‘There’s no need to look so down, old chap. We’ll have you dancing with the most interesting and beautiful before the evening’s out.’
Daniel found himself scowling. He didn’t want a beautiful wife, or one that was particularly interesting. He wanted someone kind and quiet, who would let him continue with his current lifestyle and not interfere. Plus, of course, she needed to be wealthy. He found himself wondering when he had become so cynical, but deep down he knew. You couldn’t have your heart broken and come out unscathed, and Daniel had certainly had his heart trampled on.
‘I need someone rich,’ he said bluntly.
Fletcher looked at him appraisingly but didn’t comment.
‘Then we have a shortlist. There are three very wealthy young women in attendance tonight.’
‘How do you know all this?’ Daniel asked.
‘When you have four sisters out in society it’s hard not to know everything about their competition. Including the size of their dowries.’
‘Who are the three?’ Daniel asked, hating having to be so direct, but knowing it would be better to get directly down to business. Then he wouldn’t have to attend so many of these events.
‘First up is Miss Priscilla Dethridge, daughter to the very successful banker Mr James Dethridge.’ Fletcher motioned discreetly to a young woman in her early twenties. She was pretty enough and seemed to be having a lovely time on the arm of a young gentleman Daniel didn’t know.
‘Then there’s Miss Trumping. No one knows how her father made his money, probably wasn’t strictly legal, but she does have the advantage of being very attractive.’
Daniel looked over at the stunning young woman Fletcher was indicating. She was beautiful, there was no denying it, and she was surrounded by far too many men.
‘And the last?’ Daniel asked.
‘Miss Amelia Eastway.’ Fletcher was scanning the room looking for the young lady in question. ‘Father is Colonel Eastway, an army man settled in India, very successful trading business. She’ll be an extremely rich young woman when he meets his maker.’
Daniel waited patiently for Fletcher to locate her and perhaps even introduce him.
‘I can’t seem to see her.’ Fletcher shrugged. ‘She is quite an unassuming young thing. Not unattractive exactly, just rather normal.’
Daniel smiled. She sounded perfect. Or at least perfect for him. Wealthy, available and not someone he was going to lose his head over. Although all three qualities were necessary, he rather thought the last was the most important. Daniel was certain he never wanted to lose control like that again and Miss Amelia Eastway sounded like the perfect young woman to save him financially and allow him to carry on with life as normal.
‘And now I need to go and do my duty,’ Fletcher said with a sigh that Daniel didn’t quite believe. His friend was quite dedicated to his family, whatever he’d have the world think.
Once again Daniel was left alone on the perimeter of the ballroom. He could sense the curiosity of the female guests almost reaching a peak and knew if he wasn’t careful he would find himself trapped into dancing with some young woman or another. He grimaced. All he wanted was an introduction to the eligible Miss Eastway, to murmur something charming as he kissed her hand and to make his escape. Desperate though he might be, Daniel was sensible enough to know he would not make much more progress than that tonight, but he at least wanted to make the acquaintance of the woman he was going to marry.
He scanned the ballroom for someone who met Fletcher’s description of Miss Eastway with little success. There were no plain-looking women surrounded by fortune hunters that he could see. He felt a stab of panic as he wondered whether she had already been claimed and let his eyes wander to the open doors leading to the terrace. Surely even a naïve young woman new to London society wouldn’t allow herself to be led outside by an unscrupulous suitor.
Telling himself he was just being a gentleman, checking on a lady’s safety, he strode across the ballroom, resolutely not looking at anyone in his path. In truth, he felt a bubble of irritation. If the innocent Miss Eastway had gone and got herself compromised, it would ruin all his plans.
He stopped short as a young woman stepped into his path.
‘Lord Burwell,’ she purred, dipping into a curtsy and looking up at him with a coquettish smile.
‘Mrs Winter.’ Daniel took her hand and brought it to his lips.
‘It has been far too long,’ the widow said.
Daniel couldn’t help but smile. He and the charming Mrs Winter had been bumping into each other for six months now. Each time they shared a drink and a few words and then moved on, but there was a certain spark in her eyes that told Daniel he wouldn’t need to do much more than smile and she would come to him willingly.
‘I’ve missed our scintillating chats,’ Mrs Winter said, her hand curling around Daniel’s upper arm possessively.
They walked a few steps together, Daniel always keeping one eye on the door to the terrace in case someone matching Amelia Eastway’s description came through the opening.
‘I heard the most scandalous rumour about you,’ she said, dropping her voice to a loud whisper.
‘I’m sure it’s not true.’
‘It was involving you and a pretty little actress called Victoria.’
Daniel felt a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. Victoria was a sweet little thing who just seemed to enjoy Daniel’s company and demanded nothing more.
‘And my dear friend Mrs Highton has been dropping the most obvious of hints. I do hope you don’t favour her over me.’
Daniel grimaced. This was why nothing had happened between him and Mrs Winter; he got the impression that she could become rather possessive. Daniel had never wanted a long-term mistress, instead preferring short liaisons with women who did not make a fuss if he called things off.
‘How could I prefer anyone to you?’ Daniel asked, turning towards the young widow with his most dazzling smile.
That seemed to placate her a little and Daniel took the opportunity to escape. He wasn’t in the mood for flirtation tonight. His decision to marry was sitting heavily on him and he wanted to find his possible future wife, introduce himself and return home before he could talk himself out of it.
He reached the terrace doors in less than a minute and slipped out into the cool summer’s night. The outdoor space was illuminated by candles dotted along the stone balustrade, but there were plenty of dark corners a young woman with little experience could find herself lured to by a man with less than noble intentions. Daniel wondered what to do next—he’d expected to come outside to find someone who fitted Miss Eastway’s description and had planned to whisk her gallantly away from danger. Now he was here even he knew that plan was foolish. Firstly, the people who slipped outside normally didn’t want to be disturbed, and secondly, he couldn’t very well rescue a damsel in distress if he couldn’t see her.
Daniel almost gave up and returned to the ballroom, but compared to the cramped, stifling atmosphere inside, the summer’s evening was lovely and cool. He thought he might sit for a moment or two before returning to find the woman he was going to marry.
Quietly he slipped down the stone stairs into the