how do you fare this evening?”
Lady Thurleigh laughed, her eyes twinkling as she shook her head.
“You know how it is, Lady Hayward! I have spent almost every Season attempting to find a suitable match for my daughters, and now, finally, I find myself at the very last of them! I grow weary of it all, truth be told.” Her gaze turned towards Selina, an enquiring look in her eyes. “And this must be your charge?” She glanced back to Lady Hayward. “I had heard that you had made some arrangement with the Duke of Landon, but I had not believed it!”
Lady Hayward smiled and introduced Selina, who quickly curtsied and kept her eyes low to the floor, finding herself a little embarrassed. Yes, it was true that Lady Hayward had made an arrangement with her father but for it to be spoken of so boldly and without any hesitation brought a touch of color to Selina’s cheeks.
“The Duke of Landon has been very generous towards my son,” Lady Hayward answered, quietly. “In addition, he has promised other benefits to the rest of my children, when the time comes, or when they are of age. In return, I am to bring his wonderful daughters into society, and do my utmost to guide them towards a suitable match.” She twinkled up at Selina. “And thus far, I have not found my task to be an arduous one!”
This made Selina smile as Lady Thurleigh passed an assessing glance over her, as though deciding whether or not Lady Hayward would find it very difficult indeed to do the same for Selina.
“I see,” she said, without malice or judgement in her voice but rather only interest. “Then I must wish you every success, Lady Selina – although my daughter must have her success too!” She laughed and Lady Hayward smiled back at Selina encouragingly. “I should introduce you to my daughter, in fact,” Lady Thurleigh continued, as Selina remained standing quietly, finding very little to say. “I am sure she could do with another acquaintance and, given that the ton can be filled with insincere young ladies and the like, it can often be difficult to find a suitable friendship.” Another assessing glance swept over Selina, leaving her feeling quite vulnerable. “I am sure that you are not insincere, however, given that Lady Hayward is your chaperone and guide, Lady Selina. Might you wish to meet Lady Prudence? Ah, look! She is coming now.”
Selina, who had opened her mouth to answer and then closed it again given that Lady Thurleigh was about to introduce her daughter regardless of what Selina said, turned quickly so that she might greet the lady warmly, only to see a gentleman approaching them, a young lady on his arm. Her eyes lifted to the gentleman’s face, finding his piercing blue eyes suddenly resting upon her also. Blushing furiously, she looked away at once, realizing just how handsome the gentleman was and cursing her own foolishness.
“We are returned, Lady Thurleigh!” the gentleman exclaimed, as though Lady Thurleigh had expected otherwise. “I do hope you saw the dance. It was an excellent quadrille, I must say.”
As Selina allowed herself another glance, she saw the gentleman bow over Lady Prudence’s hand, before finally releasing her. A streak of heat ran down her spine as he looked towards her again, but this time, she forced herself not to look away.
“I did not observe you for a great length of time, I am afraid,” Lady Thurleigh replied, with a chuckle. “I saw an old acquaintance of mine and had to come and speak to her almost at once!” Turning to Lady Hayward, she quickly introduced her. “And this is her charge, Lady Selina, daughter to the Duke of Landon.” With a warm smile on her face, Lady Thurleigh gestured to the gentleman. “Lady Selina, this is the Earl of Barrington and, alongside him, my daughter, Lady Prudence.”
Gathering herself, and pulling her gaze away from the gentleman, Selina curtsied quickly.
“Good evening to you both,” she answered, hating that her voice was so very quiet indeed. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
She did not look back at Lord Barrington, quite certain that, should she do so, her face would flush terribly and he would know just how handsome she thought him. Instead, she looked towards Lady Prudence as she rose, smiling at her briefly before placing her hands together in front of her and glancing towards Lady Hayward, who was smiling serenely.
“Lady Selina, I am very