Page 17 of A Mismatch Made in London

At that moment the musicians began to play, and I was forced to try to remember the steps to the dance.

I did my best to concentrate, but my mind kept racing with thoughts of “How dare he say such things to my face?” to “Mrs. Kendall has made me look like the worst person in his eyes.”

But it wasn’t true! I did not befriend Juliet for that reason. I didn’t even know she was his sister. In fact, she befriended me more than the other way around.

I turned the wrong way, nearly bumping into the person beside me, a young lady who looked as frightened as if I’d been a runaway carriage about to collide with her. I quickly corrected myself as Jeremy Beaumont took my hand and led me down the aisle formed by the other dancers and their outstretched arms.

How embarrassing.

I held his hand and my head high.

Even though I could hardly blame him for thinking ill of me after what he’d overheard my aunt say, he’d thought ill of me long before that. He’d assumed the worst about me from the very beginning. And that was the hardest thing to forgive.

I did my best to push away all thoughts of him as I concentrated on the dance. I didn’t bother trying to smile. He didn’t deserve my smiles.

I reminded myself I was dancing at the ball that was given in my honor. I was not going to let him ruin my evening, even if he was the most sought-after gentleman in London this Season.

I did my best to avoid looking into his eyes, but every time I accidentally glanced in his direction, he was looking at me.

“How odious that you were stuck dancing the last dance with me,” I said as we waited our turn. “But I suppose Juliet forced you.”

“She did, yes.”

What a terrible thing to say! But I’d baited him. Still, it was one more bit of proof that he was not chivalrous or even courteous.

The next time we were standing still, I said, “What Mrs. Kendall said is not true. I did not even know Juliet was your sister when I met her.”

He arched his eyebrows.

“I don’t know why I am defending myself to you. You are obviously not honorable enough to believe me, and therefore I will not—”

The dance separated us, as we switched partners and came back together a few moments later. He said, “If I misjudged you, I pray you will forgive me.” But it was obvious from his tone and his expression that he didnotthink he’d misjudged me.

The dance was finally over. I allowed him to escort me back to Mrs. Kendall, but I refused to thank him or even look at him. Instead, I mumbled to my aunt that I was going to get some lemonade.

Juliet was suddenly beside me, slipping her arm through mine.

“I had such an enjoyable evening,” Juliet said to Mrs. Kendall. “Thank you so much for inviting me to this wonderful ball at your beautiful home.”

“My dear, the pleasure is all mine.” Mrs. Kendall was all smiles, her voice high and triumphant. “You and your brother are always welcome at our home, and I am so honored that he is allowing you to stay the night with us. Dear Amelia has been so happy having such a delightful friend as yourself.”

It was true enough. I ventured to peek over my shoulder, but Mr. Beaumont had vanished. Good. I wished I might never see him again. Just thinking about him made me feel the same as I had when my older brother pushed me into a mud puddle when we were small children. I’d been so angry I jumped on his back, forced him to the ground, and struck him repeatedly with my fists.

If only I could deal with Mr. Beaumont in similar fashion.

I forced myself to focus on Juliet and what she was saying.

“I danced with ever so many charming young gentlemen, and so did Amelia.” She grinned and winked at me.

“Nothing could give me more pleasure than that, my dear,” Mrs. Kendall said. “I’m afraid I must go and say farewell to all my guests.” She hurried toward the house’s entryway, where a line was already forming of people wishing to take their leave.

Later, when we were safely in my room and were preparing ourselves for bed, I said, “I would rather you didn’t try to force your brother to dance with me at the next ball. He really doesn’t like me very much, and that is all right.”

Juliet stopped what she was doing and stared at me. “Oh, my darling friend.” Then she gasped. “Was Jeremy terribly rude to you? I told him—”

“He thinks I befriended you because I was trying to get close to him.”

“Did he say that to you? How dare he? I will make him rue it!”