our dear neighbor how much I appreciate her kind invitation.”
“You do not care for Lady Hardiwick,” she reminded her. “You think she is a terrible gossip, and an unrepentant snob.”
“Just so, my dear,” her mother said absently. She seemed fascinated with the lines of dancers weaving in and out of the quadrille, and began tapping the toes of her slippers to the lively Scottish medley being played by the musicians. “They will be playing a reel next. Go and find yourself a partner, my dear, that I may see you dance.”
“Every gentleman of my acquaintance is presently engaged, Mama.” Jennet made a show of looking around the ballroom. “I cannot present myself to a stranger, nor dance a reel by myself. Besides, I do not wish to leave you alone when you are like this.”
“You are becoming a wall flower,” her mother scolded, and then her expression softened. “Or I have made you one with all my ailments and sickness. How you must resent the burden I have become of late, and yet you never complain.”
“Mama.” Jennet took hold of her hand. “Is that your reason for insisting we attend? For I would much rather stay at home with you.”
“That is because you are the very best of daughters, and I the worst of mothers.” Margaret touched her handkerchief to her lower eyelids before she shifted to peer through the dancers. “Well, I am old, and very prone to illness, it seems. I should die soon.”
“Mama.”
“There.” Sitting up, her mother pointed her fan at the doorway. “The Gerards have arrived. They have been in the city all of the winter, I should think.” She glanced at her for a long moment before she fluttered her fingers beside her temple. “Oh, what is their son’s name? I cannot remember.”
Jennet glanced at the stern face of Baron Greystone, and the softer, kinder features of his wife. As the Gerards lived most of the year in London they but rarely attended social gatherings in Renwick, so their arrival drew notice from every corner of the room. She did not see their son, but he had probably gone to the card room.
“William,” she murmured. “His name is William.”
“Yes, of course.” Margaret waved to the baroness to catch her attention. “A very kind young gentleman, I am sure. Mrs. Holloway told me that he called five times during my illness, and brought the most beautiful berries from the baroness, do you remember? Oh, do help me up, dear, she is coming.”
Jennet braced her mother as she rose, and kept one arm under hers as they both curtseyed to Baroness Greystone, who did the same.
“Margaret, I am so glad to see you recovered.” The regal lady smiled at Jennet before she said, “I hope the basket of fruit I sent from the lodge helped in some small way to cheer you.”
“Thank you, yes, Amelia.” Margaret beamed. “You do grow the sweetest berries in all of the shire, and your note was so welcome.”
Jennet felt suspicious now, for she could not recall either woman ever addressing each other with such affectionate informality. “What note was that, Mama?”
Her mother ignored her. “Have you time to sit with me, dear lady? I would love to hear the latest news from London.”
“Of course, for I have much to tell you.” The baroness immediately sat down in Jennet’s spot. “Do go and dance, Miss Reed. I will keep your dear mother company.”
Jennet frowned. Her mother had always disliked the city and the society there; she often referred to it as a den of iniquity. Nor had she ever known Lady Greystone to confide anything to Margaret. Yet the two of them had left her no choice but to nod her agreement.
She made her way around the dance floor, but once she was out of her mother’s sight she slipped out onto the terrace. A cool breeze greeted her, making her skirts flutter. All of the tension drained out of her as she went to the stone railing bordering the oval veranda. She would stay out here long enough to give the older women time to gossip, and then go in and lie to her mother. She would say she had a dreadful headache and needed to go home. Then she would spend the rest of the night tossing and turning in her bed until she gave herself one, but at least she would be removed from temptation.
“You will find no partners out here, Miss Reed,” an amused voice said. “Unless I