Lord Crampton cleared his throat again, giving himself a small shake, and then forcing a smile to his lips which did not bring even the smallest hint of happiness to his expression.
“But of course, Miss Gregory,” he said, holding out one hand towards her. “I would be more than honored to dance with you this evening.”
“That is very generous of you, Lord Crampton,” her aunt broke in quickly, taking away the requirement for Honora to respond. “I do thank you for your consideration – as I am grateful for yours, Lady Yarmouth, but my niece is here as my companion and nothing more.”
Moments of silence sent waves of mortification cascading over Honora. The shame of being so introduced was almost intolerable, and the urge to turn and run from them all began to chase her - but she knew she could not. Closing her eyes momentarily, she drew in a shaking breath and waited for what was to follow.
“Oh, pray forgive me,” Lady Yarmouth said, clearly a little surprised, given the tone of her voice. “As your companion, did you say?”
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Langdon replied, sounding much too cheerful. “I did not want to come to London alone and given that my brother has particularly difficult financial circumstances – circumstances which would prevent my niece from ever finding a match here, in the normal course of things – I thought to take her as my companion so that she would, at least, have a taste of London society.” Honora glanced at her, seeing how her aunt pressed her hand to her heart, tipping her head as a small sigh escaped her. “I thought to be generous.”
Lord Crampton cleared his throat gently but said nothing, making Honora’s cheeks warm all the more.
“But of course, I quite understand.” Lady Yarmouth smiled towards Lady Langdon, no longer looking at Honora. “Yes, how very generous of you to do so, Lady Langdon. I do hope that youbothenjoy this evening.”
The tightness in her throat prevented Honora from replying but, finally, her aunt took her leave and Honora followed quickly behind her, stepping away from their hostsandfrom Lord Crampton – for the time being, at least. Honora had not dared look at him ever since her aunt’s explanation, finding herself much too ashamed to do so.
He has taken away your anxiety, at least,Honora thought to herself, as she followed her aunt through the open doors and into the ballroom.Now you feel nothing but embarrassment.
A small, wry smile spread across her face, and she stepped into her very first London ball – and caught her breath.
It was extraordinary.
There were so many people that Honora simply could not make them all out, seeing them as a blur of color and light. The music which was playing seemed to swirl between the laughter and hubbub of conversation, making her ears strain to make out one from the other. Everywhere she looked, there was a laughing face, bright eyes, or a broad smile – and Honora felt her lips curving in response. There was a wonderfulness here than she had not expected and it seemed to warm her very soul.
“Nora!”
She lifted her gaze and found her aunt frowning at her, beckoning one hand towards her. She tried to regain her composure so that she would not appear as a foolish young lady who could do nothing but stare and gawp at the scene around her.
“I must do what I can to reacquaint myself with a few of those I knew in past years,” her aunt said, as she drew near. “You will remain with me and allow me to introduce you as and when I please.”
“Yes, aunt.”
Something heavy dropped into Honora’s stomach as she realized that now, her aunt had yet another reason to keep Honora beside her – so that she might use her and her situation to improve her own standing in the eyes of others. So that they might think her generous, kind, and good natured in offering Honora such a position and, therefore, think all the better of her character. The ball might be wonderful, the music uplifting and the conversation delightful, but Honora felt nothing but disappointment and pain.
This was going to be a very difficult few months indeed.
Chapter Three
Robert had not missed the growing dislike in Miss Gregory’s eyes. Her green eyes had been hard and fixed for the first few moments, her lips flat and her brows low. Clearly, she thought little of him and that, in particular, made Robert very irritated indeed.
First, he had been forced to endure the complaints of Lady Langdon who had made such a fuss about Robert’s attempt to make it to the receiving line before herself – which, admittedly, had perhaps been less than wise on his part - that Robert had been forced to step back and allow the two ladies to go before him. Had he not capitulated in such a fashion, then he would, no doubt, not have then done the very foolish thing, of asking a mere companion to dance with him. A companion who clearly did not know why he was to be so respected and who had allowed her frustration and irritation with him to show in her expression. He did not deserve that sort of disdain!
And I certainly was not pleased at being introduced in such a fashion. There is no need for anyone to know that I have only recently inherited the title.
He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. There was always a little niggle, a small, irritating worry that he was being looked down upon by those in theton.Having come into the title later in life, and from a situation where he had been neither poor nor significantly wealthy but had never expected to come into the title, Robert had sought to endear himself to society so that they would not notice any slight mistakes or unintentional blunders that he might make. The situation with Lady Charlotte last Season had been a most fortunate incident for Robert’s sake, certainly, for to have the Duke and Duchess of Strathaven smiling upon him was lucky indeed.
I need not think of Miss Gregory any longer. Here, at least, I shall be recognized and spoken to by a good few people.With a broad smile on his lips which hid his shaky confidence, Robert made his way into the ballroom, making certain to turn to the right when he saw Miss Gregory and her aunt turn a little more to the left. He kept his expression genial, wanting to be seen as amiable and, of course, having every intention of appearing surprised and astonished when, no doubt, he was reminded of his actions last Season, by another.
“Good evening.”
Robert inclined his head, bowing towards a young lady he recognized who, instantly, turned a little more to face him.
“Good evening, Lord Crampton!” she exclaimed, one hand snaking out to grasp hold of her mother’s sleeve. “Mama, do you not recall Lord Crampton?”
The lady looked back steadily at Robert for some moments, pulled away from her conversation with another, older lady who, in return, was also studying Robert with sharp eyes.
“I do recall Lord Crampton, yes,” came the swift reply as Robert bowed again, his smile spreading a little more as he waited for her to realize justwhyshe remembered him so well. “Good evening.”