A Chance Encounter by Mary Balogh Read Free Book Online

a trivial matter.
    â€œA great deal depends on the state of the weather, my lord,” she replied. “The river site would be perfect for a very hot day. The church site would be more suited to a cooler day because it is more open. Brilliant sunshine would make it uncomfortable.”
    â€œAh, and do you add weather predictions to your other talents?” he asked, looking so directly into her eyes that Elizabeth was having difficulty breathing regularly.
    â€œI am afraid not, my lord,” she replied.
    â€œHow absurd you are, Robert,” the shrill voice of Amelia Norris said across the table. “I would have thought you had outgrown such childish pursuits as picnics.”
    He smiled brilliantly back at her. “You may stay at home with your embroidery if you wish, Amelia,” he said. “But I am sure that Miss Rowe and I will find others to join us. William, I am sure, will come, and Henry and Bertha. How about you, Worthing, and your sister?”
    Ferdie glowered at Cecily, and Lucy blushed a painful red, but both accepted.
    â€œAnd you, Miss Rossiter?” Hetherington asked.
    â€œIf Mrs. Prosser is to be present, I hardly think that my presence as chaperone will be necessary,” Elizabeth replied calmly.
    â€œYes, I do not feel that any servants will be necessary to our party,” Amelia Norris commented acidly.
    Hetherington smiled again. “Ah, so you have decided to come after all, have you, Amelia?” he said, and turned back to Elizabeth. “But I was not inviting you as a chaperone, Miss Rossiter, I was inviting you as a guest.”
    Their eyes held for a painful moment. The orchestra could be heard tuning up again in the next room. Mr. Mainwaring stood up. “Shall I return you to your mother, Miss Worthing?” he asked. “I believe the dancing is about to start again.”
    Everyone rose to return to the ballroom. Under cover of the general bustle, Hetherington spoke quietly to Elizabeth. “I wonder if you have the courage to come?” he said, the cold ice back in his eyes and voice. “And to wear a color other than gray.”
    Elizabeth did not reply. She turned and took Mr. Prosser’s arm. Soon she was back in her shadowed corner, listening once more to Mrs. Claridge. She danced only once more that night, with Mr. Rowe, who asked if her glass slippers were pinching her feet yet.
    * * *
    Elizabeth did not sleep much that night. At first she worried about Cecily and about whether she should intervene or not. Someone of Hetherington’s charm and experience was dangerous to an innocent like Cecily. And Mr. and Mrs. Rowe might not be able to see behind the facade of charm in time to save their daughter from a broken heart. Only Elizabeth knew that he was capable of subordinating all else to his personal interests. Was it her duty to warn Cecily, or at least Mrs. Rowe?
    On the other hand, Elizabeth reasoned, there had been nothing improper in his behavior tonight. He had danced with Cecily only twice; he had danced with Anne Claridge, Amelia Norris, and one other lady as many times. His manner to Cecily at the supper table, although markedly attentive, had not been exactly flirtatious. The man was, after all, supposedly betrothed to Miss Norris, though Elizabeth had seen little evidence of any strong attachment on his part.
    And what of Cecily? She had been flushed with pleasure when dancing with Hetherington and at the supper table. But she had looked much the same all evening. She had not looked particularly as if she were languishing after the marquess when she was not dancing with him.
    Elizabeth decided that she should wait before saying anything. She was very reluctant to admit to a previous acquaintance with Hetherington. She would observe the two of them at the dinner party two days later and at the picnic on Saturday.
    Why had Hetherington so pointedly invited her to that picnic? He had given every sign of loathing and