Titania nodded quickly. Lord Huckleby had been one of her many gentleman callers the day after the ball where she had been introduced to him, but he had taken his leave without seeking to call upon her again. Now, it seemed, he was eager to do so, and Titania felt herself blush with pleasure.
“Might you care for a walk through the park?” Lord Huckleby asked, grinning at her. “Perhaps, tomorrow afternoon?”
“I…that would be….” Titania found her words tumbling over each other, not quite in the correct order. Taking a breath, she smiled up at him and attempted to settle herself a little more. “I would very much enjoy that, Lord Huckleby,” she said, with a small smile of her own. “Hyde Park, did you say?”
Lord Huckleby shrugged then laughed. “I shall go to whatever place you choose, Miss Wells, although I did think that you would very much enjoy being seen on my arm during the fashionable hour.” He winked at her broadly, sending a flurry through Titania’s heart. “Hyde Park it shall be then.” He bowed before she could say anything more, his gaze fixing on hers again as he lifted his head. “I look forward to our first dance, Miss Wells. Good evening.”
“Good evening,” Titania replied, somewhat breathlessly as she tried to understand what had just occurred. It did not matter to her whether or not she was seen with Lord Huckleby, and certainly she did not care if the ton saw her with him during the fashionable hour, but apparently Lord Huckleby believed that this was what she had meant when she had suggested Hyde Park. A flicker of irritation caught her mind as she frowned, looking to see Merry’s expression also a little dark as she watched Lord Huckleby walk from them.
“He is a trifle arrogant, Titania,” Merry said bluntly, looking back at Titania. “I am not sure I care for him.”
Titania did not know what to say, wanting to protest that Lord Huckleby was not attempting to court Merry but finding that, inwardly, she found herself agreeing with her sister. Fortunately, there was not more than a moment or two of silence before more acquaintances appeared at Titania’s side, each eager to sign their name on her dance card and, much to Titania’s delight, to take Merry to the floor for a dance also. She laughed softly at Merry’s uncomfortable expression as she allowed Lord Danvers to write his name down for the quadrille, thinking silently to herself that it might be just what Merry needed, even though she did not wish it.
* * *
It took a good hour or so before Titania was finally able to spot Lord Carroway. She had begun to give up hope of his attendance here this evening, even though she was certain that he would have received an invitation, but the sight of him sent a surge of hope through her heart.
He was watching her with sharp eyes, lingering back in the shadows as she danced with Lord Whitby. She did not hear a single word of Lord Whitby’s conversation and was, therefore, a very poor partner, but her whole being was entirely caught up with the sight and the presence of Lord Carroway. The moment the dance came to a close, she thanked Lord Whitby and took her leave of him, making her way towards Lord Carroway without hesitation.
He shrank back into the darkness and his actions reminded her that most of society would be keeping their eyes on her. She had to behave as appropriately as she could, even though she was more than desperate to speak to Lord Carroway.
Moving slowly, Titania smiled and nodded at various acquaintances, moving slowly through the crowd of guests until she spotted Lord Carroway standing near her sister Catherine and cousin Dinah. A smile settled on her face. Had he found them deliberately so that she would be able to speak to him without being considered improper? To stand next to her sister and cousin would not cause anyone to lift an eyebrow.
“Lord Carroway,” she murmured, her heart leaping in her chest as he bowed towards her. “I did not think that you were present this evening.”
He spread his hands. “And yet you see that I am here,” he stated, his voice low and his eyes filled with doubt as he looked at her. “You have not thought to disregard me completely then?”
“How can I, when I have so many questions?” she asked lightly, tilting her head. “You came to call upon me but did not tell me the truth for your reasons for doing so. I should reject you entirely for such a thing, but I confess that my mind will not allow it.” She leaned closer, just as the music for another waltz began. A waltz that she knew she had no partner for. “You must tell me the truth, Lord Carroway.”
Before he had a chance to respond, Titania moved forward and curtsied beautifully, then reaching out one hand to rest on his arm.
“It is our waltz, Lord Carroway,” she said in a loud enough voice for some of the other guests to overhear. “I have been looking forward to this all evening, I confess.” Smiling brightly in his direction, she waited for him to respond, her stomach tightening when he did not immediately agree to step out with her.
He sighed heavily as though she had pained him with such a request, before inclining his head and leading her through the crowd towards the dance floor. “It seems that I have no choice but to comply,” he muttered, as they walked. “Although the consequences of stepping out with me will be entirely on your own head, Miss Wells.”
She smiled as the music began, curtsying towards him again before he took her into his arms. “If you are speaking of the rumors that surround you, Lord Carroway, then I confess that I do not easily believe them.”
His hand was tight about her waist, his other hand clasping hers gently as they began to waltz. His steps were sure and certain, and she found herself greatly enjoying the waltz as they moved together as one. A sigh escaped from his mouth as he looked down at her and she was caught by the intensity within his gaze.
“If you speak of the rumors that state I am nothing more than the illegitimate son of a duke, whose title and lands were bought for him by way of recompense, then I confess that I believe those rumors to be true,” he said, his voice a little harsh. “I can see no other explanation, Miss Wells. I am nothing more than an orphan, without family and without a true family lineage.” His gaze drifted away, and Titania felt her heart fill with compassion for him, seeing the sadness in his expression and hearing the hurt in his voice.
“I mean to say that you are supposedly a rake, Lord Carroway,” she replied honestly, as he twirled her about the floor. “Lord Huckleby informed me that I should stay far from you…for you care for nothing other than to seek out your latest conquests.”
Much to her surprise, Lord Carroway laughed aloud, his expression lifting almost at once. He grinned, looking down at her, and Titania felt her heart rise within her.
“I hardly think that can be true,” he protested, still smiling. “If I am a rake, then I confess to be a very poor one, Miss Wells. I do not think I have danced with a lady of the ton in some years.” His smile began to fade. “I have heard such rumors about me, although I have never given them much consideration. I fear for your reputation now, Miss Wells, for you have danced with me and now all of society will be watching you.”
She tossed her head as the waltz came to a close. “I hardly think that stepping out onto the dance floor with a gentleman should bring a stain to my reputation,” she stated firmly. “Although, Lord Carroway, you have not yet told me the truth about your reasons for questioning me yesterday afternoon.” She took his proffered arm as they walked from the floor back towards her sister and cousin. “Nor have you told me why you were present the night I saw the murder.”
Lord Carroway let out his breath in a hiss, silencing her.
“You must remain silent, Miss Wells,” he whispered fiercely, turning towards her as they reached the back of the ballroom once more. “Do you understand? You must not speak of what occurred, not in company. You do not know who could be listening.”
A thrill of excitement ran up Titania’s spine. “What do you mean, Lord Carroway?” she asked, putting one hand on his arm and feeling him jerk away from her. “You must tell me. Please.”
Lord Carroway held her gaze for some moments, his face expressionless. It was as though he were trying to make out what was best for him to do or to say, wondering whether or not she could be trusted with what he had to tell her.
“I do not think that I can do so here,” he stated, shaking his head as his gaze darted from one place to another behind her. “As I have said, we cannot tell who might be listening, and I fear that it may put you in more danger if we speak at the moment.”