Chapter Seven #2
Gabrielle lifted Lucinda’s dance card. “Of course it has. A full dance card, that is quite impressive. And I see you have a glass of lemonade in hand. I came up with that, you know.”
“Really?” said Lucinda. “It is a very clever idea.”
Anna took Lucinda’s hand then. “We, that is Gabrielle and I, want to apologize for that dinner. If we made you feel uncomfortable, it was not our intention.”
“It was not you at all. It was me. I was being oversensitive.”
Gabrielle smiled apologetically. “We can be intimidating when all together. I was terrified at my first dinner.”
“You were?”
“Oh, yes. I was so worried about saying the wrong thing I said nothing at all. They all thought I was mute.”
“I got soup on my dress at my first dinner,” Anna said. “I had to hold my napkin over it the whole time. I am a little clumsy at times.”
It was so kind of them to share their experiences with her. Only they had not run away. They had the courage to stick it out.
When the Earl of Dunstan came, he took her gloved hand in his and led her to take their places. He was tall, maybe not as tall as Marianne liked, but tall enough. He had dark, dark hair and eyes to match. Those eyes were studying her as well.
“I confess, I have been waiting most of the night for this dance. You are a little bit of a mystery as no one seems to know much about you.”
“This is my first time in London, so it is not surprising that little is known about me. However, everyone knows of you, it seems.”
He laughed as they joined hands to skip down the row. “And what do you know of me, Miss Sterling?”
She felt her cheeks burn. “I hope I did not offend.”
“Not at all. I would be offended if you did not ask about me. This is what these infernal balls are for. Now, tell me… about me.” His lopsided grin showed a dimple she found endearing.
“Really, Lord Dunstan.” She found him charming and playful. “Well, you are new to your earldom, and this is your first season.”
He shook his head. “Wrong. This is not my first season. It is my first as an earl, so I suppose you are half right. I have been studying art here in London for two years and attended a few balls through friends.”
“You are an artist. How wonderful.”
“My uncle did not think so. He cut me off and I had to learn to live on my art.”
“I am so sorry; that must have been extremely hard for you. And now you are an earl.”
“I was not expecting to inherit so soon but let me tell you a secret.” They made a turn and then came back into formation. “A title does not change who I am. I am still the artist who defied his uncle and paid the price. Only now I am the earl who still loves art. Does that disappoint you?”
“No, not at all. What kind of art do you do?”
“Hmm, all sorts really. I paint portraits, sketch, and have even done a little sculpture, but landscapes are my first love.”
“I would love to see some of your work. Why are you laughing?”
“Do you really like art, Miss Sterling, or are you simply being kind?”
“I do like art. I can sketch a little, and I have dabbled in watercolors, but I could not call myself an artist.” This seemed to satisfy him, and his shoulders relaxed a little.
“May I ask you something else?”
“Of course. It is only fair as I asked about you.”
“Where have you been? I hear that Ashton is your guardian but is not your family.”
“I have been away at school in Sussex, my lord.”
“Sussex, eh? I suppose it is as good as any place to come from.” He looked like he wanted to ask her another question, but the dance had ended.
He offered her his arm and led her back to Marianne and her mother.
“Thank you for a most interesting dance, Miss Sterling. I hope to dance with you again soon.”
Lucinda watched him leave. He had left her giddy with happiness. She sat down in a chair and fanned herself to cool her cheeks.
“So?”
“He was genuinely nice, and he is an artist. Isn’t that interesting?” So much for keeping her conversation to the weather.
“An artist?” Marianne frowned and seemed focused on Dunstan’s back as he made his way across the room. “I suppose so.” Her face had gone pale, and she began to fidget with her reticule.
“Are you all right? You have gone white as a ghost, dearest,” said the dowager.
“I am tired, that is all. Mother, can we go home?”
“We must find your brother first, but yes. You two go and call for the carriage.”
Lucinda took Marianne’s arm in hers. “Now will you tell me why you had such a strange reaction when I told you Dunstan was an artist?”
“I cannot be sure, but I think I have met him before. I thought he looked vaguely familiar.”
“He did say he had been to a few balls with some of his friends before he inherited. Maybe you met him then?”
“No. It was not at a ball. He was not so well dressed and wore a beard and was sitting in Hyde Park painting.”
“He did mention that his uncle had cut him off so… maybe it was him.”
“He offered to do my portrait for money, but my governess whisked me away. He said something nasty as we left, though I do not quite remember what he said. The tone was there. If it is him, I am not sure he is such a nice man, Lucinda.”
She did not want him to be this man Marianne described. “Perhaps it was not him.”
Marianne turned towards her and studied Lucinda’s face for a moment. She smiled and said, “I could be mistaken. I hope I am as I can see you like him.”
“He was easy to talk to, that is true, but I am sure your mother and brother will have his measure and if he is not a nice man then that will be that. I will think no more about him.”
“I feel terrible. The first man you have found interesting and here I am warning you off. You are right though. Tony will see right through him if he is not what he seems.”
In the carriage, the dowager relayed all the gossip she had heard. Tony studied Lucinda as she was trying to take in what his mother was saying. She had yet to meet half the people she was talking about, so he doubted it meant much to her. Though her expression was endearing.
“Did you know, everyone thinks Lucinda is a delightful mystery. I admit I did not give much away.” The dowager smiled, obviously pleased with her night’s work. “Also, Lord Dunstan only danced with you, Lucinda.”
Tony studied her blush for a moment before looking out the window. He should be happy for her. Then why did he feel this insane anger? This was what the last few weeks had been all about, finding her a husband.
“He is the most eligible man of the season, or so they say. Did you find out anything about him Tony?” The dowager poked him in the ribs.
He sighed. “Not much. His uncle cut him off apparently because he was not willing to leave London to return to his uncle’s estate to learn about what he would inherit. He does not seem interested in politics from what I heard.”
“That is exactly what he told me. He had to sell his art to keep himself afloat.”
“It is good that he does not have empty pockets now. He would have no need of Lucinda’s dowry or inheritance. That he survived that long without funds means he knows how to manage his money.”
“Tuition at the academy would not be cheap. I want to find out exactly how he managed it. If he is on the up and up, then he could be a good match.” Why did saying that leave a bitter taste in his mouth. It was not like he wanted to marry her. He should be happy there was an early interest in her.
“I wonder how many are discussing me at this very moment. It is shocking to think everyone is wondering about me when all I have done is stay at school,” Lucinda said.
The dowager smiled and patted her hand. “It is the mystery that surrounds you. Nobody really cares that you have been away. It is the unknown part of your story that is what they want to know, my dear.”
“They will have questions,” said Marianne. “You must be prepared to answer them regarding your parents at some stage. All who went to the presentation to the queen will know your father is dead, but they know nothing about your mother.”
“Well, neither do I so I can hardly answer. All I know is her name, Edwina, thanks to you, Duchess. I feel like a pretender. What if they see through me to the dull person I really am?” Lucinda played with her ring.
Marianne gasped. “Goodness, Lucinda.”
Tony took Lucinda’s hands in his, wanting to reassure her. “Please, do not talk like that. I have connections and will try and find out as much as I can, even if it is only enough to say you knew a little more about them than you do now.”
“Family and connection are everything to the ton, and I have none.” Her voice hitched.
“Pish posh! You may not have any living family, but you were still the daughter of Viscount Foxton, my dear. That is connection. That is family. Do not disregard your heritage as if it never existed. It did and you are the product of it.” The dowager dabbed at her eyes.
“You are right. I am sorry. The earl may not care that I bring no family into a union with him. Were he to ask that is.”
Tony let go of her hands and it felt odd to lose the warmth of her.
“He would likely think it an advantage to have no in-laws to answer to.” His tone was harsher than he had intended, and it made her stare at him, but he had looked away from her before she saw something he definitely did not want her to see.
“Now, Marianne, who did you dance with tonight?”
Marianne gave him a list of names, but his eyes kept flicking to Lucinda.
Lucinda looked down at her hands. Hands that had been in his only moments before.
The carriage came to a stop, Tony handing down each lady. Lucinda alighted last. The others had all gone upstairs, which left only her and Tony in the darkened foyer.
“I’m sorry if I have disappointed you or made you angry by dancing with Lord Dunstan.”
His expression showed his surprise. “Not at all. Miss Sterling, I am immensely proud of you. You were the perfect blend of beauty and grace tonight. No one would have guessed it was your first ball.”
It was her turn to be surprised. “Really? I could not have done it without your mother and sister. Or you.”
“It was my pleasure. Good night, Lucinda.” He brushed his lips against her forehead, and she closed her eyes for a moment so she could feel his lips’ tender pressure, their warmth against her skin. Her fingers curled into the lapels of his jacket on instinct.
“Good night, Tony,” she whispered looking up at him. He was looking down at her too, an expression on his face like he might just want to kiss her again. And then he did.
A kiss! His lips warm on hers. Her heart hammered in her chest and her face heated.
When she opened her eyes, he was placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her away slightly.
“My apologies; that was a mistake. Please, excuse me.” And with that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the shadows of the lower hallway.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered, leaving her to stare after him. Would her life be always memories of people leaving her? She wanted to chase after him, but her legs would not obey her.
How could such a simple thing as a kiss have her heart racing so?
Have her blood zing through her veins like thunderbolts?
Make her lose all sense? She had never been so close to a man, even while dancing.
His jacket had felt nice under her fingertips.
The heat of him radiating through his clothing and the scent of aftershave and starch.
Dunstan did not give her tingles when he touched her hand.
He did not make her heart race. She wasn’t sure what the boundaries of a ward and her guardian were.
He had said it was a mistake, but she did not want it to be a misstep.
She glanced down the hallway and sighed.
Did everything have to be this hard to understand?
She was out of her depth, and he had said it was a mistake.
Was she in the wrong for letting him? Is that why he had left?
Surely not. He had been the one to kiss her.
She should not think of it again, but, of course, now she could think of nothing else.
Her first real kiss, and Tony had given it to her.
Her feet barely registered on the floor beneath her as she made her way to her room.
May was not there yet, and she was glad.
Kicking off her slippers, she lay on the bed, looking up at the canopy and wishing he had kissed her more.
Thinking of Tony and kisses made her giggle, but then she remembered.
He said he would never marry.