his life. “It is a delight to see you again.”
Two people come up behind him. The rustle of her gown as she bounced in excitement gave Miranda away.
Anthony spared her and Trent a scathing glance before directing his attention back to Amelia. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Neither did I. So much has happened since yesterday, I can’t even begin to understand it all,” Amelia said.
Anthony offered Amelia his arm. Her smile was small and sweet as she laid her hand in the crook of his elbow. Over her head, Anthony caught a glance of Lady Helena glowering in their direction. He shrugged. He had never given her a reason to believe he was interested. It shouldn’t take long for her to move on to some other unsuspecting nobleman.
The evening whirled by in a swirl of colors and sensations. Anthony escorted her straight from the stairs to the dance floor. Terrified that she would forget the steps, she barely managed two words to him. He didn’t seem to mind, giving her an understanding smile as he escorted her back to Caroline.
While she’d been dancing, the news that she was the duke’s new ward had circulated through the ballroom, and a queue of gentlemen awaited her arrival. Introductions and requests to dance arrived with such regularity Amelia began to feel light-headed. Her frequent pleas of breathlessness were not always because she didn’t know the dance being done. Her dancing lesson with Anthony hadn’t been extensive enough for this level of popularity.
After two hours, Caroline allowed Anthony to dance with her again.
“How are you enjoying your first ball?” Anthony led her onto the floor.
Amelia’s hand tingled as she felt the warmth of his arm through her glove. Dancing with Anthony was more exciting than any of her other partners. “I know a lot of the attention is curiosity over the duke’s new ward, but it has still been a wonderful experience.”
The dance pulled them away from each other for a time, but when they came together again, he asked, “Did I hear Sir Hollis reciting poetry earlier?”
Amelia tried not to giggle at the memory. The man’s hastily constructed ode to her pink gown had been sweet, but horrible. “Yes. He was quite enthusiastic about it.”
They parted again, and she could only smile at him as the dance moved along. Eventually they stood in the middle once more.
“I never understood before what drove all the young fops to spout flowery bits of terrible poetry.” Anthony took her hand to walk her around the end of the line of dancers. “I think I do now.”
Amelia couldn’t hold back a small smile.
The dance drew to a close. Griffith was waiting by Caroline and Miranda when they returned. “My drawing room is sure to resemble a hothouse by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Gibson will have to station himself permanently by your door,” Anthony added.
Miranda looped an arm through Amelia’s. “I’ve no doubt the man is looking forward to it. Didn’t you notice the maids clearing the flower arrangements from the hall tables as we were leaving? I think the servants are anticipating your success as much as I am.”
Caroline cocked her head to the side. “Gibson did seem more exuberant this evening. Why is that?”
“Because everyone loves our dear Amelia.”
Miranda could not have said anything that would please Amelia more. As long as her old friends knew she hadn’t forgotten them, she could enjoy everything this new life had to offer.
A tall woman with icy blond hair walked by, eyes narrowed as she looked at Amelia and Anthony.
Perhaps everyone wasn’t as happy with her new good fortune as Miranda seemed to think.
Chapter Twelve
Trent, Amelia, and Miranda strolled slowly down the path beside Rotten Row. The place bustled with society’s upper crust, but Amelia was content to focus on her strolling partners. Over the past three weeks the sheen of the promenade had worn off a bit as she realized others were looking around in judgment
Two people come up behind him. The rustle of her gown as she bounced in excitement gave Miranda away.
Anthony spared her and Trent a scathing glance before directing his attention back to Amelia. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Neither did I. So much has happened since yesterday, I can’t even begin to understand it all,” Amelia said.
Anthony offered Amelia his arm. Her smile was small and sweet as she laid her hand in the crook of his elbow. Over her head, Anthony caught a glance of Lady Helena glowering in their direction. He shrugged. He had never given her a reason to believe he was interested. It shouldn’t take long for her to move on to some other unsuspecting nobleman.
The evening whirled by in a swirl of colors and sensations. Anthony escorted her straight from the stairs to the dance floor. Terrified that she would forget the steps, she barely managed two words to him. He didn’t seem to mind, giving her an understanding smile as he escorted her back to Caroline.
While she’d been dancing, the news that she was the duke’s new ward had circulated through the ballroom, and a queue of gentlemen awaited her arrival. Introductions and requests to dance arrived with such regularity Amelia began to feel light-headed. Her frequent pleas of breathlessness were not always because she didn’t know the dance being done. Her dancing lesson with Anthony hadn’t been extensive enough for this level of popularity.
After two hours, Caroline allowed Anthony to dance with her again.
“How are you enjoying your first ball?” Anthony led her onto the floor.
Amelia’s hand tingled as she felt the warmth of his arm through her glove. Dancing with Anthony was more exciting than any of her other partners. “I know a lot of the attention is curiosity over the duke’s new ward, but it has still been a wonderful experience.”
The dance pulled them away from each other for a time, but when they came together again, he asked, “Did I hear Sir Hollis reciting poetry earlier?”
Amelia tried not to giggle at the memory. The man’s hastily constructed ode to her pink gown had been sweet, but horrible. “Yes. He was quite enthusiastic about it.”
They parted again, and she could only smile at him as the dance moved along. Eventually they stood in the middle once more.
“I never understood before what drove all the young fops to spout flowery bits of terrible poetry.” Anthony took her hand to walk her around the end of the line of dancers. “I think I do now.”
Amelia couldn’t hold back a small smile.
The dance drew to a close. Griffith was waiting by Caroline and Miranda when they returned. “My drawing room is sure to resemble a hothouse by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Gibson will have to station himself permanently by your door,” Anthony added.
Miranda looped an arm through Amelia’s. “I’ve no doubt the man is looking forward to it. Didn’t you notice the maids clearing the flower arrangements from the hall tables as we were leaving? I think the servants are anticipating your success as much as I am.”
Caroline cocked her head to the side. “Gibson did seem more exuberant this evening. Why is that?”
“Because everyone loves our dear Amelia.”
Miranda could not have said anything that would please Amelia more. As long as her old friends knew she hadn’t forgotten them, she could enjoy everything this new life had to offer.
A tall woman with icy blond hair walked by, eyes narrowed as she looked at Amelia and Anthony.
Perhaps everyone wasn’t as happy with her new good fortune as Miranda seemed to think.
Chapter Twelve
Trent, Amelia, and Miranda strolled slowly down the path beside Rotten Row. The place bustled with society’s upper crust, but Amelia was content to focus on her strolling partners. Over the past three weeks the sheen of the promenade had worn off a bit as she realized others were looking around in judgment
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