Page 29 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

“Of course, darling.” Lady Rutledge took her place at the instrument and looked at Lord Brookhaven. “Shall I play some lively tunes for dancing?”

“Of course. Just as you like.” Lord Brookhaven was the picture of an amiable host. He and the other gentlemen proceeded to move the furniture against the walls to make more room.

Lord Markeley took a step toward me at the exact moment Thomas Merritt opened his mouth as if to speak to me. But when Mr. Merritt saw Markeley, he turned immediately to Miss Priscilla Allen, while Lord Markeley asked me, “Will you do me the honor of granting me the first dance?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Now, if only I didn’t make a misstep and embarrass myself.

Lord Brookhaven, as I expected, asked Rose Rutledge to be his partner for the first dance. And Mr. Percy Allen asked Millicent.When we had all taken our places, Lady Rutledge began to play and the dancing began.

Despite my nerves, my heart soared as my feet moved in time to the music and in concert with Lord Markeley. Was this really me, Charlotte Robbins, a woman of no family or wealth, dancing with a young and handsome viscount?

And yet I couldn’t help wishing I was dancing with Lord Brookhaven instead.

How could he wish to dance with a coldhearted, haughty-eyed woman like Miss Rutledge? He couldn’t intend to marry her, could he? My thoughts seemed jealous and even envious. That was not the kind of person I strived to be. But I would need to think about that later. Now I would enjoy my partner and the music and this dance and not clutter my mind with anything else.

Indeed, I did enjoy the way Lord Markeley kept his eyes on me, obviously enjoying the dance. I could tell that everyone else was stepping lively, almost bumping into one another, as this wasn’t meant to be a ballroom. And yet it was sufficient for our fourteen people, only eight of whom were dancing.

We were moving too fast for conversation, so we spun and hopped and skipped our way around the other three couples. I could feel my cheeks growing pink with the exertion, and I don’t think I could have stopped smiling if I’d wanted to.

As the song ended, Priscilla Allen cried out, then limped toward her mother. Everyone fluttered around her. Apparently she had turned her ankle. Her mother was asking her if she wanted someone to help her to her room.

“No, no, I’ll just rest it.” Her expression was sullen as she let out a quick breath and sat with her mother, who patted her arm.

We all wondered which of the men would have to do without a partner, until Percy Allen said, “Unless Lady Derringer wishes to dance, I’ll sit out the rest.”

Did the man never smile?

“My dancing days are over, I’m afraid,” Lady Derringer said apologetically.

So there were only three pairs of dancers getting ready for the next song. Lady Rutledge raised her brows, waiting for her cue, while we exchanged partners. Mr. Merritt claimed me, while Lord Brookhaven asked Millicent, and Lord Markeley stood opposite Rose Rutledge.

Once again, we all whirled around the floor. I was spinning so, my swaying dress almost got caught around my ankles a time or two.

Mr. Merritt was as agreeable a partner as Lord Markeley had been, perhaps even more so, since Mr. Merritt had a slightly more mature air about him. Lord Markeley still had something of a boy’s manner, though he was the same age as me, Millicent had confided. She had consulted her copy ofDebrett’s Peerageto also discover that Lord Brookhaven was six-and-twenty, and since he and Thomas Merritt were schoolfellows, he was probably also the same age.

I’d glanced at Millicent and Lord Brookhaven—how could I not?—and I found Lord Brookhaven giving Millicent his full attention, while she was looking enthralled, if a little nervous, as she gazed up at him. Truly, his was the most commanding presence in the room. Would he dance with me next? Or was that going too far, for an earl to lower himself to dance with a governess?

Again, I reminded myself to enjoy my partner, Mr. Merritt, who was undeniably handsome and agreeable.

The dance was soon over, and Mr. Merritt suggested we take some lemonade, which had been brought in after the last dance. My heart was beating fast as my eyes met Millicent’s. She was obviously happy, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks rosy. But I was highly aware of Lord Brookhaven throwing back his lemonade as if it were a cup of medicine. How could even that small act be so masculine and appealing?

When Lady Rutledge signaled that she was ready to play, Mr. Merritt wasted no time in asking Rose Rutledge for the next dance. Lord Markeley approached Millicent, and I allowed myself to looktoward Lord Brookhaven. I’d already danced with the other gentlemen, who had now paired themselves with the other ladies. It was Lord Brookhaven’s turn to ask me, but he was speaking with the butler, Mr. Mims, in the doorway.

Would I be passed over by Lord Brookhaven and be forced to sit down for this dance? I tried not to let my face show my disappointment.

I watched as Millicent stood opposite Lord Markeley and Mr. Merritt smiled at Rose Rutledge. Lady Rutledge was frowning from her place at the pianoforte, looking impatiently toward Lord Brookhaven.

My stomach twisted as the others glanced over at Lord Brookhaven, still in quiet conversation with the butler, and then at me. I could feel my cheeks starting to burn.

Suddenly, Lord Brookhaven waved Lady Derringer over, who immediately took over the conversation with the butler, allowing Lord Brookhaven to escape.

His gaze found me, and he strode over. “May I have this dance?”

“Of course.” I gave him my gloved hand. It was the first time we had ever touched, and a thrill went up my arm and across my shoulders.

He signaled to Lady Rutledge to begin, then he led me to the middle of the room as the music started to play.

Relief and joy enlivened me as I stared up at Lord Brookhaven, though I tried not to looktoohappy. No sense embarrassing myself in front of him and the rest of his guests.