He frowned.
Lord Williams offered his arm to Lady Cox, but she pushed her daughter into her place. “Oh, please don’t stand on ceremony on my account. Elisa would provide much better company for you.”
Mrs. Hargreaves muttered something to her husband, who nodded.
In the end, I walked in alone. Miss Perrin sat in the seat I usually occupied while I sat across from her, at Lord Williams’s left. Mr. Lundall ignored Miss Perrin’s invitation to sit next to her, instead taking the place on my other side. My only comfort was that Lady Cox seemed displeased by having to sit in a seat lacking honor, wedged between her daughter and my father.
After the first course was served and conversation filled the room, I tilted my head toward Mr. Lundall. I wanted to ask after his surprising lack of stench, but not even I could be that rude. “Why is it that you are here, sir?”
“It pains me that you should think I have any intent other than to see you.”
“You must have had some other reason to come into the area. Else how would you know where to find me?”
“My dear Miss Brinton, I could find you faster than a hound could find a fox or a hawk his mouse. I merely followed my heart. It will always lead to you.”
His declaration was not the quiet hush of private conversation. Lady Cox must have assumed his volume invited her comment. “What beautiful words, sir. Miss Brinton must be enraptured by your esteem of her. And to have you come all this way just to seek her out. Why, any woman with sense would see what a catch you are.”
I was not about to allow Lady Cox the pleasure of cornering me. “Yes, Mr. Lundall is quite the catch. And such an exquisite dancer. Miss Perrin, do you enjoy dancing? If so, I recommend that you not miss an opportunity to dance with Mr. Lundall, should such an opportunity arise.”
To my surprise, Miss Perrin’s cheeks pinked and she dropped her gaze to study her plate. “I should be honored. Of course.”
Lady Cox frowned. “Lord Williams is also a fine dancer, is he not, Elisa? I believe you said you had never before danced with anyone so skilled.”
Miss Perrin’s face reddened to an unbecoming shade.
“Though I mean no disrespect,” Mr. Lundall replied, fluffing the ruffled cuff of his sleeve, “I assure you that my skill on the dance floor quite surpasses most.”
“While I am sure it does,” replied Lady Cox with a huff, “you must concede that a baron would simply have more opportunity to perfect such a talent than. . . .” She waved her hand through the air as though the comment was not worth the effort of finishing.
“I shall concede no such thing,” Mr. Lundall stated, “and if Miss Perrin will provide me with the opportunity, I promise that she shall soon agree with me.”
Lady Cox looked appalled. “I did not mean to encourage you to seek out my daughter’s hand, sir.”
“I would consider it an honor.”
“I believe Mr. Lundall would make an exceptional dance partner,” my father interjected, laughter in his eyes.
“I dare say,” Mrs. Hargreaves broke in, “it would be a fine thing to see the young people dance. Perhaps we should provide them with the opportunity after dinner?”
Lady Cox looked as though she wished to smash her food in Mrs. Hargreaves’s face. “I think that is hardly necessary.”
“A dance sounds delightful,” Lady Williams agreed. “It has been too long since we have enjoyed one here. What do you think, Gregory?”
He seemed amused. “I have no objection to it, if Miss Perrin and Miss Brinton do not oppose.”
The humor of the situation evaporated. I did not wish to dance with either gentleman.
Mr. Lundall smiled at me. “Miss Brinton is a superb dancer. I have never known her equal. This meal cannot end soon enough for me.”
Lady Cox snorted, and my mind seized on a way to extricate myself from the activity. “You flatter me, sir. However, I must decline. It would be selfish of me to accept when I have, on a previous occasion, had the pleasure of dancing with you. As this may be Lady Cox’s only opportunity for such an experience, I shall relinquish my spot to her and relegate myself to the position of spectator.”
My father tilted his head in approval of my argument.
“I did not mean to give the impression that I wished to dance,” Lady Cox sputtered.
“Are you refusing to dance with his lordship’s guest, Lady Cox?” Mrs. Hargreaves asked.
“Of course not.” She glared at Mrs. Hargreaves. “I shall consent to a dance, though I think one will be more than adequate.”
“Then it is settled. Miss Brinton can take your place when you have finished,” Lady Williams concluded.
It was not quite the outcome I’d hoped for, as it did not release me completely from the obligation.
After we had withdrawn to the music room, Lady Williams said, “Miss Brinton, perhaps you will do us the honor of playing?”
It was just the excuse I needed. I sat at the piano and played the opening measures. When I checked to see if the couples were ready, I tried not to let the discomfort of seeing Miss Perrin standing opposite Lord Williams outweigh the gratification of observing Lady Cox standing opposite Mr. Lundall.
After the song had finished, Lady Williams rose from her seat. “I shall take Miss Brinton’s place so that she may dance.”
I rose and slowly made my way to the position across from Lord Williams. Miss Perrin had, with some alacrity, assumed her position across from Mr. Lundall with a rather determined air.
“Elisa, do not fatigue yourself,” Lady Cox called out sharply. “Come rest next to me.” She patted the settee.
“But Miss Brinton will not be able to dance if I do not,” Miss Perrin objected.
“Oh,” I said quickly, “I do not mind.”
“Are you certain, Miss Brinton?” Mrs. Hargreaves said. “It doesn’t seem fair that you should not enjoy—”
“Yes, quite sure.”
Lady Williams’s brows knitted together in concern, but she said, “Tea, then. And cards.” The group walked out of the room toward the drawing room, Miss Perrin quickly securing Mr. Lundall’s arm. Lady Cox scowled at him. Mr. Lundall glanced at me, but I smiled encouragingly and he turned his attention to Miss Perrin.
“I am sorry to miss the opportunity of dancing with you,” Lord Williams said quietly, walking beside me into the drawing room.
We paused just inside the room. “But you enjoyed your dance with Miss Perrin, did you not?” I asked.
“Of course.”
“Miss Brinton.” Mr. Lundall indicated an empty chair at his side. I sighed and walked over to it, annoyed at feeling disappointed that it wasn’t Lord Williams offering me a seat next to him.
Mr. Lundall immediately leaned toward me, though his gaze rested on Lady Cox. “I cannot abide an interfering parent.” He eyed her a moment before shifting his attention to me. “In all your magnanimity, you are too polite to mention the changes I have made to my person since we last met. I do not wish to embarrass you by bringing them up, only to illustrate that I am not above recognizing my mistakes and changing the presentation of the person I put forth.”
He must be referring to his lack of smell. “It does offer quite a different presentation.”