But Felicity had read between the lines — her family could not afford a season in the city, despite her mother having insisted on redecorating the dining room and getting several new dresses for herself. She had watched over the last year as different pieces of furniture and art had been sold, servants released from their duties, and their meals became less extravagant. Nothing changed that could be noticed by an outsider, but Felicity knew. They had spared no expense in outfitting Felicity and Delilah for the season, renting a large house and carriage, and dressing in the latest fashions, but, as her mother said, they could not afford any second chances.
This time, as they made their way around the room, Felicity made sure to smile warmly, nodding in greeting to those she knew. There were few she had yet to be introduced to, but somehow, her mother always found another group of strangers Felicity would have to make small talk with.
“Lady Edith!”
Felicity swung around to find Delilah’s eyes. She looked as vexed as Felicity felt.
“Lady Eunice, how lovely to see you,” her mother said, dipping into a short curtsy.
Felicity and Delilah did the same before taking their places behind their mother’s right and left shoulders respectively.
“There’s the Diamond,” Eunice crooned, her smile a sickly kind of sweet. “It is a wonder the Queen named her as such; she is so easy to look past.”
“I do think it is the dress,” Hannah, Eunice’s daughter, added.
Felicity had to make an effort to keep from fidgeting with her gown. It never failed to amaze her how the Countess of Thorne and her daughter seemed to always be able to say such vile things with such sweet tones.
Her mother raised her hand as if shooing off a fly when she said, “I told her the green dress would look best, but she insisted on the blue.”
It was at that moment that Delilah clearly lost the battle to hold her tongue. Her eyes narrowed as she pasted on her own veiled smile. Felicity opened her mouth to interrupt whatever retort Delilah was sure to make when a gentleman approached their circle, saving them all from the argument Felicity had just begun to dread.
“Lady Eunice,” he said with a bow over her hand, “you are radiant this evening.”
Felicity watched as the woman preened at the compliment; she could almost make out the kind of beauty Eunice might have had in her youth. It was not unlike Hannah’s own, but there was something in the way they talked about others that cast a shadow over the appeal.
“You are too kind, Lord Fitzroy. Allow me to introduce you — this is, of course, my daughter Hannah,” she said, pride echoing in her gesture and voice, “and this is my dear friend, Lady Edith, Viscountess of Woking, and her two daughters, Felicity and Delilah.”
Felicity did not miss the dismissive way Eunice said the last part of her introductions, but the gentleman certainly did. He spun towards her with a gleam in his eye, like that of a child with a new favorite toy, before repeating his bow to her mother.
“Ladies, this is Lord Hugh Fitzroy, the Baron of Wiltshire.”
“My Lady, might I have the opportunity to dance with yourDiamond?”
Felicity felt Delilah cringe beside her. While others envied Felicity’s status, Delilah was only thrilled it had not been her who had gotten stuck with it. But Felicity knew her sister hated to watch the way the members of the ton fawned over Felicity, not as a person worth getting to know but as a prize to be won. Lord Fitzroy seemed to be no different, clearly not paying attention enough to the introductions to remember Felicity’s name.
“Of course,” her mother crooned, reaching behind her to pull Felicity forward.
She lowered herself into a polite curtsy before taking the man’s extended elbow. They strode towards the dance floor in silence, him puffing out his chest, making sure everyone saw who was on his arm. Felicity could only hold her chin up and smile as they waited for the next song to begin.
An upbeat melody filled the hall, and the dancers took their places, bowing to their partners before moving into the first set of steps.
“As Lady Eunice said, I am Lord Fitzroy,” he said as they stepped together. “It is so nice to finally meet you. You have been the talk of the town ever since the Queen named you the Diamond of the Season. It seems like all the other gentlemen have gotten their chance to dance with you before I did. Nevertheless, we are here now.”
He spun her around the floor once, twice, three times before pulling her back into the steps and continuing his monologue.
“I have no doubt you have heard about me. My estate is really quite impressive. My father was very well known for his horses and hunting parties. I am not as fond of the beasts myself, but it is an impressive collection of animals, so I have kept most of them — at least the most expensive ones.”
You sound like you are only impressed with yourself.
Felicity couldn’t help but think the words although she never let her smile falter even when he continued to twirl her around the floor over and over again. She couldn’t tell if it was his incessant talking or spinning that made her dizzy, all she knew was her head was pounding, and the pillars were starting to double.
“I myself am more interested in the weapons we use in hunts. I have spent many hours training to become an excellent marksman. In fact, last year I went on the most amazing trip and hunted many great beasts. I would be happy to host a dinner for you and your family if you are ever interested in seeing the creatures.”
In and out. Breathe, in and out.
His long, expectant pause pulled her focus away from staying upright and back to their one-sided conversation. Her brows drew together in confusion as she tried to make sense of his offer.
“Forgive me, you own a menagerie of exotic animals?”