Chapter Three
Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Harriet stepped out of the carriage and joined her cousin and Daphne in front of the well-lit home of the Earl and Countess of Bath.
Dressed in a pale-rose-colored gown, she walked regally into the grand hall.
After going through the reception line, the butler announced Arthur and Daphne and then her.
She walked with her head held high like Daphne had showed her.
Eyes, she could feel the eyes of the guests as they watched them walk by.
Arthur and Daphne acknowledged guests they knew until finally he signed Harriet’s dance card.
After making sure he signed her card he whispered something to his wife and walked towards a group of men.
Daphne took her over to where the countess and a small group of ladies stood talking. The countess once again warmly greeted Harriet. “Lady Harriet, I’m so delighted you came with your aunt and uncle. Your gown is exquisite. The color suits you well.”
“Thank you.”
The countess smiled at her and motioned to the young lady beside her. “This is my niece, Lady Winifred. She is going to take you around and introduce you to some of the guests. Hopefully your dance cards will be full by the time of the first dance.”
Harriet nodded her head. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Winifred.” She glanced at Daphne, who nodded her head ever so slightly indicating it was okay.
Lady Winifred came forward and linked her arm through Harriet’s and began to walk towards the opposite side of the ballroom.
“Come, I see Lady Sara and Lady Norma among others. They’re fun and know a lot of the young men here.
They think if you know Sara or Norma, you’re okay and will ask you for a dance. ”
“That sounds too easy,” Harriet said.
“Yes, but it seems to work. What happened during last season? Auntie said you rarely had a dance.”
“My mother. She hovered, thus scaring off any potential dance partners. She dumped me with my cousin to fix the situation because she didn’t have the strength to go through another failed season,” Harriet said.
“I take it she doesn’t see herself as the cause?”
“Of course not,” Harriet replied. “My mother sees herself as perfect.”
By the time they reached the group of young ladies, the small band of musicians were getting ready to go from warming up to playing the first tune.
Lady Winifred quickly introduced the group to Harriet.
There were five of them and it was hard to hear all their names because of the music.
Someone decided they should move farther from the dance floor so they might be able to hear each other.
Everyone complimented Harriet on her gown, and she’d done the same with the others.
Since the music had begun, the group caught the attention of a trio of young men.
Dance cards were signed including Harriet’s, which was only signed by one of the young men.
Having been through this the previous season, Harriet wasn’t sure they truly were interested in dancing or if it was a dare.
She desperately tried to remember if he was on Daphne’s list of men to discourage.
Her instinct told her he was and that she needed to be vigilant, especially now that he’d signed her dance card. She refused to fall into their trap.
He excused himself and said he’d be back in time for their dance. She wondered about that.
Winifred rejoined her. “Did you have any luck?”
“The man that just walked away he signed my dance card.”
“David Cooper. He’s second son of Viscount Cooper.”
“Do you know anything about him?”
“I’ve run into him at most of the balls. He’s decent as long as he’s not with his friends. It’s as if they torment him into being one of them,” she replied.
“Should have I not let him sign my dance card?”
“One dance with him and you’ll be fine.”
Harriet nodded her head. “I didn’t want them thinking I’m a snob.”
“Yes, that’s easily done. Sometimes I think men are worse at gossiping than women.”
“Women are cruel enough,” Harriet replied.
They continued to watch the dancers for a few minutes, when Winifred suggested they go and sit down. They found a place where they were still near the dance floor, and in sight of everyone. Who knew, someone might want to sign their dance cards.
They’d been sitting for a few minutes when Harriet felt like someone was watching her.
Slowly, she peered around the room until she found the culprit.
There was a tall, black-haired young man who nodded when their eyes locked.
He nodded slightly as did Harriet with a slight smile.
Winifred said something to her drawing her away from the stranger.
“Do you know who that black-haired man who’s standing near the French doors is? He’s been watching us.”
“He’s the eldest son of the Duke of Lancaster. His given name is Ronald. Ronald Black. He’s going to make someone a wonderful husband.”
“Then what’s he doing here this evening?” Harriet asked.
“Black tries and help my aunt out by attending this particular ball. He knows how important it is to her.”
“That’s so thoughtful. Unless he has an ulterior motive.”
Winifred shook her head. “No, I can assure you he doesn’t. He’s probably wondering who you are as well.”
“Or perhaps he’s looking at you.”
“Oh my.”
“You’re a beautiful young woman, Winifred. You’re sounding like me,” Harriet said.
“Don’t look now, but he’s walking in our direction,” Winifred said lowly.
“I guess we’ll find out who he’s interested in and will sign one of our dance cards.”
“Lady Winifred, this is indeed a pleasure,” he said.
“Lord Black, it’s nice seeing you here tonight,” Winifred replied.
He turned his attention to Harriet. “Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?”
“Of course. May I present Lady Harriet Churchill. Harriet, this is Lord Black.”
“Very nice to meet you Lord Black,” Harriet replied.
He bowed ever so slightly. A lock of his inky-black hair fell forward. “The pleasure is all mine.”
“Is this the season you’re going to become betrothed?” Winifred asked, the edge of her lips forming a smile.
“I cannot predict the future, Lady Winifred. I would indeed like to see that happen,” he replied.
“Would you mind helping Lady Harriet and me out by signing our dance cards?”
He gave them both a lopsided grin. “I would be honored. In fact, that was part of the reason I ventured over here.”
Winifred handed him her card and a small pencil. She watched Lord Black as he chose a dance, putting his name on her card. Then he did the same with Harriet, though seeing Arthur’s name made him freeze.
“He’s my cousin. I’m staying with him and his wife.
” Harriet wanted to kick herself for being like a wallflower at that moment.
She forced herself to look at his face rather than the floor.
How long would it take to feel at ease in social situations?
The sound of Lord Black’s voice pulled her back into the present.
“Then he’s not competition,” Lord Black teased.
Harriet couldn’t help but glance at Winifred and roll her eyes. This man was impossible, but he did seem overly confident. All she wanted was a man who would talk to her in a meaningful way.
“Black, stop. You know good and well her cousin isn’t competition.”
He stuck his lower lip out as though his feelings were hurt. “You wound me, Lady Winifred.”
“Well, I see my aunt beckoning you. She must be going to scold you or have another young lady to flirt with.”
Black turned to leave. “Ladies, I look forward to our upcoming dances.”
As Harriet and Winifred watched him walk down the length of the dance floor towards her aunt, Harriet sighed.
“Is he always like that?”
“No, thank goodness. He means well, he just gets carried away. He’s actually well intentioned,” Winifred replied.
“You mean he tries too hard.”
“I suppose I do. He means well.”
“Should we walk to another part of the room? I believe most are congregating on the far side,” Harriet said.
Winifred giggled. “That’s because it’s near the food.”
“I should have been able to figure that out,” Harriet sighed.
This was what she got for not having a group of friends to help her with her confidence.
Or even one or two close friends she could go to in order to complain about her mother.
But her mother never allowed her to have any friends.
She thought women were cutthroat when in packs of more than one.
With her mother isolating her it kept Harriet from picking up what her mother called bad habits.
“It takes time. You’re smart, you just haven’t had a lot of contact with other young people.”
“No, and I can thank my mother for all the isolation I’ve had to endure,” Harriet replied.
Coming across a small gathering, Winifred began making introductions. During this, Harriet noticed her cousin Arthur approaching them. She wanted to laugh at how the others reacted to this handsome man.
“Lady Harriet, I believe it is time for our dance,” he said.
She put her gloved hand over the one he offered her.
“You’re right, Your Grace.” He led her away from Winifred and the others and onto the dance floor.
Arthur found a spot he liked and they got into position.
Within moments he began to lead her around the dance floor with ease.
Couples swirled by, but Harriet barely paid little attention to them.
“Are you enjoying yourself so far this evening? Arthur asked.
“So far so good. I’ve met a few young men. It was easier to talk with them than I imagined it would be.”
“Good, I’m happy to hear that. I have a couple of gentlemen I want to introduce you to.”
Trying to mask a horrified look, Harriet nodded slightly. “You have single friends here this evening? Please don’t tell me you’ve told them about my situation.”
“Of course I have single friends, but no I did not mention you to them. They simply received invitations like we did,” he replied.
“Oh.”