Annabelle laughed too. “No doubt I’ve done that more than once.”
“It sounds like a lot of nonsense to me, but at least I’m done with my whittling project.” David held up his creation and Annabelle realized that in the short span of time they’d been talking, David had fashioned a rudimentary flute out of the stick. He put the knife back in his pocket and lifted the flute to his lips and blew through the opening he’d made in the end. A high-pitched whistle came out and he played a little song for her using his fingers on the small holes he’d carved into the stick.
When he finished, she clapped and laughed. “Now, that is impressive. Any earl should be proud to have such a skill.”
He stood, offered her his hand, and helped her to her feet before handing her the flute. Then he bowed. “For you, my lady. Thank you for teaching me all the things I need to learn. I can only hope I don’t embarrass you and your mother.”
“Nonsense,” Annabelle replied. “You’ll be a smashing success at the Talbots’ ball.”
Chapter Fourteen
David smoothed his hand down the front of his fine black evening attire for what had to be the hundredth time already this evening. He and Marianne were standing in Lady Courtney’s foyer, where they’d come to escort Lady Annabelle and her mother to the Talbots’ ball.
David had even allowed Bell to send over his valet to help him dress, on the chance the servant might know something David wasn’t privy to about evening attire worn by gentlemen of the ton. Now he was outfitted in all black with a white cravat, shirt, and waistcoat, and according to Bell’s valet, David was the image of a well-to-do gentleman on his way to a ball.
Bell was not with them tonight. He’d been called away on business for the Crown, which meant David was escorting all three ladies to the ball alone. Nausea had hit him earlier when he’d contemplated walking into a ballroom full of London’s finest. They would all be staring at him, no doubt wondering how the clod from Brighton would behave in London Society.
He had no problem commanding a hectic battlefield full of soldiers with ease, but the thought of walking into a crowded ballroom filled him with dread. He smoothed his hand down his shirt for the one hundred and first time.
A sound at the top of the staircase caught his attention and he looked up to see Annabelle come floating down the steps toward him, several steps behind her mother. David had to do a double take. A lump formed in his throat. Annabelle was a vision. Tall and lithe like a swan, she was wearing a glowing golden gown that only served to make her blond hair shimmer in the candlelight. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant chignon, and gold and diamonds covered her throat, with diamond ear bobs and a diamond bracelet on her wrist. She shimmered like a goddess coming down from Olympus. When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she stopped directly in front of him.
“Close your mouth, then,” Marianne whispered in his ear.
He immediately snapped his mouth shut while Marianne and Lady Angelina traded greetings. David greeted Lady Angelina as well before turning to face Annabelle.
“You look lovely,” David finally said to her, knowing the word was inadequate.
“Well,” she said, returning his smile, “seems I’ve taught you how to flatter a lady properly.”
“No flattery involved,” he replied. “You truly are a vision.”
“You look quite handsome yourself,” Annabelle replied, eyeing him up and down.
“Thank you, my lady. I hope I’m somewhat worthy to escort such a beauty to a ball.”
Marianne and Lady Angelina exchanged a look, while David took Annabelle’s arm and escorted her outside. At least his carriage was on point. His grandfather had been rich, there were no two ways about it. And since David had taken over the title, Bell had helped him by giving him the name of London’s finest coach outfitters. In addition to purchasing the new curricle, he’d had the entire interior of his grandfather’s finest coach redone with deep sapphire velvet upholstery. He’d installed the shining mahogany woodwork himself, but only because he wanted it to be perfect, not to save money. If he wasn’t confident in his actions, manners, and speech while making his debut to the ton, at least he could be confident in the quality of his clothing and his belongings.
With the help of the two footmen who’d accompanied the coach, David helped the three ladies to alight before pulling himself up into the conveyance and taking a seat next to Annabelle. Marianne and Lady Angelina had sat together across from them.
“I must say, you two make a gorgeous couple,” Marianne said as the vehicle took off down the street. “All of London will be jealous of the two of you.”
“Yes,” Lady Angelina agreed. “Our little party may start some gossip tonight.”
“What gossip?” David asked, suddenly apprehensive. He knew enough to know that gossip was bad. He wasn’t looking for himself or any of his companions to be the subject gossip tonight.
“Oh, I’m only teasing,” Lady Angelina assured him with a soft smile. “I meant that since Annabelle is unengaged and so are you, some people may wonder if you’re…together.”
David settled back into the seat a little easier. “I would be flattered to start such gossip,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Oh, no, no, no,” Annabelle said, “that wouldn’t do at all. Why, I’ve spent all afternoon planning which ladies to introduce you to this evening. We don’t want them to think you fancy me, of all people.”
“Ladies? Do tell? Who have you decided upon?” Marianne asked, clasping her hands together with obvious glee.
Annabelle gave all three other occupants of the coach a conspiratorial smile. “I’ve decided on Lady Elspeth Morgan, Lady Titiana Homer, and Lady Heloise Maitland.”
One of Lady Angelina’s golden brows shot up. “Lady Elspeth, really? That’s a surprising choice.”
Annabelle frowned. “Not really. Not when you consider she’s already rumored to be the Season’s best catch. I expect Lord Elmwood here to be the most sought-after bachelor, and there’s no better way to make that happen than to pair him with the most sought-after debutante.”
“I thought you were the most sought-after debutante,” David said, grinning at Annabelle.
“He has you there, Annabelle,” Lady Angelina replied with a knowing smile.
“I may be sought after,” Annabelle replied with a sigh, directing her reply to her mother, “but I’ve been out for five Seasons. Lady Elspeth is the best chance Lord Elmwood has at catching the ton’s attention immediately.” She gave David a self-assured smile. “Leave everything to me.”
Two hours later, Annabelle had introduced David to all three of the young ladies she’d mentioned in the coach. Then she’d been forced to watch while he danced with each of them in turn. Of course, Annabelle had been asked to dance by a half-dozen of her regular suitors, including Lord Murdock, who was particularly officious this evening. But she’d turned them all down to stand with Marianne, drink lukewarm champagne, and watch as her charge, David, made a smashing success of himself at the Talbots’ ball.