‘Not a lot of choice, I see,’ he said, scribbling his initials in the few blanks that remained. He desperately wanted to tell her how lovely she looked and to compliment her on her success but, realising that he had missed the moment, could think of nothing that sounded neither flippant nor contrived. ‘I shall take you in to supper, of course.’
‘Of course, my lord,’ she replied, without enthusiasm.
He hesitated and was about to begin his speech when one of her young admirers arrived to claim her for the reel that was presently assembling.
Harriet threw herself into the dance with relief, skipping around the circle, changing partners as the movement required and clapping her hands in time to the sprightly tune being executed on the piano by Lady Eugenie, who had been happily persuaded to perform that task.
Judith, looking radiant in her ruby silk gown, mingled gracefully with her guests, ensuring that no one was ignored or left without a partner for a set. She was sad that Philip was not with her to enjoy the success of his brother’s betrothal party, but equally determined that she would not shun society because she had been widowed. She had the children’s future to consider and knew that Philip would want her to see that they grew up with the same standards and expectations that he would have given them. He himself had not been fond of high-society occasions but had always entered wholeheartedly into the many country dances and musical evenings which had been held at Westpark and Judith was delighted to find that she had not lost her touch.
His vigilant sister-in-law had paired Sandford off withone of the vicar’s daughters, still in the schoolroom, and it required all of his social skills to put the girl at her ease and to rescue her from her many foot-faults. When he was finally able to return her to her parents, having brushed away her stumbling apologies with a melting smile, he looked about the room for Harriet and, as he could not immediately locate her, he strolled outside along the terrace, fearful of being collared once more by his zealous hostess.
Couples were forming for the next set and Harriet had promised this to Charles Ridgeway but, finding herself slightly out of breath from the Circassian Circle she had just thrown herself into, she begged him to take her outside for some air instead. Laughing, he admitted that he was not the most practised of dancers and would be glad of the respite himself.
Lady Caroline, holding court beside the doors, waved to them as they went through and Harriet was embarrassed to overhear her own virtues being extolled at some length as Ridgeway led her down the terrace steps into the garden.
‘—even won Cook over by begging to be taught to make almond tartlets and three hours later I discovered her sitting on the table regaling the entire kitchen staff with her tales!’ This was received with peals of delighted laughter from most of her ladyship’s listeners, but one or two ladies raised their eyebrows at one another.
Harriet glanced up at Ridgeway. ‘I suppose I shouldn’t have done that?’ she said mournfully.
Charles laughed. ‘Why not? You are something of an original, to be sure. Robert must be delighted that you have everyone’s admiration.’
His own eyes travelled across the room to where Judith Hurst was standing. ‘Not that he would care if they took you in deep dislike, I’ll be bound,’ he continued, absent-mindedly.
‘Does she know that you’re in love with her?’ Harriet asked bluntly.
With a shocked expression, Ridgeway swung to face her. ‘What are you saying?’ he said, as a dull flush crept up his cheeks.
‘Well, it is pretty obvious,’ said Harriet cheerfully, motioning him to the seat at the foot of the steps. ‘You never take your eyes off her. She speaks very highly of you, you know.’
‘As her estate manager,’ Charles said bitterly. ‘What could I possibly offer her? She even pays my salary!’ Involuntarily his eyes homed in to their target once more and his shoulders slumped. ‘I should leave,’ he said. ‘I have tried, but I cannot.’
Harriet put her hand on his sleeve. She was desperately sorry for him, realising how keenly he felt the hopelessness of his situation.
‘Judith is still young and so beautiful,’ she said awkwardly, ‘but she is also very lonely and she still has a lot of love to give—someone. Why should it not be you? Do you mean to stand by and watch her turn into an embittered old harpy like—well, you know …’ She bit her lip and looked around anxiously.
Ridgeway burst out laughing and his eyes suddenly gleamed with a newfound confidence as he stared at Harriet curiously. ‘How did one so young come to be so astute?’ he asked.
‘Well, I’ve hardly had the conventional sheltered upbringing,’ Harriet answered dismissively. ‘I’ve mixed with people from many different walks of life, which I believe has helped me to appreciate other points of view. I have always been interested in people and—well—travel is supposed to broaden the mind,’ she laughed. ‘Isn’t that why young men were sent on the Grand Tour?’
Ridgeway’s eyes crinkled appreciatively. ‘I missed that myself, as a matter of fact,’ he said. ‘So I suppose you must consider my mind to be on the narrow side, since London and the Lake District are the furthest reaches of my travels!’
Harriet flicked his hand with her fan. ‘You know perfectly well that is not what I meant and just for that I shall oblige you to stand up with me for the next dance. So, kindly do your duty, sir, and lead me to my place.’
Laughing together, they re-entered the room and joined the set that was presently forming, Ridgeway carefully ensuring that he positioned them as close as possible to Judith and her partner, young Cedric Lambert, and, as Lady Eugenie struck the first chord, Sandford arrived back just in time to see his betrothed swing into the steps of the dance which he had selected as his.
A hot anger filled his throat as he watched Harriet’s laughing interchanges with the other members of her set and, turning away, his fury was such that he was obliged to sit down to control his breathing. Unfortunately, he chose the seat next to Lady Butler’s.
‘Without a partner, my lord? Your little miss is quite the little honey-pot, I see.’ Her voice held its customary disapproval. ‘She is no doubt used to being the apple of all the men’s eyes.’
Sandford’s eyes glittered in distaste. ‘What makes you think that?’ he asked carefully.
‘Oh, I see how she tosses her head at them all—it is but a come-on—I was used to do it myself, of course, as a girl—I was much admired. She will have had plenty of practice with the military, I’ll be bound, and without such chaperonage as is considered de rigueur in our own society. Certain young women nowadays do seem to have the most perfidious disregard for convention, as I am sure you have found. However, I must admit to a certain surprise that you allowed your own betrothed to disappear into the garden with one of her recent conquests—and for so long!’
Sandford rose to his feet and bowed stiffly. ‘I cannot say that I have much experience of young women’s ways, ma’am,’ he ground out between clenched teeth. ‘And, since it appears we are about to go in for supper, I am sure you will excuse me if I now make a push to collect my own young lady before she bestows that singular honour on one of her many conquests!’
‘Your loyalty does you credit and is most touching, I’m sure,’ sniffed Lady Butler, also rising heavily to her feet. ‘I suppose I must see to my own repast, as usual.’
She waited expectantly for Sandford to offer his arm but he, still seething with indignation, ignored both her remark and her person and turned swiftly away from her just in time to see a smiling Ridgeway leading Harriet towards him.
‘Apologies, Sandford,’ said his cousin cheerfully. ‘I appear to have stolen your dance—Miss Cordell seems to have misread her card—not going to call me out, I trust?’
Sandford swallowed. He had been about to take