Babs’ heart sank at the thought the duke was leaving. She also suddenly realized the duke had dropped by not to see her at all. Because of the planned meeting at Carlton House, the Prince Regent had requested they bring her father along. It was a most lowering notion. His flirtation was only that—a mild flirtation. Hadn’t he even warned her not to take him seriously?
However, then he threw her back into a silent flutter as he made her a bow and said low and sweetly, “Until tonight.”
“Tonight?” she asked.
“Do you not go to the masquerade in Vauxhall Gardens?” he asked, showing some concern.
“Yes, but I never dreamt you would be there,” she answered and realized her voice displayed the delight she felt.
“Ah, yes, you are quite correct. Ordinarily, it is just the sort of affair I avoid, but I shall not avoid it tonight.”
She felt his deep blue eyes look into hers with such profound meaning that a flash of heat rushed through her veins.
Sir Frederick leaned in to her, drawing her attention, and asked, “Does Miss Bretton accompany you to the Gardens tonight?”
“Of course,” Babs said at once and noted to herself that her cousin had made another conquest.
“Then so shall I.”
Babs waved her father and the three gentlemen off, even as Lady Jane stood up and made it clear in her forthright manner that she expected the count and Sir Edward to leave as well. Babs smiled to herself as Sir Edward attempted to linger and Lady Jane offered her hand, saying, “So good of you to call, Sir Edward.”
He had no choice but to take the offered extremity and say softly, “So good of you to have me.” With this he cast Babs a lingering look and departed, with Otto sighing and saying, “Right then, Babs, I will see you tonight.”
Lady Jane turned to her charges. “Well?”
The girls regarded one another and then their aunt doubtfully. “Well what, Auntie Jane?” Babs asked.
“I want to know if you, Babs, mean to have that Sir Edward, and don’t play your games. I want an honest answer, for I can’t say anything against the match—it would be a good one—but for the fact that I cannot like him.”
“Precisely how I feel,” said Babs with a
twinkle.
Lady Jane turned to Miss Bretton. “And you, young lady …?”
“No, I don’t want Sir Edward either,” Corry said, her own eyes laughing.
“Widgeon. What of this Sir Frederick, who seemed particularly interested in you?”
“I have only just met him, Auntie Jane, and have no opinion on the matter.”
“Humph,” said Lady Jane.
Ten
BABS LOOKED AROUND and felt more than the usual excitement. Vauxhall was, to be sure, a fairyland place alight with torches, crystals, and the latest gas lamps. Everywhere flowers were in perfect design with the landscaping. Fountains bubbled, lovers strolled, music flowed, and London’s high and low in society found their respective haunts and places of revelry at Vauxhall.
However, it was something else altogether that had Babs brimming over with anticipation. His grace, the Lord Wildfire, had said he would be there, and she expected that he would seek her out.
She and Corry had been told by Lady Jane not to wander off, but at their first opportunity (when she was busy in conversation with one of her dearest), that was exactly what they did.
It was all so exciting. People’s identities were hidden from discovery by their masks and hooded dominos. It seemed to afford all with a sense of freedom to do as they pleased.
“Babs … Babs … this is like paradise …” Corry said on a hushed note of awe. “Or at least someone tried very strenuously to make it appear so.”
Babs laughed. “Oh, Corry, I love the way you are forever summing things up. I had forgotten you have never been here before.” Something caught her eye, and she pointed her chin in its direction. “Look there, in the arbor. They are about to play the harps!”
“Babs!” Corry said anxiously enough that her cousin turned to look up at her.