Page 65 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

I placed my cup on a tray, and Mr. Welton and I joined the dancers.

This dance was more stately than lively, and Mr. Welton barely took his eyes off me the entire time. When it was over, he squeezed my gloved hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm while he led me back to Mrs. Drake, whose smile was wide and approving.

I had to admit, my mood was quite joyful; I liked being the object of a young handsome gentleman’s attentions, but I also hoped Lord Brookhaven wouldn’t be angry with me for dancing so much with the man about whom he’d tried to put me on my guard.

The musicians took a short break to shuffle through their music sheets and to drink a glass from a tray brought to them by a servant.

“Miss Robbins, I—”

“Charlotte—oh, forgive me,” Millicent said. “I didn’t realize I was interrupting you.”

“It is all right. Miss Skidmore, is it not?” Mr. Welton gave Millicent a bland smile. “And are you enjoying the evening?”

“Oh yes, very much. I always enjoy a good party.”

“Then you must dance with me after I’ve had one more dance with Miss Robbins.” He raised his eyebrows at me and held out his hand, as people were starting to line up for the next dance.

I let him lead me back to the dance floor. We didn’t have long to wait before the music started.

It was probably my imagination, but it seemed people were staring at us and whispering behind their hands. Had I done something wrong? Had my hem ripped, or was it caught on my shoe? I didn’t feel anything amiss, so I didn’t think it was that. I almost made a misstep, so I concentrated on the dance and stopped glancing about the room.

William watched as Welton escorted Miss Robbins back onto the dance floor only moments after their first dance was over. Sowas this how it was? Was she now allowing the entire room to think she’d accepted some kind of proposal from Welton?

From the look on her face, she was oblivious to the implications of dancing two dances with Mr. Welton, one immediately after the other. It showed the gentleman’s obvious preference for her, and it showed that she accepted his preference and that it was mutual. Surely she knew that it was nearly the same as an engagement.

What had he done in giving her this fortune? In trying to secure her happiness—and also his own—had he destroyed everything?

Did she truly prefer Welton over him?

But she probably didn’t know. She couldn’t know. She was completely new to the machinations of society and the ridiculous social rules that most young ladies were taught from the cradle to the ballroom.

This was his fault. He should have been quicker to ask her to dance at his ball, should have chased that damnable Welton away, should have made him to know that he would live to regret getting too close to Miss Robbins. She was too good for him, too good for ... anyone in this room, himself included. She was innocent and kind and...

How could he be so foolish as to not protect her from a blackguard like Welton?

The heat was rising into his neck, creeping into his forehead. The room was suddenly too hot and stuffy. But he wouldn’t go out to get some air. He would stay here and see if he would be needed to assist Miss Robbins.

When the dance was over, Mr. Welton escorted me to where Mrs. Drake was sitting with her friend, and she’d been joined by Mrs. Welton. The two women were smiling out of all proportion, it seemed to me.

“I shall fetch you and your friends some lemonade,” Mr. Welton was saying, “and I may also go and see some friends. But I shallreturn shortly. I shall count the minutes until I see you again.” He looked into my eyes, an excitement in his that wasn’t usually there. Then he strode away.

Mrs. Drake was still smiling at me, which was not her normal expression, so I asked, “What is the matter?”

“Why, nothing at all. All is well, my dear.”

But there was something she wasn’t telling me.

Hattie was in conversation with a gentleman—I believe it was someone Lord Brookhaven had introduced her to—and Millicent was already returning to the dance floor. Her partner was Lord Markeley, so I was sure she was very happy.

Until now, I’d had gentlemen practically bumping into one another to ask me to dance, but suddenly there was no one asking me, and I stood alone, watching as the dance commenced.

I tried not to think too much about it. I couldn’t expect to be asked to dance every dance. After all, there were more young ladies in want of a partner than there were gentlemen. Such a thing was not at all unusual. But I knew that something had changed, and I was almost willing to ask Mrs. Drake what it was.

Mr. Merritt was walking toward me. “Miss Robbins, am I to wish you joy?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

He looked slightly uncomfortable as he hesitated to speak.