Page 19 of A Match of Misfortune

Bridget smiled. “Very much, though I believe they are beginning to yearn for home.”

“Good. We are eager for their return.” Lady Darlington’s gaze shifted to Cecily, then back to Bridget. “And I suppose this is the young lady you are sponsoring?”

“Yes.” Bridget gestured Cecily forward. “Lord and Lady Darlington, allow me to introduce Miss Bradshaw.”

Cecily gave a curtsy and waited to be spoken to.

“And where is it you hail from?” Lord Darlington placed his hands atop his rounded belly, appraising her.

“Kent, my lord.”

A grin rounded his cheeks. “Is Sir Vincent Bradshaw your father, by chance?”

Cecily smiled at hearing her papa’s name. “He is.”

The man puffed out his chest at having made the connection. “Capital! We went to Oxford together. A good man, that one. Is he here in Town also?”

“Unfortunately, he did not join my sister and me this visit, but I shall gladly write to him to let him know I had the great fortune of meeting you and of attending one of the exquisite balls hosted by you and your wife.”

“Please send him our well wishes.”

“Yes, do,” Lady Darlington echoed. “And enjoy yourself this evening. We are glad to have you all here.” She dipped her head as a sign of their dismissal, but before the group had stepped away, she laid a light hand on Bridget’s arm, pausing her, though her gaze went to Lord Rothsburg. “Oh, Lord Rothsburg, your cousin, Mr. Markham, has also arrived. Quite the charmer, that one.”

The brief hesitation before his response was the only indication of Lord Rothsburg’s apparent confusion. “Undoubtedly, he is.”

After another round of parting nods, the Rothsburgs and Cecily made their way across a candlelit parlor, the sound of orchestral music drifting out from a set of opened French doors on the far side of it. Yet all Cecily could think about was Nash and the disappointment he’d likely caused the Markhams with his eleventh-hour cancellation. Jamison had spent a good portion of the day playing with his soldiers in the entry hall so that he would hear Nash’s carriage when he arrived, while Mrs. Markham had happily busied herself ensuring everything was perfect for that evening’s dinner.

Lord Rothsburg glanced at Cecily. “Did you not say that Nash was to dine at the Markhams’ this evening?”

She barely restrained her annoyance. Mrs. Markham had seemed a touch subdued when the Rothsburgs arrived to retrieve Cecily. Was Nash the reason for it? “Last I heard, that had been the plan.”

Rothsburg gave a slow nod, though he didn’t appear too surprised. “I suppose he was never much one for adhering to expectations.”

When they stepped through the doors, Cecily nearly forgot her frustration as she took in the scene before her—the sconce ceilings, candlelit chandeliers, flower arrangements from vases that were taller than she, and the people—so many people. Not at all like the quaint country balls she had attended.

“Speaking of Nash.” Lord Rothsburg paused, his attention set in the distance. “There he is, and he is dancing.”

Her irritation instantly returned. Cecily followed his line of sight, and sure enough, there was Nash, easily distinguishable by his large frame, guiding a lovely woman in an ivory gown through the formations with experienced ease.

Bridget’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that Lady Victoria Pennington he is partnered with?”

“It is.” Lord Rothsburg gave an amused grin. “He certainly is not one to waste time. I wonder who offered him the introduction.”

“Perhaps it was the same who procured him the invitation tonight.” Bridget leaned in toward Cecily. “Lady Victoria is the Duke of Cleveland’s only daughter and is already said to be one of this Season’s most sought-after diamonds.”

Cecily’s gaze returned to the couple, noting the way Lady Victoria smiled each time they came in contact with one another and the way her eyes followed Nash when they parted. It was ridiculous, honestly. Did she have no sense of pride? For a lady of such high breeding, she appeared entirely smitten by a man she’d just met. A man who was not even a viable marriage candidate for her, given that Nash held no title and would undoubtedly be considered nouveaux riche to Lady Victoria’s parents. But then again, it would not be the first time a man with great wealth married himself into the aristocracy. Was that Nash’s plan? Was he hoping to convince Lady Victoria to return to India with him?

Bridget gave Cecily’s arm a little squeeze, pulling her attention from the vexing couple. “Oh, look, it is Lord Hughes. Come, Cecily, let us introduce you.”

Cecily followed the Rothsburgs toward a middle-aged man with dark hair and striking blue eyes that took Cecily in at their approach. After introductions were made and polite conversation exchanged for what felt like an inordinate amount of time, Cecily was relieved when the Rothsburgs offered their excuses and the three of them bid the man farewell.

“Lord Hughes does not dance, which is why he did not ask you to partner with him,” Bridget said as they weaved their way through the crush. “But I’d consider him a practical match, for he is tolerably handsome, adequately wealthy, and titled.”

He was also an absolute bore. Thankfully for Cecily, a comment he had made early in the conversation had revealed his disapproval of domestic animals, so naturally, she had shared with him her desire of one day having more dogs than children running about the house. It was not even a falsehood as she did not plan to marry and therefore would not have children, so owning only one dog would make her declaration true. But, most importantly, it would hopefully prevent any interest on his part from taking hold. “I admit I cannot think we would suit.”

“Might you share your reason for your conclusions so that I might better understand exactly what it is you are looking for in a husband?”

For all the trouble the Rothsburgs were undertaking on her account, she could not help but feel a touch guilty that she would prove an utter disappointment to them in this regard. “I suppose, in addition to the other traits we discussed, I should like to enjoy spending time with him.”