Cassie looked up to see an older woman bearing down upon them, a monstrously huge wig upon her head.
“That is Mrs. Winston, Cass,” Edward murmured. “She much admires English officers. It is all I can do to remain polite to her. Her husband is quite influential.”
Cassie said polite how-do-you-dos, marveling as she did so at the expanse of bosom the lady was displaying. Mrs. Winston accorded Cassie only cursory attention before turning to Edward. “Well, my dear sir, the musicians have a fine way with the minuet, do you not agree?”
“Most assuredly, ma’am,” Edward returned in his most noncommittal tone. “I was just on the point of asking—”
“How marvelous, sir. I should be delighted to stand up with you.”
Edward shot Cassie a harassed look before he was borne away, Mrs. Winston’s beringed fingers clutching possessively at his sleeve.
Cassie was suddenly alone, a startled expression on her face.
“Something disturbs you, Lady Delford?”
Cassie turned to see Major Andre at her elbow. She grinned. “Your Mrs. Winston is a most overpowering person.”
“Believe me, Lady Delford, most of the officers are in Edward’s debt. That she has a tendre for your esteemed husband has made them all breathe a sigh of relief.”
For an instant, Cassie wished that Major Andre knew the truth. She felt uncomfortable being called Lady Delford.
She said, her eyes narrowed briefly on a woman who was laughing overloud, “If I did not know better, I would believe that we were in England.”
“Do not judge our local Tories too harshly. They deserve to enjoy their little displays of luxury and gaiety, for who knows what the future will bring?”
“You are right, of course, Major Andre. It is a fault of mine, I fear, to judge too quickly.”
“A woman of your beauty can be allowed almost any fault, my lady.” Major Andre looked around the room, then turned back to her, amusement in his eyes. “Only my rank as aide to General Clinton keeps the gentlemen at bay. Shall I leave you to your fate as Edward has done?”
“I would just as soon that you did not, Major Andre.”
“Ah, there is Montresor, my counterpart to our famed commander. He’s a dull fellow, Lady Delford, but an accomplished dancer.”
“You are generous in your praise, Major.”
He smiled at the irony in her voice. “You did not give me time to finish. Montresor is also one of the most brilliant strategists I have yet to meet. General Clinton heartily despises him for it.”
While Major Andre was fetching her a glass of punch, whose ingredients he laughingly refused to name, Cassie caught Jenny’s eye and nodded toward her. She looked radiant with her auburn hair piled high atop her head, in a gown of forest green velvet cut low over her deep-bosomed figure. Her laughter lilted in Cassie’s ears. Jenny would be a sore trial to Edward’s dignity, Cassie thought, but no more than she herself had been.
“Well, Lady Delford, what do you think of the pleasures offered by New York?”
“Very impressive, General Clinton. Everyone has been kind.”
“Even the ladies?” He laughed suggestively.
“Even the ladies,” she said. Cassie was careful to mind her toes when she danced the minuet with General Clinton, for he was every bit as clumsy as Major Andre had warned.
She had no time to search out Edward when the dance was done. General Howe laid his hand on her arm as soon as General Clinton finally released her. “There is a gentleman who desires to dance with you. My lord, allow me to present you to one of the fairest ladies to grace New York.”
Cassie would have preferred to sit down for a moment and catch her breath. But good manners dictated otherwise. Because she had accustomed herself to General Clinton’s unprepossessing height, she found herself staring at an exquisite waistcoat of pale blue silk embroidered with intricate gold thread when she turned.
“Lady Delford and I are old friends, sir.”
“Well, I will leave you two young people alone to renew your acquaintance,” General Howe said, and turned away.
“No,” Cassie whispered, “it cannot be.” She raised her widened eyes to meet his mocking dark ones. “No,” she whispered again, her voice faint. She stumbled backward, and the earl cupped his hand under her elbow.
“You are looking well, Cassandra.”