Page 70 of A Pure Lady for the Broken Duke

“What is Thomas doing now?” she asked herself as she watched his progress around the ballroom. She consulted her list. “He is to be dancing with the Thompson daughter. Oh, Thomas. He is impossible.”

Wilcox could hold off no longer and he asked, “Mother, so many of your London circle are in attendance this evening. Might you find the opportunity to talk to them about what we discussed earlier?”

She looked at him. “You mean about recommending you to Lady Monmouth.”

He nodded and smiled. “Exactly.”

She appeared to be hesitant. “I have other priorities this evening, Wilcox.”

“But Mother, it is as important to me as Thomas is important to you. Certainly, you can see the advantage to the family of an alliance with the fair Lady Monmouth.”

She bristled but said. “I might find time after supper to speak to a few of my friends. But do not expect too much. I cannot promise any of them will act on my suggestion.”

“I quite understand, but please do your best,” he said, placing a comforting hand on his mother’s arm.

Chapter 23

Jenny had just completed her first dance with one of her partners. He was polite but seemed to be distracted by a group of his friends sitting at the far end of the room. Jenny had learned during the dance that he was trying to make a woman he was courting jealous by dancing with her. Not the best start to the evening.

She now had the next two dances free and returned to the table just as Helena was being escorted back by another of her dance partners.

“Are you having a good time?” Helena asked.

“I am. Although I know none of these fine people besides yourself, George…and his Grace, of course.”

George stood up from the table and offered his hand to Jenny. “I see from your card that you have this next dance free. Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

Jenny turned to Helena. “If it is alright with you?”

“Of course, I shall sit for a spell and enjoy my champagne.”

George escorted Jenny to the dance floor and they entered into the next dance—a Phoenix Park.

“I have not had the opportunity to tell you how beautiful you look this evening, Miss Jenny,” George said.

“Thank you, but it was all Alicia’s doing—and Helena too, of course.”

“How are the wedding plans coming along?” she asked. “And has Helena been able to tell her father about the engagement yet?”

“Not yet,” he answered before they broke apart and made separate turns on the floor. “But he must be told soon,” he said, as they joined together again. “And it is I who must tell him. It is only right.”

“I am very happy to hear that you and his Grace are going into business together. Helena has told me about it, and it sounds like a very happy partnership.”

“I trust it will be, but we still have a long way to go.”

They concluded the rest of the dance in a comfortable silence, and George escorted Jenny back to the table.

A glass of champagne had been placed where Jenny was sitting.

“I hope you do not mind. I noticed you had nothing to drink,” Helena said.

“Oh, my. I have never had champagne before,” Jenny said taking her first sip and lighting up with delight.

“Miss Jenny, are you free for this next dance?”

Jenny looked up to see his Grace standing next to her. She quickly consulted her dance card and said, “Oh, I am so sorry, but I am booked for this one.”

Thomas bowed. “Then later, perhaps.”