Page 54 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

“That kind of scandal never affects a landed gentleman very much, especially someone who is also an earl with a large estate. Besides, think of the benefits of being married to Lord Brookhaven. He is very wealthy; you’d be a lady—the wife of an earl; you’d be themistress of Lowndesbury House, and your children would have large inheritances and an old name. What more could you wish for?”

“I could wish for love, for my husband’s respect, and for him to feel respected by his peers. I don’t want to be the cause of my husband’s disgrace.”

One side of Millicent’s mouth turned down. “I think it would be worth it. Can you truly say you would refuse him if Lord Brookhaven asked you to marry him?”

“Truthfully, I can’t be sure, but I hope for his sake that he doesn’t ask me, at least until I feel I am accepted by society.”

“Well, I think it would be very exciting. I could say I was the dear friend of Lady Brookhaven, the wife of the Earl of Brookhaven.” Millicent paraded around my bedroom where we’d been talking, holding her hand out as if offering it for a kiss, stretching her neck up, and looking down her nose.

I shook my head at her.

“Actually,” I said, “I don’t have to marry anyone. I have decided that if no great love finds me in the form of a handsome gentleman, then I shall write and publish stories.”

“Stories?”

“Yes. I used to write stories for my friends when I was a schoolgirl. And I’ve written a lot of stories for Samuel and Annabelle—children’s stories, and they seem to enjoy them. I believe I might be able to find a publisher for them.”

“You must let me read your stories.”

“Of course you may.” I yawned. “But if I don’t get some sleep, I’ll be nodding off at Lord Brookhaven’s ball.”

“We can’t have that,” Millicent said cheerily.

We bid each other good night, and I prayed for plenty of sleep before my first London ball.

We entered the beautiful townhouse and waited in the receiving line to be greeted by Lady Derringer.

“Yes, my nephew asked me to be his hostess. One cannot have a ball without a hostess,” she was saying rather loudly to the couple who had come in just before us.

“My dear Miss Robbins,” Lady Derringer said, suddenly giving us her attention. “I know Mrs. Drake, of course, and have met Miss Skidmore before. It is so good to see you all again.” Then, looking into my eyes, she said, “How are you, my dear?”

It was lovely to see Lady Derringer. Lord Brookhaven was standing beside her. An older couple was talking with him now, but I saw him glance at me.

We all said our pleasantries, and then Lady Derringer said to me, “I wish I were going to be in town to show you the most interesting places and keep you company, but I’m afraid I’ve just gotten word that my late husband’s sister has died and I must return to Devonshire in the morning for the funeral.”

“Oh, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I shall pray for comfort from Providence and safe travels for you.”

“Thank you, my dear.” She stared into my eyes longer than expected, since there were people waiting behind me to be greeted. She made me believe that she genuinely liked me.

Lord Brookhaven was suddenly free of the couple ahead of us and stepped toward me. “Come,” Lord Brookhaven said. He offered his arm to me and led us away from his aunt. “There is lemonade and whatever you fancy.” He took us personally to the refreshments table. He seemed a bit nervous, the way he kept glancing at me, then away.

When we had been at Lowndesbury House, he’d seemed so confident. He’d also seemed older, somehow, never in a hurry. Tonight, I saw in his face that he was only a year or two older than I was, and I was reminded of how alone he was in the world, both of us orphans. I was glad he at least had Lady Derringer, Samuel, and Annabelle.

Then I saw Lord Markeley and Mr. Merritt standing in the doorway of the ballroom, staring quite brazenly at me. Just as I thoughtthey might come and greet us, Lord Brookhaven excused himself and walked toward his friends.

Millicent raised her eyebrows at me as she sipped her lemonade. “They’re here,” she whispered.

“Just smile and keep talking.”

We sipped our lemonade while Millicent whispered observations about Lord Markeley and Mr. Merritt, about their clothing and how they looked, while the three men stood talking for a few moments. Then Lord Brookhaven walked away to rejoin his aunt in greeting their guests.

We put down our cups and went to where Mrs. Drake was standing with another woman.

“Ah!” Mrs. Drake held out her hand to me. “Here they are. Mrs. Welton, this is Miss Charlotte Robbins and her friend, Miss Millicent Skidmore of Shropshire. And this is Mrs. Welton, a longtime friend of my family.”

We greeted each other politely. “That is my niece there,” Mrs. Welton said, “dancing with Lord Hatton.”

She was a lovely girl, and there could be little doubt that her aunt was proud that she’d snagged a dance with Lord Hatton, who would be considered a great match for any woman in the room, as he was the oldest son of the Duke of Emberley.