Desperate Debutantes - The Hazards Of Hunting A Duke Part 8

She smiled and took his hand. "Good evening, my lord," she said as she crossed him.

"A very good evening indeed," he said as they crossed again.

She smiled again as she stepped up, and then back, and then moved to her left to take the hand of her partner, Lord Angelsy.

Dear G.o.d, how had he missed her? She was breathtaking in an exquisitely embroidered blue satin gown that hugged her frame to its utmost advantage. Her golden hair was done up with a string of pearls that matched the teardrops at her ear lobes and her throat, and her eyes, her pale green eyes, seemed almost gray.

He hadn't realized she'd come out of mourning.

Jared went round with Elizabeth again, who said, "I've very much enjoyed the work in the charity auction."

"I'm very glad to hear it." He'd left the work on the auction to his good friend Lady Bellingham, and knew only what he received in reports from his secretary, Mr. Bean. "I understand things are progressing," he added, and looked again to Lady Ava, letting go of Elizabeth's hand, turning left, and facing Lady Ava once again. As he took her hand he said, "I didn't know you'd come out of mourning."

She said nothing, just smiled up at him with sparkling greenish gray eyes as she crossed him. He took her hand again. "You have not danced a waltz, have you?" he asked as they crossed. "For you have promised it to me," he reminded her as they stepped forward.

"Did I?" she asked airily as she stepped back. "I don't recall."

He grinned at her and turned to his right to meet Elizabeth again, who said, "His grace the duke has said that you might expect as many as four hundred."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Four hundred persons at the auction on Friday," she clarified as he let her go and she turned right.

"As many as that?" he asked, and turned right, facing Lady Ava. He took her hand and squeezed it playfully. "If you've promised the waltz away, I shall have to fight the gentleman for the right," he said as they crossed, "for it is mine, fairly bargained and won."

She laughed, her teeth flashing white between rose-colored lips, turned around, and offered her hand again. "Is that how you scratched your cheek? Fighting for a waltz?"

He chuckled, stepped forward, then back, and turned left, to a stoic Elizabeth. She said nothing-juststared hurtfully at him as he took her hand. Would that this dance end! "You must forgive me, LadyElizabeth. I am all at sixes and sevens trying to remember where to step."

She nodded slightly as she crossed him.

Jared finished the dance without speaking to Lady Ava again, but he couldn't help overhearing her laugh of pleasure at something Angelsy said. He could well imagine the flirting between them-she was especially beautiful tonight, and any man with even a bit of a brain would realize the woman needed to make a match.

He really had no time to squander-for that and other more pressing reasons.

When the dance ended, he escorted Elizabeth to the side of the dance floor and excused himself, making some mention of gaming. As he walked from the room, he scanned the crowd, looking for Lady Ava, but she had disappeared from view. He was, he realized, surprisingly disappointed. There was something about the woman that continued to intrigue him.

But it was just as well-he really needed to find Miranda and a.s.sure himself that his father hadn't done anything to harm or upset her.

Ava found Phoebe in the company of Lady Purnam and her two friends, Lady Botswick and Lady Hogan. Predictably, Lady Purnam had been quite upset by Ava and Phoebe's decision to reenter society, and had insisted on accompanying them to the Clarence mid-Season ball when they received the invitation.

"Ah, there you are," Lady Hogan said, reaching for Ava's hand. "Oh my, how lovely you are. Was thatyour mother's gown?"

"No, I-""Phoebe was just telling us that your cousin, Greer, is Mrs. Smithington's traveling companion! What anagreeable occupation for her!"

"Yes, I think she enjoys it very much," Ava said.

"I remarked to Lady Purnam that I thought it was something that perhaps the two of you might considerlikewise," Lady Botswick said.Ava looked at Phoebe, then at Lady Botswick. "Traveling companion?""Yes, of course," Lady Botswick said, nodding her head so that the corkscrew curls at her ears bounced up and down. "Traveling companion, or perhaps governess. Have you considered the position of governess?"

"I...No, we have not considered it," Ava said. "Ever.""Oh well," Lady Botswick said, exchanging a look with Lady Purnam. "I just a.s.sumed, what with yourcirc.u.mstances, you might have considered it."

"Our circ.u.mstances?" Ava echoed, and looked at Lady Purnam. The woman turned a curious shade ofpink, and Ava understood instantly that she had betrayed their confidence and had told her friends oftheir lack of fortune. "I can't imagine we'd have opportunity," Ava said, turning her attention to LadyBotswick again. "Phoebe and I hope to marry soon."

For some reason that made Lady Hogan smile and Lady Purnam begin a very serious study of her

shoes. "Ooh, I am certain that you do," Lady Botswick said sympathetically.Her patronizing tone made Ava bristle. Apparently, she and Lady Hogan a.s.sumed-no doubt along withthe rest of the b.l.o.o.d.y ton-that she and Phoebe were no longer particularly marriageable.

"How lovely your gown," Lady Botswick said, changing the subject. "I think I should like a gla.s.s of wine.

Lady Hogan, would you care for a gla.s.s of wine?"

I would indeed."

The two ladies excused themselves, leaving Phoebe and Ava to glare at Lady Purnam. "You told them of our situation?" Ava asked. "How could you?"

"I did no such thing!" Lady Purnam said, looking quite uncomfortable. "When the subject came up, it was clear that they already knew. I am guilty in that I did not deny it."

"Really, Lady Purnam." Phoebe sighed.

"I wouldn't ask that you deny what is true, Lady Purnam, but I should hope that as our mother's dearest friend you would not confirm it," Ava said sternly.

Lady Purnam looked very chagrined, and she grabbed Ava's wrist before she could turn away. "You mustn't be so cross, dear. In truth, your situation seemed to be well understood by most long before even I knew of it."

"I see," Ava said coldly. "The vultures gathered as soon as Mother died, did they? If you will please excuse us."

"Ava, darling, please-"

"I really must speak with my sister."

Lady Purnam sighed and dropped her hand from Ava's wrist. "Very well. But you harm only yourself in pretending your situation is rosier than it is," she said, a.s.suming a high-handed tone. "It does you not a bit of good to flit about society as if things were the same as they were before your mother died, for they are not. Your situation has been drastically altered, and the sooner you accept it, the sooner you may find a proper situation."

"Thank you for your unsolicited advice," Ava said tightly, and grabbed Phoebe's hand, pulling her away from the stunned and meddlesome old woman.

"We are doomed," Phoebe said, resigned.

"No we aren't, Phoebe," Ava insisted. "You will not believe that. We are not doomed!"

"What will save us, Ava? Your grand scheme of marrying a marquis hasn't quite come about, has it?"

It was true that Ava had heard nothing from Middleton since the delivery of the flowers. Even the work on his charity auction, which she had so foolishly a.s.sumed would include only him and her, had been a disaster. The good souls working on the event seemed to be a string of women he'd been a.s.sociated with at one time or another, including Elizabeth Robertson. The only saving grace for Ava was that Grace Holcomb had volunteered to help so that she had at least one friend among the group.

"You'd best hope Sir Garrett doesn't greet Lord Downey when his ship docks," Phoebe snapped irritably.

Ava's stomach clenched. She'd had such high hopes for tonight, but then Middleton had arrived looking a bit disheveled, and the rumor had circulated he'd had a spat with his lover. He'd had his eyes on Lady Waterstone all evening, had danced with her, and even now, Ava could plainly see the two of them, not fifteen feet away, deep in conversation with Lord Harrison.

Worse, when he wasn't dancing with Lady Waterstone or admiring her from a distance, he was in the company of Elizabeth Robertson.

Ava turned her back on the sight so that she wouldn't have to see him smiling so charmingly at Lady Waterstone.

She'd all but given up hope before the quadrille, but she had been heartened by his expression upon first

seeing her, as if he was genuinely surprised and delighted to encounter her there."It's not working, Ava," Phoebe said morosely. "Your marquis is obviously in love with LadyWaterstone and about to offer for Elizabeth Robertson. I hardly think there is room for a third woman.You must think of someone else-or perhaps Lady Botswick is right. Perhaps we should consider takingpositions as governesses-"

"Don't be ridiculous," Ava said irritably, stung by the notion that Phoebe could be right, that they couldvery well be striving toward nothing more than a fantasy. "I won't give up so easily. What of yourgowns?"

"It's scarcely enough to see us through.""Then Greer will help us-"Phoebe sighed with exasperation. "We haven't heard from Greer since she left!""But we will," Ava said, growing angry with her sister. "And besides, there is any number of gentlemen who might offer for one of us."

Phoebe shook her head. "The only man who will offer without regard for fortune or connections is SirGarrett."Ava snorted."I know how hard you have tried, Ava," Phoebe said earnestly. "But it is clearly hopeless.""It's not hope-""I beg your pardon, Lady Ava."She closed her eyes, took a breath, and turned around to face Sir Garrett. He was smiling broadly, his hands wringing his ever-present kerchief. "I...I thank you for the dance earlier this evening, and I agreethat I should not ask again, as your dance card is quite full," he said, bobbing his head at her.

"Thank you for understanding, sir," she said."I only meant to inquire if you know..." He paused, dabbed his forehead, and then glanced at theground. "That is to say, if you are aware of when your stepfather shall make his return to London."

Her heart began to pound, and Ava looked at Phoebe. "Ah...""We do not know, sir," Phoebe said quickly. "It might be as long as a month. Perhaps even longer.""Oh," Sir Garrett replied, grimacing a little. "That is rather unfortunate, for there is a matter I should like to discuss with him at once." He glanced up, put his kerchief to his temple, and smiled hopefully. "I think you know what matter that is, Lady Ava."

Ava could only gape at him as she groped for Phoebe's hand."Good evening, Sir Garrett," a deep voice intoned, reverberating throughout Ava's body, flooding herwith an enormous sense of relief and reprieve. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them,turned her head, and saw his brilliant hazel eyes and warm smile. She smiled, too, and curtsied. "Goodevening, Lord Middleton."

"Lady Ava," he said politely. "Lady Phoebe," he said, inclining his head to Phoebe before shifting his gaze to Ava again. "I hope you haven't promised all your dances to Sir Garrett, madam, for you had promised me the next dance."

"Oh," Sir Garrett said, looking very surprised. "Oh, yes, of course." He looked at Phoebe. "Lady Phoebe, would you do me the honor?"

Phoebe blinked, then managed to smile as she glanced at Ava. "Thank you," she said, and put her hand carefully in Sir Garrett's paw so he could lead her onto the dance floor.

Middleton held out his arm to Ava. "You promised," he said with a wink.

"I never promised, my lord," she said, smiling up at him, "but I should be delighted." She put her hand on his arm.

He instantly covered it with his own, squeezing it as if they had an intimate friendship. "If I may, you are beautiful in blue, madam."

The compliment thrilled her. She had spent quite a lot of time on her appearance, making Lucy redo her hair twice. "How kind of you to say so."

"When we last met, I hadn't realized that your period of mourning was nearing its end," he remarked as he led her onto the dance floor.

"Ah, but you might have known it were you to attend the meetings for the auction," Ava said, and sank into perhaps the best curtsy of her life as they took their positions.

He laughed and bowed, then took her hand and lifted her up. "It seemed as if there were enough good souls-far better than mine-to plan the event. I didn't think that more than my name was needed," he said, and as the orchestra began the first strains of the waltz, he slipped his arm around her waist and took her hand in his.

"I suppose you are right," Ava said as she put her hand on his unpadded shoulder. "Your presence might have incited a brawl."

He laughed as he gracefully led her into the music.

Ava glanced around them as they began to waltz-she could see more than one head swiveled in their direction, the looks of blatant curiosity. The marquis could do nothing without its being remarked upon by a host of people, she realized. That should have made her more circ.u.mspect, but Ava didn't have the luxury of time to be coy or demure. If he'd heard of her plight and found her unsuitable, she would prefer to know it sooner rather than later so that she might devise another plan for her and Phoebe and Greer.

Unfortunately, while Ava had always enjoyed the attention of gentlemen, she'd never been as bold as she thought she must be now if she were to gain the marquis' undivided attention.

She glanced up at him. He was smiling down at her, a lock of his golden brown hair skating over his eye as they moved. He was an excellent dancer, his movement fluid, his hand firm on her back, gently guiding her one way, then another. He seemed amused by her perusal and raised a brow, and Ava felt the burn of inexperience in her cheeks.

"Thank you for the roses," she said. "They were beautiful."

"Ah. I am glad you enjoyed them. There is an unwritten rule among men, you know-beautiful roses must be given to beautiful women."She blushed. How odd, but it felt as if her feet were moving on air. "You are too kind, sir.""I trust my direction helped you find the church?" he asked with a subtle wink.She laughed. "All right, it's true. I've been horribly remiss in my attendance." She looked up at him. "I have yet another confession to make.""I am always keen to hear a woman's confession." His gaze drifted down to her bosom."Well, then, steel yourself," she said, and took a breath. "I'm really not very good at all. I gave myself far too much credit the evening we met."

"Oh dear." He grinned a little lopsidedly. "Do you mean to say that you don't read the Bible to the poor?""On occasion...but I could not claim it is a habit.""And what of the Ladies' Beneficent Society? Are you a member?""Only recently."He grinned and twirled her round, deftly pulling her closer to him. "Then should I surmise that your a.s.sistance with my charitable auction is an imposition?""No," she said quickly. His eyes were mesmerizing, lulling her into a feeling of bliss in his arms. She couldwaltz all night, round and round, for as long as he looked at her like that. "No, my lord," she said, shaking her head sheepishly. "I wanted to lend my help to the auction. I hoped it would give me anopportunity to be..."Her voice trailed away, and she looked uneasily at his shoulder. She wasn't exactly a courtesan-she didn't know how to take flirtation much further than she already had."To be?" he softly prodded her, pulling her even closer.She didn't care that he held her too close for propriety, or that everyone was looking at them. "To be...

admired."

That made Middleton laugh. He threw back his head and laughed as he twirled her round the edge of the

dance floor, and then again, so that the lights above her were spinning in a fantastical display and she could focus on nothing but his face, his handsome face and eyes that seemed as deep as a river.

She didn't get her wish to waltz all night, unfortunately, and it ended far too soon. She was still feeling

heady, still feeling the strength of his arms around her, the pleasure of his smile. Middleton led her off the

dance floor and continued on, through the crowd, oblivious to the curious looks cast in their direction.

It took Ava several moments to get her wits about her, several moments before she realized he was guiding her out of the ballroom in full view of everyone. "Wait!...Where are we going?"

"You look flushed," he said, and led her down a brightly lit corridor, then turned in a darker corridor and kept walking, but dropped his arm from beneath her hand and put his hand on the small of her back. Possessively. Securely.

"What are you doing?" she asked again, the good girl in her growing alarmed, sensing danger.