for him.”
“You are absolutely right,” Amelia replied. “We need to ensure that Lord Berkshire meets his ideal match. Someone who can match wits with him.”
“Exactly,” Katherine responded as she adjusted the sleeves on her emerald green ballgown, “which is why I have assembled a group of ladies who are quick-witted and clever.”
Hannah continued to fan her face as the coach rolled to a stop in front of a three-level white townhouse. A moment later, the door was opened, and a footman extended his gloved hand in to assist them.
After Katherine had stepped onto the pavement, she stared up at the enormous townhouse with its portico in front of the main ebony door.
“So, it begins,” Amelia muttered under her breath as she came to stand next to Hannah. “Are you ready to get to work?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to attend a ball for the sole purpose of entertaining oneself?” Hannah asked with a sigh.
Amelia turned towards Hannah and looped arms with her. “Where is the fun in that, dear sister?”
As they stepped inside, Katherine’s eyes scanned the two-level entry hall with a domed ceiling. They continued to follow the other guests towards the ballroom, and the sounds of an orchestra could be heard coming from within.
They walked into the rectangular ballroom, and Katherine took a moment to admire the red papered walls, ornate sconces, and the two gold chandeliers that hung from the painted ceiling. People were lined up against the walls as the dancers made use of the chalked floor in the center of the room.
Amelia leaned closer so she could be heard over the crowd and announced, “This is a crush.”
“That it is,” Katherine replied. “Perhaps we could find a place to stand other than the doorway.”
They began to make their way towards the back of the ballroom when she heard her name being called above the noise.
“Miss Blackmore!”
Katherine stopped, turned towards the sound, and saw Miss Olivia, who was busy making her way through the crowd.
Miss Olivia wore a bright smile on her face as she came to stop in front of her. “I was hoping to see you tonight,” she said, her voice slightly labored. “I wanted you to know right away that Lord George called on me today.”
“He did?” Hannah asked from next to her.
Miss Olivia bobbed her head. “We had the most pleasant time walking around the gardens, and he wanted to know my thoughts on the war.” She giggled. “Can you believe that?”
Katherine smiled at her. “That is wonderful news.”
“He asked me to save him a dance this evening,” Miss Olivia shared, bringing her hand up to cover her smile.
She was about to respond when she saw Lady Vincent coming behind Miss Olivia with a stern look on her face.
“Olivia,” Lady Vincent said in a chiding voice, “you can’t run off at a ball. I need to ensure that you are properly chaperoned.”
Miss Olivia had the decency to look ashamed. “I am sorry, Mother.”
Lady Vincent nodded in approval before she shifted her gaze towards them. “The Blackmore sisters,” she greeted, her kind eyes sweeping over them. “What a pleasure to see you again.”
Katherine curtsied. “Likewise, my lady.”
“I am pleased that Lord George has come to call on my daughter,” Lady Vincent said. “It seems quite encouraging.”
Amelia spoke up. “We hope so.”
Lady Vincent turned her attention back towards her daughter. “Come along now, dear,” she said. “I want to introduce you to a few people.”
Miss Olivia pressed her lips together, then muttered, “As you wish, Mother.”
As Miss Olivia and her mother disappeared back into the hordes of people, Hannah asked, “Has anyone seen Mr. Dunn?”
Amelia stood on her tiptoes as her eyes scanned the room. “I do not see him,” she responded. “Perhaps he opted not to come.”
“We will find him,” Katherine remarked.
She had barely finished speaking when she saw Kitty and Lord Berkshire approaching them.
Katherine took a moment to admire Lord Berkshire’s dashing figure. He was dressed in a finely tailored black jacket, black trousers, and a white waistcoat.
He stopped next to her and bowed. “Good evening, Miss Blackmore,” he said before he greeted her sisters.
“How are you this evening?” she asked.
Lord Berkshire smiled at her, and her eyes dropped to his lips. His perfectly formed lips. She forced herself to blink as she averted her gaze. Now was not the time to be thinking about such things.
What’s happening to me, she thought. Why was Lord Berkshire affecting her in such a fashion?
“Did you hear me?” he asked, his concerned gaze watching her.
With a