step out to dance, in the hope that a gentleman will be very much inclined to stop under the bough!”
Charity shook her head.
“I confess I am not at all hopeful of such a thing,” she replied, a little embarrassed and wondering if her lack of eagerness was to be considered ridiculous. "But I do wish you both every success!”
Miss Stevenson made to say more, only for two gentlemen to approach them and, bowing, asking if they might be able to request a dance from each of the ladies. Having been already acquainted with the gentlemen, Charity had no hesitation in giving them her dance card, and was more than relieved to discover that one Lord Walbridge had secured the waltz for himself. It seemed that Lord Amundsen was not going to be able to take that particular dance, as she had feared.
“Good evening, Lady Charity.”
Charity turned quickly and smiled in welcome at Lady Ramsbury.
“Good evening, Lady Ramsbury,” she replied, before the lady waved a hand in frustration.
“Come now, Lady Charity, you must not be so formal with me. I think that we are to be considered friends now and thus, you are more than welcome to address me as merely ‘Sophia’.”
She smiled brightly at Charity who, a little overwhelmed, struggled to find what to say to such a remark. Lady Ramsbury had been very kind to her these first two weeks and Charity had been in her company almost every day – but to be so considered was very pleasant indeed.
“That is very good of you, Lady Ramsbury – I mean, Sophia,” Charity replied, her cheeks flushing. “You are more than welcome to call me ‘Charity’, if you wish to do so.” Her heart lifted and she smiled at her friend. “I am very grateful indeed to you for such consideration.”
“Think nothing of it,” Lady Ramsbury replied, as both Miss Stevenson and Miss Roberts stepped away with the two gentlemen in order to dance. “You are not to dance the cotillion, then?”
Charity shook her head.
“I have not yet been asked,” she replied, “but I do not mind particularly. I have other dances that have been taken and, to be quite truthful, Sophia, I have been attempting to avoid Lord Amundsen for fear that he will take the waltz for himself.” She glanced down at her dance card. “Not that it can be so now, for it has been taken by another.”
Lady Ramsbury frowned, her eyes a little narrowed.
“Lord Amundsen was paying you close attention, I understand,” she said, as Charity nodded. “Lord Hosmer was right to speak to Lady Hayward about the fellow. He would not have been a good match.”
“And yet I fear he is not inclined to give up,” Charity answered, her eyes catching a glimpse of the very gentleman they were speaking of, who was standing only a short distance away. For whatever reason – perhaps feeling Charity’s gaze upon him, Lord Amundsen looked in their direction, and Charity jerked her head to the right in order to avoid his gaze.
“Now, I fear he is to attend you,” Lady Ramsbury muttered, a little darky. “What will you say, should he ask you to dance?”
Charity hesitated, then shrugged one shoulder.
“I shall accept, but only for one dance,” she said, quickly, as Lord Amundsen drew near. “And thereafter, not linger in his company.”
“Very wise, Charity,” Lady Ramsbury agreed, softly. “Very wise indeed.”
Moments later, the gentleman was beside them, and inspecting her dance card.
“This is to be our dance, Lady Charity.”
Charity tried to smile as Lord Amundsen came towards her, bowing just a little as he held out his hand.
“But of course, Lord Amundsen,” she replied, glancing to Lady Hayward, who gave a small nod, although her eyes remained quite fixed upon Lord Amundsen. “The country dance, is it not?”
He grinned at her, seemingly delighted.
“It is,” he replied, as he led her to where the other couples now stood. “It is not my favorite dance, Lady Charity, but your waltz was already taken!”
“Indeed it was,” Charity replied, glad when she was able to drop his arm and curtsey, although she was soon back beside him when the music started. Keeping her eyes low and her expression rather vacant, she danced the steps, but showed no interest in permitting a conversation to flow between them.
“And now we are nearing the kissing bough, Lady Charity,” she heard Lord Amundsen say, and she felt her eyes widen as her gaze flew to his, seeing the brightness in his expression and the hope that