Page 33 of A Mismatch Made in London

“My mother was of Spanish descent, and that is what has robbed me of my pasty English complexion.”

I laughed at his pretend self-deprecation.

When I glanced up, Jeremy was turning his face away.

Our two callers stayed an appropriate amount of time and then began to take their leave.

“I am looking forward to dancing with you at the ball,” Mr. Shelley was saying to Juliet before turning to me. “And with you, Miss Moore.”

Lord Gotthurst said the same, looking into my eyes as he did. I both hoped and feared that he would kiss my hand, so when he didn’t, I let out a sigh.

I caught Jeremy Beaumont staring hard at me as he stepped forward. “I’ll see you fellows out.”

As soon as they were gone, Juliet let out a subdued squeal and clasped my hand.

9

Juliet seemed to have forgotten about her incident with Mr. Fairweather—until we were leaving for Lady Snowden’s ball.

“What if no one dances with me?” she said, holding onto my arm and whispering so Jeremy wouldn’t hear.

“They will,” I whispered back. “Lady Snowden wouldn’t have invited you if the gossips were talking about you.”

Juliet nodded. “Yes. Yes, of course.”

“All will be well.”

“Yes, and Mr. Shelley promised to dance the first dance with me.”

“And Lord Gotthurst the second. So there is nothing to worry about.”

“How does it feel to have a baron asking to dance the first dance with you?” Juliet was no longer whispering, and by Jeremy turning his eyes on us, I was sure he heard.

“He seems an agreeable gentleman.”

Juliet gave me a wry smile.

When we arrived, the hostess Lady Snowden was particularly friendly with us. I was introduced to her daughter, Miss Anne Snowden. She looked quite young, but was certainly of marriageable age, and she was smiling and bridling at Jeremy Beaumont.

He asked her for the first dance.

“Of course, Mr. Beaumont,” she said. “I would be delighted.”

Lady Snowden was a baroness and a widow, and by the opulence of her townhome, with its enormous ballroom and marble floors, she was quite wealthy.

Juliet and I made our way to where the musicians were already in place and several small groups of people were conversing, while Mr. Beaumont fetched refreshments.

“Shelley and Gotthurst are just arriving,” he said quietly as he handed each of us a small glass of lemonade he brought over.

Juliet turned so fast she sloshed a few drops on her pale blue dress.

I gasped before I could stop myself, but Juliet didn’t even flinch as she smiled and waved to Mr. Shelley and his friend.

The two gentlemen made their way to us. We exchanged greetings, and the five of us stood talking until the first dance was announced, all dancers being encouraged to proceed to the floor.

Jeremy found Miss Snowden and escorted her to the floor, Mr. Shelley escorted Juliet, and Lord Gotthurst escorted me.

Lord Gotthurst’s curls had been subdued into a popular style, high and combed to the side and across his forehead but not quite touching his black eyebrows, and he wore a perfectly cut jacket and matching trousers. I couldn’t help noticing how his warm brown eyes remained on me, never leaving my face.