“They make a lovely couple, don’t they?”
Mia turned to stare at a beautiful young woman no more than twenty. “Yes, they do.”
“I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced.” The woman blushed. “I am Miss Anna Stone.”
“Mia Feather—Lady Hartsfield.” Mia would never get used to calling herself that name.
“Lady Hartsfield,” she exclaimed. “Please excuse my manners. I should have waited to be introduced to you.”
“Why?”
Miss Stone tilted her head with a slight grin. “Because that is how it is done.”
Mia supposed she should know that fact. “Well, I don’t stand on such stringent formalities, Miss Stone. I am a woman of the country where things are less rigid.”
“How wonderful. I’m also from the country,” Miss Stone said wistfully. “I wish more people were like you.”
Mia giggled. “I am quite certain you are in the minority there. Most people seem to love these strict social structures.”
“I don’t,” Miss Stone whispered. “I hate these balls.”
“Then why are you here?”
Miss Stone’s eyes widened. “I have to marry.”
“Of course,” Mia said, reminded again of how different her life was as a wise woman. No one cared if she married or not as long as she had a daughter to learn the practices she’d been taught by her mother.
“And I made a promise to Caroline to come,” she said. “Your new sister-in-law. She wanted to introduce me to one of her brothers. I can assume it is not the earl since you seem to have captured his heart.”
Mia wished that was true. She wanted Simon’s heart and all his love. “So are you here for James or Charlie? I don’t believe Charlie was able to attend.” Which was odd now that she thought about it. She’d been certain he would come to his sister’s party.
“I believe James. He is the vicar, is he not? I already met Mr. Charles Blakesworth at a ball in London. He is far too much of a rake for my tastes. I’ve never been one to believe in the idea of reforming a rake.”
“Well, James is a wonderful man.” Mia noticed James standing by a window, staring out into the gardens. “He is over there.” She pointed to his position.
A small sigh escaped Miss Stone. “Truly? That is him?” “Yes.” Mia almost laughed at the wistful tone of Miss Stone’s voice. Mia had a feeling James and Miss Stone would get along perfectly.
“I believe I will speak to Caroline about an introduction.” Miss Stone gave a quick nod and walked away with a smile.
Mia grabbed a glass of wine from a passing footman and walked out of the room for some peace. Hearing voices, she paused by the door as Miss Evelyn Layton said, “Of course, the earl doesn’t love her. He only married that little nobody for one reason.”
“Why?” a voice asked.
“Yes, why would he marry a little no one from the Midlands?” another voice chimed in.
Oh God, they were discussing Simon’s marriage to her. She should move on and ignore the gossiping women, but something held her there.
“You all must know the reason,” Miss Layton said. “After what happened to my cousin several years ago, no woman of standing would marry him.”
“What happened? I never heard the story,” a woman asked.
“Why, the earl beat him almost to his death. It completely ruined the earl’s reputation. He wasn’t invited to any balls by decent people. And what woman would want to marry him and take a risk that he would beat her to death?”
Chapter 25
Simon watched James return a young woman to her parents after dancing a quadrille with her. He walked over to the footman and grabbed two brandies. After strolling to the corner where James stood eyeing the room, he handed his brother a brandy.
“Perfect timing,” James said and then sipped the heady liquid.