disgrace. No, I fib. I did happen to be stopped by a few others in the park, one to tell me Society never forgives a murderer, and the other to confide that her husband was in the country for the week and she hoped Iâd remembered her direction. All in all, not the most auspicious of homecomings, I think youâd agree? I fear my emotions were much too close to the surface for me to be fit company.â
âYour apology is accepted, sir, and there was really no need to explain. But I wonder, if you are so newly returned to England, how did you manage an invitation to this ball?â
He bent toward her, his remarkably green eyes twinkling with mischief. âVery simple, my dear. I remembered the ladyâs direction. A sacrifice on my part, to be sure, but worth it in order to see you again this evening.â
Lydia felt hot color invading her cheeks, and was grateful she hadnât given in to Sarahâs suggestion of the rouge pot, for otherwise sheâd look like a painted doll at the moment. âYou shouldnât say such things to me.â
âAh, but I always say such things. Being outrageous is a large part of my charm. Now tell me my sacrifice will not have been in vain, and that your dance card is not yet full.â
âFar from full, my lord, as you can see,â she told him, holding up the card she had been handed by one of the servants as she entered the ballroom.
âIs London peopled entirely with fools?â he askedher, snatching the card from her hand and using the small, attached bit of pencil to scribble on it before returning both to her. âIâd dare more, but convention limits me to three or else people will expect the banns to be posted tomorrow. Miss Harburton?â he then asked, bowing to Jasmine. âIt would be my honor to be added to your dance card, as well.â
Jasmine looked to Lydia, who didnât understand the question in the other young womanâs eyes. Was she actually turning to her for permission? But then she handed over her dance card and Justin signed it as well just as Tanner approached, carrying two glasses of lemonade.
âAh, Tanner, here you are. I didnât presume stealing Lady Lydia away for the first dance, but do see you have her returned here in time for the second. I shouldnât wish to appear desperate by having to track the pair of you down on some balcony, would I? Now if youâll excuse me, I believe manners compel me to find a certain rather rapacious lady and haul her about the dance floor for the next ten minutes as a reward for allowing me to escort her this evening.â
Justin then bowed to Lydia and Jasmine once more and turned on his heel, melting into the crowd that seemed to now border on a multitude in the large ballroom as the orchestra signaled with a rather rusty flourish of violins that the first waltz was to commence momentarily.
Tanner handed over the glasses of lemonade and then snatched up Lydiaâs dance card, one corner of hismouth lifting as he read what Justin Wilde had written. âIt would appear, Lydia, that you have acquired an admirer,â he said, handing the card back to her. âYou as well, Jasmine? I assume so, as Justin is always very careful with his manners.â
âI donât even know who he is, â Jasmine exclaimed, wide-eyed. âBut he is pretty, isnât he? Oh, look, thereâs Lady Pendergast! She always wears so many feathers, doesnât she?â She poked Mrs. Shandy with her fan, directing her attention to the rather prodigiously obese woman in purple, sailing past them as if propelled by some errant wind catching at the trio of enormous white plumes in her hair.
Tanner smiled at Lydia, and spoke softly. âLady Pendergastâs feathers, a butterfly on the wing, most anything shinyâwhatever takes her fancy. My cousin is easily amused, and even more easily distracted. But the baron was being attentive to you, I