his situation whatsoever, as if they had been two people within society talking for the mere pleasure of it. She hoped desperately that he would be willing to speak to her again tomorrow evening, although she had been, perhaps, foolish in her suggestion of dancing with him. For the moment, that pleasure would have to wait.
“The fashionable hour is not one of my favorite occasions, I must confess!” Lady Hayward laughed as Rebecca pressed close to her to avoid three young ladies who were walking together, their chaperones trailing behind them and seeming to ignore all those around them. “How do you fare, Lady Rebecca?”
“Very well, I think,” Rebecca replied a little doubtfully, looking all around her and wondering whether or not anyone was taking notice of their presence here this afternoon. “I did not expect it to be so busy!”
Behind her, she heard Lady Anna laugh. “But it is meant to be a crush, Rebecca!” she said mischievously. “But the point is that we are amongst the rest of the ton so that our presence might be noted!”
Rebecca glanced over her shoulder at her sister. “I can see why you do not appreciate the fashionable hour, Lady Hayward,” she said a little awkwardly. “Although I am glad to be here.”
Lady Hayward chuckled, then looped her arm through Rebecca’s. “I had hoped to introduce you to an earl who I thought to be most appropriate, but I do not think we shall find him here this afternoon!” She looked across at Rebecca. “Although, no doubt, you shall find something about him to dislike!”
“I shall not agree,” Rebecca replied stoutly. “Only this afternoon, Lord Clayton called upon me and I told him I would be glad to see him again.” That was not the entirety of the truth, however, and Rebecca felt a small smattering of guilt hit hard against her. “If this earl is pleasing, then I am sure I shall have no concern whatsoever.”
“But he shall not be as intriguing as Lord Richmond, no doubt,” Lady Hayward replied with a knowing look. “After what was said last evening, I do not think that you will have simply forgotten him!”
Rebecca let out a small sigh. “You know me much too well, Lady Hayward,” she answered with a wry smile. “Yes, I confess that I am still very interested in the gentleman. In fact, he—”
“Good gracious, can that be you, Lady Hayward?”
Rebecca saw Lady Hayward frown as she turned her head to the right and then to the left before sucking in a breath, realizing who it was that had called her name. Rebecca, not recognizing the lady, remained silent and stood by Lady Hayward’s side, as did her sisters.
“Good afternoon, Lady Kensington,” Lady Hayward said, and instantly, Rebecca stiffened. “I do hope you are enjoying the fine weather this afternoon.”
Lady Kensington laughed and fluttered her fan as though the warmth of the afternoon was too much for her.
“Yes, it is very enjoyable to be amongst society,” Lady Kensington said with a sigh, looking all around her before returning her gaze to Rebecca. “Now, you must introduce me to your charges, Lady Hayward. I have heard so much about the duke’s daughters that have graced society with their presence!”
Rebecca blinked, a little surprised at the hint of vitriol that was in the lady’s words. She dared not say anything, however, leaving Lady Hayward to quickly make the introductions. From the flash in Lady Hayward’s eyes, however, Rebecca knew that she was less than willing to do so but had no other choice in the matter, given the circumstances.
“How very good to meet you,” Rebecca murmured, dropping into a quick curtsy as Lady Kensington merely inclined her head. Her sisters murmured the same as Lady Kensington looked directly at Rebecca again, her eyes a little narrowed with some sort of spite that Rebecca did not quite understand.
“You are much spoken of in society, Lady Rebecca,” Lady Kensington said a little too loudly. “You must be very grateful for Lady Hayward’s guiding hand.”
Rebecca nodded. “Yes, of course,” she said softly, wondering at this state of questioning. “I have been very glad for her, as my sisters have also been.” Lady Anna and Lady Selina both murmured their agreement quickly as Lady Hayward smiled tightly.
“Society can so quickly turn on you,” Lady Kensington said as though warning Rebecca of something. “I should be very careful indeed, Lady Rebecca.”
Lady Hayward cleared her throat gently. “I am quite certain that Lady Rebecca shall do very well