Chapter 24

“Are you certain you’re not too disappointed that your mother and father returned to Kentucky before they got to see you perform in the Dresden China Quadrille?” Murray asked as he stepped to the right, waited for Poppy to step around him, then offered her his arm. Together, they moved around the other dancers assembled in the Tooker ballroom at the last quadrille practice before the first Patriarch Ball of the Season.

“I’m not disappointed at all. My parents are still in the process of completing the new horse facility in Kentucky, and I knew they needed to get back. They were also anxious to reunite with my younger brothers.” She smiled. “I believe they were feeling guilty about abandoning them for Christmas, but I think their sense of guilt was misplaced. They did celebrate Christmas early with Nathan and Robert, and Mother told me Nathan couldn’t have come to New York even if he’d wanted to because he’s only recently entered law school and had to study over the Christmas break. As for Robert, well, he apparently wanted to prove he’s capable of looking after the horses without anyone’s supervision.” Her smile turned into a grin. “Besides, there’s every chance I’ll do something unexpected during the quadrille, so it’s best all around if my parents aren’t here to witness that. If you’ve neglected to notice, my mother has a rather questionable temperament, and I’d hate to see her have to take Mr. McAllister to task in front of society if he decides to lecture me again over my lack of . . . er . . . grace.”

Murray returned the grin. “I doubt you’ll get your tiara stuck to my sleeve again.”

“Only because my costume won’t include a tiara.”

“And thank goodness for that, but there’s really no need for you to worry you’re going to suffer a mishap,” Murray said as they wove their way through the ballroom. “You have practiced endlessly with me and Reginald for a solid week, so I doubt anything will go wrong—at least during the quadrille.” His grin widened. “Even Reginald has been finding it difficult the past few days to come up with any suggestions to improve your proficiency with the steps.”

“Something he seems surprised about.”

Murray shot a look to where Reginald was leaning against a wall, watching their progress as they moved across the floor. “He seems incredibly proud of you, as if you’ve become his star student.”

Turning to the right and taking three steps forward, Poppy paused as Murray completed his expected steps and wrinkled her nose. “You don’t think Reginald only sees me as his student, do you?”

“I believe we’ve already covered this, what with how I told you I thought he fancied you. But why do you care?”

Biting her lip as she completed a complicated turn that had her ducking underneath Murray’s arm, Poppy took a second to consider the question, even though the answer was fairly obvious.

She might, perhaps, fancy Reginald a bit as well.

He was an exasperating man, far too proper for his own good while also being far too opinionated in how a proper lady was meant to behave. Nevertheless, he’d come to her rescue time and time again, helped her master the steps of the Dresden China Quadrille even though he’d had to recuse himself from giving any of the ladies who’d hired him additional lessons, annoying all of them in the process, and . . . he was the only man who’d ever made her weak at the knees.

“I didn’t realize I’d posed such a difficult question, but I must say your silence is telling,” Murray said, pulling her from her thoughts as he sent her a wink before he twirled her around, steadying her when she stumbled.

“And here I was considering telling you how thankful I am that you somehow convinced Mr. McAllister to partner you with me in this quadrille, but I don’t think I’ll do that now, not with how annoying you’ve suddenly turned.”

“You’ve already thanked me about a hundred times,” Murray said. “And even though what I’m about to disclose does not show me to be a man of great character, I asked Mr. McAllister to pair me with you out of a sense of self-preservation. You must remember how most ladies in society balk at having me partner with them, so you’re actually doing me a service since you’re sparing me from being the object of some other lady’s scorn.”

Poppy rolled her eyes before she nodded discreetly toward a gathering of five young ladies who were standing on the edge of the ballroom, having come at Adele’s request to watch the practice. All five of those ladies, even with them being disappointed they’d not been asked to participate in the dance, had apparently been unable to refuse Adele’s invitation. And even though Poppy thought it rather spiteful on Adele’s part to extend such an invitation in the first place, the ladies seemed to be enjoying themselves, and they especially seemed to be enjoying watching Murray as he danced her across the floor.

“I don’t think any of those ladies currently watching you so intently would be opposed to being your partner,” she said, which had Murray looking up so quickly he stepped on her foot.

Recovering nicely, while mumbling an apology, he grinned. “Curious what participating in a bit of scandal can do for a person’s reputation—not that I have any intention of landing in jail again, nor participating in a brawl that might leave me with another two black eyes.” Murray steered Poppy in a circle before they began making their final turn around the floor. “Did I tell you that Viola took it upon herself to pay a visit to my mother to make certain she wasn’t overwrought after that article appeared in the paper about our arrest? From what Mother told me, Viola spun a marvelous tale about me, telling her that I single-handedly protected you and Viola from the ruffians who were sharing our jail cell.”

“Grandmother’s gotten somewhat peculiar of late.”

“I caught her only this morning coming in from the carriage house. She was wearing trousers and looking rather windblown.”

Poppy smiled. “It seems she’s trying to make up for abiding by all the rules for so many years.” She sank into a curtsy as the notes of the piano faded away, then straightened and sent a discreet nod to the group still watching Murray. “Shall we mosey over there so you’ll have an opportunity to speak with those ladies?”

“Can’t,” Murray said, shaking his head. “I’m meeting Maisie and her mother for tea at Rutherford & Company in about thirty minutes, but I need to swing by my mother’s house and pick her up before that.”

“Should I assume you’ve mended fences with your mother?”

“All thanks to Maisie. She’s been rather bossy about me making time for Mother, and I must say, Mother, once she learned about that, just adores Maisie these days.” He leaned closer to her. “And speaking of adoration, remind me to thank Viola again for paying a call on Mrs. Leggett after word got out about the jail incident. I don’t know what she said to her, but Mrs. Leggett absolutely seems to adore me now as well. She even went so far as to pull me aside after I called on them yesterday to tell me she and Mr. Leggett would welcome any attention I might want to give Maisie.” He frowned. “I think that means they’d give me their blessing if I wanted to ask Maisie to marry me.”

“That’s exactly what that means, Murray, but are you considering asking Maisie to marry you?”

“Can’t deny I haven’t considered the matter, which might be why I’ve yet to move out of your grandparents’ house and find a place of my own.”

“Because you’re uncertain how large a residence you might need in the not-too-distant future?”

He grinned. “Perhaps. Or perhaps I enjoy being around your family and don’t want to give that up just yet.”

“My family does seem to have taken to you.”

“That’s because I’m a likeable sort, not prone to drama or theatrics.”

“You passed out cold in my grandmother’s parlor after we returned from jail and your nose started bleeding again.”

“True, but I didn’t pass out while we were in jail and my nose started bleeding, although that might have been because I was terrified one of those criminals sharing our cell would take that as a sign of weakness and I needed to stay strong to defend you or Viola if anyone tried anything.”

“You’re a complicated man, Murray.”

“And dashing as well, or so I’ve been told.”

Exchanging grins, Poppy walked with Murray to the edge of the ballroom floor, her knees turning a tad weak when Reginald pushed himself away from the wall and strode her way.

“You stumbled once” were his first words to her, although because his eyes were crinkling at the corners, she didn’t take it to heart.

“That’s because Murray stepped on my foot.”

“No, he stepped on your foot after you stumbled.”

“How closely were you watching us?”

Reginald shrugged and sent her a smile that made her feel unusually tingly all over. “Close enough.”

Before she could summon up a remotely coherent retort, Lena Ridgeway, who’d volunteered to play the piano for their quadrille practices that week, began waving for Poppy to join her by the piano. Telling Reginald she’d be back directly, Poppy walked over to Lena, returning the smile the woman was sending her.

“How graceful you looked on the floor today, Poppy,” Lena said, reaching out to give Poppy’s arm a squeeze. “Why, I daresay you’ll be the belle of the ball tomorrow night, which is exactly why I wanted to speak to you.” She leaned closer. “Nigel will be here soon to escort me home, and I know this is rather untoward of me, but I’d like to ask you on his behalf to allow him to escort you to the ball tomorrow.”

Poppy frowned. “I’m not certain Nigel would appreciate you speaking for him, Lena. He’s never struck me as a gentleman unable to speak for himself.”

Lena nodded. “And while that is true, my dear, Nigel’s been occupied with some troubling business matters of late, which is why he’s not found an opportunity to ask you personally.”

Having no idea what she should say next, Poppy almost jumped out of her skin when Reginald suddenly appeared directly beside her, took hold of her arm, then smiled at Lena, although the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Forgive me for interrupting, but I’m afraid Poppy and I need to get back to the Van Rensselaers’.”

Lena narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure you can wait a few minutes, Mr. Blackburn. Poppy and I have yet to finish our conversation, nor have we agreed on a time when Nigel Flaherty and I can pick her up before the ball tomorrow.”

“Then allow me to be of assistance, Mrs. Ridgeway,” Reginald said pleasantly. “There’s no need for you or Nigel Flaherty to fetch Poppy tomorrow because she’s already agreed to go to the ball with me.” He inclined his head. “And now, with that settled, we really must be going.”

Leaving Lena gaping after them, Reginald pulled Poppy into motion, moving so quickly across the floor that she almost had to break into a trot to keep up with him.

“That was a bit of a surprise, finding out you’re escorting me to the ball,” she said, which had him slowing his pace.

“Forgive me, Poppy. That was not well done of me, and quite rude. But because I know you never consented to attend the ball with Nigel and because I didn’t like that Lena seemed to be badgering you into something you didn’t want to do, I felt obligated to act—and rashly, so it appears.”

A distinct sense of disappointment settled over her. “You certainly don’t have to escort me to the ball if you don’t want to.”

Reginald stopped walking. “Who said I don’t want to escort you to the ball?”

“You did. Just now.”

“I said nothing of the sort.”

Poppy lifted her chin. “I don’t care to feel as if I’m an obligation, Reginald.”

“I never said you were an obligation. I said I felt obligated to act.”

Frowning, Poppy nodded. “True. However, you’ve yet to ask me if I want to go to the ball with you.”

“Oh.”

“Indeed.”

He frowned. “Do you want to go to the ball with me?”

She returned the frown. “One would think, what with you being so proficient in matters concerning all the proprieties and expected behavior of ladies and gentlemen, that you’d know you’re supposed to approach such questions with a bit of delicacy, and perhaps even using a more . . . poetic turn of phrase rather than being so direct.”

“So you don’t want to go to the ball with me?”

“Of course she’ll go to the ball with you,” Murray said, rolling his eyes as he strode up to join them. “She’s just being difficult, and you’re just being, well, you. And, with that settled, I have some news.”

“What kind of news?” Poppy asked.

“Lord Lonsdale has apparently let it be known that he’s intending on making a big announcement tomorrow night.”

Reginald’s brows drew together. “Who told you that?”

“Adele.”

“I need to speak with Charles,” Reginald said, steering Poppy for the door as Murray fell into step beside him.

Unfortunately, before they could make their escape, Adele stepped in front of them, blocking their exit. “You can’t leave just yet. I still have to impart a few details about the ball tomorrow.” She spun around and clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Before anyone leaves, I must tell you that your costumes are being delivered to your respected houses as I speak. I apologize again for having them delivered so late, but since I gave the seamstresses everyone’s measurements, the ones provided to me by each of you, I have no doubt they’ll fit to perfection and will not need additional alteration.”

“And why were they delivered so late again?” a young lady called from the far end of the room.

Adele’s lips thinned for the briefest of seconds. “Because they weren’t as elaborate as I’d requested, a circumstance that had to be rectified. I’m sure all of you will be more than delighted with the results.”

“When you say weren’t as elaborate,” Poppy said slowly, “what do you mean by that, and what steps were taken to rectify the situation?”

“Oh, it was nothing too dramatic. I simply wanted a bit, well, more added to the costumes.” Adele turned from Poppy and settled her attention on Reginald, batting her lashes. “I was hoping you might have a few additional tidbits to share about what Lord Lonsdale is intending on disclosing tomorrow night at the ball. All he said to me was that he was going to be making a grand announcement, but the darling gentleman wouldn’t expand on that, no matter how I pleaded with him.”

Reginald shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t have anything else to add, although if he told you it was going to be a grand announcement, I would think that might mean he’s—”

“Going to announce who he’s chosen to become his countess?” Adele finished for him, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

It seemed as if every lady surrounding Poppy suddenly sucked in sharp breaths of air, before releasing those breaths in one loud whoosh as whispers began flying about the room.

“I suppose that could be a possibility,” Reginald said slowly. “But I wouldn’t get your hopes up since Lord Lonsdale has been known to—”

Adele waved that aside as she turned to the crowd of ladies who were edging closer to them, not wanting to miss a single word of the seemingly riveting conversation taking place between Adele and Reginald.

“Ladies, I assume you’ve now become privy to the information about Lord Lonsdale’s grand announcement, and with that said, allow me to wish all of you the best of luck.” She smiled and clasped her hands in front of her. “Additionally, I think we should make a pact right here and now, one where we promise not to hold a grudge against the lady who will soon find herself a countess.” She arched a brow, which had almost every lady nodding back at her. “Lovely.” She turned to Reginald again. “Do give Lord Lonsdale my warmest regards when you see him next. I was expecting him to show up this afternoon, but I imagine he must have been delayed at the Union Club.” Sending Reginald a waggle of her fingers, Adele turned and moved away, quickly surrounded by ladies who immediately began peppering her with questions about Charles’s intentions.

“Charles isn’t at the Union Club this afternoon,” Reginald said as he steered Poppy for the door.

“Where is he?”

“He said something about shopping, but he didn’t say much more than that.”

After fetching Poppy’s cloak from a maid, Reginald helped her into it. Then, holding on to her arm, they stepped out into an afternoon that was so cold it was difficult to draw breath, bidding Murray a hasty good-bye as they hurried for the carriage. After seeing her tucked into a fur-lined carriage blanket, Reginald took a seat beside her.

“It’s too cold for us to sit apart” was all he said as the carriage jolted into motion, traveling down Fifth Avenue at a fast clip. “Now that it’s just the two of us, with no Murray to interrupt, are you going to the ball with me tomorrow?”

“I suppose so, since I’m certainly not going to go with Nigel, and I don’t want to show up without an escort.”

“You might want to review some of your etiquette books about the proper way to accept an invitation from a gentleman.”

“And I’ll do just that after you’ve refreshed yourself on how a gentleman is supposed to extend an invitation to a lady,” she shot back, not quite able to hide a grin when he immediately took to looking somewhat brooding.

He didn’t have long to brood, though, what with how the Tooker residence was only minutes away from her grandmother’s house. As the carriage rolled to a stop, Poppy waited for the driver to get the door, took Reginald’s hand as he helped her from the carriage, then walked with him to the front door, smiling at Mr. Parsons, who was already holding the door open for her.

Her smile faded straightaway, though, when Viola stepped around Mr. Parsons, her face unusually pale, nose red, and dark circles under eyes that were watery.

“Goodness, Grandmother. What’s wrong?”

Viola gave a wave of the hand that was clutching a handkerchief. “I’m feeling a touch under the weather, as is your grandfather, who has already taken to his bed for the day.”

“Where you should be.”

Viola inclined her head. “And I’ll repair to my room soon, but I can’t very well do that until after I tell you about the situation that’s currently waiting for you in the parlor.”

“There’s a situation in the parlor?”

“Indeed, and it revolves around the costume that was just delivered for you.”

“My costume can be considered a situation?”

“I’m afraid so,” Viola said, dabbing at her nose. “But perhaps instead of trying to explain it, we should repair to the parlor so you can see for yourself.” Viola dabbed at her nose again and shook her head. “I’m afraid, given my somewhat foggy state of mind at the moment, that I won’t have sufficient words to describe the horror that’s waiting for you.”

“It is horrific,” Poppy said five minutes later as she walked around the costume that Mr. Parsons had set up on a dress form.

Yards and yards of velvet made up the gown, but what was truly astonishing was the bustle underneath the fabric, one that looked quite as if it might have been made from a barrel. It was difficult to say exactly what it resembled except that it was enormous—or perhaps gargantuan was more accurate.

Whatever the word, though, it was going to leave her decidedly back heavy and would make it more than difficult to glide gracefully across the floor.

“It would seem Adele is of the belief that revenge is a dish best served unexpected,” Poppy finally said, shuddering when her attention settled on the shoes that were sitting beside the gown, the heels looking quite as if they were at least six inches high.

“I’m not certain you’re going to be able to even walk in those, let alone dance,” Viola said, nodding to the shoes Poppy was inspecting.

Poppy turned to her grandmother and squared her shoulders. “There’s no need for you to worry about this, Grandmother. You need to be in bed.”

“But . . .”

“Bed, and now.” Poppy took hold of her grandmother’s hand. “I’ll handle this. You go rest, and I don’t want to see you out of your room before morning. I’ll be up to check on you and help you get settled soon.”

“My lady’s maid can get me settled.”

“True, but I’m your granddaughter, and it seems like a granddaughter thing to do, so stop arguing with me and go to your room.”

A hint of a smile crossed Viola’s pale, drawn face. “You’re very bossy.”

“And you’re very obstinate. You need to be in bed. As I mentioned, I’ll handle this.”

“How in the world do you believe you’ll handle this?”

Poppy blew out a breath. “Since you’re not going to repair to your room until you feel this is settled, know that I have no intention of meekly going along with what is apparently Adele’s dastardly plot. She’s probably been practicing in this absurd costume for weeks and hopes to make herself stand out as the most graceful lady on the floor tomorrow night, while making the rest of us look clumsy and ridiculous.”

Viola blinked. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to summon all the other young ladies who are participating in the quadrille, except for Adele, of course, although . . .” She frowned. “I might have to have someone find Murray because I’m not well acquainted with all the ladies, and I don’t know if I’ll remember all of them.”

Reginald cleared his throat, drawing Poppy’s attention. “There’s no need for Murray. My—or rather, Lord Lonsdale’s—valet, Giles, has a list of all the ladies participating in the Dresden.”

“Of course he does,” Poppy said before she frowned again. “But speaking of Giles, where’s he been the last few days? The last time I saw him was when he was with Miss Cynthia Roche in the sleigh.”

“He’s been keeping a low profile because he apparently annoyed Cynthia that day and Giles has concluded that society ladies are now terrifying. He’s currently hiding out at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, but I’ll be happy to fetch him.” With that, Reginald inclined his head, told Viola to go to bed, then strode from the room.

Turning to Viola, Poppy arched a brow, earning a shake of Viola’s head in return.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me why you’re going to summon all of those ladies.”

Poppy considered Viola for a moment before she nodded to Mr. Parsons. “Since my grandmother is not going to cooperate until I explain my plan to her, may I count on you to see if you can find some seamstresses who would be willing to come here as soon as possible—as in this evening?” She glanced to the towering heels Adele had chosen. “We might need a shoemaker or two as well.”

Viola raised a hand to her throat. “What in the world are you planning?”

Taking hold of Viola’s arm, Poppy began steering her out of the room. “I’m going to stage a rebellion, of course. One that, in my humble opinion, is long overdue.”