Rachael nodded but did not take her eyes from Lord Blackmore. It was more than obvious that his sole intention was to speak with her and, when he was only a short distance away, Rachael dropped to a curtsey, making it plain that she was prepared to speak with him.
“Lord Blackmore?”
He bowed quickly, his face a little flushed.
“Miss Simmons. I wonder if you might dance with me.”
Whatever it was that Rachael had been expecting him to say, it had certainly not been this! Her eyes flew wide, and her mouth fell open as her heart began to clamor in her chest.
“Dance with you, Lord Blackmore?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
There was a steeliness to his eyes which she had not seen there before, a strength of purpose which she could not deny. Gone was the gentleman who had not seemed to care about her presence here in London nor the troubles which she suffered on account of the rumors. Instead, he now appeared enthused and resolute.
“You wish to dance with me?” she repeated, seeing him nod. “But Lord Blackmore, given that there have been such rumors about us, do you really think that would be wise?”
He spread out his hands.
“Miss Simmons, I see now what it is that you were suggesting,” he said, quietly. “I was in a small group of both ladies and gentlemen and whilst what I have supposedly done can either be explained away or not believed in the least, the different way that they treatyouis rather shocking, I must admit. I will also say that I attempted to say something – though it was poorly done – and that your good parents did also, but there was not the same response. I confess that I did not see it in the same way when you first spoke to me but now that I have seen it, now I have heard the words coming from their mouths, I find myself to be rather horrified.”
“And your solution to this is to dance with me?” Feeling a little overwhelmed, Rachael looked back at him carefully. “Why? What good will it do? Surely it will only start up the rumors again that there is, in fact, a connection between us?”
Lord Blackmore shook his head.
“I think it will do the opposite. It will show thetonthat we will not let their words affect us, that their whispers are not about to force us into the dark.” Seeing her frown, he winced. “You in particular, Miss Simmons.”
“But if it is only one dance,” she replied, concern beginning to bubble in the pit of her stomach, “then that will certainly make thetontalk all the more.”
“Oh, it shall not be,” Lord Blackmore assured her, quickly. “There will be others. I have made quite certain of that!”
Rachael frowned.
“Oh?”
“I have asked Lord Elmsford to dance with you thereafter, and I intend to have other friends and acquaintances do the same. You see, Miss Simmons, I am now determined to be of aid to you if I can. You are quite right - how thetonhas treated you in all of this is entirely unfair, and I can see the difficulties it presents now.”
Her first instinct was to refuse him, to say that no, she did not – could not – dance with him for fear of what thetonwould say. This, she held back and considered for a few moments, looking into his face, and seeing the hope glinting in his eyes.
“If you can be assured that other gentlemen will dance with you thereafter, I do not think that there can be any worry in stepping out with Lord Blackmore.” Lady Frederica gave her a small smile. “Forgive me for the interruption, but I could not help but overhear, and I understand your concerns, of course.” She offered Rachael a small smile but then looked to Lord Blackmore. “Miss Simmons is quite correct to be concerned that, should it only be one dance this evening, one dance with one gentleman, then thetonmight think all the worse of her for it. What would be better is if your friend might also sign Miss Simmonds’ dance card, so that she has the assurance that it will not be only one.”
“Of course.” Lord Blackmore inclined his head and offered Rachael a small smile, one which sent warmth rippling down her skin. “Do excuse me.”
“Good gracious, he is very enthusiastic, is he not?” Rachael looked to Lady Frederica, who only laughed, with Miss Fairley coming to join them also. “I cannot understand it! He states that a single conversation has been enough to force him to change his attitude towards me. That is surprising, I must say!”
“But understandable,” Miss Fairley said, with a smile. “He has only just come back to London, has he not? And I doubt that he would have thought about what impact the rumors would have had on you, for he has been much too busy considering what they mean forhim.To be present now, to see the other guests treat you differently, compared to how they treat him, is what he has needed to see, to reconsider his position. Perhaps,” she continued, gently, “he is a more discerning, more considered gentleman than we first thought him.”
“I do not know his character at all well.” Rachael kept her gaze on Lord Blackmore for as long as she could, seeing him step through the crowd again in search of his friend. “We were thrown together by this rumor when previously, we had only just been acquainted. I have every desire to stay far from him so that society does not continue with any more rumors – though I am aware that I am the one who went to speak with him first. To dance with him would be quite another thing, however.”
“I think you should.” Miss Fairley let out a small sigh, then smiled. “It is only a dance. You are already a wallflower. What else could happen which would make the situation worse?”
Rachael laughed and nodded, albeit rather ruefully.
“I suppose that is true.”
“He is returning,” Lady Frederica murmured, catching Rachael’s hand, and squeezing it. “And with another gentleman beside him.”
