Chapter Ten
Tia averted her gaze, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. She had thought Lord Merriman was about to cut the line and come to speak with her before his mother seemed to caution him against doing so.
But why?
She had nothing to say to the man, despite how handsome he appeared in his evening clothes tonight.
His hair, black as night, caused her fingers to now itch, and she wished she could run them through his thick locks.
Why would she think something such as that?
Yes, he was very attractive with those unusual gray eyes.
He looked even taller and broader in the severe black evening wear.
She stole another glace at him and saw he was now talking with his sister.
Tia felt a bit sorry for her friend, having only her mother and one brother in support of her debut this evening.
Looking around, she saw she was surrounded by a portion of her large, loving family.
Of course, Mama was by her side this evening for the opening night’s ball.
Val and Eden were also here and had escorted them to this ball.
Ariadne and Julian were nearby, talking with Con and his parents.
Though her aunt Charlotte could be rather opinionated, her uncle Arthur was sweet and kind.
And naturally, she had Lia and Rupert with her tonight.
Ten in all to support her on what would be the biggest night of her life.
She was on the cusp of meeting so many new people, and excitement flowed through her.
Yet why did her thoughts now turn back to Lord Merriman, a man who did not even like her?
Tia was used to everyone she met liking her.
She could not think of one disagreeable person.
A thought came to her, and she wondered if everyone had always been amiable to her simply because she was the daughter of a duke.
Would the eligible bachelors who asked her to dance tonight only do so because of her social connection to Val?
Or would they be nice to her because a duke’s sister would come with a hefty dowry?
Things she had never fretted about started to cause worry now, along with her problem regarding Lord Merriman.
They had only spoken for a short time during their two encounters, and the last time he had cut her to the quick with a biting remark that hurt her feelings terribly.
She was determined not to let him prevent her from her friendship with Lady Dilly.
Where the earl was acerbic and brusque, his sister was as outgoing and lively as Tia herself.
The only difference between them was that her friend fully intended to wed by Season’s end, while Tia had thought to keep her options open and hoped to delay marriage for a year or two.
Yes, she had come into the Season with the idea that she would not rush to take a husband, but little William’s presence in the family nursery was having a strong effect on her.
Perhaps it was also the fact that Lia was increasing that might change Tia’s mind about postponing marriage.
She and her twin had always done everything together, and Tia wanted her children to be close—and close in age—to Lia’s.
They would mean making a match sooner than she had thought to do so.
A thought occurred to her that because they were twins, one or both of them might actually give birth to a set of twins themselves. How special that would be!
Lia touched her arm. “You seem deep in thought. Are you nervous about this evening? If so, you should not be.”
“I will admit that I am a bit anxious. Look at all these wonderful ballgowns and the pretty girls wearing them.”
Her twin clucked her tongue. “You are the most beautiful girl making her come-out, Tia Worthington. Why, your dance card will fill up before you blink three times.”
“I hope so. You know how much I enjoy dancing.”
“Just remember that Mama has said you will not have much of a chance to speak with the gentlemen you dance with this evening. The dances are too lively for any kind of extended conversation.” Lia gave her a knowing smile.
“But I am certain that Val’s drawing room will be filled to the brim tomorrow with flower arrangements sent to you. ”
Mama had told them both last year when they were schedule to make their come-outs that gentlemen would send bouquets to ladies they were interested in. They would also come calling the following afternoon after an event.
“Do you see your friend here?” Lia asked. “I would enjoy meeting her.”
Tia pretended to scan the crowd and then said, “Yes, I see her.”
She described the color of Lady Dilly’s gown and the girl herself since pointing was absolutely forbidden, and her twin nodded, having spied Lady Dilly.
“She is very pretty. Is that her brother standing with her? They make a striking pair, both with that wonderful dark hair and brows. I suppose that is Lady Merriman, their mother, with them. I can see she once was a great beauty herself.”
Nodding, Tia said, “Yes, it is obvious they got their good looks from their mother. She is still very attractive for her age.”
The receiving line began moving, and they soon found themselves in front of Lord and Lady Parker, their hosts for the evening. Val presented her to the couple, and Tia made her curtsey to them.
“I hear you are making your come-out this Season, Lady Tia,” the countess said. “I wish you much success.” The woman smiled at her. “There are quite a few eligible bachelors here in attendance this evening. I hope you will find more than one to your liking.”
They moved into the ballroom, and Mama had them stop on the left side of the room.
“We will stand here,” Mama declared, seeming like an invading force who planted its flag.
“I thought we were supposed to move about the room and meet others,” Tia said, confused.
Val chuckled. “Mama is playing the ducal card, Tia. While others may go about the room, greeting old friends and being introduced to new ones, it is expected for dukes to make their stand. Others come to them, not the other way around.”
“Oh, I see.”
Mama stared at Val. “You introduced Thermantia to our hosts as Tia, Millbrooke.”
Before Mama could continue, Val firmly said, “I did so intentionally, Mama. That is her name. While Thermantia is a beautiful name, it is also a mouthful. Besides, Tia is fonder of the diminutive form of her name. We will respect her wishes and introduce her as thus tonight.”
She gave her brother a grateful smile. He was using his authority with Mama, and she saw her mother nod, acquiescing to her son’s wishes.
Tia had never liked her full given name, and as many of her cousins had done, she had always gone by a shortened version of it.
She felt sorry for Lady Dilly, who would constantly be introduced as Delilah.
Others entered the ballroom, stopping at their party of ten. Tia’s dance programme began filling up. She had worried that she would have huge gaps upon it and have to sit or stand on the sidelines, watching others dance the night away. Thank goodness, it seemed that would not be the case.
Then she heard Val say, “Reddington. Merriman. It is good to see you this evening. Let me introduce you to my family.”
She looked up and saw Lord Merriman with Lady Dilly and their mother. Another gentleman was with them. He was quite handsome, with cornflower blue eyes and a dimple in his chin. He was about six feet in height and lean as a whippet.
Val made the introductions for their group, saving her for last. The Duke of Reddington gave her a ready smile.
“Your brother has told me you are making your come-out this Season, Lady Tia. Might you do me the honor of dancing with me this evening?”
“I would be happy to do so, Your Grace,” she told him, handing over her programme.
Her brother looked to Lady Dilly. “While I may be an old married man, I am still a duke, Lady Delilah. It might bring a bit of notice to you if I partner with you for a dance. I plan to dance the first dance with my duchess, but would you be available for the set after that?”
Her friend agreed to dance with Val. Tia thought it kind of her brother to do so.
The Duke of Reddington said, “Well, I am a duke myself. We must let everyone see how highly dukes think of you, Lady Delilah. Might I also claim a dance from you?”
As the duke signed the programme, Tia felt eyes upon her. She turned and saw Lord Merriman looking at her intently. She feared he was about to ask her for a dance.
And she was afraid that he wouldn’t.
Why would she wish to dance with him? He had displayed nothing but boorish behavior to her, but she felt her mouth growing dry as their gazes met.
“Might you . . . accept a dance with me, Lady Tia?” he asked in his deep, rumbling voice. For some reason, hearing it caused a tingle to ripple along her spine.
She had no glib remark and knew it would be awkward if she turned him down in front of so many.
Her eyes cut to Val, and he nodded encouragingly.
She knew he had become friendly with Lord Merriman this past week.
She did not know what she was missing or why this earl did not like her, but for propriety’s sake, she passed her dance programme to him.
He returned it after signing it, saying, “Thank you.” Then looking to the group, he said, “If you will excuse us. I must make certain that my sister meets others present this evening. Since this is my first time at the Season, Reddington has promised to take us about the room and introduce . . . D-Delilah around.”
As the others said goodbye, Tia noted the earl had almost called his sister Dilly and then corrected himself. She had not known he, too, was a novice to the Season and was as new at this as she herself was.
Her attention was drawn by more people stopping to visit with them, and soon, her entire programme was filled.
Lia gave her a triumphant smile. “See? I told you that you would prove to be popular.”