The Devil's Waltz by Anne Stuart

that manners and displeasure could coexist, but at the moment she was beginning to understand some of Hetty’s caution as far as her father was concerned. So she sat still and held her tongue, her hands folded in her lap, waiting.
    â€œWill Dickinson is not welcome in this house,” he said flatly.
    â€œIndeed? I gather he’s a childhood friend of Hetty’s, and he certainly seemed quite unexceptional. I thought it might relieve some of her homesickness to spend time with an old friend.”
    â€œShe’s not homesick! This is her home now, and she loves being the center of attention.” Annelise could scarcely dispute the latter, so she stayed silent. “Her affection for William was simply that of a child. She knows her duty and she’s more than happy to fulfill it, as it benefits her as well as me.”
    â€œAnd what is her duty, Mr. Chipple?”
    â€œI thought you were already clear on this, Miss Kempton. She is to marry well. A titled gentleman. His fortune is not important, but his standing will ensure thatshe and my descendants will be unquestioned members of society despite her working-class father. She has the face and the fortune for it, and I’m not about to be contravened at this point. There are any number of possibilities available, and I don’t want Dickinson confusing her about who she should marry. Women are easily distracted, and she’s not that bright to begin with. She has the sense to do as I tell her, but I need to make certain that there’s no unfortunate temptation from her former life.”
    For a moment Annelise said nothing. Hetty was a great deal smarter than her father gave her credit for, but that was probably a lost argument. “Did Mr. Dickinson propose marriage?”
    â€œHe did indeed, the impudent boy! As if I’d let any treasure of mine go so easily. She’ll have a title or my name isn’t Josiah Chipple.”
    Unfortunately, she suspected it was, indeed—no man would choose such an undignified name. And there was no argument she could come up with at this point, except…perhaps one.
    â€œHe’s at least a more respectable choice than Christian Montcalm,” Annelise offered.
    Mr. Chipple scowled. “Has that fellow been sniffing around her skirts?” he demanded crudely. “She can do better than him. I’m not saying he wouldn’t do in a pinch—man’s going to be a viscount, after all. That’s nothing to sneeze at. He’s a bit of a scoundrel, I gather, but a wife can change all that.”
    â€œPerhaps you don’t quite understand the severity ofthe situation. Christian Montcalm is more than a scoundrel—he’s considered persona non grata at the best houses. His reputation is such that he is cut by some of the most influential high sticklers in society. His behavior in the past has been so questionable that it’s unlikely to be salvaged, and marriage to your daughter wouldn’t help her any. She’d be as ostracized as he is, perhaps more. People are more tolerant of men’s bad behavior, but they’ll have no reason to welcome your daughter into their houses.”
    Mr. Chipple stopped to consider this. “How very enlightening, Miss Kempton. I’m glad to see I didn’t make a mistake in having you come join us for the season. You understand things that are quite beyond my experience. But if Montcalm is not accepted at the best houses then why do we keep running into him?”
    She could hardly tell him that the nouveau riche Chipples were also unwelcome in the best houses. After all, there was only so much their sponsor, Lady Prentice, could do, and even Annelise’s unexceptional presence in their household could only elevate their social standing one small notch. “He makes it his business to seek your daughter out. Mr. Montcalm’s quite determined to marry her, and your daughter finds him very attractive. I’ve