“Sometimes,” I admitted. “I didn’t take, you see. My sister was a sensation when she came out, and I’m afraid I was overlooked after that.”

“You didn’t take?” Lady Fleming repeated with incredulity, and then looked from me to Richard and back again. “You were lucky,” she told him.

“I know it,” he replied calmly.

“I’ve seen your sister,” she said. “Mr. Kerre introduced us. She is lovely, isn’t she? She’ll be a great hit in town.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up a duchess,” Richard commented.

Much to my surprise, I found I was enjoying myself. These people were pleasant, and I could converse with them easier than with some of the people I’d grown up with. Tom joined us and found a great deal in common with Sir George, a hunting man, and soon the two groups of younger people mingled in an amiable way.

Tom claimed his dance from me when we got to the country-dances, as he always did. I could always rely on Tom to help me in the old days.

“They’re all talking about you,” he said as we passed down the line.

“What are they saying?”

“Well, Miss Terry told her friends she didn’t know how you, and not your sister, had trapped Lord Strang, and she said it quite loudly, too, but she’s the only one who doesn’t seem to be happy for you. You never got on with her, did you?”

Tom knew our history. “No.”

“Mama wanted me to get to know her better at one point, but I found her too stupid.” He glanced to where she danced with Lord Thwaite. She smiled and glanced about the room to make sure everyone saw her great victory. Tom sighed. “She’ll make her own downfall, that one.”

We followed the rounds of the dance, and when we came together again he complimented me on my appearance. “You look beautiful tonight.” I accepted this compliment with pleasure, since I knew he was not in the least in love with me and wouldn’t have hesitated to tell me if my hair was out of place, or if the colour I wore made me look ill. “You’re glowing, you know, and those diamonds have set the room alight.”

“Lady Fleming has a fine set of emeralds.”

“Yes, but she’s a member of high society, she’s the sort of person wears that sort of jewellery. You’re Miss Golightly, the girl we’ve known all our lives, and that’s what caused the sensation. They finally realise you’ve gone away from them, you’re part of something they can’t join.”

“You can, though,” I said quickly. “I’d hate to lose your friendship, Tom. Do you think your mother would allow you and Georgiana to visit us when we’re married?”

“She’d jump at it. Do you know where you’ll live? Will you live in Derbyshire?”

I smiled. We parted again, only to come together at the end of the dance. I continued to try to answer his question. “Richard says he can’t live in the same house as his parents for too long. He says we’ll decide after the bride trip.” I dropped my head, at that reminder. When I thought of that, I wanted him again. I was turning into a dreadful wanton. Tom was too much of a gentleman to notice, and as the dance had now ended, and Richard was taking the floor with Miss Sturman, he took me back to James and Martha, who also seemed to be enjoying themselves hugely.

The older generation, too, seemed to mix well, my old world and my new one. I hoped Martha was feeling as relieved as I was. She too had been feeling a little apprehensive before the evening began, not being naturally happy in company, but now she looked much more at her ease, as she chatted to a lady she hadn’t met before in a relaxed manner.

My hand was claimed for some of the other dances, and I managed quite well. Richard danced with Miss Terry, and whispered a few words to her, at which she first looked startled and then smiled, and nodded. More flirting, I supposed, and I wondered if he would be as brutal with her as I knew he could be. I wished I hadn’t mentioned anything to him about Miss Terry’s disdain for me, but the damage was done. Perhaps the fan trick had been all he would do. I could only hope so.

Chapter Eleven

I was finishing my second glass of wine when I faltered and was forced to put my hand down on the nearest chair for support. Richard was by my side instantly. “Are you all right, my love?”

“Just a little dizzy. A combination of the wine and the heat. I’ll be fine.”

“Come with me.”

He took me out the main room, into the corridor that led to the card rooms. At the end of the passage he opened a door. We entered an empty room, where the fire hadn’t been lit, so it was much cooler in here. He took me to a sofa set in front of the window and sat me down.

“I like to explore my terrain a little, and I discovered this room earlier. Stay here. I’ll see if I can get you some lemonade or something equally innocuous.” He left the room, returning in a few moments with a glass of lemonade for me and a glass of wine for himself.

I took a few deep breaths and smiled