What Lucinda Learned by Beth Bryan Read Free Book Online Page A

hair and in her ears. A gauzy shawl, woven with gold and silver threads, was draped over her white shoulders.
    “Excellent, dearest,” cousin Ethelreda declared as she twitched one last shining curl into place. “Collie is always right. That gold colour brings out the glints in your hair and eyes. Come along now or we shall be late. Remember we promised to meet the Granthams.”
    Lucinda was grateful for this arrangement later. They met their friends in the hall of the Hoxboroughs’ house in Eaton Square. The impassive liveried servants smoothly took charge of wraps and gloves and hats, then shepherded the guests into the receiving line on the first landing.
    As she followed Mrs. Cleeson and the footman up the curving staircase, Lucinda felt quite lost. She had been to assemblies and young people’s parties in Nether Wilden and the surrounding countryside. But nothing had even been as grand as this.
    “Mrs. Cleeson and Miss Lucinda Neville,” the footman intoned sonorously.
    Lucinda felt so overwhelmed that she could scarcely raise her eyes to Lady Hoxborough as that formidable lady greeted Ethelreda.
    “Jasper Neville’s gel, eh?” her ladyship boomed and Lucinda caught a glimpse of figured green satin and a massive, if particularly ugly, collar of emeralds. “Looks just like her mother, and—” Lady Hoxborough bent towards Mrs. Cleeson and proclaimed in what was meant to be a whisper “ —and a fortune to boot! You’ll have your work cut out for you, fending off the bucks.” She nodded as the scarlet-faced Lucinda bobbed a curtsy and passed her on to Lord Hoxborough.
    Their host was a thin, self-effacing man, with a vague, unfocussed glance. He shook hands and murmured endlessly. “Welcome, delighted to see you, welcome.”
    Another footman threw open the doors to the great gilt-and-marble ballroom. Lucinda shrank back as she stared into the room where the floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflected the immaculately dressed members of the haut ton.
    “Oh!” whispered Patience behind her. “It’s all rather frightening, isn’t it?” Miss Grantham wore a flattering shade of daffodil; nonetheless, Lucinda thought her pale.
    “Frightening?” Miss Ryland scornfully repeated. Belle herself looked anything but frightened. An aura of elation surrounded her. She was in her best looks in a rather daring gown of blue-and-white stripes, with a coronal of white camellias surrounding her upswept curls. “Just wait till the dancing starts. Then we shall be too busy to be frightened.”
    Belle proved a true prophet and Lady Grantham and Mrs. Cleeson had ample opportunity to show their mettle as chaperons, for all their charges enjoyed a steady stream of partners.
    The prospect of dancing before such a crowd had thoroughly unnerved Lucinda. But in such a squeeze, she soon realized, she was not likely to be the cynosure of all eyes. Once on the dance floor, amongst the other participants, she relaxed a little and began to take note of her sumptuous surroundings and to answer her partners in more than monosyllables. She was pleased she was able to identify some faces in the shifting press of people.
    At the edge of the dance floor she caught sight of Will. He was gesturing animatedly, his face excited. A turn of the dance revealed his companion: Beau Devereux.
    Lucinda’s heart jumped and she lost the rhythm of the dance. Her gangly young partner blushed scarlet as she trod on his toe and began to stutter incoherent apologies. Guiltily, Lucinda devoted herself to him for the rest of the set.
    But when she returned to the chaperons’ corner, she looked eagerly about. With another stab of expectation she saw them coming towards her.
    “Lucinda,” Will called out to her. “You cannot guess!”
    His enthusiasm was infectious, and Lucinda laughed a little as she clasped his hand, before turning to greet Mr. Devereux with a more correct, cooler smile.
    The contrast rather piqued that gentleman, but before he could speak, Will