followed by anyone, for I canna remember a single thing about how I ended up here.”
Lord Radcliffe chuckled warmly. “She does enjoy her adventures, even if they involve servants’ stairs, ancient tunnels, and several rounds of backtracking.” He gestured back the way he had come. “Come with me, and I’ll see you back in a much, much more direct route. Far easier to recollect later.”
Edith smiled and dipped her chin, falling into step beside him. “Are you trying to tell me your niece enjoys making things unnecessarily complicated?”
“Molly thrives on making things unnecessarily complicated,” he insisted with an earnestness that had Edith laughing. “My life being chief among them. Only three months after I had assumed guardianship, she decided that she was only going to speak in rhyme. It was the most miserable three weeks of my life, and I tried everything…”
Chapter Fifteen
I am not particularly certain that I believe in love at the first sighting. I rather think that one is far more likely to love a person after the second sighting, in the proper setting. Or the third, when one is laughing. Or the fourth, in absolute perfection. But then, this author is a Spinster, so all this conjecture could simply be false.
-The Spinster Chronicles, 25 October 1819
“Would it be possible to do a house party without a ball?”
“I don’t believe so. There is a certain level of expectation.”
“Why can we not defy expectation?”
“Because we are a boring family, and we thrive upon tradition.”
Graham looked at his aunt in mild surprise. “Do we indeed? Why does that not sound like a compliment, I wonder?”
Eloise gave him a playful sneer. “Behave yourself, Gray. You’ve led a different woman into dinner every night so far, and you’ve been very good about keeping up conversation. Do try to dance this evening.”
“What else would one do at a ball?” he asked, raising a brow.
“You didn’t set up gaming tables, did you? The gentlemen must remain for the dancing. There aren’t enough to ensure every lady has a partner every time.” Eloise looked towards the ballroom in apprehension, biting her lip.
Graham chuckled at her dismay and rubbed her arms gently. “No, Aunt, I did not. And we are rather evenly paired, considering the number of married couples in the house at present. Not all the ladies will wish to dance every dance, and everything is furnished beautifully. Will you do something for me?”
Eloise nodded at once, her attention coming back to him rapidly. “Of course, what is it?”
He offered her a smile. “Enjoy the evening? You look lovely; the lavender does suit you well.”
His aunt gave him a dubious look. “Who told you this was lavender? You aren’t that conscious of shades, so you must have had help.”
“Morgan,” he admitted without shame. “He asked Capshaw what she was dressing you in this evening.”
“Traitor,” Eloise grumbled, though she smiled. “I cannot promise to dance, but I do think I shall very much enjoy a chair by the terrace door. Watching dancing can be nearly as enjoyable as participating in it.”
Graham made a face. “I don’t know, I’ve never found much pleasure in either.”
Eloise rapped him on the arm before looping her hand around it. “You cannot have that attitude this evening. I forbid it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He winked as he led her into the ballroom, his chest swelling with pride as he took in the pristine appearance. The walls had always been a brilliant white, and it took a good deal of upkeep as the house aged, but moments like this were worth it. The vast array of elegant chandeliers and sconces dotted about filled the space with luminous candlelight, each reflecting off the bright walls in their turn. A hint of gold leaf detailing along engraved surfaces traced upwards into the ceilings and the murals painted thereon.
It was the finest ballroom he had ever seen, and it happened to belong to him.
Not that he’d had anything to do with it, but now he could fully appreciate what a fine space it was.
“Stop gaping at your own rooms,” Eloise hissed with a nudge in his side. “The musicians await your cue, and if you would look about you, you would see your guests are eager to dance.”
Graham glanced around and saw, shockingly, that his aunt was correct.
The married couples stood close together, smiling at him as though they had known him for ages. They were, of course, all members of the Spinsters and their husbands, so they had only known him a short while, but