She looked up at him tenderly and he was so intent on her soft eyes that he forgot the first beat.
“Whoops!” Hestony giggled, walking into him.
“Sorry, My Lady!” He felt his face become hot and stepped back to let her step forward, and they joined the rest of the couples as they whirled about the hall. The waltz was a relatively new dance, so the floor was not too cluttered, though all the most fashionable people in London were subtly competing as to who knew the latest dance the best.
“This is my favorite dance,” Hestony murmured, as they glided around a corner in the hall, her steps neat and timely.
Hal smiled. “I can tell – you dance it so beautifully, it must be.”
She bit her lip, grinning.
“I’m going to take it that I dance the Sarabande like I have two left feet?” she inquired. Hal laughed, knowing it was a joke.
“You dislike a Sarabande?” he inquired.
“I detest it! It’s shockingly gloomy.”
Hal smiled, looking down into her soft, smiling face. He almost forgot he was on the dance-floor, finding himself getting lost in her eyes. He was only saved by her squeezing of his shoulder and maneuvering him into line. He grinned and they went around again, then bowed low.
“Thank you, for a lovely dance,” he murmured.
Hestony smiled up at him. “You danced rather well, too.”
He blushed. Both laughing, they walked to the edge of the dance-floor. Hal was acutely aware that she was holding his hand. He felt as if all eyes must be on him, and glowed with warmth.
“My Lady? Would you like another cordial?” he asked as they moved towards the corner nearest the refreshments table, where space had opened. It was crowded nearest to the dance floor. Hal felt a little dizzy as he looked at the array of sparkling necklaces, nodding plumes and rich velvets.
“Thank you. I am feeling rather parched,” Hestony said.
“I will be but a few seconds,” he murmured. He smiled winningly at her and walked briskly to the table, where a manservant was pouring drinks.
“Blackcurrant cordial?” he said. The noise was too loud, the orchestra starting up for a minuet. He cleared his throat and repeated it.
“Oh! Sorry, sir.” The manservant poured him a cup into a crystal glass. Hal nodded perfunctorily, and took two cups, then headed to where he’d left Hestony.
His heart beat faster as he looked around the room, but couldn’t spot her anywhere.
He had no idea why, but something about that filled him with concern, and feeling a strange sense of urgency, he started to search for her.
Chapter Ten
A Difficult Discussion
Hestony stared up at the young lady who touched her arm.
“Lady Raymonde?” she frowned. “I thought you were in the countryside!”
Lady Raymonde, her smooth, oval face disturbed briefly with a frown, nodded. “I was, until a few days ago. My brother suggested it was time I returned to the town.” She bit a crimson lip, awkwardly.
“I’m here on business for my mother,” Hestony said, feeling a strange compassion for the taller, graceful girl. She thought Raymonde was around her own age, and she had a grave intensity about her that made her quite stunning.
All the same, she seems so discomforted, so often, that I think her brother is never very kind.
“When my brother recommends something, I listen,” Lady Raymonde murmured.
Hestony frowned, wondering what she meant by that. She had the impression Lady Raymonde was fearful of her brother. That thought brought out her protective instincts.
“Your brother has a forceful temperament,” she said. It wasn’t entirely true, she thought – at least, when Lord Osburne was in her company, he was restrained and polite. Yet, she had seen enough of the subtle wounds he was capable of inflicting, and guessed that Lady Raymonde was often made a target of his unkindness.
Lady Raymonde nodded. She was wearing a long gown in blue silk, of a navy darkness that was unusual for a lady her age. Mostly, young women wore pastels, and the dark colors were reserved for women already married. Her richly brown hair was pulled back in a plain, somewhat severe bun, that nevertheless highlighted high cheekbones.
She’s so beautiful, and yet she seems sad.
“I’m glad you have noticed my brother’s subtle unsubtlety,” Lady Raymonde murmured. Her eyes sparkled and Hestony felt as if she was reaching out to her.
“I have noticed he gets into a difficult mood sometimes,” Hestony murmured. She had no way of knowing whether Lady Raymonde was deliberately drawing out secrets, or if she genuinely sought her confidence. Until she knew which, it was best to remain neutral.
“He does.” Lady Raymonde nodded. Her hesitant smile seemed genuine. Hestony felt her breath catch in throat. With her full lips and soft brown eyes, Raymonde was quite breathtaking when she smiled.
I wish I could help her.
“I’m glad you’re in town,” Hestony said, looking around the ballroom, wondering briefly where Hal had gotten to. Lady Raymonde had drawn her to the edge of the room, on the far side near the back doors. She considered waving to Hal, but she couldn’t spot him in the crowd around the table.
“I am very glad to have spotted you, My Lady.” Lady Raymonde smiled fondly. “It’s awfully wearisome here when you’re in a crowd of strangers.”
“I suppose.” Hestony nodded, wanting to frown. It seemed so odd that Lady Raymonde did not have friends here! As the daughter of a duke, surely she would know the Ton! She would have imagined people clamoring to get to know the elegant, reserved lady.
“It’s good to see you. I had hoped, when we were at the manor, to get to know you.”
“Thank you,” Hestony inclined her head graciously. The comment surprised her, too – as far as she could guess, Lady Raymonde had always been aloof and distant with her. She wondered if that was her way, or if she’d been deliberately shunning her, as she had first thought.
They are an odd pair. Of the two, I far prefer her to her brother, however.
She shivered, looking around the ballroom. Was Lord Osburne there? The thought did not please her.
Her mother, she knew, would be all too happy for her to become acquainted with Lord Osburne. Elegant, fashionable, and the heir to a duchy that was – to judge from his elegant style and the way the family moved about from London to Yorkshire and back as they wished – remarkably well-appointed.
“Would you like to rejoin the dancers?” Lady Raymonde asked. “You seem anxious to get back there.”