* * *
Lady Calvert’s ballroom had rows of chairs for the audience, set well back from the stage area where there was a pianoforte, harpsichord, and an elegant harp at least as tall as Ashley, mingled with straight-backed chairs and music stands for the musicians. Uncle Edward had made sure they arrived at just the right time. Only a few people had sat down so far, mostly gray-haired matrons and their escorts. The other guests mingled, chatting and sizing up each other.
One of the seated matrons turned her head, and Ashley recognized Lady Bedford. Their eyes met and Lady Bedford gave her a small smile and a wink before turning back to her companion, an army major in full uniform.
Good thing Lady Calvert’s ballroom was so large. Within the hour it seemed everyone Ashley had met in London was present.
* * *
David helped himself to a cup of punch and scanned Lady Calvert’s ballroom, looking for familiar faces. Lord Bristol had not been jesting when he said tonight would be a preview of this year’s competition at the Catch Club. Lord Ferguson and his group in black neckcloths clustered near the pianoforte, quietly warming up. Several side rooms had been set aside for just such a purpose, but there was only one pianoforte. Lord Bristol chatted with his wife, and David saw other members of his group in their matching red neckcloths circulating among the guests. Mansfield and Templeton and their entourage entered the ballroom. Liam had arrived with David and gone to greet other friends. That just left—
“Evening, Ravencroft.”
David deliberately took a sip before turning to greet the newcomer with a nod. “Fairfax.” The viscount no longer outranked David, but Fairfax was still a good four inches taller than him.
“Could have knocked me over with a feather when Sutcliff said he heard from Westbrook that you were singing again. But here you are.”
“You know how persuasive my sisters can be.” David gave a negligent shrug. He was searching for a different topic of conversation when he heard Fairfax’s sharp intake of breath.
Fairfax had one hand over his heart, the other on David’s shoulder, staring at Liam. “Who is the new filly Westbrook is flirting with? I haven’t seen her before.”
David had to lean to the side to see around Fairfax, and was transfixed himself at the sight of Miss Hamlin holding court. She looked poised and elegant in a pale blue gown that shimmered in the light from the chandelier. Diamonds in her hair combs sparkled almost as much as her smile. Whatever could Liam be saying that was so funny? Her gentle peal of laughter reached him. All other women in the room ceased to exist. Feeling a tight squeeze in his chest, David was startled to realizehewanted to be the one to make her smile with such delight.
“Miss Hamlin,” he whispered.
Fairfax looked at him sharply. “You know her?”
David exhaled. “I could introduce you if you like,” he said with the same degree of enthusiasm as if presented with a plate of raw liver and onions for breakfast.
Fairfax clapped David’s shoulder and gave him a push.
Ashley thought she was laughing entirely too much and should probably hide her lower face with her fan, but Mr. Westbrook’s childhood tale involving a frog and two of his sisters was most entertaining. When Ravencroft approached with another gentleman, she took a sudden deep breath and composed herself.
“Miss Hamlin,” Ravencroft said in his silky deep voice, raising her hand and dropping a kiss on her knuckles as he bowed.
Warmth suffused her at hearing him speak her name. Watching the tiny shake of his head to get his hair from his eyes as he straightened, she almost forgot to curtsy. “Lord Ravencroft. It is good to see you again.”
His companion elbowed him, a slight frown marring his handsome features, his intelligent brown eyes looking upon her with blatant admiration and expectation.
“Vincent, Viscount Fairfax, may I present Miss Ashley Hamlin.” Ravencroft turned to Fairfax. “Georgia recently adopted Miss Hamlin.” He turned back to Ashley. “We—” he indicated himself, Westbrook, and Fairfax, “— have been friends since we attended Eton.”
Lord Fairfax also took her hand and raised it to his full lips for a kiss as he bowed over it. “Enchanted to make your acquaintance, Miss Hamlin. Miss Georgia’s adoptees usually have three legs and a tail.” He chuckled as he straightened, giving a slight shake to get his hair out of his eyes, the same gesture she’d seen Ravencroft make. Fairfax wore his hair longer than Ravencroft, the glossy black strands brushing his shoulders. No white streak, though.
His deep bass voice, even lower than Ravencroft’s, rumbled and washed over her. Ashley almost shuddered. It took her far too long to remember to curtsy. “Lord Fairfax,” she finally managed to choke out. Being the sole focus of three handsome gentlemen was a novel experience. Georgia and Miss Kenyon had been here just moments ago but seemed to have melted into the crowd to greet other friends. Ashley was glad she’d let Sally experiment with a fancy hairstyle copied fromLa Belle Assembléetonight, and worn the periwinkle blue satin dress Madame Chantel had sent over just this morning, which the modiste had assured her was in the first stare of fashion.
“I can see why Ravencroft was reluctant to introduce us,” Fairfax said, still holding her hand. Ravencroft scowled at his friend. “I would be reluctant to let any other man meet you, too. Where have you been all my life,cara?”
She almost laughed when both Ravencroft and Westbrook rolled their eyes at the Italian endearment. “Living in Torquay, my lord. Where haveyoubeen?”
Fairfax laughed, a rich rumble that vibrated right through her.
She was spared the indecision of retrieving her hand or not by their hostess announcing they were ready to begin and requesting everyone take their seats.
Fairfax kissed her hand again before releasing it. “I hope to see you again later, Miss Hamlin, and further our acquaintance.”
“That would be agreeable, my lord,” she said.
Westbrook and Ravencroft took their leave as well, and Ashley walked in a daze through the crowd to the seat that Aunt Eunice had saved for her.
