fill in names on all the blank spaces but sooner or later the other ladies in attendance will talk about why your dance card is always full, but you are never seen on the dance floor.”
Relief. She thought Millicent was filling in gentlemen’s names on her dance card. Thank goodness. For a moment Millicent had thought the lady might actually have some idea of what she was writing.
“I’m sure you are right about that,” Millicent said. “Thank you for the warning.”
“I am perplexed about something, though,” the young lady continued as she looked down at Millicent’s card.
“What is that?” Millicent asked as she slipped her dance card into her reticule.
“There should be no need for you to have to write down gentlemen’s names. I’ve seen you on the dance floor a respectable number of times this evening. And you are much too pretty to end up a spinster like me. Why would you be adding names?”
Millicent relaxed and smiled. She liked the friendliness she saw in this young lady’s eyes and didn’t want to mislead her, but there was no way she could be completely honest with her or anyone else.
“That’s most kind of you to say, but I guess we all want to be more sought after than we are. Human nature, you know.”
“I used to feel that way, too, but I don’t anymore,” the young lady said with resignation. “After four years I realized that no man was going to marry me because of my birthmark. The few gentlemen who danced with me only asked me to please their mothers, who felt sorry for me, or to show other young ladies they were nice enough gentlemen to marry because they would dance with someone who looks like me.”
Millicent wanted to dispute what she said but knew she probably spoke the truth. She didn’t understand it, but she believed beauty meant more to a man than loyalty and love.
“I’m sure you are shortchanging yourself unduly.”
“No, I’m not. But I’ve found other things that give me pleasure. I enjoy reading and writing poetry. And I’m very good with a needle.”
“Those are good things to do. Perhaps you didn’t give the gentlemen in your life a chance to get to know you.”
“You are just being kind,” she said wistfully, “and that is very nice of you.” She smiled sweetly at Millicent. “Let’s break the rules and pretend we’ve been properly introduced. Do you mind?”
“No, of course not.”
“Good. I’m Lynette Knightington, the youngest daughter of the Duke of Grembrooke.”
Millicent curtsied. “It is my pleasure to meet you, Lady Lynette. I’m Millicent Blair.” Millicent didn’t add that she was the daughter of an earl. It was Aunt Beatrice’s desire that her true identity not be revealed. No one was to know her heritage, and considering what she was doing, that was the way Millicent wanted it, too.
“I’ve not seen you before.”
“Lord Heathecoute and his lady have graciously agreed to sponsor me for the Season,” Millicent said with ease. “And I’m the houseguest of Lady Beatrice.”
“How very generous of them. I’m not surprised, since they never had children of their own. Lady Beatrice is usually at all the parties, but I haven’t seen her recently.”
“I’m afraid she had a rather bad fall and is laid up. She won’t make any of the parties this Season.”
“That does sound serious.”
“She should be fine soon,” Millicent answered just the way her aunt had instructed.
“Please tell her I asked about her.”
“Yes, I will. I don’t want to keep you from the party. I appreciate your excellent advice about the dance cards, Lady Lynette.”
“You would have figured it out, and please call me Lynette. I’d like us to be friends.”
“I think it would be lovely for us to be friends, and please call me Millicent.”
“I shall. I’ve been around so long that I know everyone. I can tell you which young men to accept a second dance from and which to avoid. I know all the young ladies, too, but I’ll let you make up your own mind about them. Most of them don’t even realize I’m around.”
“I will be sure to solicit you.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled and Millicent realized that when she was talking to Lady Lynette she didn’t notice the birthmark on her face at all. She was an intelligent and cheerful young lady who appeared to be in need of a friend.
“I’ll look forward to meeting you again. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Millicent watched Lady Lynette walk away and thought that she would enjoy being a