merits and whether or not you had any particular interest in any one of them.”
This sounded quite a horrifying prospect to Rebecca, who had never even thought that such a thing would take place. When thinking of the coming Season, she had supposed that she would meet a gentleman who seemed to be suitable, would mention his name to her father, and that, thereafter, a match would be made. And, if the gentleman was not found to be all that her father required, then she would consider another. Never once had she thought about what she herself would seek! But now Lady Hayward was quite convinced that she ought to do so, and Rebecca did not know what to think.
“Let us begin with the Marquess of Lancaster,” Lady Hayward said practically, looping her hand through Rebecca’s arm. “And thereafter, perhaps the Earl of Bridgewater?” A laugh escaped her as she looked up into Rebecca’s startled face. “Have no fear, Lady Rebecca. All will be well, although perhaps a little altered from what you had anticipated.”
“Yes, very different indeed,” Rebecca replied, lifting her chin and forcing air into her tight lungs. She would allow Lady Hayward to be her guide and, in doing so, would make herself consider things she had not before. Rebecca could only pray, however, that she would not make a fool of herself but would instead make an excellent impression upon society that her father expected. She could do nothing less than that.
Chapter Three
With a small sigh, Jeffery stepped into the ballroom and looked all about him. He was not particularly enamored with society, but with very little else to entertain him back at his estate, he had decided to return to London to partake of London’s diversions.
“Good evening, Lord Richmond.”
“Good evening,” he murmured, bowing low towards Lady Kensington, who had floated towards him almost the moment he had entered the drawing-room. “I thank you for your invitation this evening, Lady Kensington. I do apologize for my tardiness.” Looking about him, he tried to find Lord Kensington but could not see him anywhere. “I should like to greet your husband also.”
Lady Kensington trilled a laugh and, much to Jeffery’s discomfort, trailed one hand down his arm. He did not remove himself from her presence, however, knowing that to do so would appear very rude indeed, even though he did not appreciate her gesture. Her dress seemed to be the latest stare of fashion, and the neckline was quite low to show off her charms. Jeffery, however, avoided looking at her bosom as he did not want to encourage her attentions.
“He is already deep in conversation about some matter of importance, Lord Richmond,” Lady Kensington told him, her eyes now practically fixed to his own, her fingers brushing down his hand. “A very dull matter, however.” She sighed plaintively, then snapped her fingers towards one of the footmen, who brought over his tray at once, allowing Jeffery to pick up a glass of brandy as Lady Kensington continued to watch him. The urge to remove himself from her company grew within him, but Jeffery knew he could not do so, not without making himself appear very rude indeed. For whatever reason, Lady Kensington had been overfamiliar during last year’s Season, and she now appeared to be behaving in much the same way—much to Jeffery’s frustration.
“Again, forgive my tardiness,” he said, struggling to find what else to say. “I was, I am afraid, caught up in a matter that could not be set aside.”
“But it is resolved now, I hope?” she asked, her eyes a little wider than before as she looked up at him. “You will not have to depart early?”
“No, no, indeed not,” he replied as a bright smile broke out across her face. “I shall be very happy to remain here this evening, Lady Kensington. Now,” he cleared his throat and inclined his head. “If you will excuse me, I should greet your husband, even if he is caught up in an important discussion. I must beg pardon for my late arrival.”
Lady Kensington let out a murmur of protest, but Jeffery quickly took his leave of her, a slight shiver running down his spine as he glanced back over his shoulder to see Lady Kensington still watching him, her eyes glittering darkly. She was, of course, a very beautiful lady, but Jeffery was not the sort of gentleman to chase after another man’s wife, no matter how much she batted her lashes at him.
“It seems Lady