Page 15 of Song of the Caged Duchess

“Nonsense,” Esther said. “I wish my hair was as shiny as yours! And your gown is such a lovely color. I’m sure people are admiring it already.”

“You’re so kind,” Eugenia said. “I’m lucky to be here with you.”

“I think we’re just lucky your mother has decided to leave us on our own for a while.” Aunt Tabitha had left their side the moment they’d entered the ballroom, claiming she need to speak to some acquaintances. Esther suspected she was trying to do a bit of social climbing—but what her aunt decided to do wasn’t her problem. She was happy to be free to enjoy the ball with her cousin.

“What shall we do?” she asked Eugenia. “Do you want to dance?”

“Dance?” Eugenia frowned. “Dance with whom?”

“Oh, I’m sure we could find some men who would be interested in taking us for a turn.”

Eugenia flushed. “Esther, you said we would just have fun this time. You said we wouldn’t worry about being courted!”

“You don’t think a dance would be fun?” Esther asked. "I'm not saying we should marry the gentlemen we dance with. I’m just saying we should enjoy the party.”

“I don’t know,” Eugenia said doubtfully.

“I think we’re about to get our first offer.” Esther pointed.

Sure enough, a skinny gentleman with pointed features was approaching them. He walked with a swagger and bore the confident expression of a man who has never been toldnoin his life.

“Ladies,” he said, bowing slightly. “I am Lord Kensington.”

“Good evening, Lord Kensington,” Esther said, rather wishing he had given his title.

“Your father is the Earl of Milfordshire,” Eugenia put in.

“That’s right,” Lord Kensington said boastfully.

That answered that question, then. He was a viscount.

Esther rather wondered why he was speaking with such pride. It wasn’t that the title of viscount was anything to beashamedof. It was perfectly respectable. But Esther imagined you couldn’t toss a stone in this room without hitting a viscount. They were not in short supply.

Yet he seems to think he’s the only such gentleman Eugenia or I will meet!

Although she had just been speculating about how much fun it would be to dance, Esther had already tired of Lord Kensington’s company. “It was good to meet you, My Lord,” she said, turning away.

“Wait a moment,” Lord Kensington protested. “Where are you going?”

“We’ve only just arrived,” Esther said. “In the interest of good manners, we need to greet the other guests. And we ought to find and present ourselves to our hosts, of course.”

“Well, look no further!” Lord Kensington said. “Here comes Lord Oxbridge now!”

And indeed, a bald young gentleman was approaching. Esther gritted her teeth. Beside her, she felt her cousin grow tense.

“Lord Oxbridge,” Lord Kensington called out, lifting an arm to summon the Earl to his side. “These two lovely young ladies have expressed an interest in making your acquaintance!”

That was putting things generously, Esther thought. The only interest she had expressed was in being mannerly. But Lord Oxbridge gave them a grin that seemed to show all his teeth.

“Have they?” he asked, looking Esther up and down in a way she did not at all care for. He ignored Eugenia entirely and took Esther’s hand, bowing over it. “Lord Oxbridge,” he said. “Delighted to make your acquaintance, My Lady.”

“Lady Esther of Cliffdall,” Esther said, though she wished she could have thought of a way to avoid giving her name. “And this is my cousin, Lady Eugenia of Harcourt.”

Lord Oxbridge continued to ignore Eugenia. "Would you care to dance, Lady Esther?” he asked.

Lord Kensington was frowning. “I was about to ask Lady Esther to dance myself, Lord Oxbridge,” he said.

“Well, there will be plenty of dances tonight,” Lord Oxbridge said. “I'm sure the lady will save one for you.” He held his arm out to Esther.