of the girls held a glass of lemonade, looking annoyed, while the other was highly amused. I turned my gaze back to the roses and gave them their privacy. I recognized all three, but I didn’t know their names. The annoyed one with dark hair, the color of a rich mahogany, had danced with several of the same gentlemen I had tonight. She wasn’t a pale beauty, but a beauty none the less. She drew male attention. The other girl was younger and I was surprised she was already out in society. She seemed too silly and immature for the marriage mart.
“Stop giggling. You sound ridiculous,” the older of the two girls said.
“You’re just sour Lord Ashington didn’t attend,” the younger girl replied.
“The night is young yet,” the mother added, as if this was, in fact, the issue the eldest daughter was having.
“Even if he does arrive, he will seek out Lydia Ramsbury. Everyone knows he has called on her and taken her for a ride in the park this week. I even heard she went to the opera with him and sat in his box.” The youngest girl seemed to be enjoying herself.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but then I was the one eavesdropping on a conversation that wasn’t mine to listen to. I should be rolling my eyes at myself.
“Nothing is certain,” the mother said with a tone that made me shiver slightly.
“Lydia Ramsbury would make a perfect countess,” the older girl said grudgingly.
“As would you,” the mother said.
It had been obvious that Lord Ashington had been interested in Lydia Ramsbury at the last ball. The next morning, his visit to me had been surprising. His abrupt departure had not been. Not that any of this mattered. I was not interested in the affairs of Lord Ashington. Not in the least. He would make a most difficult husband.
Feeling as if I were a lurker in their conversation, I took one last deep inhale of the lovely fragrance before turning to go back into the ballroom. Just as I stepped inside, I scanned the room for Aunt Harriet, but my gaze locked on Mr. Nicholas Compton. He was here and he was dancing… with Lydia Ramsbury.
Disappointment stung and I truly hated to admit it. When just a few days ago I was sure I didn’t care for him at all. Yet he was here and he wasn’t just dancing with anyone. He was dancing with the girl his brother had spent the most time with this week. I wasn’t naïve and I understood completely what was happening. Which was why the sting of disappointment.
Reality was something I had learned to face at a young age and I knew now that the brief attention I had received from him had nothing to do with me at all but with his brother. Mr. Compton was indeed playing a game. A vicious hurtful one meant not only to affect his brother but others along the way. I had thick skin and a blow such as that wouldn’t wound me the way it would others. Sheltered girls who had lived easy lives with security wouldn’t survive such a scandal.
It was in that moment, I decided I truly hated Nicholas Compton. He wasn’t interesting but spiteful and cold. I truly hoped Lydia Ramsbury was smart and didn’t fall for his charming smile and attractive face. There was something I disliked more than arrogance and it was cruelty.
“There you are, honey,” Aunt Harriet appeared at my side with a glass of wine in her hand. “I searched for you when Mr. Compton arrived so I could tell you, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
I gave Nicholas Compton one last scathing glance then turned to my aunt. “I needed fresh air,” I explained.
Aunt Harriet nodded then looked back to the dance floor. “Do you have room on your dance card?” she asked hopefully.
“No, I’m afraid I have a headache and need to leave. Are you ready?” I asked her.
She frowned then, as if I had just spoken a foreign language to her. “Oh dear, alright,” she stammered and then I began walking to the exit, hoping she was following in my wake. Just before we reached my escape from all this… Lord Ashington filled the entrance. I didn’t have to look around to know his arrival had already drawn interest. I paused ,waiting until he passed before leaving, but his gaze found mine and what I saw in his expression was unexpected.
He seemed interested in