"Absolutely criminal," Lady Osbaldestone declared, scrutinizing her silk-clad figure through her lorgnette. "Waste, gel, waste!" One bony finger poked her in the ribs. "God knows why you've hidden yourself away, but it's past time some rake rattled your stays."
Others took a different tack.
"So, my dear, do you spend much time in charitable works?" Lady Harcourt, of similar age to Alathea, smiled insincerely. "It must be so nice to live a quiet life."
Alathea responded to all such queries with a serene smile and calm assurance. As soon as the incoming tide eased, Gabriel appeared and, with Serena's encouragement, drew her out of the line.
"But Mary and Alice-"
"Serena's with them. There's someone I want you to meet."
"Who?"
His Great-aunt Clara was a sweet old lady, although a trifle vague. She patted Alathea's hand. "Your sisters are lovely, dear, but we'll have to see you wed first."
"Precisely what I've been telling her," Gabriel put in.
Over Clara's head, Alathea narrowed her eyes at him.
"Indeed, yes," Clara said, and patted her hand again. "We'll have to find some nice gentleman for you-perhaps that nice Chillingworth boy."
The look on Gabriel's face was priceless; Alathea only just managed not to laugh. "I don't think so," she said, smiling at Clara.
"No? Well, then, let's see. Who else?"
Devil strolled up before Clara could consider other options. She released Alathea to clutch his sleeve. "Is Honoria here?"
Devil grinned. "She's on the other side of the room-I'll take you to her if you like."
"Oh, yes-so kind." Clutching her shawl with one hand and Devil with the other, Clara smiled in farewell and moved on.
"There are the Carmichaels." Gabriel directed Alathea's gaze to a couple whose country estate lay not far from Morwellan Park and the Manor. They headed toward them.
For the next twenty minutes, they moved through the ever-increasing crowd, stopping here then there to chat, always at Gabriel's direction. Only when she spied Lord Montgomery, then Lord Falworth through the sea of heads did Alathea realize what he was doing. With them constantly moving from one conversation to the next, her court was given no chance to gather about her.
Alathea swallowed her protest-she'd rather move through the crowd on Gabriel's arm than stand surrounded by her all-too-often vacuous court. Feigning ignorance of his high-handed manuverings was definitely the sensible course.
Then the musicians started up and the crowd magically parted, clearing a wide space. As both Mary and Alice had been given permission to indulge long since, the first dance was a waltz. Keen to see if her expectation that Esher would partner Mary and Carstairs would partner Alice would be fulfilled, Alathea eagerly accompanied Gabriel to the edge of the floor.
Sure enough, Mary and Esher took to the floor first, Mary blushing delightedly, her smile declaration enough, while Esher look
ed the picture of pride. Alathea smiled mistily as they waltzed past, then looked back up the room. Alice was already in Carstairs's encircling arms-both seemed lost in each other's eyes, oblivious to the crowd looking on.
Alathea sighed. With her sisters, her hand was played and she'd won-they would have the futures she'd wanted for them, and which they patently deserved. They'd be happy, and loved…
Alice and Carstairs waltzed past.
The next instant, Alathea, too, was on the floor, whirling in Gabriel's arms. Her eyes flew wide. There were as yet no other couples on the floor. "What?…"
Gabriel raised a brow. "My dance, I believe?"
She would have loved to tell him what she thought of his arrogance, but under the curious eyes of half the ton, all she could do was fix a smile on her lips and let him sweep her away. She did, however, glare at him.
He only smiled, gathering her closer as other couples took to the floor in their wake. He leaned closer as they went through the turn. "Don't tempt me."
The whispered words caressed her ear; Alathea shivered. "I should take umbrage."
"But you won't. You know I can't help myself."