Page 8 of Just a Little Daring

“Ashburton could perhaps match him, though I admit they are very different. He is light and ice to the comte’s dark fire. My, can you imagine the two of them side by side? Half the women in the room would faint,” Viv said with a snort of amusement.

Evie chuckled. “I’d arrange it for you, but Ashburton cried off at the last moment. I suspect Montagu is not pleased.”

“Poor Pip,” Viv said, smirking. “He’ll have hell to pay if he’s displeased his father.”

“I know. Even though I doubt Montagu will so much as raise his voice. He never shouts, you know. Thomas says his quiet admonition is far worse and that he’d rather be pilloried than disappoint his father, but that’s only because they admire him so.”

Viv nodded, though it was clear she was no longer listening, her rapt gaze focused on the man across the ballroom.

“So, he said he admires you, but you are too much for him,” Evie said, summing up the conversation Viv had relayed to her.

“Yes,” Viv said with a sigh.

“Well, if he likes and admires you, that’s half the battle won. You must only convince him you can be quiet and docile—”

Viv pulled such a face that Evie burst out laughing. She had a point, though. No one would believe that in a million years.

“Or—” she said, her voice trembling with amusement. “Convince him he doesn’t want a wife like that at all.”

“That is my only option, I know,” Viv said thoughtfully. “How, though? Oh, drat it, here comes Lord Barclay to claim his dance. I’ll see you after.”

Evie nodded and watched her go, and was about to return to the refreshments room for a drink when she was startled to discover Mr Lane-Fox and Lord Vane in front of her.

“Miss Knight,” Lord Vane said, giving an elegant bow and commanding her attention before Mr Lane-Fox could open his mouth. “Please excuse my unseemly haste, but I must get my request in for a dance with you this evening before my companion here can speak, as he too requests your indulgence. I suspect you must have few, if any, dances remaining.”

Evie blushed, a little taken aback at being sought out by the pair of them, especially as Vivien had told her of her desire for Mr Lane-Fox, but then, perhaps she could do Viv some good if she danced with him and told him how wonderful she was. Fumbling nervously with her dance card, she glanced up. “I-I have two dances left. The waltz that is about to begin, and a mazurka, if that suits you, Mr Lane-Fox?”

“I would be delighted, Miss Knight,” he said, smiling at her warmly. A little too warmly. Oh. He was looking for a quiet, docile wife, one that wouldn’t cause him any difficulties. Evie’s blush deepened. Lud. Now she was in trouble.

“Miss Knight, you are looking a little over-warm. Shall I take you for some refreshment?”

Evie turned to see Louis had appeared at her elbow and wished very much she could accept his offer. “You are most kind, monsieur,” she said, smiling at him. “But—”

“But my dance is about to commence,” Lord Vane said firmly, giving her his arm and shrugging apologetically to Louis. “Beg pardon, monsieur.”

Louis’ gaze darkened and Evie returned a small smile, but took Lord Vane’s arm, and walked with him to the dance floor with no little relief.

“I am astonished you had any spaces remaining on your card, Miss Knight,” he said, taking her in his arms as the first notes of the orchestra heralded the next dance.

“Many of my friends are here this evening,” Evie said, a little distracted by the sensation of being observed. She glanced back to find Louis, Mr Godwin, and Mr Lane-Fox watching her. Frowning, she turned her attention back to Lord Vane.

“You are too modest, I think,” he said, smiling at her. “No one speaks of you without smiling. Did you know that?”

Evie looked up at him. “Have you been speaking to my father, then?” she said, a little uncomfortable.

He laughed and shook his head. “No, and stop being coy. I think you have caught Mr Lane-Fox’s eye for one, and I know for a fact Mr Hadley-Smythe has spoken of little but you for days now.”

Fighting not to blush again, for she’d look like a tomato if he kept this up, Evie regarded the man with interest. She understood what Viv meant by him being an enigma. His reputation was not a good one. Women and drink, gambling, all the usual vices had been attached to him, though he had been in polite society far more often of late and appeared the model of gentlemanly behaviour. There was a world-weary air about him, which was at odds with his good looks and vitality. He was certainly handsome, but she did not know what to make of him.

“Forgive me. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I was only interested in dancing with the young lady of whom everyone speaks so warmly. Though we were introduced some time ago, I have not had the pleasure of speaking with you since.”

“Well, here we are,” Evie said nervously, fighting not to laugh when Vivien caught her eye as she spun past.

Viv waggled her eyebrows in a mock lascivious expression that made a giggle bubble up inside Evie.

“Here we are, and with your suitors watching us with avid interest.”

Evie glanced back at the three men and chuckled. “Oh, they’re not my suitors.”