who encouraged you to find a gentleman that captured your heart. It appears that Lord Richmond has been the one to do so!”
“It is something that I have been entirely unable to prevent,” Rebecca replied honestly. “If only I could think of a way for Lord Richmond to...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “Lord Kensington is the only one able to refute such rumors. I highly doubt he would be willing to do so.”
“As would I,” Lady Hayward replied, pressing Rebecca’s arm in consolation. “But do not give up hope as yet, Lady Rebecca. There might yet be a way.”
“I thank you,” Rebecca answered, truly appreciative. “I always believed I would wed a gentleman out of nothing more than sheer practicality. However, you showed me an entirely different way of thinking, and I am truly grateful to you for it.”
Lady Hayward laughed. “Even though it has caused us both a good deal of difficulty?”
Rebecca could not help but chuckle. “Yes, even then, Lady Hayward,” she answered with a smile. “I am very grateful, indeed.”
The evening had gone very well thus far, but Rebecca had not seen any sign of Lord Richmond and had to confess that she was somewhat disappointed. He had said he would be here this evening and yet appeared to be either absent or delayed. Lord Swinton was present, of course, and whilst he had greeted her and engaged both her and her two sisters for a dance each, he had not made mention of Lord Richmond. When Rebecca had asked him if he knew where Lord Richmond was this evening, he had shaken his head and apologized that, no, he did not know. However, the way that he had not looked into her eyes made Rebecca wonder as to whether or not he spoke the truth.
“You are not enjoying the dance, Lady Rebecca?”
Rebecca gave herself a slight shake, realizing that she had been distracted in her dance with Lord Swinton and giving him an apologetic smile.
“Forgive me, Lord Swinton,” she said, her words stalling for a moment as they moved away from each other in the dance before coming back together again. “It is only that I am concentrating hard on making quite certain not to make a mistake!”
This seemed to appease Lord Swinton, for he smiled and nodded feverishly as though he wanted to both sympathize and encourage.
“But of course,” he said as she stepped away again, ready to be turned by another gentleman. “I quite understand.”
Rebecca made to reply, only to be suddenly pulled back as something tugged at the bottom of her skirts. With a cry, she stumbled back and practically fell into the gentleman behind her—the gentleman who had accidentally trodden on the back of her gown. An ominous sound of ripping caught her ears, and she cried out again as the gentleman caught her and helped her back to her feet, apologizing profusely for his mistake. Rebecca regained her composure as quickly as she could, her face rather pink with both embarrassment and the exertion of dancing.
“Lady Rebecca!” Lord Swinton was beside her in a moment, their dancing set quite ruined now by what had occurred. “Let me escort you back at once to Lady Hayward.”
Much to her relief, the music came to a close, and the remaining dance sets thanked their partners and began to step away from the floor. Taking Lord Swinton’s proffered arm, she made her way back to Lady Hayward, who was now watching her anxiously.
“I am quite all right,” Rebecca said quickly as Lady Hayward reached for her. “Another gentleman has torn my hem, however.”
Lady Hayward did not even look at the gown, however, quickly thanking Lord Swinton, who took his leave as though he were the one who would be blamed for such an accident. Rebecca thanked him and then turned back to Lady Hayward, a wry smile on her face.
“I must hope there is a parlor of sorts that can help with this,” she said as Lady Hayward nodded.
“There is, my dear,” she said, although her eyes darted back towards the dance floor. “My lady’s maid is there. Although your sisters have only just left my side to dance the cotillion.” Her brow furrowed. “Might you wait?”
“I am sure I can make my way there and then return to you,” Rebecca replied, not wanting to linger with her embarrassment of having her gown ripped and torn. “It is not far?”
Lady Hayward hesitated, looking from Rebecca to her sisters and then back again. “It