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NOT EVEN HER STEPFATHER carried a list of acceptable behaviours for a young lady in his coat pocket, Tessa fumed as she hurried away from the library. Lord Penwyck was surely the strangest man she'd ever met. That he thought she needed him to show her how to go on was the outside of enough!
Gaining her bedchamber, she decided her only course was to put as much distance as possible between herself and the contemptible man. Surely there were other gentlemen in London with as much or more influence in the House of Lords as 'Penny darling.' She would simply have to meet them.
One week later, Tessa was forced to admit meeting other English peers was considerably more difficult than she'd first imagined. Drawing on her gloves yet again, Tessa thought back over the week just behind her. Standing beside her in the foyer of the Penwyck town house, Lady Penwyck straightened her bonnet. Every afternoon for days now immediately following luncheon, Lady Penwyck had announced, "Today I should like to introduce you to . . ." followed by the name of yet another society matron who, according to Alice, was high ton.
High ton, indeed. Tessa grimaced. She was sick to death of smiling till her cheeks hurt and sipping insipid tea whilst listening to empty-headed matrons natter on about their silly doings.
A week ago, when she'd decided to quietly go along with all of Lord and Lady Penwyck's plans, she'd done so with the hope of meeting influential gentlemen of the ton. What better way to meet them, she'd thought, than by taking tea in the gentlemen's very drawing rooms? But apparently politically influential London gentlemen had the good sense to spend as much time away from home as did 'Penny darling.'
On the other hand, Tessa had been presented to quite a number of London dandies, gentlemen in buckram-padded clothes who reeked of perfume and dressed outrageously in brightly coloured coats and pantaloons, their silk blouses adorned with rows and rows of frills, their waistcoats and stockings embroidered with colourful birds and flowers and even clocks!
At the end of her tether two days ago, Tessa had boldly approached Lady Penwyck with the idea of spending a few hours in the city on her own. A shocked expression on her face, Tessa's sponsor had at once vetoed the notion and strenuously cautioned Tessa against mentioning such a scandalous thing again, especially in front of Penny.
"It is considered quite unseemly for an unmarried girl to go about on her own, Tessa dear."
The following morning, however, when Tessa broached the subject again, this time demurely implying she'd like to do a bit of personal shopping, Lady Penwyck had relented and allowed Tessa, protected by Lady Penwyck's personal abigail and a brace of liveried footmen, to go up to the shops in Piccadilly alone.
"But only for a single hour, and only so long as Betsy remains faithfully by your side."
Thrilled to the core, Tessa had immensely enjoyed her hour of freedom. She'd even purchased a few items of feminine frippery, a new pair of slippers, and a pretty bonnet with a lacy green plume. But she'd also bought a current copy of The London Times, and was overjoyed to discover a lad hawking copies of William Cobbett's publication, The Political Register, on a street corner.
After reading and rereading every single word printed in Mr. Cobbett's newspaper, Tessa decided her only hope of getting her ideas for reform heard in this country was through the famed reform leader's weekly magazine, though how she might go about meeting the renowned William Cobbett she did not know.
Today, she had dutifully dressed for another exhausting round of morning calls, which were, of course, undertaken in the afternoon. She'd donned her new bonnet again today. To her immense chagrin, Lord Penwyck had commented upon it not ten minutes after she'd returned home with it yesterday. Tessa wasn't certain if the gentleman actually liked the new bonnet, or if by purchasing the feminine gewgaw she was acting more in accord with his notions of how a young lady ought to behave.
Standing quietly beside Lady Penwyck now, Tessa tried not to let her peevishness show as she patiently waited for the countess to muddle through a fairly straightforward set of instructions to Jenkins before they departed for the afternoon.
Her back toward the interior of the house, Tessa did not see Lord Penwyck approach the small party gathered in the foyer. But upon hearing the sound of his deep baritone as he greeted his mother, her blue eyes lifted skyward.
"Ah, there you are Mother, Miss Darby."
Of late, the mere sound of the gentleman's voice was enough to set Tessa's teeth on edge. Despite the great lengths she employed to avoid him, he seemed always to be on hand to monitor her every move, as if he feared she might commit some social blunder or unforgivable gaffe. The situation was fast becoming intolerable. The worst of it was Tessa had no idea how to remedy the matter. Since coming to England in search of her freedom, she'd been thwarted at every turn. Moreover, she hadn't heard or taken part in an intelligent conversation since her arrival. In truth, she was fast losing patience with everything and everyone.
At the moment, his lordship was attempting to straighten out his mother's muddled instructions to the butler. Everything about Lady Penwyck was so akilter that Tessa wondered how the poor woman had gotten along thus far in life, let alone raised three sons without serious mishap.
Even now, as Penwyck spoke, his long fingers absently patted the lace collar of his mother’s pelisse into place. Tessa watched the action from the corner of one eye. Presently, she ventured a peek at him.
As usual, 'Penny darling' was impeccably turned out. Today he had on a chocolate brown riding coat, a tastefully embroidered tan silk waistcoat, and matching dove-coloured breeches tucked into handsome brown leather top boots. The gleaming white neckcloth at his throat was twisted into a most impressive shape.
Tessa could not help marveling over the white froth, which was another peculiarity she'd discovered about the English. They deemed to attach a great deal of importance to a gentleman's neckcloth. Why, in the past week, Tessa had actually heard young ladies in drawing rooms discussing a new twist of the linen as if it were a Reynolds painting! So far as Tessa knew, American men simply wrapped the thing about their necks and were done with it.
When Lord Penwyck turned suddenly and his dark eyes met Tessa's, she quickly looked away.
"And how are you this fine afternoon, Miss Darby?" the earl inquired pleasantly.
Tessa thrust her nose in the air. "I am very well, thank you."
A few seconds elapsed. When Tessa heard him say nothing further, she risked another sidelong look at him. Noting his long gaze slowly raking up and down her body, her blue eyes widened with outrage. "Do I pass muster today, sir?" she inquired.
Lord Penwyck seemed a bit taken aback. Still, his expression was quite pleasant when he replied, "Indeed, you look quite presentable, Miss Darby. As I remarked yesterday, the new bonnet adds a certain je ne sais quoi."
Tessa's nostrils flared. Why did he get her back up so?
Lord Penwyck appeared not to notice her displeasure. "I presume you ladies are off on another round of calls today." The smile on his handsome face was broad as he drew on his gloves, obviously also preparing to leave. "It quite astonishes me how the fairer sex never seem to tire of tea and a coze."
Tessa's eye widened. Never tire of it! Suddenly, she sputtered, "As it happens, sir, I do not drink tea."
Both the earl's and Lady Penwyck's heads jerked up.
"Do not drink tea. Miss Darby?" Lord Penwyck regarded her quizzically. "Why, I seem to recall on a number of occasions you have . . . "
"I used to drink it. I no longer do."
Oh, why had she blurted out such an absurdity? An article in The Political Register had reported that William Cobbett refused to drink tea. And since thus far Tessa had been unable to make any sort of political statement in England, she had decided the very least she could do was follow suit. But why did she feel compelled to inform the uppity earl of it?
A thoughtful look on his face, Lord Penwyck appeared to be trying to decide whether or not this infraction was serious enough to warrant censure. Tessa's ire grew as she watched his aristocratic jaw tighten.
Presently, in a measured tone, the earl said, "Would you mind telling me, Miss Darby, why you have suddenly decided not to take tea?"
"Because I . . . I . . ." Why did she let him irritate her so? The article had given no specific reason for Mr. Cobbett's abstinence, so, of course, she had no reason either. "I just do not," she replied tartly.
"Well." Penwyck glanced at his mother. "I suppose if you cannot tell me why, that will have to do, so long as refusing to take it in polite company does not cause comment."
"I know how to conduct myself in polite company!" Tessa sputtered.
"I am quite certain you do, Miss Darby." The earl's tone had become somewhat irritable. "Though allow me to suggest that when calling upon the ton, a more pleasant countenance would not be amiss. If you persist in displaying such a Friday Face, Miss Darby, everyone is likely to conclude that, on the whole, your disposition is quite disagreeable. While both Mother and I know that to be untrue, other people do not."
Tessa's blue eyes flashed fire.
A fleeting moment of satisfaction washed over her when, beside her, Lady Penwyck put in, "Why, Penny dear, whatever are you talking about? Miss Darby has quite an agreeable disposition. Everyone says so!"
Lady Penwyck stared reproachfully at her son. "I cannot imagine what has got into you of late, sweetheart. You were never the critical sort. I daresay you have been appointed to far too many House committees. You simply must tell your friends they are overtaxing you."
Lord Penwyck's lips pursed with annoyance. "I am not the least bit overtaxed, Mother." He cocked one dark brow. "At least, not with my House duties."
Tessa sniffed piously.
"All the same," Lady Penwyck continued, "our Miss Darby is quite a delightful companion. She has a very pretty smile. Both ladies and gentlemen have remarked upon her beauty."
"Gentlemen?" One of Lord Penwyck's arched brows shot up again.
"Well, of course gentlemen. Not every young man spends all his days attending to House business. In the past week, Miss Darby has met a number of London's most eligible bachelors. She shall not want for partners at her come-out ball," she added firmly. "Come along, Tessa, dear." She took Tessa's arm and, in a swish of silk, steered her charge through the front door and down the marble steps.
Lord Penwyck's footfalls crunched behind them as he strode across the yard to the curb where a footman waited with his employer's chestnut stallion.
"Penny dear!" Lady Penwyck called again to her son. "Will you be joining us for dinner?"
The busy earl did not glance up. "I have a long list of things to do today, Mother. Having dinner with you and Miss Darby is, indeed, on my list."
As a footman handed Tessa into the carriage, a chuckling Lady Penwyck climbed in after her.
"I daresay Penny is growing more like his father every day. William also had a short memory. Why, neither one would get up in the morning if it weren't jotted down on a list somewhere." She settled herself on the plush velvet squabs opposite Tessa. "I do hate to see him so overburdened with his House business, although I understand he is making quite a name for himself. Penny is quite a persuasive orator. Still," she fretted, "I do believe he is overtaxing himself."
Unable to summon an appropriate response, Tessa merely tried for a pleasant countenance. As Lady Penwyck continued to natter mindlessly on, Tessa directed a wistful gaze from the coach window. Watching Lord Penwyck spur his high-spirited mount into action, envy enveloped her as horse and rider galloped off down the street. She'd give her right arm to know precisely what House committees the eminent earl been appointed to. But she knew very well to ask him would only net her another set down.
Over dinner last evening, when she'd brought up an item she'd read in the Times about a new bill being proposed to halt rising criminal activity in the city, he'd quickly informed her polite young ladies did not discuss such things.
"Are you saying I am wrong to want to stay abreast of what is taking place in my own country?" she'd boldly inquired.
Lady Penwyck had tittered nervously while her son retorted, "I am saying the state of the kingdom is in the capable hands of gentlemen lawmakers and there is no need for you or any other young lady to concern herself with such matters."
He'd given Tessa a hard, speaking look, which clearly told her the conversation was at an end.
Tessa was jarred from her reverie now as the carriage lurched forward and Lady Penwyck addressed her.
"Did I mention the Montgomerys have just returned to Town?" Alice asked brightly. "Their daughter is about your age. Deirdre is a lovely girl, but her mother is quite overset by the fact that she . . . " her voice lowered, ". . . didn't take last season. Gracie, that's Mrs. Montgomery, has her heart set on Deirdre's snagging a title. If you ask me, I believe she has her sights set a tad bit too high. The Montgomerys are not peers, you know. Still, Gracie is one of my dearest friends. She is so capable! Gracie quite takes my breath away. At any rate," Lady Penwyck's voice took on a conspiratorial quality, "rumor has it that Deirdre has acquired a suitor. No one knows who the gentleman is, but it stands to reason if the girl is trying to keep the young man's identity a secret, it is certain her parents would not be pleased."
With thoughts of the uppity earl still swirling in Tessa's mind, she was experiencing great difficulty concentrating on Lady Penwyck's chatter.
"I think it high time Penny married, as well," Alice went on, "but I wouldn't dare issue an ultimatum to a young man. Penny will make the right choice when he is ready. I did tell you that Stephen, my youngest, is starting his nursery, did I not? The babe is due this coming autumn."
"Yes, you did mention that," Tessa murmured. To herself she added, at least a dozen or more times. "You must be quite a-tremor."
"I am thrilled to pieces." Lady Penwyck clapped a gloved hand to her breast. "I am so looking forward to holding a babe in my arms again." She reached to touch Tessa's knee. "I can assure you there is nothing like it! At any rate, I am certain you will find Deirdre to your liking. She is a good deal like you, dear. You are both a bit . . . out of the common way."
Tessa was somewhat startled by the astuteness of the older woman's remark, but realized she simply hadn't the interest or inclination to inquire what prompted it. She only hoped Alice was right about Deirdre Montgomery. She certainly needed a friend right now.
An endless number of calls later, Tessa and Lady Penwyck were finally ushered into a lavishly appointed three-story red brick house that stood on the outskirts of London. The circular drive in front gave way to an immense marble staircase that led to a covered portico that seemed to encircle the entire house. The grand estate quite impressed Tessa.
Moments later, ensconced in an enormous carpeted withdrawing room, she was vastly pleased to discover she liked both Mrs. Montgomery and her daughter, Deirdre. The older woman's friendly manner reminded her of her own mother, and Deirdre, who was close on Tessa's age, also seemed quite genuine. Tessa thought the girl not the least bit puffed up or consumed by her own importance, as were so many other young ladies to whom she had been presented in drawing rooms all over London.
Moments after the Montgomery butler appeared in the large chamber carrying an impressive silver service, a uniformed maid silently served tall glasses of lemonade and small plates of tarts and biscuits to the four women clustered at one end of the cavernous chamber.
Tessa had taken only a few sips of the lemony brew when Lady Penwyck launched into a colorful recitation of the latest on-dit regarding the party thrown for Lord Byron and his sister at Almack's during which Augusta was ignored, and as soon as Byron arrived, the room emptied.
Tessa had heard the story numerous times already and so was vastly relieved when, only minutes into it, Deirdre leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"Shall we take our lemonade in the garden? I do so hate listening to gossip." The smile on her pretty face, and her words, quite pleased Tessa.
"I should like that very much!" she replied softly, her blue eyes shining.
The girls quickly excused themselves and Tessa happily fell into step beside her new friend, who, not quite as tall as she, had soft brown curls and lively brown eyes.
Once outdoors, the girls settled themselves on a cushioned bench inside a picturesque gazebo situated amid a veritable carpet of bluebells and sunny yellow daffodils.
"It is quite lovely here," Tessa enthused, gazing about at the well-tended grounds. The air felt crisp and cool and smelled of fresh earth. "It rather reminds me of my home in America," she added softly, then worked to push down an unexpected wave of homesickness.
"Do you also live in the country?"
Tessa nodded tightly. Not wanting to enlarge upon the subject, she hurriedly changed it. "I like London very much."
"I expect England must seem quite different from America," Deirdre remarked. "I understand people are a good bit . . . freer there."
Tessa bit her lower lip to stem the sudden flood of emotion rising within her.
"Sometimes there seems nothing for it here but to go along," Deirdre added on a sigh.
Tessa nodded, still fighting for control. "I confess, I have quite had my fill of tea and . . . "
She was startled when her reply was interrupted by a burst of merry laughter spilling from Deirdre's lips.
"I knew you felt the same as I do!" she cried. "I abhor tea parties! I refuse to waste away my afternoons sitting woodenly in a drawing room, sipping cup after cup of watery tea and listening to the same dull on-dits again and again! And if I ate every apricot tart served to me I should become as fat and ungainly as Prinny!"
Immense relief washed over Tessa, causing her also to laugh aloud. How wonderful to simply relax and be herself. "I confess I quite agree with you! I do like England . . . it is my true home, you know . . . but it has not been quite what I expected."
"I am quite looking forward to being married and on my own," Deirdre said. "Once I have my own home, I intend to host a weekly salon and invite only learned people to discuss literature and important topics."
Deirdre's words were like music to Tessa's ears. She had met a kindred spirit at last! "Lady Penwyck mentioned you had settled on a suitor."
"Indeed, I have. And he is not the sort of gentleman my parents would have chosen for me."
"Do tell me about him," Tessa urged, quite enchanted by her new friend.
Her brown eyes sparkling happily, Deirdre set her glass of lemonade onto a pretty japanned table. "His name is Jeffrey Randall, and he does not have a title. He has his own business," she declared with pride.
"How ever did you meet him?" Tessa asked, marveling to herself over the immense courage it must have taken for Deirdre to go against her parents' wishes. "And how do you manage to see him without your parents' knowledge?"
Over the next quarter hour, Deirdre told Tessa all about her young man, how her father . . . who busied himself acquiring dilapidated country estates and refurbishing them to sell . . . had hired Mr. Jeffrey Randall to manage his vast holdings. Because Deirdre's father spent a good deal of time abroad searching out properties to purchase, Deirdre had taken on the task of penning the weekly letters which kept Mr. Randall abreast of what needed to be attended to on each estate. Through the many letters the two had exchanged, a warm friendship had developed. When the young people finally met in London the previous year, the friendship quickly escalated to love.
"And your parents know nothing of it?" Tessa marveled.
Deirdre's soft brown curls shook. "They are quite fond of Jeffrey and trust him implicitly. Although," she grinned mischievously, "they do not yet know it is he I love."
Tessa was vastly intrigued by this real-life drama.
"Jeffrey is coming to dinner this evening," Deirdre went on. "He and Father will spend the bulk of the evening in the study, but afterward, when my parents have retired for the night and Jeffrey has gone . . . that is, when they think Jeffrey has gone . . ." She grinned impishly as her voice trailed off.
"You will rendezvous here in the garden!"
Deirdre's brown eyes twinkled merrily. "I am so pleased we met! I have longed for a friend to share my secret with."
Tessa's breath grew short. She, too, had longed for a friend to confide in. "There is something I have been aching to tell someone since I arrived in London," she began breathlessly.
"Tell me!" Deirdre cried, her cheeks flushed with joy.
In minutes, the words tumbling from her lips in a rush, Tessa told Deirdre all about her Cause, about her desire to get a reform bill on the floor of the House, how she'd secretly read William Cobbett's newspaper and learned about the revival of the Hampden Club meetings, how she longed to attend a meeting and speak with the famed reform leader herself.
"Apart from distributing those few copies of my lovely pamphlets in Hyde Park the day I first arrived in London, I have shown my literature to no one. I feel so dejected. I did so wish to do something to help." A long sigh of frustration escaped her.
Deirdre reached to squeeze her new friend's hand. "I gather Lady Penwyck also refused to listen," she said compassionately.
Tessa's chin began to tremble as she haltingly relayed the story of the spilled tea on her essay. "I worked so very hard choosing precisely the right words. I was quite proud of it."
"I am certain it was wonderful." Deirdre's tone was sincere. "I should have liked to read it."
Tessa blinked back the sudden droplets of moisture that were welling up in her eyes. "Lady Penwyck is a dear friend, but she . . . she appears unable to keep her thoughts fixed on any topic for any length. Even her home is a bit of a jumble."
Deirdre's merry laughter rang out again. "I recall the first time I visited there. The furniture is all askew."
A watery smile wavered across Tessa's face as she nodded vigorously. "I cannot imagine how she and my mother got on so well together. They are as different as chalk and cheese. Mother was quite precise, and Lady Penwyck is so caper-witted."
"People change," Deirdre said solemnly. "I used to believe my parents were right about everything. Now I know in order to be truly happy, I must follow my own heart."
Tessa's heart swelled with admiration for her newfound friend.
The two girls fell silent for a spell. At length, in a thoughtful tone, Deirdre said, "Jeffrey and I may be able to help you with your Cause, Tessa. May I call you Tessa?"
"Of course, you may, if I may call you Deirdre." Tessa's blue eyes glistened with warmth.
At that second, a servant appeared, summoning the girls to rejoin the ladies in the drawing room, where the women were discussing plans for Tessa's debut.
* * * * *
THAT NIGHT AT DINNER, the ball to be held in Tessa's honor was uppermost in Lady Penwyck's mind.
"I cannot say how relieved I am Gracie offered to host the qffaire," she enthused. "I should never be able to organize it, and the Montgomerys' ballroom is the envy of the ton, you know. Their lovely home formerly belonged to the Duke of Gravewater," she told Tessa. "Penny darling, you recall Deirdre's come-out last season, do you not? It was simply nonpareiled."
Lord Penwyck glanced up from his plate. "I take it you have introduced Miss Darby to all the right people, Mother."
"Indeed, I have. She has been presented to every last person on the list you gave me, sweetheart. I simply proceeded from top to bottom."
Tessa listened in silence as the pair of them discussed her entree into society as if she were not present. Why did it not surprise her 'Penny darling' had been instrumental in her being carted all over town this past week? Did he hope the sooner she met and married someone, the sooner she would disappear? How very strenuously he must object to her being here.
"And what of the vouchers to Almack's?" he inquired, in a matter-of-fact tone. "Did a sufficient number of patronesses find nothing amiss?"
"Indeed." Alice smiled happily. "Lady Cowper, as well as the others, were quite impressed." She beamed at Tessa. "You recall meeting Lady Cowper, do you not, dear? She was the pretty dark-haired lady who engaged you in conversation that day at the Countess Lieven's home."
Tessa did recall meeting the attractive woman. It was at the same tea party where she'd met Madame de Stael's daughter. The two of them had had an agreeable conversation in French. Tessa recalled thinking it odd that the Countess Lieven seemed so very intent on probing into her past.
"I feared there might be a problem," Lady Penwyck was saying, "until dear Lady Sefton arrived. It was she who finally convinced the others. Of course, I reminded Lady Castlereagh who Tessa's mother was, and when she recalled having met Tessa's father and had actually attended their wedding, we were set." Lady Penwyck again addressed Tessa. "Did I not tell you every last one of us were a bit in love with your handsome papa, Captain Benning?" She laughed gaily. "He was the third son of a viscount," she told her son.
"Well." Lord Penwyck slanted an appraising look at Tessa. "It appears you have done very well for yourself, young lady."
Tessa hadn't the least idea what she had done to gain his lordship's approval. Of course, she had heard many young ladies speak of Almack's with almost reverential awe, but as she had no desire to go there, she hadn't given the matter much thought. She pasted a set smile on her lips and turned again to the roast pigeon pie and buttered vegetables on her plate.
She bristled a moment later, however, when she heard Lord Penwyck mutter beneath his breath, "I had rather expected we would have to employ a battery of tutors in order to bring Miss Darby up to the mark."
"Penny!" his mother scolded. She flung an apologetic look at her protégée.
Tessa pretended not to notice. If she took umbrage at every insult the highborn gentleman leveled at her, she'd be in a perpetual snit. Meeting Deirdre Montgomery today and finding her quite to her liking had the added effect of helping Tessa put the disagreeable earl from mind. From the corner of her eye, she directed a disdainful look at him. He had set his knife and fork down and indicated to a nearby servant that he desired more coffee.
"I take it you and Mrs. Montgomery decided on a theme for Miss Darby's ball?" he inquired of his mother.
"Indeed, we did!" Lady Penwyck laughed gaily. "Of course, I knew we could not possibly come up with anything to rival the Egyptian theme at Deirdre's debut."
She turned a smile on Tessa. "Gracie had a replica of Cleopatra descending the Nile erected on the veranda. She imported miniature palm trees from Egypt and all the draperies were edged in a pretty zigzag braid. The effect was stunning!" She continued to gaze at Tessa. "Why don't you tell Penny what we decided for you, dear?"
Tessa nearly choked on the buttered asparagus in her mouth. She had no desire to tell the arrogant earl anything. Still, she managed to swallow convulsively and in a small voice said, "It is to be a wilderness theme to represent the New World."
"With Indians!" cried Lady Penwyck.
"Yes." Tessa nodded tightly.
"Well, not real Indians," Alice clarified, "but we shall darken the servants' skin and they shall all wear buckskin breeches and feather headdresses!" She cast another apologetic glance at Tessa. "Do forgive me for interrupting, dear. I confess I am all atwitter!"
Tessa's long lashes fluttered nervously. She was not looking forward to being presented to all of London at a silly soiree. In addition, something else was beginning to nag at her, something she must very soon reveal to Lord and Lady Penwyck, something one or both would find reprehensible.
"Go on, dear," Lady Penwyck urged.
Tessa's stomach churned. "Mrs. Montgomery is to have an artist paint a mural of Christopher Columbus and the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria . . . "
"Which is why we had to tell Tessa and Deirdre the plan after all," interjected Lady Penwyck. "Neither Gracie nor I could recall the names of all the little boats, so we sent for Tessa to come and tell us. I was certain she would know."
Lord Penwyck cocked a brow and gazed with renewed interest at Tessa. "Indeed."
Tessa thought she detected a glimmer of something akin to respect in the earl's dark eyes, but she couldn't be certain. It could have been merely a reflection from one of the many silver-serving dishes littering the table.
"Well, it appears you ladies have the matter of Miss Darby's debut well in hand. If you will excuse me?" He placed his napkin beside his plate and made as if to rise from the table.
"Penny dear, you mustn't go yet!" his mother cried. "We have not decided on a date for the ball. I wished to consult with you first. You shall be required to lead Tessa out for the first set, you know."
Lead her out? Tessa's heart plunged to her feet and she felt her breath desert her. Apparently she would be obliged to reveal her secret sooner than she thought.
"Which do you prefer, dear?" Lady Penwyck inquired of Tessa. "A quadrille, or perhaps a dance that is popular in America?"
A blinding panic gripped Tessa.
How was she to tell them she did not know how to dance?