herself a little overwhelmed by dancing with him, she certainly did not want him to know of it. Her opinion of the gentleman had altered somewhat during their dance, for he had done nothing but look around at every other guest as they had stepped out together. It did not seem to matter whether or notshewas present and required his attention. Lord Darlington wanted only to be seen, and her presence was only to be as a support, rather than of any real worth to him.
It seems as though my first thoughts about Lord Darlington were incorrect.
“Now, you will think my question a little odd, but does your father intend to provide you with as significant a dowry as he gave your sister?”
The man’s voice was loud, catching the attention of one or two others.
A cold hand grasped at Cassandra’s heart, hearing the tutting of another gentleman who walked near them, who was clearly as astonished – and perhaps even as shocked – as Cassandra was by such a question. Lord Darlington did not appear to be put off, however, for his head was still turned towards her, his gaze still fixed.
“I – I think my father is a very generous man.”
Lord Darlington chuckled and Cassandra’s face burned.
“It is well known to thetonhow much your father gave on the occasion of your sister’s marriage. I am glad to hear that it will be much the same for you.”
“I expect it to be.”
Her heart began to pound. Whatever did he mean by such a question? Suddenly, the urge to remove herself from his company began to grow very strong indeed.
“What say you to stepping out for a short while to get a breath of fresh air?”
Cassandra turned her head towards his as they meandered slowly away from the center of the room, Lord Darlington’s pace unhurried.
