Julia inclined her head.
“I thank you, Lord Charleston. I should be delighted.”
Slipping off her dance card, she handed it to the handsome gentleman, giving a glance to her mother who offered her a small, encouraging smile. Lord Charleston was very handsome indeed, with his light brown hair sweeping across his forehead and warm smile that sent sparks dancing across his hazel eyes. Their introduction had been made by Lady Westfield, who had then quickly stepped away, her task completed.
“The polka?”
“I do very much enjoy the polka.” Accepting her dance card back from him, Julia inclined her head a little. “I look forward to our dance together, Lord Charleston.”
“As do I. It will not be too long from now, so I shall very soon return to your company, Miss Morningside.”
Smiling, she watched him take his leave, only for her gaze to catch upon another gentleman. He was standing to one side of the ballroom at Almack’s, leaning heavily against one of the pillars that adorned the sides and the back of the room. His square jaw was tight, his gaze fixed, and his dark hair seemed to cast a shadow across his features.
For whatever reason, he was scowling at her.
Blinking, Julia swallowed and looked away, wondering at the gentleman’s response to her. Whyever was he behaving in such a way? She was not acquainted with him, and certainly had done nothing to garner such a look of displeasure! Another glance told her that he was still there, still fixing his sharp gaze upon her, and still permitting his mouth to flatten into a thin line whilst his eyes narrowed a fraction. A chill ran across her skin, and she shivered lightly before turning around completely, cutting him from her view.
“Lord Charleston is a Viscount with good standing, good character, and an excellent fortune. When Lady Westfield mentioned him, I did ask if she might make the introductions, and I am very pleased that she has managed to do so.”
“Does Miss Glover not consider him?”
Lady Harbison shook her head.
“Apparently not. Miss Glover stated that she found him too dull for her taste, from what I understand, though I cannot see why she would say such a thing. He is a gentleman, well-titled and wealthy. There can be nothing dull about that!”
Julia hid a smile, but nodded instead, wanting to make certain that her mother saw her agreement. Over the last ten days, she had spent a good deal of time with Miss Glover, to the point where she would now consider her a friend. Miss Glover was very fixed in her opinions when it came to the gentlemen of London and who would be a suitable match for her and her strength and determination. Julia had certainly been interested to hear her thoughts.
“I think that Miss Glover is set upon a love match, Mama.”
Lady Harbison tutted lightly.
“That may be so, but a desire for such a thing is no promise of gaining it!” She looked sharply at Julia, her eyes searching her face. “Are you eager for that particular type of match also?”
“No, Mama.”
The truth was Julia had given very little consideration as to whether or not she sought a love match. She had simply been delighted to be in London and to be permitted to now dance and converse with the various gentlemen who would be present for the Season. What she desired in terms of her own match was not something she had given much thought to, though Miss Glover believed it the most important of all things.
“That is a relief.” Lady Harbison let out a long breath of obvious relief, her shoulders dropping a little. “It is a good deal more difficult to find a love match, my dear. If you are contented with a gentleman who will be kind, who will treat you with care and consideration, and who will have enough of a fortune to keep you in a good style, then that will do very well for you.”
Julia nodded and made to agree, only for Lord Charleston to appear by her elbow, a small smile growing on his lips as she looked up at him.
“A very short time indeed, Miss Morningside,” he laughed when she blinked in surprise. “The polka has just been announced. Are you ready?”
“Oh, of course.” Seeing the warm smile of her mother, Julia turned and accepted Lord Charleston’s arm. “Forgive me, I had not expected it to be upon us so soon!”
Lord Charleston chuckled as he walked out with her to the center of the dance space.
“The polka is a very enjoyable dance, I think. And you will be relieved to know that I have not stood on any toes of late!”
Laughing, she made to say that she had no fear of such a thing, only for a strong hand to grasp her arm.
“I am surprised that you would dare to show your face here.” Astonished, Julia reared back, blinking rapidly, as the gentleman she had seen glaring at her from across the ballroom now stood before her, swaying a little from one side to the other. Her hand clamped itself strongly around Lord Charleston’s arm, her heart beating wildly as she stared at the gentleman, seeing his wide eyes and his hand pointing at her. “After what you have done, I would have thought that you would have hidden yourself away, far from where society could reach you. The audacity of your presence is –”
“Pardon me, but I do not know what you speak of.” Heat built in her face as she waved him away, aware that his voice was loud enough now to carry to the very edges of the ballroom. Despite her fright, she drew herself up, realizing that there had been a misunderstanding as to who she was, but also seeing the need to defend herself. She did not want the ton to believe what was being said of her. “You mistake me for someone else. Do excuse me. I am to dance with Lord Charleston.”
To her horror, the gentleman grabbed her hand and held her back, leaving her pulled between two gentlemen. The weight of his words flung themselves at her one at a time, stacking up one on top of the other, pushing her into the floor.
“You have cheated me, who dared to have an affection for you.” His eyes narrowed, venom spitting from each word he spoke. “You stepped into the arms of another, even though we were betrothed.”
“Come away.”
A lady hurried to the gentleman, taking his arm, just as another protest broke from Julia’s lips. Upon hearing it, the lady sent her narrowed gaze in Julia’s direction, her face a little flushed, but her eyes sparking with fire.
“How can you protest? It is just as he has said!”
To Julia’s dismay, it seemed as though this lady also had mistaken her for someone else, though she, at least, did not seem to be in her cups. Her words brought just as much shame and mortification as the gentleman had done and, with her face burning, she attempted yet again to defend herself, fearful as to just how many of the ton were now listening to this exchange.
“I have done no such thing.” Despite her attempts to make her voice as loud as his so it might also ring around the room, it was quiet and unobtrusive. “I am not acquainted with either of you.”
This was met by a cacophony of cries from the gentleman and the lady, who both railed at her with the same fury and disgust. Julia tried again to explain, to say that she was not who they believed her to be, but despite her protests, they would not listen.
“Excuse me.”
Shock ran up her chest and lodged in her throat as Lord Charleston quickly dropped her arm and stepped away without explanation, clearly unwilling to dance with her now. Seeing that she was to be left alone on the dance floor, surrounded by other couples who had come to dance, Julia pulled herself back, exclaiming all the more that she was not who they believed her to be, but neither the gentleman nor the lady listened to her. Their words combined into a fury, raining fire and shame down upon her head, even though she had done nothing wrong.
“Julia!”
The sound of her name had her spinning around, only to see her mother beckoning her to draw close. With the exclamations of both gentleman and lady following her, she hurried towards her mother, grasping her hands tightly just as tears began to burn in her eyes.
“They have gone,” her mother murmured, squeezing Julia’s hands tightly. “I was about to step forward and state that they were mistaken only to see Lord Charleston leave the dance floor – and you also.” Julia tried to speak, but tears lodged in her throat and, to her shame, began to drop to her cheeks. “Now, do not cry.” A handkerchief was pressed into Julia’s hand as her mother bent her head a little, looking straight into Julia’s face. “The ton will have heard a great deal, but they must not see you weep. if you do, they may think you guilty of whatever was being placed upon your shoulders.”
“You did not hear?” Julia dabbed at her eyes, her voice cracking and rippling with emotion as her heart tore with a sudden pain. “The gentleman accused me of ending our betrothal or some such thing, asking me how I dared have such arrogance as to show my face here this evening. I do not know what he meant.”
Lady Harbison nodded but closed her eyes, her lips pinched. She did not speak for some moments and, as Julia watched the play of emotions run across her features, she felt her heart beginning to sink low. There was no promise of relief, no assurance that all would be well. Instead, her mother remained silent, clearly thinking through what had happened and considering whatever consequences might now befall her.
“Let us take a turn about the room.” With a sudden strength to her voice, Lady Harbison took Julia’s arm and almost dragged her forward, her steps strong and determined. “I cannot quite believe what has happened to you! That gentleman, whoever he was, mistook you for someone else! It is foolishness indeed to think that you were betrothed to him, particularly when you did not know his name!”
It took Julia a few seconds to realize what her mother was doing. It was only when she attempted to mumble something in response, only to hear her mother begin to say the very same things again that she understood. Lady Harbison was speaking as loudly as she dared in the hope that those who had heard what that gentleman had thrown at Julia would understand his mistake.
Julia dared not even allow herself to think what would happen if the ton turned against her. Daring a glance, she saw the sharp, snapping eyes of Lady Duncastle… and her spirits dropped even lower. Lady Duncastle was well known to be nothing more than gossip and if she had witnessed what had taken place, then Julia feared her reputation would be quite ruined.
“Keep your head up as we make our way to the carriage. I think it best we take our leave.” The muttered direction from the side of Lady Harbison’s mouth had Julia’s eyes closing briefly, pain beginning to spread out across her chest. They were to take their leave from Almack’s, then. This was to be the moment they would return home and, in their stead, leave nothing but whispers. No doubt gossip would spread across the room like a fire, tendrils of flame burning her although she would be nowhere near it. “Courage, my dear.”
Another murmur from her mother had Julia nodding in response, before lifting her chin and walking forward with slow, steady steps. Looking straight ahead, she did not allow her gaze to spin to either the right or the left but kept it steady and direct.
Finally, out of doors, the cool evening air beginning to cool her hot cheeks, Julia closed her eyes and let two questions ring around her mind.
Who was the gentleman who had railed at her in such an uncouth fashion? And who precisely did he think she had been?