As Molly dressed Lady Amanda’s hair for the evening dinner party and small ball, Amanda drilled her with question after question about the day’s activities.
“Do you think the magistrate believed you?”
Molly nodded, but she did not look convinced. “He said, ‘Mm-hmm’ and took a lot of notes. I realized when we were sitting in front of him we didn’t have much to offer as proof. Charlie thought it too risky to reveal himself or his position with Bender. I didn’t know what to say when he asked how a stable hand and a lady’s maid had come to know of it.”
“Surely they will do something. The prime minister’s life has been threatened.”
Molly nodded. “I suspect they will at least look into it. Charlie seems confident that all will be well. He said that others are aware, and they are helping.”
Amanda frowned. “But you aren’t so sure yourself.”
Molly shook her head. “No, I’m not.”
Amanda turned her brush over and over in her hands. “We don’t have much to go on, do we? We need someone to believe that the meeting will take place.”
Molly’s face wrinkled in concern. “I realized, while sitting there, that we were asking the police to go in and arrest a bunch of men just for talking.”
Amanda thought about it a minute more while Molly finished the last touches on her hair and stepped back to admire her.
“You really do look stunning, my lady. Perhaps take a moment to notice . . .”
Amanda stopped her musings and turned her full attention to the looking glass. She sucked in her breath. “You are a marvel, my dear Molly. It is exquisite.” Her hair was up in a beautiful chignon, with ringlets framing her face. Carefully placed throughout were sparkling jewels that caught even the candlelight in her room and reflected on the ceiling. The sapphires from her father graced her neck and brought out the brilliant blue of her eyes.
Molly said, “It is you who are exquisite. This will simply bring your loveliness to everyone’s notice.”
Amanda narrowed her eyes just a bit and teasingly asked, “Just what are you up to, Molly?”
But Molly shrugged and said, “Nothing, my lady.” Then she stopped and looked at Amanda with a serious expression. “Well, nothing besides the potentially treasonous thoughts of trying to bring greater equality to the people of England. Oh, and trying to stop an assassination.”
Amanda reached for her hands. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
Molly giggled. “Yes, it is.”
Amanda reached for her dance card and reticule. “I suppose I had best be off then.”
Her ride in the carriage gave her too much time to fill with silent fretting and anxiety. Her mother glanced at her several times but remained quiet. Amanda knew they had not done enough. An uncomfortable feeling settled in her belly and would not leave. How could she ensure that July 23 was not a day of disaster for England?
Just as they were pulling into the front drive of a beautiful home, she felt again that she would have to go herself to Cato Street. It was dangerous, yes, but not recklessly so—it was nothing worse than she had already attempted. The more she thought on the idea, the greater her determination to carry it out. She must be present near this planning meeting to ensure nothing ever came of Jack Bender’s evil intentions.
If all else failed, she herself would turn them in. She planned to witness the gathering, and if no law enforcement arrived, she would bring them herself. Surely Bender had worked up enough of a reputation they would be seeking him anyway. If she had to start wailing and carrying on, if she had to cry fire, if she had to lead them personally, she would bring the magistrate to Jack Bender and his gang. And with those thoughts, she allowed herself to be handed down from her carriage.
At the touch of a man’s hand under her own, she felt running tingles all the way up to her neckline. She followed the hand with her eyes along a strong arm, across broad shoulders, and into the face of Lord Nathaniel. His grin sent energy through her. She closed her open mouth and swallowed before speaking.
“Lord Nathaniel, hello.”
His eyes never left her. Her heart raced and hands trembled as she stepped carefully down from the carriage. Did he know what he did to her? His finger found her glove line at her wrist, and he was gently running his finger tantalizingly, slowly, over the sensitive skin just above it. He rested on her pulse for a moment, and his eyes found hers. He knew. The desire that filled his eyes was almost her undoing as she forced herself to return his gaze.
And then the moment was broken as he gently took her hand and placed it on the crook of his arm. He led her from her carriage up the steps and into the grand house. She was vaguely aware of her mother and father following behind them. Finding a bit of her senses return, she asked teasingly, “How is it you were there, ready to escort me in?”
Was that a blush she saw? He turned to her and said, “I believe something in the heavens is speaking in my favor tonight. It was my extreme good fortune to arrive seconds before your carriage pulled up, and I waited. That is all. You look exquisite tonight, Lady Amanda.”
They entered the home and greeted their host and hostess. Many curious eyes lingered on the pair of them as they were seen arriving together. Amanda lifted her chin and returned their curiosity with bold, confident looks of her own. A heady exhilaration filled her as she walked in at Lord Nathaniel’s side. She allowed a moment of triumph as she inwardly acknowledged that hers was the company he sought, her hand that was on his arm.
The moment splintered as soon as they stepped farther into the room. A swarm of debutantes and their mothers surrounded them. She felt the muscles on Lord Nathaniel’s arm tighten, and she sensed more than saw the change come over him as his eyes flitted to hers and then away.
“Ladies. And how are all of you lovely flowers this evening?”
Did he just call them all flowers?
“Might I have the opportunity to dance with each one of you, dare I hope?” They all giggled in return, practically throwing their dance cards at him with not-so-subtle offers. He gestured to her. “I have saved the dinner set for Lady Amanda.” He turned to her with an apology and a question in his eyes. She nodded, gritting her teeth.
He seemed to breathe out in relief. He continued. “But all others are free. Let us see now.” Lord Nathaniel walked forward into the mass of them without another glance in her direction, leaving Amanda. She was sure she was not hiding her irritation very well.
Walking away with a group of women? Did he think she waited for any scrap of favor he threw in her direction? She remembered the delicious thrill of her hand on his arm, the current that raced through her at his touch. And within her whirling emotions, a battle ensued. Countering her irritation, a secret sense of pleasure emerged that the dance and time together for their meal would be hers and hers alone. She sighed. What could she do but wait until he came for her?
She soon found herself equally surrounded by men of the ton, and she let the daring of her new Cato Street plan and her dizzying attraction to Lord Nathaniel wash over her. She restrained herself less than ever before and danced, laughed, and teased with abandon. She flirted with all, welcoming the attention and getting drunk off the accolades of the ton. At one point, surrounded by men, they cajoled her into sharing a new bit of poetry.
She raised her hands in the air with a dramatic flair.
“I want you all to know
Of a girl who is all aglow.
When she dances, her feet are not slow.
Flying is the way she will go,
As fun, as free, and as smart—
As the Sparrow.”
The men cheered, which drew many a disapproving sniff from the matrons of the ton and not a few glowers from other debutantes, but Amanda did not care. She felt as high as the sparrows themselves.
Baron Kenworthy asked, “The Sparrow—Lady Amanda, do you know the identity of the famous Sparrow?”
Amanda started in surprise. She caught Lord Nathaniel’s disapproving gaze boring into her own. She raised her chin in defiance. She could cover and protect herself from a perceived connection with the Sparrow. No one would ever suspect her.
Time to increase her flighty, airless manner. She said, “What? Lud no!” The nearest ladies gasped at her language. The men merely laughed some more. “I was only speaking of the bird, my dear baron.” And she giggled into her hands. “I do love that Sparrow’s pretty pictures, though I do not find them incredibly funny.”
The men guffawed. “They are wonderful, Lady Amanda. Don’t you think so?”
“Well, now I don’t know. I feel I might not understand them entirely. Tut! What’s so funny about a man’s valet? I must know.” The men only smiled condescendingly. The baron patted her hand with his own. Lord Nathaniel rolled his eyes but smiled with apparent relief. Satisfaction filled her. People surely believed her head as filled with air as any other debutante of the Season.
“But that’s just it, Lady Amanda.” She turned in surprise to an earnest young man at her left. “The Sparrow is pointing out some of the more ridiculous things we do, how abominably we treat our dear servants. Bless my valet. I raised his salary an extra two shillings a week after seeing the Sparrow’s latest flier. He deserves it.”
The men laughed and began sharing stories of how they had behaved absolutely ridiculously toward their valets. Spilled wine, drunken swaying—until Amanda cleared her throat, and they remembered they were in the presence of ladies.
She strived hard to hide her look of triumph, and she pasted on a look of confusion as she sighed. “I don’t suppose I will ever understand this Sparrow person.” And she waved her hands as if shooing an annoying fly. The men laughed again, the music started up, and her partner came to claim her hand for the dance.
Finally, her turn to dance with Lord Nathaniel came . . . and went. As the music started, she waited in anticipation to place her hand in his. She watched as couples all around her found places on the floor to begin the waltz. She blushed at the thought. A waltz with Lord Nathaniel.
But where was he? She searched the crowd in vain. And then her eyes met his across the room, his arms around Miss Clarissa as they moved together in the waltz. She felt her hands go cold and her fists tighten in anger. She whipped around and came nose to nose with Lord Jonathan Needley. “Oh! Lord Needley, I—”
He reached for her. “I couldn’t help but notice that you are without a partner for this set. I cannot imagine how such a thing is possible, but I will not question my good fortune. Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
Amanda’s mouth moved into a smile she did not feel, which grew in sincerity as she rebelliously nodded to him and placed her hand in his. “I would be delighted, my lord.”
She allowed him to lead her onto the floor. She gave him her complete attention, fawning over his every word, smiling prettily up into his face, laughing at all the right moments. Inwardly, she felt a part of herself shut down. When she noticed they had come closer to Lord Nathaniel and Miss Clarissa, she stepped brazenly closer to her partner.
A new gleam lit his face. “Shall we shock them a bit, my lady?” He quirked an eyebrow at her, and she stared in surprise.
Recognizing the teasing glint in his eyes, she grinned and said, “I would love nothing more than to be a little shocking right now.”
He laughed. Lord Needley laughed aloud. Gone was the proper and staid gentleman she had always known. He pulled her even closer. They moved toward Lord Nathaniel, who was watching with a steely glare and scowling so completely that his eyes barely opened. Amanda laughed and spun around the room.
Lord Needley weaved them in and out of couples, holding her closer as he became bolder. They moved nearer to the edge of the ballroom until they went right off the floor and out behind some of the potted plants and trees where he stopped, a bit breathless, and asked, “Would you care for a bit of fresh air out on the balcony?” He raised his eyebrows suggestively. She glanced over her shoulder. Lord Nathaniel’s eyes still followed her as he danced.
She turned back. “That would be perfect.”
They exited through the double doors out into the cool night air. There were very few other people out with them, most in quiet conversation together. He led her to the right, still visible through the glass in the doorway, but in the shadows enough to feel somewhat secluded.
She laughed. “Oh this feels wonderfully cool.” She held her arms out before stopping in front of the railing and leaning forward to look out over the gardens. Lord Needley stepped beside her, his chest pressed against her side. She could feel him staring intently at her. He raised his hand and ran one finger along the delicate skin on her neck then he played with her sapphire necklace.
She kept her face forward, mind racing. How could she escape his attentions? Why had she allowed him to lead her here? She grabbed at anything at all they could talk about. She turned to face him, and before she could take a step back to put some distance between them, he wrapped one arm around her back, pulling her against his chest. She looked up, her mouth opened in surprise.
Before she could find a single word, Lord Needley leaned down and very nearly pressed his mouth to hers when they both heard, “Lady Amanda! There you are. I have a message for you—they said it was urgent.” Charlie bowed before her, handing her a letter. As he rose from his bow, he winked, then turned and walked in the other direction.
Amanda shook her head in wonder, happier than she could express that Lord Needley had not been able to kiss her. How on earth did Charlie acquire such perfect timing? She realized that tonight she had pushed her flirting, airy facade too far. Too often, she jumped into situations, allowing her heart to rule and not her head. Hardly daring to talk to Lord Needley, who had put some distance between them, she indicated the note. “I should attend to this, whatever it may be.”
“Can you not guess who it is from?” He gestured through the doors to Charlie, who was smiling and shaking hands with Lord Nathaniel before he walked the edges of the ballroom and stood in the corner.
Why is Charlie here at the ball? She allowed her confusion to show on her face.
Needley spared her further explanation. “Lady Amanda, I must apologize.”
She tilted her head and raised one eyebrow. “Apologize?”
“It is not a secret that I have expressed a particular interest in getting to know you better, in courting you, in hopes of a future alliance between us.” Amanda nodded, wary. “And as we have spent a good amount of time together and shared many of the same functions, you have been a constant puzzle to me.”
“I imagine that’s true.” Guilt crept into her consciousness, and she made herself meet his eyes.
“One minute you are a brilliant, intelligent, caring woman and the next, the silliest of all debutantes this Season.”
Amanda’s eyebrows rose as high as they could.
He paused for a moment, searching her eyes. “Forgive me.”
She nodded and smiled sadly, indicating that he should continue.
“I have seen you behave outrageously this evening. You seem far more reckless than I have ever known you to be.” He pulled himself up taller and straightened his tailcoat, seemingly proud of himself. “And so I performed a little playacting of my own.”
She couldn’t resist a little laugh. “But I don’t understand.”
“I wondered just how far you would allow things to go. I must say, it was quite diverting. I’ve underestimated the enjoyment of the rakes among us.” He looked wistfully out amongst the twirling ladies of the ton.
“And if we had been caught? Kissing out here?” Amanda was astounded at Lord Needley’s admission.
“I cannot say I would have regretted being tied to you in any fashion.” When Amanda opened her mouth in outrage, he held up his hand and continued. “And better me than some of the others who could have done the same.” He looked meaningfully at her until she lowered her eyes in admission to the truth of his words. He lifted her chin with his finger and looked again into her eyes. “I would enjoy spending my life with you. The real you. The one you keep so carefully hidden away. I know you are not amorously attracted to me as yet, but we could have a good life together.”
Amanda gulped. “Are . . . are you proposing, my lord?” She glanced back in the ballroom, hoping her father was not aware of this conversation.
Lord Needley considered her for a long moment. “I am not.” And when she released a relieved breath, he laughed humorlessly. “I am not proposing, but I am asking if you would welcome such advances in the future if you were to, let us say, grow in your affection for me?”
Amanda smiled at him. “I admire you greatly. I enjoy your company.”
Lord Needley held up his hand. “Yes or no, if you please.”
She looked sadly into his eyes and said, “Not when I have those feelings for another.” And her eyes found the floor. She felt the guilt of her previous flirtations hit her full force, weighing heavily.
Lord Needley cleared his throat to regain her attention. “I understand. And in a moment when he reaches us, may I wish him every happiness?” His amused expression did little to assuage her guilt or embarrassment. She turned to follow his gaze and saw Lord Nathaniel stomping in their direction. She would not have been surprised at all to see smoke coming out his ears.
“Oh dear,” she said.
“Yes. Shall I protect you, fair lady? Slay the dragon?”
She shook her head. “No, I think I had best face this beast on my own.” But, as he turned to go, she reached her hand out and squeezed his arm. “But thank you. I wanted to care for you in that way. I truly did. I wish you every happiness.”
Lord Needley smiled. “Well, that’s something at least.” Then he squeezed her hand in return and slipped off to the right and in through the other doors.
“What do you think you are doing?” Lord Nathaniel’s tall frame bore down on her, heating the balcony. Amanda stepped back, away from his anger.
“What do you mean?”
He waved his hands wildly about. “This whole evening. What do you think you are doing?”
She stared at him a moment. She’d never seen him so . . . flustered.
“Throwing yourself at every male who can walk! Flirting rampantly with all of them. You were mere inches—inches—from Needley in the waltz just now.”
Amanda couldn’t help the smile that grew as Lord Nathaniel grew more agitated.
“And then receiving notes from Charlie! I mean, I am grateful to the man for stopping that nonsense with Needley, but notes? Have you lost all sense of propriety?”
With a start she was reminded of the paper she held in her hand. “You didn’t send this?”
“Absolutely not. I am shocked you accepted it. That is not the kind of deportment I would expect from the daughter of a duke. Act or no act, this has gone far enough.”
Something snapped. “This, coming from you, surrounded by all your women. You didn’t even have the courtesy to properly ask me for the supper set. And then you walked off without a backward glance.” She folded her arms and scowled at him. “And how do you know it’s an act? Maybe this is who I am! The real me, finally revealed. I have been having fun tonight—carefree, albeit reckless, fun.”
She spun in a circle, arms wide and then stepped back farther and folded her arms across her chest again. She would not be made to feel guilty again by him. She had done nothing to wrong him. Though she did feel several nagging thoughts about Lord Needley that would cause her to lose sleep tonight.
The paper was beginning to burn a hole in her hand. It must be urgent, or Charlie would not have taken steps to deliver it in the way he had.
“This is not the real you.” He stepped closer to her.
She snorted. “Well, you are definitely a rake down to your core. Did you even remember you had demanded the supper set from me?” She could feel the heat from his chest and smelled his wonderful spicy musk. She faltered a bit, and reached for his arm to steady herself. He didn’t even have the decency to look apologetic.
“Yes, of course I remembered. And here I am to collect you for the set.”
Amanda opened her mouth and then closed it again. “Wasn’t that just the supper set, a moment ago?”
Lord Nathaniel frowned. “No. It begins right now.”
“What?” How could she have confused the dances? She clenched her fists in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, Lord Nathaniel, embarrassed really. I thought . . . that is, I assumed . . .”
“That I forgot our set? And danced with Miss Clarissa instead?”
Amanda nodded, blinking. “It was a waltz. And you enjoyed it.” She felt her indignation rising again. “And you’ve been flirting just as much as I.”
“Lady Amanda, I have been counting the very seconds that pass, waiting until I get the opportunity to hold you.”
Amanda looked up into his eyes. “You have?”
He cupped her cheek in his hand. “I could never forget a promised moment with you.”
She leaned into his hand, smiling, relieved, feeling foolish. “I’m sorry for assuming something so ungallant of you.”
“Too often, I give you reasons to doubt me.” His eyes communicated a warmth and caring that made her knees shake.
She again noticed her message from Charlie in her hand and glanced down at it. “But I do need some time to myself. If you will please excuse me, for just a moment.”
As she turned to leave, he reached for her arms, staying her. “Go ahead and read your letter here. I won’t interfere.” Her heart warmed toward him when his expression deepened with understanding and empathy. Perhaps he was capable of far more kindness than she ever understood before.
She’d never seen this seal before, an eagle in flight. How curious. She broke it quickly, but as her eyes swept over the page, she saw it was written in Charlie’s hand. Lord Nathaniel studied her.
I am leaving town. Do not do anything rash. Stay home! We will take
care of Cato. I have help. All will be well.
Trust Lord Nathaniel.
Worry filled her. She looked in the direction Charlie had gone. He no longer waited in the shadows.
Lord Nathaniel interrupted her thoughts. “Distressing news?” He watched her face.
“Yes, a bit. I feel a headache brewing.” She applied pressure to the bridge of her nose.
He stepped nearer to her. “Might I help you?” She saw such earnest kindness again in his eyes and an obvious concern. She longed to share all. Trust Lord Nathaniel. The words repeated themselves in her mind. She opened her mouth.
“It is just silliness, my lord. A childhood prank from an old friend. He has won a bet is all.” She could not bear to share her involvement—having used her father’s ring—as ashamed as she felt.
A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. “Shall we still have our dance? They are playing another waltz . . .” He waggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh.
A bit of happiness filled her at the thought. She smiled. “That would be lovely.” She folded up her letter and placed it in her reticule.
Nathaniel took her into his arms and swept her out into the ballroom. Her feet barely had time to touch the floor before she was swept in the other direction only to graze the ground before moving on again. No dance had ever felt so exhilarating. She hovered above the earth, gliding along just at its surface. Lord Nathaniel whisked her away, and they flew. Everyone faded. His gaze took in her every feature, studying her eyes, moving along her cheeks, lingering on her lips. She moved wherever he led, barely perceiving his lead at all. She had never felt such a perfect oneness. They floated and spun and whirled until the last chords were played and the couples around them had stopped. Amanda stared deeply into Lord Nathaniel’s eyes, willing him to stay. With his arm still wrapped around her, he caught his breath, all the while returning her gaze.
Amanda found her voice. “Thank you, my lord.”
Nathaniel blinked and then lowered his arm. “My pleasure, Lady Amanda. Perhaps I might have the next set? And the next after that?”
Amanda touched his face and whispered, “And the next.” Then she laughed. “But I do believe they are calling us in to dinner.”
Lord Nathaniel held out his arm to escort her in to their table. This was not to be the quiet moment with Lady Amanda he had hoped. She was seated at his left, but on her other side, the Baron Kenworthy monopolized her attention. And Miss Clarissa, whom he respected greatly as a friend, sat on his right. Across from him, they were joined by two young ladies who immediately began eyeing him and giggling to each other, leaning around the poor chap who sat between them.
Lady Amanda placed a sympathetic hand on Nathaniel’s arm.
He turned to her and winked, and she squeezed his arm before placing her hand in her lap.
Well into the second course, having spoken only a few sentences to her, Nathaniel thought this dinner might go down as the most aggravating of his thirty years. A young man across from him asked, “Has anyone seen the new flier from the Sparrow?” He felt Lady Amanda stiffen beside him.
He said, “I have not.” And then with a smile, he said to Miss Clarissa, “Do tell us about the latest exhibits at the art museum. I hear they are much envied by even the French.”
Miss Clarissa smiled and began to explain when, not to be deterred, the other young man said to the others, “The Sparrow’s message is disturbing in my mind.” Lady Amanda’s attention now completely riveted, she raised her eyebrows in expectation. Lord Nathaniel frowned in irritation, trying again to dissuade him. The man hardly spared a glance for Nathaniel and continued. “I brought it with me. Couldn’t believe it myself. See, here it is.” He laid it out on the table in front of them. Several matrons a few seats down looked disapprovingly at the young man and sniffed, their noses in the air.
The ladies took note of the flier. “What is it? Oh, do show us.”
Lord Nathaniel picked it up and studied it. In the center of the page, she had drawn a flag with a cap of liberty on the top. A quick glance at Lady Amanda saw nothing there to help him. His eyes moved over the paper, taking in the rest. A man dressed in livery stood next to a housemaid. And next to them someone with a soot-marked face and a young child with ripped clothing. The mother from the debtor’s cart made an appearance, only now she was walking, with her babe in arms. He was astounded at the realistic expressions, full of hope the people wore as they made their way toward the cap.
He had to admit he was impressed. Then he froze as his eyes caught the description at the bottom of the flier. Seeking Liberty. Did she know about the Liberty Seekers? His eyes darted to Amanda’s, which were glued on him, as were the eyes of everyone in their group at the table. He carefully schooled his expression.
“This Sparrow is obviously very talented. I have not seen this kind of precise detail except in the museums Miss Clarissa was discussing.” He gave her a smile.
She reached for the paper. “Oh my, yes! Excellent detail. Look at the expressions on their faces.”
One of the girls from across the table sniffed. “Well, I find it distasteful.” She reached for the flier, and Miss Clarissa reluctantly handed it over. The girl continued. “Just look at all those women, arm in arm. Imagine! Someone from our class, sharing a sidewalk with some of them.” She pointed out the more poorly dressed figures. “Why! We would soil our dresses!” Her friend leaned over and laughed.
“And our reputations.”
Lady Amanda frowned at them. “Well, I find it enlightening.”
When Lord Nathaniel saw the expression on her face, he braced himself, unsure what would come out of her mouth.
“Everyone wants freedom. Everyone is after that red cap of liberty. You, me, them, all of us.” Then she dismissed them all and began conversing with Baron Kenworthy on her left.
The girls’ faces showed their uncertainty. Lady Amanda outranked them all. Nathaniel watched with amusement as the girls struggled with their own reactions to Lady Amanda. He could almost see their minds spinning. He recognized their pained confusion. Should they stick with the truths they had always been taught, or agree with the daughter of a duke?
Miss Clarissa surprised him when she said in a low voice, “Very nice sentiments, but it screams of treason. What does the Sparrow suggest? A revolt of the working classes? Freedom is not something England offers to everyone. This Sparrow, whoever he is, would do well to keep to lighter parody of the ton.”
Nathaniel’s chest tightened. He was so proud of Lady Amanda that he could have picked her up, swung her around, and kissed her soundly for all to see. Perhaps it was time for him to add his voice. “I don’t know, Miss Clarissa.”
Lady Amanda turned to watch him, surprise showing on her face.
“Who can argue with freedom? Everyone could use a bit more of it, don’t you think?” Warming to the subject, he asked, “Haven’t you ever wished a debutante could wear something other than white? I, for one, would enjoy seeing all your loveliness in some of the deeper, dare I say, alluring shades that are available. Or property—wouldn’t you love to have a bit of land to your name?” He smiled his roguish smile and raised an eyebrow, looking at each in turn.
He was pleased his efforts had an effect. After they recovered from their own reactions to Lord Nathaniel’s charm, the two young ladies barely paused for the rest of the evening. They began in earnest, discussing all of the lovely colors of fabrics they had seen at their modiste and had not been able to select.
Miss Clarissa stared thoughtfully in their direction, but Nathaniel could tell her thoughts were far away. He asked, “Something amiss with the lovely Miss Clarissa?” Nathaniel smiled and picked up her hand. She shook her head and smiled in return, her eyes travelling to Lady Amanda and back to him before pulling her hand gently back and giving greater attention to her meal.
Lord Nathaniel followed suit, but not before he glanced at Amanda and found her staring gratefully into his eyes. His heart pounded in his chest, and his fingers drummed his thighs with an unused surge of energy. He vowed to do something in the near future that would inspire that same expression again directed at him.
With many questions still to answer about the enticing Lady Amanda, he found himself drawn to her all the more.
She laughed at something the baron said.
The baron’s voice carried over to him. “You must, my lady, you simply must!”
“Oh, Sir Kenworthy, surely you tire of my silly poems by now.”
“Oh, but no! They are my lullabies at night. I hear them in my sleep, and your angelic voice attends me. Do dream up another, won’t you?” Lady Amanda looked helplessly in Lord Nathaniel’s direction.
“Yes, Lady Amanda. I find I too am in need of the balm of your lovely voice and delightful musings.” Nathaniel bit his cheek to keep his face appropriately serious.
She scowled good-naturedly at him and said, “Very well. I do believe something a little more lighthearted would do us all some good.” She cleared her throat while she thought for a moment. “Given our recent flier, I shall call this ‘An Ode to the Sparrow’.
“Does anyone know?
Where does he go?
Our witty little Sparrow.
Why does he flee,
When we know that he is free,
Flying with the red cap of liberty?”
“Bravo! Bravo!” The baron quietly cheered. And then he frowned. “But I would have much preferred ‘An Ode to the Baron’, if you please.”
Lady Amanda laughed and said, “Then you shall have it, my dear baron! For being the most congenial of us all.” She cleared her throat again and began.
“I’ll sing a song of the baron,
Charming favorite of the ton.”
The baron held up his hand. “But that doesn’t even rhyme.”
“Yes it does, now hush while I finish.
“I’ll sing a song of the baron,
Charming favorite of the ton.
He loves to play,
And while dancing he will sway
With such elegance none can relay.
Our own Corinthian Kenworthay.”
She stressed the last syllable and stretched it out dramatically, which brought laughs to most of the table’s occupants, who had stilled to hear her latest rhymes. They were terribly concocted. Everyone knew it, but that is what made them fun, Nathaniel supposed. Allowing himself to be captivated by her along with everyone else, he laughed with the group and smiled at her in appreciation. Even the staunchest matrons smiled indulgently at her. She had a gift. Even when acting in a most ridiculous manner, she made love to them all, and they couldn’t help but love her in return. Nathaniel shook his head in admiration.