Page 47 of A Mismatch Made in London

Tears filled my eyes—I was so teary-eyed of late—as I read my mother’s letter, all about how she missed me—“you are my eldest girl and my best helper”—and how the children missed me as well. “But I am happy you are there in London, no doubt making conquests of more than one young gentleman, and therefore I am glad. I hope you are having a wonderful time. Love and well wishes, Your Mama.”

What a good mother I had. I sighed, missing her but also grateful. I had to wipe away a couple of tears that slipped out, but I took a deep breath to drive the others away and to be able to read my siblings’ notes to me.

“Is your family well?” Juliet asked.

I glanced up and saw Juliet and her brother watching me.

“Oh, yes. My baby brother is teething, so he cries a lot, but everyone else is well.”

“I’m very glad to hear that,” Jeremy said. And he looked sincere. He must really feel guilty.

But I didn’t blame him for my disappointment. He was only trying to help his sister. It was Lord Gotthurst who chose to throw me over because of his mother’s objections. And honestly, I didn’t blame Lord Gotthurst... very much. It would have been difficult for him to marry against his only parent’s wishes. She could have made our lives miserable, if she didn’t care about her son’s happiness. And it seemed as if she didn’t.

But these were gloomy thoughts, and I wanted to be happy about the ball. How nice it would be if I could fulfill my mother’s expectations and claim at least one conquest—or one marriage proposal. “Conquests” didn’t seem to be a good way of thinking about respectable gentlemen, one of whom I would hopefully fall in love with and marry.

The day went by with some final beauty treatments fromMadame Leonora, who seemed to be anticipating the ball even more than we were.

“You must promise to tell me all about the compliments you receive at this ball. You are both glowing with youth and vitality. You are beautiful, so beautiful,” she said in her lilting accent.

Lady Blackmoor’s ball looked to be the event of the Season, with some people I knew and many I did not.

Lady Blackmoor greeted us quickly and passed us forward to the ballroom, which was already becoming crowded. And then I saw Lord Gotthurst.

He was standing with two ladies, one who was older and one younger.

“Oh dear,” I said at the same time I heard Juliet say, “I hate the sight of him. Come, let’s go.”

Just as she took my arm and was pulling me toward the refreshments table, he turned and caught my eye.

I quickly looked away, not waiting to see what he would do or how he would look.

It seemed the musicians were getting ready, and the master of the ball announced, “The first dance shall begin very soon, so secure your partners now.” That usually meant the first dance would begin in about five minutes, which allowed just enough time to be introduced to someone new.

My heart started beating hard as I remembered when Lord Gotthurst asked me for the first dance. Would he even talk to me tonight? What would I say? But if he didn’t talk to me, I’d feel crushed all over again.

Jeremy Beaumont was suddenly beside me. “Miss Moore, would you do me the honor of dancing the first dance with me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I shall return in a moment.”

He walked away just as Mr. Shelley came and asked Juliet for the first dance.

Mr. Shelley said, “You both look lovely this evening. It’s as if you have a light shining from within.”

Juliet and I exchanged a look. Madame Leonora would be so happy.

“Why, Mr. Shelley, what pretty words,” Juliet said.

“I know it sounds like flattery, but it is the truth. I stand by what I said.”

But he did look a bit embarrassed, I would even say smitten, as he gazed at Juliet.

I suddenly became aware of Lord Gotthurst making his way to me, a grim look on his face.

My heart sank, but I would not be afraid. I would be strong. After all, I had done nothing wrong.

“Miss Moore, you are looking well,” he said almost before he reached me.