Chapter Seven
The ballroom was alit with candles. The room vibrated with sound, both musical and vocal as hundreds of people crammed into the first ball of the season.
They met their hosts and descended the stairs.
Lucinda held her breath, not knowing where to look, as people mingled in small groups waiting for the dancing to start.
The scent of burning candles, furniture wax, and perfumes filled her senses.
Marianne grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the refreshment table.
“You must have something in your hand at all times,” she advised.
“Otherwise, you will be constantly asked if you would like lemonade or punch and if you accept their offer, they will automatically take that as you being receptive to a dance. You must wait for them to be introduced to you first. You will curtsey and then because you have already a drink in hand, they cannot bother you without first at least entering some kind of conversation.”
“I was taught to act disinterested at school, but your plan is better. We should have a code word for if we do not wish to dance with the gentleman.”
Marianne grinned. “Oh, yes. Then we can make some kind of excuse as to why we cannot dance with them. My advice, try and avoid the sweaty ones. They are often already well into their cups or… just sweaty.”
Lucinda laughed, but considering the heat of the room, would not all the men be sweating? She certainly felt she may need to fan herself vigorously to keep herself cool. Thinking of her fan gave her an idea.
“We can use our fans instead of a code word. If I place my fan on my left cheek, it means no and that can be our signal to interrupt.”
“How clever you are, Lucinda. If we place it on the right cheek, it means we say yes and will accept a dance. This will be fun.” They picked up their lemonade and made their way back to the dowager duchess.
“We got one for you too, Mother,” Marianne said.
“Thank you, dear. Not that any gentlemen will be asking me to dance.” She winked at the girls and they both laughed. The dowager obviously knew of the lemonade trick too, or perhaps she was the one who had told Marianne.
Tony approached. “You two seem very merry.”
“Marianne is giving me all the tricks to surviving a ball.” Lucinda raised her glass.
“Ah, plotting and planning already I see. Shall I point out who to avoid making your evening easier?”
Lucinda nodded. “Oh, yes, please.”
Tony spent the next few minutes pointing out who was who.
He really did know everyone. How does he keep so many names in his head?
Lucinda’s was already spinning. She tried to remember the things that stood out about every person.
Yellow waistcoat Lord Lumley, ridiculous hair Lord Martin, and so on.
Tony took her out for her first dance. “How are you enjoying it so far?”
“Well, it is very crowded and hot.”
He laughed. “True, but are you enjoying it?”
“I am now I am dancing with you.” She felt safe in his arms. Confident in her steps and the warmth of his smile made her heart beat faster. “But… I am afraid that I will accept a dance from someone unsuitable by mistake and ruin all the preparation you and Marianne have taught me.”
“That was not the intention. Dancing with the likes of Lumley would not ruin you, but you would do well not to accept another from him tonight. One per gentleman so that you show no favoritism. Keep your conversation light.”
“Light?”
“Yes, talk about the weather or the music. If he asks you questions, keep your answers short and noncommittal.”
“Right. I know all the ones to avoid but what of the men I should be dancing with?”
“Bromley is looking for a wife, but unless you want to find yourself nanny and governess to his ten children, I suggest you avoid him. He is a miserly one and is only in town to replace his dearly departed wife.”
“How ghastly. I want a man who wants me for a wife not a governess.”
“Exactly. Now Lord Dunstan is a newly minted earl. I do not know much about him, but I will find out. I doubt he is looking for a wife but that does not mean he will not fall hard for the right woman. He is young and idealistic, and I think he could be a good husband, if he is not too fond of town that is.”
“You live in London all year round. Does that make you too fond of town?”
“In a way, yes. My position is here, and someone has to keep Warrington company.”
“Why does he not go to Ashtonvale with the rest of the family? Surely, he does not need to stay in London all year round?”
“He has his reasons, and I do not suggest you ask him what those reasons are. He is touchy on the subject.”
How curious. Would it be bad form to ask Marianne? Or would she be as hesitant to tell Lucinda as her brother? May might shed some light on the reason the duke stayed in London.
The dance ended and Tony returned her to his mother and took Marianne on the floor for the next dance.
“My Tony is a fantastic dancer. Do you not think so, Miss Sterling?”
Lucinda’s hand was still tingling where they had held hands. What did that mean? “Yes, he is very light on his toes. He is only missing some books.” They laughed together before she asked, “He mentioned a Lord Dunstan may be a good match, but I wanted to get your opinion.”
“Dunstan? He is young and unmarried, but I worry he is still eager to get some town bronze on him. He is new to town after inheriting his uncle’s title and I believe he could be persuaded to marry.”
“That is what Lord Ashton said. However, you both seem cautious.”
“Young men do tend to go a little over the top when they first come to London. They want to try everything. All too often they find themselves in debt to some cent per cent or embroiled in some kind of scandal involving someone from the demimonde. It is sometimes better to wait a few weeks and see how they are faring with the scandal mongers.”
“I did not realize that finding a suitable man would be so tricky.”
“We do not want you to fall prey to a rake or worse a bad gambler. You would not wish to wed a pox-ridden so-and-so either. We want you happily married, not miserable.”
“Certainly not. I fear there will be no one fit to marry.”
“Never fear, my dear. We will find you a husband by the end of the season, mark my words. This is just the first of many balls. More gentlemen will come out of the woodwork as the season progresses.”
“If only there were more men like Lord Ashton wanting to marry.”
“If only indeed.”
“Would he be considered a catch?”
“Absolutely, and every year he shows no interest in marriage.” She placed a hand over her heart. “It saddens my heart as he would be a wonderful husband.”
“Maybe one of this year’s debutantes will capture his heart.”
The dowager smiled, a suspicious look in her eyes. “I do hope you are right, my dear. Ah, here is Lord Dunstan now with the host to make an introduction.”
“Oh,” she said. This would be her first test and knowing Lord Dunstan was as new as she was to all this made her feel a little more at ease.
“Miss Sterling, may I present the Earl of Dunstan.”
Lucinda dropped into a curtsey and the earl bowed. He had a nice smile and kind brown eyes.
“I am happy to make your acquaintance, Miss Sterling. I do hope you might spare me a dance tonight.”
She nodded not sure her voice would betray her excitement. He took up her card and made his mark against a quadrille.
“I look forward to our dance. Until then…” He kissed her hand, smiled, and then turned and melted into the crowd.
“Well, he is handsome up close. I will give him that and he was quite right to ask for a quadrille. I did hear he has twenty thousand pounds a year.”
“Is that good?”
“It is quite as it should be, and with your dowry you would live well… if he is not one to be attracted to hells.”
“Hells? Oh, you mean gambling establishments. How would I know if he is or not?”
“That is what Tony is for. He will know if the young man passes muster or not within the week.”
“I never knew it was going to be quite so complicated.”
“Marriage is a game, my dear. A gamble, if you will. Just remember that. And ho, here is another to be introduced. Your dance card will be quite full, my dear.”
Three more gentlemen made their introductions and Lucinda found herself swept away in dance after dance. Marianne was also busy dancing and at one point they both escaped to the withdrawing room to escape the heat and compare admirers.
“My feet are killing me,” Marianne complained slipping off her shoes to stretch her toes.
Lucinda giggled and asked, “Who is your favorite so far?”
“Lord Frankston is quite nice. He is tall, which I like, and he has an adorable lock of hair that keeps falling over his forehead. He is not the best dancer, but he did not step on my toes, and he asked me lots of questions. What kind of flowers did I like and what was my favorite sweet.”
“He does sound promising.”
“And what about you?”
“They have all been nice but not remarkably interesting.”
“Well, do not worry. You still have Dunstan to dance with.”
“I am sure he will want to dance with you as well.”
“He is too short for my liking.”
Lucinda thought he was quite tall, nearly the same height as Lord Ashton, but she simply nodded as they reentered the ballroom.
“I hope he is more interesting than the others have been. I want someone I can talk to and who is interested in me as well.” She scanned the ballroom. “I haven’t seen your brother since our dance.”
“Oh, he likes to go to the card room and stay away from the debutantes. Let us not worry about him. Come on. We do not want the earl to be left waiting.”
They were soon joined by Anna and Gabrielle. This was the first time she had seen them since the disastrous family dinner. They greeted Lucinda warmly and asked about her dances.
“I must say, Miss Sterling, your first ball seems to be a great success,” said Anna.