“The marquess will request your hand for two dances tonight. See that you step out on the floor with him.”
Cressida summoned every bit of self-control she had to keep her voice even. “I will not, mama. Please, support me in this.”
Surprisingly her motherdidn’t burst into an angry retort but cast her a considering glance. “If you are determined that the marquess will not do, I heard only yesterday from Lady Belmont that the Duke of Winthrop is out of mourning and is seeking a wife to mother his twin girls. They are only three years old and quite manageable at that age. Ensure you place yourself in the position to be selected.”
A knot tightened low in her belly, and Cressida looked away from her mother’s stare. “I see Elizabeth; I must greet her,” she said, hurrying from her mother’s side over to one of her dearest friends. An ache burned in her throat because now her mother would ardently push her toward the duke. A man she had never met and had no interest to know merely because he held such a prestigious title.
“Cressida!” Lady Elizabeth Durant said gaily.
“You are back from Bath,” Cressida said in greeting. “I have missed you. I almost ran from town and followed you to Bath.”
Her friend smiled, her green eyes glittering. “I missed you too, Cress.”
“How is the marchioness faring?”
“Mama swears the waters were restorative. I cannot see how, but she believes it and has rallied nicely.”
Cressida looped her hands with Elizabeth’s. “I am glad to hear it.”
She spent a few minutes chatting with her friend as they caught up on the lateston-dit.
“There is a gentleman coming toward us,” Elizabeth said in a hush tone. “Averyhandsome one, but I daresay your mother seems displeased at his approach.”
Cressida discreetly glanced up and spied Nicholas. “Oh!”
Elizabeth fixed her with a puzzled little frown. “Your cheeks are flushed.”
Cressida delicately cleared her throat. “I…”
“And your grip on my arm surely rivals those ghastly creatures I recently read about. The Boa Constrictor.”
A choked laugh left Cressida and she released her friend’s arm as the very gentleman who had elicited such a provoking response arrived. How dashing he appeared tonight garbed in dark trousers and matching jacket with a blue waistcoat that perfect complemented his gleaming gaze.
Nicholas dipped into a graceful bow. “Lady Cressida, would you honor me with the next set?”
“Yes.”
The immediacy of her reply seemed to surprise him, and she swallowed her smile. “Please allow me to introduce my dearest friend, Lady Elizabeth Durant. Elizabeth, this is Mr. Nicholas Fairbanks.”
Elizabeth stiffened and sent her a swift, incredulous glance as Nicholas bowed over her hand. Pleasantries aside, he promised to find her when it was their turn to dance.
“NicholasFairbanks?” Elizabeth hissed the instant he walked away. “Have you taken leave of your senses? The man is notoriously scandalous.”
“Surely he is not to bear the burden of his entire family’s misdeeds. I assure you it isallof the Fairbanks that are supposedly scandalous.”
Elizabeth huffed. “Still, I understand why your mother glared at him as if she would like to skewer him. I do not think the marquess would like your association with Mr. Fairbanks.”
“Lord Linfield has no claim on me and is not entitled to an opinion on whom I choose to befriend.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Did you two have a falling out? The last time we spoke you were certain he would make an offer soon.”
Cressida hesitated slightly and then told her all of it. Elizabeth laughed until tears came to her eyes.
“Oddly, I did not anticipate amusement as your reaction.”
She used the back of her glove to wipe at her eyes. “You told me a great joke, and you know I love jokes.”
“I was not funning you.”