“We may not be able to find her,” Lady Ann murmured as they walked together. “What if she is not present this evening?”
Catherine smiled at her sister. “I am sure that she will be,” she answered assuredly. “Lord Rutherford was certain that both she and her brother would be present this evening. It is only a matter of time until we…”
She stopped suddenly, looking toward a group of gentlemen that had just come into view. They were all laughing at something that neither she nor Lady Ann had overheard, but beside one gentleman stood a young lady with a willowy figure and light brown hair that was coiled behind her head in a most elegant fashion. The young lady looked rather miserable, her eyes roving around the room and no smile on her face. In fact, had Catherine not surmised that the lady was displeased with her present company, she would have thought that the young lady did not even want to be there this evening.
“There is Lady Serena,” she whispered to her sister, whose gaze was drawn to the young lady in much the same way as Catherine’s had been. “Her brother…” She paused, looking at the gentleman beside the young lady and taking in his form. He had brown hair and was laughing loudly, but she could not tell the color of his eyes. However, a flicker of recognition was in her mind as she studied him. “Yes, Lord Nottingham is the one farthest from her, at the other end of the group.”
“Then we must not hesitate,” Lady Ann replied, rather more strongly than Catherine was used to. “How shall we greet them? We do not want to make our interest in Lady Serena and Lord Nottingham particularly overt.”
Frowning for a moment, Catherine tried to consider what she ought to do, only to see a gentleman within the crowd that she knew. With a delighted smile, she stepped forward, and Lady Ann hurried after her, unwilling to miss out on anything that might be said.
“Good evening, Lord Swiftson.”
The gentlemen’s laughter died away almost immediately with all of them looking at her as one. Catherine held her breath and smiled as warmly as she could, knowing that to interrupt their conversation in such a fashion had been rather rude. However, it would ensure that everyone in the group thought her more eager to speak to Lord Swiftson than to anyone else, which was precisely what Catherine wanted.
Thankfully, Lord Swiftson did not seem to think her rude. Rather, he appeared flattered, a broad smile settling on his handsome features.
“Good evening, Lady Catherine,” he said after a moment, bowing low. “How very good to see you this evening.”
She curtsied. “Pray forgive my overeager interruption,” she said, a little embarrassed. “It is only that I have not seen you for some time and I wanted to ensure that my sister was introduced to you.” She glanced across at Lady Ann, who blushed furiously as a murmur ran around the group.
“I would be glad to be introduced,” Lord Swiftson said, although his eyes lingered on Catherine. “In exchange for a dance, Lady Catherine?”
She laughed and nodded as some of the other gentlemen murmured amongst themselves, leaving Catherine’s cheeks stained with color as she wondered what they were saying of her. Quickly, she made the introductions and as Lord Swiftson greeted Lady Ann, Catherine pretended to look around absently, only for her eyes to fall on Lady Serena.
“Ah, Lady Serena,” she said warmly. “Good evening. You must forgive me for not noticing you before.”
Lady Serena fell into the most beautiful of curtsies, her eyes bright as she looked back at Catherine. “Pray, do not trouble yourself, Lady Catherine,” she answered. “How are you this evening?”
Catherine smiled. “Very well indeed,” came the reply. “Should you like to take a turn with myself and my sister about the room?” She arched one eyebrow and let her gaze linger over the gentlemen standing together. “Might I be permitted to steal you away for a short time?”
Lady Serena looked delighted. “You are very kind to consider me in such a way,” she said as Catherine and Ann smiled back at her. “I would be very grateful for your company.”
Catherine nodded. “So long as I am not taking you away from any sort of conversation?” She glanced about the group and saw one or two furtive glances.
“We are only speaking of the mystery of Lord Featherstone’s townhouse,” Lord Swiftson explained hastily. “The blood found on his couch…” He trailed off, spreading his hands and appearing rather awkward. “It is something of a mystery, is it not?”
“It is,” Catherine agreed quietly, “and is being talked of by everyone in the ton, I am sure.”
Lady Serena turned her head away. “I would not mind removing myself from such a discussion, Lady Catherine,” she said quickly, making it plain that she did not like the topic on the other gentleman’s lips. “I do hope that does not offend you.”
“Not at all,” Catherine replied, feigning a shudder. “I would be very glad of your company, Lady Serena.” At a quiet clearing of the throat from Lord Swiftson, she smiled at him and handed him her dance card. “And, Lady Serena, is your brother present this evening?” She looked all about her, as if expecting the gentleman to be on the dance floor or mayhap talking to another, even though she knew all too well that her brother was standing near to his sister.
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Serena answered, her expression a little embarrassed. “Lord Nottingham is standing to your left.” She gestured to a gentleman who stood beside her, his bow low as he was introduced to them. Catherine, feigning surprise, curtsied quickly, trying to ensure that she also looked a little embarrassed as he lifted his head.
“Forgive me, Lord Nottingham,” she said, her tone apologetic. “I did not mean to—”
“There is nothing you need apologize for,” said the brown-haired gentleman, his gray eyes unfortunately appearing rather cold despite his smile. “It is very kind of you to see my sister and to wish for her company.” He smiled and gestured to Lady Serena. “You may go with them for a short time, if you so wish.”
Catherine smiled at the young lady as she nodded and stepped toward them. Intending to turn to the side so that the three might walk together away from the crowd of gentlemen, Catherine was suddenly arrested by one hand on her elbow.
“Would you be willing to grace me with a dance also, Lady Catherine?” Lord Nottingham’s expression was hopeful, his eyes now warm and his smile eager. “I promise I shall not step on your toes.”
“The thought never once entered my head, Lord Nottingham,” she told him, laughing softly as she did so. “I would be very glad for your company.” With a demure smile, she handed him her dance card, wondering if she would be able to gain a little more understanding and conversation from him during their dance. It came as something of a surprise to see that he had chosen first the quadrille and then the waltz, a dance that spoke of intimacy and regard when they were not particularly well acquainted.
“I hope you do not mind, Lady Catherine?”
She looked up at him quickly, forcing a smile to her face. “Not in the least,” she told him without hesitation. “I shall be honored to dance with you, Lord Nottingham,” she said as he reached for Lady Ann’s dance card. “I thank you.”