Chapter 12
“Ladies, any special requests this evening?” Lord Devon asked as the ladies were seated at the table.
“Papa, if they’re serving lobster patties, I’d love some,” Lady Clifford said.
“Ah, yes, daughter. I know how fond you are of them. Any other requests?”
“Whatever you bring back will be quite appreciated, my dear,” Lady Devon said.
“We’ll return momentarily,” Devon said, signaling to the men to join him.
The men followed the earl to the refreshment table to procure some delicacies for the women.
Chandler let Lord Devon, Sam, and Fletcher move ahead of them before putting his hand on Easton’s sleeve to keep him back a step. “A word, please?” he whispered.
Easton frowned. “Of course, Chandler. Is something amiss?”
“You tell me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Care to enlighten me?” Easton asked.
Chandler looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. “Let’s start with the fact that you’re in love with Miss Parker.”
Easton’s jaw dropped, and he attempted to deny it, but Chandler cut him off.
“There’s no sense denying it, at least not to me. I could see it on your face when I danced with her. Your eyes never left her. And then earlier, when she was dancing with Lord Berkeley….if looks could kill, that young earl would have gone up in flames.”
“I always said you were too observant, Chandler.”
“Yes, well, a failing of mine, I suppose. Now, what are you planning to do about Miss Parker? Will you declare yourself to her?”
“I honestly don’t know. She’s told me on several occasions that she doesn’t want to marry, only have fun.”
“Well, there’s your answer. Plan something fun.”
“Fun?”
“Yes, fun. You know, when you do something enjoyable. Really Easton, must you be so dense?”
“Hmm, I was thinking earlier about planning an outing to Vauxhall Gardens. Would you attend?”
“Of course. I can bring Lady Arabella with me as well. Then the young women will each have a confidant for the evening,” Chandler said.
“How does that help advance my suit?”
“Must I spell everything out to you? Weren’t you always the one who claimed to be the smartest of the three of us?”
“No need to be insulting. I find myself utterly at odds as to how to win her favor, and I fail to see how bringing Lady Arabella along helps that.”
“Miss Parker will be much more relaxed with a friend her own age. Let them chatter through dinner, and you might find that Miss Parker is more amenable to taking a stroll in the gardens afterwards.”
“Ah. Yes, I would appreciate it if you could bring Lady Arabella. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“I would also appreciate it if you didn’t share my feelings for her with anyone, not even Ludlow. You know Ludlow; he couldn’t keep a secret if his life depended on it.”
Chandler chuckled. “True, so true. Your secret is safe with me…or now.”
“For now?”
Before Chandler could clarify, the two men reached the refreshment table and piled their plates with a variety of food before heading back to the ladies.
Lady Arabella was happily chatting with Miss Parker while waiting for her father to return.
“I was so nervous tonight. Both you and Lady Victoria have been such a comfort to me, and I can’t thank you enough.
I was dreading this evening, but it’s so much more enjoyable with new friends to share it with. ”
“I’m glad. Would you care to come for tea one day soon?” Mia asked. She realized almost immediately that she needed Audrey on board. She turned to her sister. “Lady Fletcher, with your permission, of course.”
“That would be delightful. I look forward to seeing you and Lady Gardner.”
“I’ll confer with my mother and send around a note when we’re free. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to my table.”
Chandler reached out to take Arabella’s hand. “Sister, before you leave, I do believe Lord Easton has an invitation to extend.”
All eyes turned to Easton, and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
“Uh, yes, well, as we’ve all experienced this evening, these balls can be a crush and quite stifling at times.
I crave more fresh air and wide-open spaces, and thought it would be fun if we all planned a trip to Vauxhall Gardens to see the fireworks. ”
He saw Miss Parker’s eyes light up and knew he’d made the right decision.
“Truly?” she asked.
“Of course, Miss Parker. I shall confer with everyone to plan the date.”
Lady Arabella whispered in her brother’s ear, “May I attend?”
Chandler nodded. “Yes. I shall speak with Mother about it.”
“Thank you. You’re the best brother,” she said and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll look forward to seeing you all again soon,” she said before returning to her parents’ table.
“Isn’t it exciting?” Mia said to her sister.
“Yes, dearest. I find myself looking forward to the outing as well. I’ve never been to Vauxhall Gardens either.”
“Lord Easton, you won’t wait too long before planning the outing, will you?” Mia asked.
Easton smiled at her. He loved her enthusiasm. “It will be my number one priority, Miss Parker.”
For the rest of the meal, they talked about how soon they could plan the outing.
It would be a splendid evening full of fun and friendship, although Easton hoped for more than mere friendship with Miss Parker.
Would he try to steal a kiss from the lovely lady?
He had no idea, but her enthusiasm for the outing was contagious, and he would make it happen as soon as possible.
After they’d eaten their fill, the group headed back into the ballroom.
When the Gardners returned from their repast, Lord Ludlow was waiting for them. “Lady Arabella, I do believe this is my dance,” he said, holding out his arm.
Lady Arabella placed her fingertips on his arm. “I believe so, my lord.” She wasn’t the least bit nervous dancing with him because she’d known Ludlow for years. Lords Easton, Ludlow, and her brother had been inseparable since Eton.
Ludlow nodded to Chandler as he led Lady Arabella to the dance floor.
“If you’ll excuse me, I must find my next dance partner. Good evening,” Chandler said to the group with a bow.
Before Easton could ask Mia if she had any more dances available, her next partner came to claim her. It was just as well because he needed to find Lady Victoria. Their dance would be next.
“I’m off to find Lady Victoria,” Easton said.
“Good evening, all.” Taking his leave, he began looking for Lady Wright, knowing Lady Victoria would be returned to her mother if she was dancing the current set.
It took several minutes before he could work his way through the crowd to find them.
The dance had just ended when he walked up to them.
“Ah, Lady Victoria. Here you are. I must say, this ball is such a crush, I despaired of finding you in time for our dance.”
“Lord Easton, I’m glad you found us. I’m very much looking forward to our dance,” Lady Victoria said.
When Easton had signed her card, he wasn’t paying particular attention to which dance he claimed because he’d been looking for Miss Parker. Much to his surprise, he found he’d claimed a waltz. He held out his arm to Lady Victoria, and she placed her fingers on his sleeve.
The orchestra began playing, and Easton swept her into his arms. The waltz was one of his favorite dances, but he soon realized that he didn’t enjoy it as much with anyone besides Miss Parker. Lady Victoria was lovely, but she wasn’t Miss Parker.
“You’re a marvelous dancer, Lord Easton,” Lady Victoria said.
“Thank you. I must commend you on your dancing skills as well.”
She smiled, and her cheeks pinked at his compliment, which only enhanced her beauty.
Why couldn’t he have fallen for someone like Lady Victoria?
Like Miss Parker, Lady Victoria was beautiful and kind.
He’d never heard Lady Victoria utter a cross word to anyone and had noticed how she and Miss Parker had gathered around Lady Arabella at the beginning of the ball to help ease her nervousness.
That was well done by both of them. Why didn’t Lady Victoria stir the same flutterings within him as Miss Parker?
She would make a wonderful future countess, but his stubborn heart refused to beat for anyone except the blond, blue-eyed beauty who was dancing with someone he didn’t know.
Was she enjoying waltzing with that gentleman?
“I do hope this fine weather holds. I don’t fancy another blast of cold air,” Lady Victoria said, interrupting his thoughts.
“Indeed.”
He remembered his sister’s warning not to lead the young miss into any misconception that he might fancy her.
He would never be so cruel to any young lady.
The topic of the weather was safe. He couldn’t tell if she was disappointed with it, as she kept a gentle smile on her face throughout their time together.
Around and around he twirled them until the last strains of the waltz could be heard.
“Thank you for a most pleasurable dance,” he said, holding out his arm to escort her back to her mother.
“The pleasure was mine, Lord Easton.”
When they reached Lady Wright, he took his leave without inquiring about any future engagements they might attend.
He’d already danced with the woman he loved and saw no reason to stay any longer.
As he made his way out of the ballroom, he turned to see Miss Parker dancing with another young buck.
The young man was leering at her, and he didn’t like that look.
He had an uneasy feeling and changed direction, walking along the perimeter of the room, keeping a keen eye on them.
He knew what the young man was thinking. He’d thought the same thing in his youth. The scene played out in his mind.
“Miss Parker, it’s quite warm in here. Care for a bit of fresh air?”
Of course she would agree, not knowing that all the gentleman wanted was to steal a kiss.
When he reached the back of the room, he positioned himself beside the French doors, watching as the dance ended. The young man held out his arm and whispered something to Miss Parker. Much to Easton’s surprise and relief, she shook her head, and he led her back to her sister.
Easton’s admiration for her went up threefold. So, she wasn’t as na?ve as he’d thought. Good for her. Not that he wouldn’t have liked to be the one stealing a kiss out on the balcony. But he didn’t want to steal a kiss. He wanted Miss Parker to be fully aware and to want him to kiss her.
He left the ball with a smile on his face.
He had an outing to Vauxhall Gardens to plan.