to find Galbraith regarding her with some indignation.
“That isn’t fair.”
She shrugged. “Perhaps not. If I’m wrong, I apologize. But here is what I wished to say.” The room was filling up, and people would soon come close enough to overhear. “I don’t forgive you for your attack on our last meeting—”
“Attack?” he interrupted, staring at her, while his hand reached up to the side of his head in an involuntary gesture of pained recollection. “You attacked me—with a candlestick, and it was damned painful.”
“Good,” she said. “Because if you ever dare to breathe on me in that disgusting manner again, I may not use a candlestick, but I will make certain no hostess of renown ever invites you anywhere.”
His eyes widened. His jaw showed a tendency to drop before he wrestled his face back into a smile. “Oh, don’t be like that, Griz. I was only playing.”
She didn’t smile back. “I don’t like your games. I found long ago that I don’t actually like you. So please, in the future, keep your distance.”
She would have risen and walked away, but to her surprise, Azalea suddenly flopped gracefully onto the chair on her other side. Dragan perched on the arm, and Annabelle sat in the other, deep in some laughing conversation with a young couple Griz did not know.
“So, what do you think of my soprano, Griz?” Azalea asked lazily.
It was easy to answer that with an enthusiasm that drew in everyone but Galbraith, who, had no interest in anyone or anything but himself. He could not even depart easily, since he would have to have disturbed Annabelle and the others who had been drawn into the group.
Dragan had done this, she realized, almost with awe. To give her the protection of family and friends if she needed it.
After several bewildered minutes, Galbraith began to flirt with Annabelle and the younger lady and was soon supported by a friend Griz did not know but who was introduced merely as Paddy. Under the cover of general conversation, Galbraith said something to Paddy that she could not hear, although she noticed their gaze was on Dragan, which made her wary.
“Probably someone’s cast-offs,” Galbraith said scornfully, and Griz realized with fresh indignation that they were mocking Dragan’s slightly threadbare uniform. She knew he only wore it because his one black coat was done, and an officer’s uniform was considered acceptable evening dress. Of course, it was not as smart and shiny as Galbraith’s.
“Can’t say I recognize it,” Paddy said, and catching Dragan’s eye, he grinned. “Which regiment are you with?”
“None,” replied Dragan. “It was forcibly disbanded, along with my country’s independence.”
“Mr. Tizsa is in exile from Hungary,” Azalea observed.
“Really?” Paddy said. “Then allow me to shake your hand, sir!” Paddy stood to offer his hand, and everyone’s attention was suddenly on Dragan, asking eager questions and professing admiration for his cause.
In the midst of it, with space now to escape with dignity, Galbraith took the opportunity.
Azalea closed one eye and leaned closer to Griz. “You should have told me,” she murmured. “You should have told somebody. I thought you were in love with the lout.”
“Oh, no,” Griz said uncomfortably.
Azalea squeezed her hand in a rare gesture of affection. She glanced at Dragan, still fielding questions and adulation. “He is a good friend to you.”
Griz smiled. “Yes,” she said happily. “He is.”
Dragan looked up and met her gaze—the briefest of glances, but one she would treasure.
“Well,” Azalea said, rising to her feet. “It would appear the other room has been cleared for dancing. You must save a waltz for me, Mr. Tizsa. I hear you dance divinely.”
“I can’t imagine who told you that,” Dragan said, amused.
“It wasn’t me,” Griz told him when he offered her his hand in silent invitation.
“I know that,” he said meekly. “But I thought I would try to improve.”
Griz laughed and took his arm, and, with several other young couples, they moved into the other room, and the trio of musicians were striking up a waltz.
“Thank you,” Griz said with difficulty.
“There is nothing to thank me for. I apprehend you had already dealt with the problem. I only brought reinforcements. I hope you don’t mind that I told your sister. I thought she should know.”
Griz thought about it as he took her in his arms. “I don’t believe I mind at all,” she said in surprise.
It was time, she saw, that she should move on from a lot of her more childish issues, including the foolish jealousy of Azalea that had