Chapter Five

 

Holden scanned the ballroom and studied the many guests. Plenty of them he would consider friends, others were acquaintances, but it was one woman in particular, one who wore a blue dress, to whom he wished to speak. Miss Skylark was an alluring beauty he found unable to resist.

“Holden,” his father hissed in a low voice, “Lady Longfield is speaking to you.”

Turning back to the boorish woman in a yellow gown that gave her skin a sallow tone, he gave her his most winning smile. Beside her stood the woman’s daughter, Miss Hortencia Longfield, who had the unfortunate luck of being given her mother’s long homely face. “My apologies. I noticed that my cousin entered and I became distracted. What is it you said?”

“I was speaking of this party,” the woman said with a sniff. “It is one of the finest I have ever attended, and I wanted to thank you for inviting my daughter and me.”

Holden’s father gave him a stern glare, and Holden straightened his posture. He had already asked a dozen women if he could call on them, and he would have to do so again. Just the thought made his stomach clench. “I would like to ask your permission to call on your daughter, Lady Longfield,” he managed to say without sounding as if doing so would be a chore. He was uncertain how he accomplished that!

Miss Longfield giggled, although it sounded more like a horse whinnying, which matched her horse-like face.

“We would be honored,” the mother replied. “We look forward to receiving a card from you in the next few days.” She turned to her daughter. “Come, Hortencia. These gentlemen must entertain all their guests, not just us.”

Holden was thankful when the two walked away. For all the fawning Lady Longfield did, at least she saw the importance of his time.

David stood with a group of their mutual friends, and Holden had to conceal a grin. Everyone was having an enjoyable time, and he wished he could be amongst those who gave him the most entertainment. Spending an entire evening in the company of his father was an annoyance, but perhaps doing so would allow him some freedom for even a short while. What was it his father always told him?

“Put in the work now so you may play later.”

Those words certainly hit a chord now.

He looked around him again. Plenty of women filled the room…

Hmm, Holden speculated, there seems to be twice as many women as men. Most tittered into their gloves or behind their fans as men flocked around them.

He shot his father a glare. This was his fault. Now Holden would be forced to request to call on twice as many women. He had better things to do with his time.

He sighed. His father had been quite clear with his expectations. All he had to do was make it through the night and then he would be able to return to his life once more.

“I am pleased with your behavior thus far this evening,” his father said. “I believe Miss Longfield was what? The tenth woman you have spoken to this evening?”

“The thirteenth, actually,” Holden replied. “I will ask one more, if that is acceptable.” Before his father could remind him of what was expected of him, he added, “I do not wish to appear desperate by asking too many at once. Doing so would only harm my name, as well as yours, and we certainly do not want that.”

His father seemed to consider his words. “I suppose what you say makes sense now that I think about it. So, who will you ask next?”

Holden jutted his chin toward a small group of women. “The woman in the blue gown beside Lady Lambert and Miss Thrup. Do you see her?”

His father looked in the direction Holden indicated. “Ah, yes. Do you know her?”

“I made her acquaintance earlier this week. Her name is Rose Skylark and I understand she is a niece of Lady Lambert.”

This made his father smile. “She would be a wonderful catch indeed. That is, if she takes after her aunt.”

Holden stared at his father. Was he gawking at Lady Lambert?

“Come,” his father said, “It has been far too long since I have spoken to the Baroness Lambert.”

They made their way through the crowd, and Holden was relieved to see that Miss Thrup had left. An odd sensation washed over him as they stopped in front of Miss Skylark and her aunt.

He had spoken to many women before, but for some reason, being in the presence of this woman left him feeling unnerved. Perhaps it was the gown she wore that matched her eyes. Maybe it was the woman’s beauty. Her scent gave him a heady feeling, for it was sweeter than anything he had ever known. One thing was certain; he needed a drink to quench the dryness in his throat.

“Lady Lambert,” his father said with a deep bow, “it has been a while since we last saw one another. Much too long. But I am pleased that you and your niece were able to attend.”

The ladies curtsied and Lady Lambert said, “Lord Bradshaw, it is good to see you again, as well.” She turned to Holden and added, “Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Bradshaw. Rose and Caroline are enjoying themselves immensely.”

“I am pleased to hear that,” Holden said. “We are always pleased when our guests enjoy themselves.”

When he looked back at Miss Skylark, a sense of fear came over him. It was as if the woman took away his ability to think, to rationalize, to utter a single word. He had to return his gaze to the woman’s aunt to release his tongue. “I do not wish to be out of line, but may I call on Miss Skylark in the coming week?” Was that a smile the younger woman hid behind her fan?

“I believe that would be most acceptable,” Lady Lambert replied. “We look forward to receiving your card.”

Then, much to Holden’s astonishment, his father said, “I have recently acquired a set of new crystal, and in it is a particular bowl about which I would like to ask your opinion. Would you care to join me?” He held out his arm to Lady Lambert.

“I would like that,” the woman replied. She placed her hand on his arm and the two walked over to the refreshment table.

Holden returned his attention to Miss Skylark. His smile came of its own accord, especially when he noticed that her cheeks had gone quite red and she looked down at the floor.

“Are you enjoying your time here in Rumsbury?” he asked. He had to learn whatever he could about this woman before his father and her aunt returned.

When she looked up at him, Holden felt a flush of pleasure roll over him. “I am,” she replied with a smile. “I enjoy the slower pace as compared to London.”

“London is a grand city with equally grand parties. Do you attend many functions there?”

Her cheeks reddened further. “No. Well, I have attended three, but I tend to stay away from such events the majority of the time.”

Holden’s curiosity was piqued. A woman as lovely as she not attending parties in the greatest of cities? It made little sense. If he lived in London, he would attend every party and ball offered.

Then he noticed Miss Thrup returning from across the room, and panic filled him. He could not ask questions if that annoying cow was about. With a quick wave of his hand, he caught David’s attention and pointed toward Miss Thrup.

David caught his meaning right off—it was not surprising; the man had done the same to Holden often enough—and he hurried to stop the woman.

Miss Skylark did not seem to notice the covert exchange, thank heavens. “I assume you have attended many parties.”

“Indeed,” he replied proudly. “There seems to be a gathering every week.” He glanced to where David and Miss Thrup stood speaking. There was little time, and he had questions he needed answered. “I must admit, I have not had the desire to call on a woman in some time. Yet, seeing you here tonight makes me wish to do so. Do you have many suitors?”

“I…I find your question bold,” Her breasts heaved beneath the bodice of her gown in a delectable manner. She was most certainly beautiful, but she conducted herself like a woman destined to become a wallflower. What a challenge it would be to win a kiss from such an innocent.

“I have upset you,” Holden said. “My apologies. Perhaps I should not send a card after all.” He dropped his shoulders, a trick he had learned in his childhood that earned him compassion from both governesses and tutors alike.

“Not at all,” Miss Skylark blurted before covering her mouth as if shocked. “Forgive my rudeness. What I meant to say was that, no, I have not received many suitors. None, if I am honest.”

He gasped. “Say it is not so! How can a woman as lovely as you not have a line of men vying for her attention? Well, I am pleased that I get to be the first.” He bowed. His work for the night was now complete, and yet he could not pull himself away from this lovely woman.

As the silence around them grew, he wondered if it would be best if he joined his friends, for no topic of conversation would come to mind. It was so strange; never had anything like this happened to him before, and that only made his nervousness grow. How could he, Holden Bradshaw, be unable to conduct simple conversation? That had never happened before, especially when he was in the presence of a beautiful woman, and that made him all the more curious about this lovely lady before him.

***

Rose found herself in the most awkward of positions and was unsure as to what to do. Not only had Caroline left her alone, but her Aunt Eleanor had, as well. Not alone exactly, for the room was filled with people having conversations and enjoying themselves. What had her all aflutter was the silence that had fallen between her and Mr. Bradshaw. Had she offended him in some way? Or perhaps he had caught her smiling as he spoke and misinterpreted it as she had thought him silly. She did not think him silly, that was for certain.

She had admired a few men for their handsomeness, but Mr. Bradshaw was far more so than any man she had met previously. Studying him, however, made her legs weak, and the room began to shift around her. Could the wine have brought on this headiness? No, she had only had half a glass thus far. Then what could be the reason for the flushed feeling that now overwhelmed her?

In a panic, she glanced around until her eyes fell on Caroline speaking to a man with blond hair. Oh, good, she now had a topic of conversation. “Caroline appears happy. Do you know that gentleman speaking with her now?”

Mr. Bradshaw brushed back a dark wave of hair as he turned to where Caroline and her companion were speaking. Rose was forced to bring her left foot back a bit to maintain her balance. She glared down at her wine glass. What on earth was wrong with her?

“Oh, that is my good friend, Mr. David Banner. He is a most worthy gentleman, I assure you. I believe he has had an interest in Miss Thrup for some time now. I am pleased to see he has gathered the courage to approach her.”

Rose sighed, her heart happy for her new friend. “That is wonderful to hear. I can tell they are enjoying each other’s company. Just look at their smiles.”

When Mr. Bradshaw turned once again, Rose could not help but admire his strong jawline and perfect nose. Her cheeks burned as impure thoughts of him kissing her popped into her mind uninvited, and she had to use all her concentration to push them back. She was no hussy who thought of a gentleman and his kisses!

Caroline approached them, and Rose said, “It appears…”

“I have other guests I must meet,” Mr. Bradshaw said over her before he hurried away, leaving her staring after him in surprise.

“Oh, Rose!” Caroline said in a hurried whisper, “Mr. Banner asked my permission to send a card! Is it not wonderful?”

“I am very pleased for you,” Rose replied, and she truly was. “I heard he is a worthy gentleman.”

Caroline glanced around and stepped in closer, lowering her voice further. “He commented on my fragrance and said he has never found a scent so alluring.” She giggled at this.

“Did he?” Rose asked, shocked at the man’s forwardness. Then, upon seeing Caroline’s frown, she reminded herself that she did not wish to be a bore. “How wonderful for you. You are a daring woman, after all, and gentlemen appreciate such things.”

This brought a smile from her friend. “I saw you speaking with Mr. Bradshaw. Did he happen to mention your fragrance, as well?”

Rose glanced at the man in question, who stood speaking with an older couple. “No, but he did ask permission to call on me.”

“How marvelous!” Caroline said. “You see, we were worried for nothing. Tonight we have gained the attention of two of the most eligible men in Rumsbury. We could not have done any better!”

Rose simply nodded. “You may be right at that. I do not know Mr. Bradshaw well, but both men seem gentlemen of good standing with wonderful manners. And they are quite handsome. Surely we have found the best, as you said.”

Caroline was all smiles. “Indeed we have.”

Rose noticed her aunt speaking with an older woman. The elder Lord Bradshaw was nowhere to be seen.

Caroline seemed to notice her gaze, for she said, “That old woman with Lady Lambert is Mrs. Beatrice Evans, a madwoman. It is rumored she murdered her husband for snoring too loudly.”

Rose gasped. “Surely that is not true. How did you learn of this?”

She had not meant it as an invitation to gossip and regretted the question as soon as it left her lips. As her companion spoke, her gaze fell upon Mr. Bradshaw once more. Indeed he was quite handsome, and his smile, even from this distance, radiated throughout the room.

When he and his friends glanced in her direction, they smiled and patted Mr. Bradshaw on the back. Had he told them of his request to call on her? Although she would never allow any man to consider her an object of sport, she did understand that men tended to boast to one another.

So why did knowing he had boasted of her make her somehow feel special?