Page 34 of The Gentleman’s Thief

“You are?” I said, surprised.

“Indeed. So many invitations, so many Balls, and not enough time to attend them all!” Mademoiselle d’Harcourt giggled coquettishly and Leopold joined in.

“My dance card is already full. You will dance with me for the waltz.” She said decisively.

“Forgive me Mademoiselle, but I…I do not dance.”

“We shall see about that!” She said confidently.

I gave a cordial smile. It appeared that this pair of vacuous pleasure-seekers were well met. The sound of lilting violins filled the break in our conversation and for a moment we three eyed one another.

“Are you long time friends?” I enquired to break the impasse.

Leopold spoke first. “We met… two nights ago, yes? Lord and Lady Brunswick gave a delightful soiree. Evie is a splendid dancer!”

Mademoiselle d’Harcourt grabbed Leopold’s arm affectionately and announced. “Leo saved me from the grabby ‘ands of a revolting old judge. I did not think the manners of the London gentlemen would be as reprehensible as the French!”

“Goodness. Why do you not have a ladies’ companion to accompany you? It is not safe for a young lady to socialize without a companion.” I blustered.

“That is soo sweet, Mr. Hannan. I thank you for your concern. However, I am, how you say, rather headstrong and unconventional. I can look after myself.”

This was an outrageous assumption on the girl’s part. I wondered did her father know that she was a law unto herself socializing alone in London.

The music changed and Leopold perked up,

“Oh, at last! Der Wiener Waltzer. Mr. Hannan, you must take Evie for a turn, I implore you. It is rude to leave such a beautiful flower against the wall is it not?”

“I told you before, I…I do not dance,” I replied sternly. There were other things I needed to prioritize, like finding Sebastian, and working out who the four other members of the cabal were.

“Ridiculous! Come, Benedict, this is a Ball and we are here to have fun.” Leopold implored his insistent gaze giving no quarter. I am sure this brat was used to getting his own way and I did not feel I could refuse, for that would upset him and scupper my plans to speak with him alone. And so I bowed graciously and reluctantly offered Mademoiselle d’Harcourt my arm and then I led her to the floor for the Viennese Waltz.

I could not remember the last time I had danced, but it was my parent's wish that I was schooled in all of the dances expected for society balls. Gracie was my partner as we learned, and our parents were pleased with how well we took a turn together. It appeared that even though I was nearing the age of fifty-one my muscles remembered exactly what to do. I took hold of Mademoiselle d’Harcourt’s fingertips and placed my hand resting lightly on the small of her back. She pushed her body closer to mine, too close for my comfort until our mid-sections were pressed together and we stepped onto the crowded floor.

When there was an opening in the swirl of dancers we moved in and rotated clockwise at speed in time to the melodious tune. Mademoiselle d’Harcourt’s turquoise silk skirt billowed showing a frou-frou of pink petticoats beneath.

“This is quite the event, is it not?” I said as to the lady’s ear, for I could not endure direct eye contact. The woman leaned closer and in a voice that was not the breathy French accent from moments before said,

“Thank God you arrived, dear heart. I was concerned you would renege!”

I nearly fell over my feet. My shock at the revelation did not seem to register with Sebastian because he continued speaking to my ear.

“I didn’t think there would be more than one hundred guests. Every blasted man and his dog are in attendance. How are we supposed to identify the cabal among this crowd?”

I was dizzied, not only by the swirling Waltz, but by the fact that Cavell had played me for quite the fool, and performed the role of a female so convincingly. The Chameleon man blindsided me at every turn and I could not find it in me to be cross with his duplicity.

“Are you alright?” He enquired.

I realized then that for the first time in a week I was smiling. And quite out of character, I let out a roaring laugh. It felt delightfully obscene to be holding a man so intimately in front of the cream of London society. I pulled Sebastian closer to my warmth and dizzied, we twirled and danced, both laughing now.

As Sebastian’s frock trailed at our feet we lost ourselves to the music and the pleasure of our shared secret.

Observations of a Thief

When the waltz ended Mademoiselle d’Harcourt and I returned to find Leopold seated with Lawrence Blake and another man I did not know.

“Good evening Mr. Hannan, you appear quite transformed from the man I spoke to only a few nights ago,” Blake commented sourly as he stood and offered Mademoiselle d’Harcourt his seat.

I was quite out of breath and could not stop my face from smiling. “Indeed, I am transformed. I have not danced like that since I was a boy. It is quite… invigorating.” I did not recognize the happiness in my voice. “And of course my partner is… beguiling.”