“You paint?” Not used to being ignored, especially by a woman, Zach asked the question.
“I do and am quite proficient at it.”
“Who told you that?”
Abby gave Zach a look that he ignored. Why was he annoying Mary?
“My teacher, and… well, my family.”
“Well then, they all sound unbiased and totally credible reviewers of your painting.”
“I take it back, you are indeed an annoying man,” Mary snapped.
“I was completely sincere, really. I shall look forward to one day seeing one of your works, Miss Blake.” Zach’s smile was insipid.
“When all the toffee in London has been eaten,” Mary muttered.
“Lady Abigail.”
Zach groaned as Lady Althea Dillinger and her large husband, who just happened to be Daniel’s brother, arrived.
Exquisite in deep emerald, Lady Althea looked almost regal. Her husband stood at her side, large and silent. His expression gave nothing away, and yet she had a feeling that Mr. Dillinger would rather be anywhere but here.
Dressed like the other men, he towered over most and had shoulders that were wide and muscled. She saw Daniel in him. The shape of his jaw and expression in his eyes.
Don’t think of him.
“Thea, how lovely to see you.” Abby liked this woman. She spoke her mind and did not suffer fools. She also had a wicked sense of humor.
“And you, Abby.” She took her hand and clasped it. “How are you, dear? I hear your brothers have been making fools of themselves again?”
“Oh, come now, surely we are merely protecting our sister?” Zach said.
“Fools,” Thea said, placing a hand on her husband’s arm, and Abby guessed that this was to stop him mentioning what had transpired between his brother and the Deville siblings.
“Now run along, Mr. Deville. We will keep your dear sister company.” Lady Althea flicked her fingers.
Abby gave her brother a look, then turned her eyes on Mary. Zach gave his head a small shake, so she narrowed her eyes.
“Miss Blake, will you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
“What? Why?” Mary also could be forthright when required. “We don’t like each other.”
Abby couldn’t be entirely sure but thought Mr. Dillinger snorted.
Zach’s expression could only be described as dark. He held out his hand, and Mary looked at it, then on a sigh, slapped hers in it, and they were walking toward the dance floor.
“I don’t know Miss Mary Blake very well, but I will make sure to do so now, as she seems just the kind of woman I like,” Lady Althea mused.
“Fiery and opinionated?” Mr. Dillinger said.
“Just so. Now we will dance, Oliver, as I can see that Abigail is about to be claimed also.”
“Who…” Her words fell away as she saw the man approaching.
“Good evening, Lady Abigail.”
“Mr. Radcliff.” She sank into a curtsey. Damn, she hadn’t noticed his approach. The man was pleasant enough, and she knew he showed interest in her, even though she’d tried to dissuade him. The problem was, she couldn’t be entirely sure if he was actually interested in her or her brother’s title and wealth.
“May I secure this dance?”
“Thank you.”
They followed the Dillingers onto the floor.
Mr. Radcliff was polite and attentive, and she tried to look at him as a woman would a future matrimonial prospect. Unfortunately, all she saw was Daniel. Would she hold everyone up to his standard?
“May I take you driving soon, Lady Abigail?”
“I would be delighted.” She couldn’t think of an excuse, but she wanted one.
“Excellent.” His smile was nice but did not produce that little flutter inside her that just one look at Daniel did. But she would not be seeing Daniel anymore. He would play no part in her life, but could this man?
“I will look forward to it, Mr. Radcliff.” If she was to find a husband, she needed to make an effort to become better acquainted with some of these men she met in the evenings. Especially if she couldn’t get Gabe to let her visit her aunt in Devon. Not that she’d spoken to him about it yet, but she had told Nathan, and he would have told the others by now.
She talked with Mary and other guests. Abby liked to dance and stood up for most. She tried to avoid her brothers whenever they looked likely to approach. During one such moment, Gabe had clearly been looking for her, so she’d made a hasty retreat outside to the terrace, and now was walking in the cool night air.