Chapter Nineteen #2
A gentleman finally approached, and she heard the audible sighs of relief come from those gathered around her.
As he drew closer, however, Val shook his head. He only did so when it was a known rake, and Tia knew he expected her to turn down a dance with this man.
Smiling, the newcomer said, “I assume your dance card is not filled as it usually is, Lady Tia. Let me do you the favor of dancing with me.”
“I think not, my lord,” she said politely.
His eyes cut to Val and then returned to her. The man shrugged. “Do not say I didn’t warn you, my lady. You will be sitting amongst the wallflowers this evening—and every evening to come.”
His words were like a knife to her heart.
She was then approached by a gentleman who looked to be in his mid-forties. Again, Val shook his head, and she politely declined.
He looked her in the eye. “If you wish to wed, my lady, you will not have the selection which has been available to you previously. I believe I will be the best you can do. If you change your mind, come and find me.”
She was appalled by his words.
Another gentleman approached her, introducing himself. He was very socially awkward, and she asked, “Why have you not wished to dance with me before, Mr. Bannister?”
“You always have so many admirers about you, my lady.” He swallowed. “I was challenged to ask you to a dance. I hope you will accept.”
“And who might have issued this challenge to you?” she demanded.
He flushed scarlet. “Lord Balch and Lord Calley, my lady.”
She drew in a quick breath, looking about the ballroom. She found Lord Balch standing beside Lord Calley. They each had a glass in their hands and raised it to her in a mock toast.
Her gaze returned to Mr. Bannister. “I do not accept dances issued on a dare,” she said crisply. “I will not be dancing with you this evening, Mr. Bannister, nor any other evening.”
It was almost time for the dancing to begin, and Tia had not collected one signature on her program. Val assured her that each of them in their family would dance with her.
“No,” she refused. “I will take my place with the other ladies who are not otherwise engaged.”
She saw the Duke of Reddington headed their way, and Tia hoped he would have news of Lord Merriman for her.
“Good evening,” he greeted. “Lady Tia, might I claim a dance with you this evening?”
“You may, Your Grace,” she responded, handing over her dance card to him.
“I would like to sign for the supper dance if that is agreeable with you.”
She knew that would give them a chance to talk and nodded.
After the duke left, it seemed all eyes in the ballroom had been on them.
Because of that, a few other gentlemen quickly came and signed her programme, none of whom she knew.
Val did not shoo any of them off, so at least she would not stand on the sidelines all evening.
Fortunately, one of them chose the opening set, and so it allowed her to be out on the dance floor when the dancing commenced.
She did, however, head to the area and sit when she was not engaged for a set. During one of those unclaimed times, she sat beside Miss Stanhope, whom she recognized from having played cards with earlier in the Season at Lady Swarthmore’s.
“Miss Stanhope, it is so nice to see you this evening.”
“I know I am not supposed to address such matters, Lady Tia, but I heard how you defended Lord Merriman last night at the musicale. While I know it has affected how Polite Society now views you, it is never the wrong time to do the right thing, no matter what the consequences.”
“I will take your words to heart, Miss Stanhope, and I appreciate you sharing that with me.”
Finally, Reddington came to her for the supper dance. She liked Lord Merriman’s friend and told him after their dance that she appreciated that he had sought her out this evening.
As they moved toward the buffet room, she said, “Obviously, you saw my programme was blank before you signed it. At least by doing so, it caused a few others to brave the ton’s wrath and do the same.”
“Do you mind if we take a table for two, Lady Tia?”
“I would prefer to do so, Your Grace.”
He led her to a table and told a nearby footman not to allow anyone to sit at it. Then he guided her to the buffet line.
“I do not wish to have you sitting alone all that time.”
“Again, I appreciate your consideration.”
The duke helped fill her plate, but Tia was not very hungry. They returned to the table for two, the duke seating her.
“How is he?” she asked.
“As you might suspect, Merriman’s spirits are low. I actually went to see him last night. I found him at his pianoforte, but even that did not seem to offer him much solace.”
“I was with Dilly earlier today,” she shared. “Dilly said that Lord Merriman would skip several events.”
“He believes his absence for a week or more would be beneficial, both to his sister—and you. I must say that I admire you for turning out tonight, Lady Tia. It has not been easy for you.”
“It most certainly has not,” she agreed. Then she decided to ask him the question which burned in her heart. “Did Lord Merriman mention me last night?”
For the first time, the duke looked uncomfortable in her presence. “I believe anything my friend wishes to say to you should come from him. Not me.”
She bit her lip. “I am afraid after what happened last night, he will push me away.” She hesitated before adding, “That is the last thing I hope he will do.”
Reddington offered her a small smile. “I think if you are open to a future with Merriman, he would feel the same.”
Hope sprang within her. “Would you at least let him know I am thinking about him, Your Grace? That is, if you see him.”
“I plan to visit him every day,” the duke assured her. “I will let him know that you asked after him and would be receptive to a conversation with him.”
She nodded. “That will be enough. I will ask nothing further of you.”
“After I pass along your message, I will remove myself from the situation. I cannot resolve it for you.” He grinned. “Much as I would like to.”
As supper ended, Reddington asked, “Shall I escort you back to the ballroom?”
Knowing she had drawn no signatures for after the buffet, she said, “No. To Millbrooke’s table instead. I believe we are going to make it an early night.”
“Very well.”
He rose and pulled out her chair, helping her to stand. Reddington walked her to Val. All the while, she could feel eyes upon her.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Mama said. “You are a true gentleman.”
Reddington bowed and left.
Slipping into a chair, Tia told Eden, “I am engaged for no other dances tonight. Shall we make it an early evening and be in our beds before dawn for once?’
Eden sighed. “I would like nothing better. Val?”
“I think we did what we set out to accomplish,” her brother said. “We came. We spoke to others. We danced. Let us retire.”
They made their way to their hosts, thanking them for the evening. While the countess eyed them with disdain, the earl said, “It took courage for you to come this evening. Especially for you, Lady Tia.”
She thanked him, and they departed the supper room, going straight to their carriage. Val had asked his coachman to park two streets down, facing away from the ball’s site, in order to make for an easier departure.
Once they arrived home, she rang for a maid and undressed to ready herself for bed. Tia climbed beneath the bedclothes after placing the night rail over her head. She relaxed for the first time since the horrible encounter with Lord Balch and Lord Calley.
As she fell asleep, she decided to wait a week. If Lord Merriman had not yet made an appearance in Polite Society by that point, then she would go to him.