Page 18

“Very mature, ladies,” Nora sniffed.

The women couldn’t contain their giggles. Sometimes it felt nice to set the rules of Society aside and be silly with trusted friends.

“How was the latest ball? I heard it was at Lady Staunton’s. She always has the best biscuits,” Sarah sighed.

Jenny chewed on her bottom lip. She had been dying to talk to someone about what happened at the ball and what transpired three days later, but she had no one to confide in. But what she really needed was to find out more about the Duke of Marlow. The only information her maid had was his address.

“Yes. It was lovely as usual. The same people were there, with a few new faces,” Nora responded.

Jenny nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, Lady Staunton’s distant cousin was there. I think his name was Lord Rifly. Oh, and the Duke of Marlow was there as well. And yes, her biscuits are always so tasty.”

Sarah sat straight up, her teacup clattering on its saucer. “Wait! Stop. Did you say the Duke of Marlow?”

Jenny’s heart began to race, and she prayed her face wasn’t betraying her with a blush. It was always so hard for her to conceal any true thought or desire when her face was basically projecting her thoughts.

She cleared her throat. “I did.”

Sarah clasped her hands together. “Oh, how I wish I was invited. I would have loved to see the illustrious Duke in real life. I hear he is quite dashing.”

Jenny swallowed past the lump in her throat.

“Oh, he is that. I also hear that he runs hot and cold,” Nora added.

Jenny cocked her head and cleared her throat. “I danced with him.”

Both women stared at her with their mouths hanging open.

“I’m sorry, I just heard a buzzing in my head. Did you say you danced with him?” Sarah came and sat next to her on the settee.

“Yes.” Jenny gave in. She could feel the blush bloom on her cheeks.

The two other women started talking over each other, each trying to get their questions in.

“What was he like?”

“Did he know how to dance?”

“What did he say?”

“What did you say?”

Jenny threw her hands up to quell the onslaught of questions. “He was a very good dancer?—”

“I heard he’s good ateverything,” Sarah interrupted, nudging her.

“Sarah!” Nora gasped. “Really, what has gotten into you today.” After a quick dismissive look at Sarah, she returned to Jenny. “Don’t mind her, go on.”

Jenny licked her lips. “Well, we didn’t say much to each other.”

She couldn’t tell them what they talked about. It felt too private, something she wanted to protect.

“But I will say he is a very handsome man, and charming.”

Sarah fanned herself. “I’ve heard such stories about him. I’m surprised he didn’t try to back you into a dark corner of the ballroom. He has quite a reputation for ruination. It’s like a sport to him. Although, if the gossip is true, I wouldn’t mind being ruined by him,” she added with a wink.

Nora looked on, horrified, but she soon burst out laughing. “Sarah, you are something else today. However, I don’t think you should say such things in front of Jenny. She is still young and hoping for the best in the opposite sex.”

Jenny looked down. Would she always be seen as the “little sister,” the young naive girl who needs help with the most mundane task?