Talk of the Ton (Free Fellows League 5)

“You are being silly,” Miles coaxed.

She allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. She sighed heavily to rid herself of the built-up tension.

“You know, it has recently occurred to me that I am neglecting my duties,” he mentioned, his eyes focused over her head, as if he were distracted. “I have made no progress whatsoever in finding a wife.”

They began to move. She said, “Have you not seen anyone you like?”

His mouth jerked as his eyes continued to scrutinize the people around them. “Oh, yes. Indeed I have.”

Jenny ducked her head to hide her reaction. Dare she hope she might be the one whom he had singled out, or was he trying to tell her gently, much as he had just done with Cassandra, that it was not she?

“And are your feelings returned?” she asked with feigned casualness.

“I do not know.” He gave a little shrug. “She is a very difficult woman to read. I am at quite a loss, I must confess.”

Her heart was beating. She was afraid to get her hopes up for fear of desperate disappointment. Was he or was he not referring to her?

She couldn’t be difficult to read—surely he could see her growing feeling for him in her expression. She felt as if she’d been as transparent as glass.

The dance took them apart. Jenny felt as if she were floating, her head swirling with doubts and hopes. She noticed when the gentleman to whom Cassandra was speaking turned around. It was Darlington, she saw, and for a moment the two of them stared at Jenny. She felt a chill, but it passed, and she was again proceeding through measured steps opposite Miles.

“What do you think of my dilemma?” he inquired, chin up and facing forward as they proceeded at a stately pace through the double line of dancers.

“You should attempt to find out as quickly as possible, I suppose.”

“I intend to do just that.” He looked at her then, and a soft smile appeared on his face, just for an instant, but long enough for Jenny’s heart to leap. It is me, she thought suddenly. Then her breath caught as his expression froze, and a cold look replaced the smile.

Before she could guess what had caused this change, Jenny felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Darlington in front of her.

In his hand he held a glass of wine. His face was flushed, and his eyes blazed at her.

So many things happened at once. Miles stepped forward, saying, “Sir, you are interrupting our dance,” in a cool, dangerous voice that drew a glittering glare from Darlington.

Then Jenny saw Cassandra, her expression cruel and excited as she watched. Others turned, and the dancers, who could not very well perform their steps with Miles and Darlington facing off in the middle of the floor, all stopped, and eventually the music trailed off as well.

“So sorry,” Darlington murmured, and threw back the remains of his wine. “And you were enjoying yourself so well. Well, Miss Alt seemed to be liking it, too. I suppose that goes to show she is not a man-hater after all.”

He wobbled a bit, turning a grin toward Jenny. “You had us all fooled, I must admit. Why, no one could touch you. You were like ice.” He protracted a hiss on the last word, slurring it.

“Excuse us,” Miles said, grabbing Jenny’s hand and starting away.

“There’s something wrong with her, you know,” Darlington called loudly, drowning out the murmurs that had started up. “She doesn’t like men. She’s just toying with you because she’s jealous of Miss Benedict and she wants to get her back.”

Jenny whirled, suddenly infused with rage. She saw Cassandra’s visible mortification as Darlington turned to her and lifted his empty glass toward her, as if in salute.

“Aren’t you, darling?” Darlington purred as he turned back to Jenny.

Taking a hard step forward, Jenny quite forgot herself until she felt the firm hold of Miles’s grip on her wrist. She realized only when Miles had stopped her that she was going to slap the supercilious face mocking her.

Miles acted quickly. He shouldered her out of the way, pushing her behind him in a protective stance. “I have a good mind to call you out.”

“Why? How have I insulted her honor?” He leveled a finger at Miles. With a lightning-quick movement, Miles knocked it away.

There were gasps in the crowd. All were silent, everyone watching closely.

Darlington was taken aback. “I don’t know why you are put out with me. Everyone knows about Miss Alt.” Holding up his hands, he turned to the gawking crowd. “We have all seen with our own eyes Miss Alt’s most perverted attitude toward the male sex. She is unnatural, one of those who demonstrates contempt for the institution of marriage and has forsworn a normal life.”

Jenny heard someone say, “Oh, my goodness!” and recognized Aunt Iris’s voice.