Mamma stood near the entrance and scanned the crowd. “I see some old friends. I will be with them.”
Giff inclined his head. “Try not to get into too much trouble.”
“Silly boy.” She wiggled her fingers as she swanned off.
He glanced around, found Lady Jersey with one of the other Patronesses speaking with Montagu and his mother, and joined them. “My ladies.” He bowed. “It is wonderful to see you again.”
“St. Albans, I trust your parents are well,” Lady Jersey said.
“They are. My mother has accompanied me this evening.” He indicated the direction Mamma went.
One of Lady Cowper’s mobile brows rose. “And is there someone who has interested you?”
“Yes. Lady Alice Carpenter. I would like to waltz with her.”
Her ladyship’s lips seemed to twitch. “And are you able to recognize the lady apart from her twin?”
What a strange question. Of course, he could recognize her. He hoped she and her party had arrived. He started to search the room, but he didn’t have to. His gaze was immediately drawn to her. “Yes. She is wearing a butter-colored gown with purple on it. Why do you ask?”
“We would not wish to recommend you to the wrong lady,” Lady Jersey said. “I will perform the duty. Find me at the end of the second set.”
Suddenly, Montagu said, “Is it possible to be recommended earlier?”
Giff glanced at Lady Alice’s group. Several gentlemen had either already joined the family or were headed in that direction. Damnation.
Lady Jersey sighed. “I do believe we are going to have one of those Seasons.”
Lady Cowper nodded. “I think you are correct.” She looked at Montagu. “Accompany me, my lord.”
One of those Seasons indeed. Giff huffed.
Lady Jersey’s lips twitched. “Very well, St. Albans, you may come with me.”
“With pleasure, my lady.” He held his arm out for her to take, and they followed Lady Cowper and Montagu. Alice was standing next to a young matron who looked very much like her.
“Lady Kenilworth, I am pleased to see you again,” Lady Jersey said.
“And I you.” The lady held out her hand and they touched fingers.
Lady Jersey smiled at Lady Alice. “My dear, Lady Alice, I would like to recommend Lord St. Albans to you as a suitable partner for the waltz.”
Lady Alice’s eyes sparkled as the corners of her lips tipped up. He hadn’t noticed how rosy they were. “Thank you, my lady.”
Lady Jersey left as Lady Sefton approached with that bounder Lord Lancelot. Giff almost stepped in front of Lady Alice, but another gentleman stepped forward first.
“Oh dear.” Lady Sefton didn’t look at all sorry. “I fear you are too late, my lord.”
Lord Lancelot made a rather theatrical bow. “Ah, my dear Lady Sefton, that only means that they may now waltz with the lady.” The music for the first set started, and he bowed to Alice. It was all Giff could do not to take the man by his elaborate cravat and throw him out a window. “May I have this dance, my lady.”
Next to him, Alice stiffened slightly. There must be a way to stop his lordship.
Harry Stern, whom Giff knew from school, bowed. “I am sorry, my lord, but Lady Alice has done me the honor of promising her first set to me.”
Stern always had been brilliant. Giff glanced at Lady Eleanor. “Lady Eleanor, I believe this is our set.”
She gave him a polite smile. Then Montagu claimed a set with Lady Madeline, thus thoroughly routing the here-and-therein.
A dark-haired gentleman who was vaguely familiar to Giff fixed a hard look on Lancelot. “Their first three sets are taken. We will leave after supper.”
The worthless fribble’s bow was not nearly as showy as before, and he slinked away. By then the group around them had become larger. Giff recognized some of the other gentlemen.
“Good Lord,” a gentleman with tanned skin standing with a lady who looked like Lady Madeline appeared as if he’d eaten a worm. “Not him again.”
The lady’s brows drew together. “He looks to be improved. At least he is not wearing a spotted kerchief as a neckcloth.”
“But is he?” The gentleman who appeared familiar raised his quizzing glass at his lordship’s retreating form. “I will make inquiries.”
“It would be a shame not to be able to stand up with someone that gorgeous.” Giff could have sworn Lady Alice had sighed.
“If you like peacocks.” Giff tried not to show his ire. “He reminds me of a Gainsborough painting I once saw of a young boy in a light blue suit.”
Lady Eleanor’s eyes widened. “Do you know him?”
He couldn’t very well tell them Lancelot’s brother had caught Lord Lancelot attempting to importune a lady when Giff had been present. “Not so much know him as know of him. I went to school with one of his brothers. Lord Lancelot is said to be as spoiled as his name might suggest. He fancies himself a poet.”
Stanwood’s lips flattened. “I was in school with him. He was a dead bore. Perhaps it will be easier if I have a conversation with him to see if he has changed.”
“I, for one, will stand up with him if he asks,” Lady Madeline said. “Then we will soon know if he has improved or not.”
