Chapter8
Her relief at rejoining Amelia was vast.She hoped no one had noticed Edwina’s annoyance when she’d joined Ashford’s family earlier.For a moment she feared Ashford had seen Edwina’s frown, but if he did, he was too polite to say anything about it.
Not that it even mattered.Everyone always forgave Edwina.As the prettier, more outgoing sister, Edwina had always enjoyed men flocking to her while Mary watched from the wings.Mary only hoped that Ashford didn’t fall under Edwina’s spell.Although she wouldn’t be able to stop him if that happened.He was a grown man and could do whatever he wanted.
Amelia placed a hand on her arm, drawing her out of her thoughts.“Is everything all right?Perhaps I should tell John that I’m going to remain by your side tonight.What did your sister say to you when we left?”
Mary shook her head at her friend’s generosity.“It was fine.Edwina won’t misbehave in public.”Amelia’s eyes narrowed, and Mary forestalled the question.“Nor would she do anything in private beyond hurl a few insults.I don’t even hear them anymore.Now tell me, are Lord Lowenbrock’s sisters here?I haven’t seen them yet, but with the number of people here, that isn’t surprising.”
Amelia shook her head.“No, not tonight.They’re dining en famille at Lord Kerrick’s house.”
Mary winced.“I hope you didn’t feel the need to attend the ball on my account.”
Amelia laughed.“Much to John’s dismay, I’ve told him that I want to experience everything this season.”She leaned in close and lowered her voice.“For research.”
It was a testament to how much Lowenbrock loved his wife that he’d agreed to such a thing.No one would guess that the marquess, who was charming and handsome, hated these social events.Of course, he hated even more the thought of his wife venturing out to experience them on her own.
“Speaking of whom…,” Amelia said, her eyes lighting with joy as her husband approached.
Mary was surprised by the pang of remorse she felt when Lowenbrock gazed down at his wife as though she were the most important person in the world.She had no doubt that to him, she was.She wasn’t jealous of Amelia—her friend deserved to be happy—and from everything she’d seen and heard, Lowenbrock was a good man.Still, she couldn’t deny that a small part of her wished she could find something similar.She’d done everything to push down those youthful fantasies, but it was difficult not to believe in happily-ever-afters—and perhaps wish for one herself—when faced with the reality that they did exist.
“Ladies,” Lowenbrock said with a small bow meant for the two of them before he turned to Mary.“A new set is about to start.I was hoping you would join me, Miss Trenton.”
Mary glanced at Amelia, but her friend waved her forward.“Go ahead and enjoy yourself.”
Mary dipped into a small curtsy.“I would be honored, my lord.”
He took her arm, and together they made their way onto the ballroom floor.Mary had always enjoyed dancing and didn’t care if Amelia had asked her husband to do this.After all, no one else had asked her to dance.
Well, aside from Lord Ashford, but that was only because he didn’t want to be pressed into dancing with someone else.
The music started, and they began to move together through the figures of the quadrille.
“I wished to thank you,” Lowenbrock said.
Mary tilted her head.“Whatever for?I’m sure there isn’t a woman here who would turn down an invitation to dance with you.”
Lord Lowenbrock’s mouth twisted slightly and Mary laughed.“Amelia told me that you don’t usually come to London for the season, but it meant a great deal to her when you accepted her invitation to join us.”
Mary shook her head.“I was happy to accept.Our time in Yorkshire last year was far too short.”
They fell into companionable silence after that, punctuated only with Lowenbrock’s wry comments about the others present that evening.By the time the dance drew to a close, she was finding it almost impossible not to burst into riotous laughter.
He led her back to Amelia’s side after that, the mischievous glint in his eyes telling her he’d been trying to elicit her mirth.
“The waltz is next,” Amelia said as she took her husband’s arm.“I hate to leave you here alone.Do you want to go back to your sister?Or perhaps we can seek out Lady Ashford or Lady Benington to keep you company.”
Mary shook her head.“I’ve already accepted Lord Ashford’s invitation to waltz with him, so you needn’t feel guilty about abandoning me.”
She wondered if Ashford realized his mother had planned that little outcome.His concern at his mother’s apparent slight had been obvious from the tightening of his jaw.But he’d been looking at her, and she didn’t think he’d caught the quick glance that had passed between Lady Ashford and her daughter.Their satisfaction at Ashford’s declaration that he had already secured her agreement to dance with him had been unmistakable.
Lowenbrock looked over her shoulder.“Speak of the devil.”
“Did I hear my name being taken in vain?”
Mary shook her head, amused despite herself.What was it about Lord Ashford that made her feel so comfortable in his presence?She’d never really known him all that well back when their families had socialized, but she felt at ease in his company.
The two men shared a look that Mary couldn’t decipher before Lowenbrock whisked his wife away, telling her they should get something to drink before the next dance started.