Page 2 of Murder at the Debutante Ballby

She sniffed and offered me a smile. “Oh, Miss Fox. I am glad to see you. I’m quite all right now that you’re here.”

I wanted to ask her what the men had said but decided against it. Perhaps it was better if she ignored them. Unfortunately, the three men returned moments later. One of them neighed as he passed.

Miss Hessing lowered her head again. “I hate these things.”

I squeezed her hand. “I loathe them too.”

“But you’re so popular with the men.”

“Two dances with my cousin’s friend don’t count.”

“It’s better than nothing.” She sighed. “I don’t know why we come.”

“Because you’re invited?”

She smiled. “I suppose so.”

“You should smile more often. It lights up your eyes.”

She blushed. “You’re too kind.”

I nodded at the retreating backs of the men. “Ignore them. I plan to.”

“What if one of them asks you to dance?”

“I’ll tell him I don’t dance with moronic boys. I prefer men with at least half a brain.”

She giggled. “I wish I had your confidence.”

Mrs. Hessing suddenly and loudly burst out laughing. “Mother,” Miss Hessing hissed. “Everyone’s looking at us.”

A cluster of women that included Lady Bunbury peered down their noses at Mrs. Hessing. Then something caught Lady Bunbury’s attention and she hurried off in the direction of a lady and gentleman studying one of the many paintings dotted around the room. She sported a look of terror as she forged a path towards them. The pair didn’t see her approach. They were too intent on the painting.

Mrs. Hessing covered her mouth with her fan and leaned towards her daughter. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, child. You’re better off than most in this room, including our hostess. I’ve just heard the most interesting rumor about the Bunburys. Believe me, if they had a son your age, his mother would be throwing him at you.” Mrs. Hessing turned to her friends, leaving her daughter blinking at her back.

“Nobody will throw their sons in my direction,” Miss Hessing said to me. “They all want that girl over there.”

I followed her gaze to Amelia Livingstone, dancing with a man shorter than her. He stepped on her toe and apologized. She gave a small wince, but her smile remained. Her partner looked besotted with her, and grateful to be in her sphere.

Jonathon joined us and bowed to Miss Hessing. “Good evening. We haven’t met.”

Miss Hessing didn’t correct him. She performed a little curtsy and blushed.

“You met Miss Hessing at the hotel,” I told him.

“Ah. I do apologize. Dreadful memory for faces.” He nodded at Amelia Livingstone being led off from the dance floor by her partner. “I saw you watching her. I just heard the most scandalous thing about her. Do you want to hear it? It will make you feel better.”

“Better about what?” I asked.

“Your situation in comparison to hers.” He leaned in. “I heard something that throws shade over her virtue.”

“Don’t, Jonathon. I’m not interested in nasty gossip.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Very well, but if you change your mind, let me know. It really is scandalous.” He chuckled to himself.

He wasn’t the only one who’d heard salacious gossip about Miss Livingstone. Going by the way a few of the young men looked at her with sly smiles, rumors about her were circulating fast. The extent to which her virtue was muddied wasn’t clear, however. For most girls, a mere kiss wasn’t a cause for scandal, but for a society girl, it would be the end of her good name. Her reputation would be ruined, and she’d be ostracized by the Lady Bunburys of the world. It would be the social death of her.

If these people knew I’d kissed Harry Armitage mere weeks ago, I’d be the one subjected to their whispers and stares. While being ostracized by them didn’t bother me, it would affect my family. It wasn’t just Flossy who would suffer, but my aunt and uncle too. They found their guests among these people. If they suddenly stopped being invited to balls and dinners, they would lose touch with the society leaders who sent their friends to stay at the Mayfair and spoke favorably about the hotel to their social circle.