After the dinner was over and the guests were streaming back to the ballroom, Grandmamma took Thomas aside and said, “I think the dinner went well.”

“Yes, I believe so. I will make certain to congratulate cook. It was a major endeavor and it was pulled off very effectively.”

But Grandmamma pursed her lips, hesitating only briefly before adding, “But Thomas you have not been adhering to your dance schedule. You have only danced with a few of the young ladies we agreed upon.”

Thomas took his grandmother by the arm and said, “But… I have been meeting a few young ladies who do interest me. And that is something I know you want.”

“But do they have money? Thomas, you know we discussed this. The whole point of this ball is to meet someone who can bring a sizable fortune to Pemberton.”

“I do not disagree. But I am working in reverse of your plan. First, I find someone I like, and then I see if they have money. That works better for me.”

Augusta sighed. “Why do I have such a stubborn grandson?”

“Because I have such a stubborn Grandmamma,” he said with a laugh, and leaned over and kissed her cheek.

They followed the last of the guests back to the ballroom and, after a few moments, the orchestra started playing again, and the refreshed guests began to dance.

Thomas had kept his eye on Jenny during the dinner, but she had been unaware of his attention. He was sorry to see that none of her table mates had spoken to her. But that was his fault for having forgotten to have her placed with a compatible group of guests. But he saw a young man go over to her and take her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

Thomas, remembering his promise to his Grandmamma, scanned the room to find one of the young ladies he had spied earlier, who he thought was attractive, and went over to her.

“Thomas Haddington, the Duke of Pemberton,” he said, introducing himself to the young lady. “Are you free for this dance?”

“I am, Your Grace. And I am Lady Prunella Alderman.”

“Then shall we?” he asked, offering his hand and leading her to the dance floor.

This dance was somewhat lively, so they did not have much of an opportunity to converse. But when it finished, Thomas decided he did find this young lady quite attractive, and now it was time to find out the young lady’s financial situation. After all, he had promised his Grandmamma.

“Lady Prunella would you care to take a breather out on the terrace?” he asked.

“That would be delightful.”

“Would you like me to fetch your wrap? It is most likely cool outside this time of year.”

She nodded, and they went to her table, fetched her shawl, and headed to the terrace through a set of the French doors.

The moon was just half full and hung on the horizon, casting a pale light over the young lady. Lady Prunella was tall, slender and carried her head regally. She had fine, delicate features and dressed very well, but not ostentatiously. But perhaps her finest feature was her auburn hair which she wore piled atop her head, which was the fashion, but the ringlets fell aside her head in a most becoming manner.

There was nothing pushy about this young lady. Thomas could tell she was well-bred, educated and unassuming.

“I do not believe I have met your family,” Thomas said. “In what part of London do you reside?”

“Mayfair—Berkeley Square. Northside so we get the winter sun in the front sitting room. It is a very comfortable house. You must visit us when you are next in London. If you let me know ahead, I shall arrange an intimate supper party with some of my most cherished friends.”

Thomas liked this lady more every moment. “That sounds charming. And your father? Might I have met him in my travels?”

“Dear Papa is deceased. But he was with the Foreign Office under Pitt, the younger.”

“It is unfortunate to lose a parent, especially when one is still young.”

“But you might have run across my dear Mama—Lady Beverly Alderman. She is an avid follower of the opera and the musical world. Do you often attend musical events?”

“Not often, I am afraid, basically residing in Gloucestershire as I do.”

Thomas was not getting to the answer he needed, so he tried another tack. “And do you have siblings?”

“I have a younger sister.”

Excellent he thought. No older brothers to inherit the family fortune.

“And your interests, Lady Alderman? Are you musically inclined like your mother?”

“I follow the art world. I have a great fondness for the graphic arts, although I also enjoy sculpture. But collecting art can be an expensive proposition.”

She had just expressed the possibility of a financial restriction. Perhaps her family was not wealthy—especially now that her father had passed.

“However, my dear Aunt Gertrude has left me a considerable sum that I am to inherit when I marry or turn twenty-five—whichever comes first.”

Ah… Thomas had his answer. Except one woman’s considerable sum could be another man’s trifle. But he did not want to push the issue any further, just now. There would be plenty of time to find the answer later. Perhaps his Grandmamma knew. She had hand-picked the guests, so she must be aware of the young lady’s worth.

“Shall we go inside?” he asked. “Must not have you catching a chill.”

“It has been delightful chatting with you,” she said, taking his arm. “And remember, next time you plan to come to London, you must come for supper and meet my mother and some of my dear friends.”

“I should like that. In fact, my business associate and I are to be in London shortly after the frenzy of the ball is over.”

“Oh, business associate? What sort of business are you in?”

Thomas quickly told her about the horses they were to breed and manage.

“Oh, how delightful. I adore riding Rotten Row and am often taking exercise there on my darling Caspar.”

“Your own horse?”

She nodded.

Back in the ballroom, he caught his Grandmamma’s eye as she watched him escort Lady Alderman back to her table. She indicated she wished to speak to him. And, after settling Lady Prunella, he went to his grandmother.

She was smiling broadly. “You spent quite a time on the terrace with that young lady.”

“Lady Prunella Alderman. Do you know her?”

“I know of her. We have not met before. But she comes from a very respectable family.”

“And does she meet your financial approval?” he asked somewhat snidely.

“I did not put her on my list because I have been unable to learn what she has to take with her into a marriage.”

Thomas was thoughtful. “Well, I quite like her. I believe I shall be seeing her again when I go up to London with George.”

That put a large smile on his grandmother’s face. “Then I shall make an effort to find out her worth.”

Jenny could not help but notice the Duke dancing with the very attractive young lady. And then he took her outside to the terrace where they conversed for some time. When they came back in, Thomas went to his grandmother and they spoke a few words, and she just beamed with pleasure. Of course, she knew the Duke was only performing his duty in looking for a wife, but she could not help but feel devastated by the direction the evening was taking. And to top it all off, the young man, who had sat next to her at dinner, and who was scheduled to dance with her right now, did not show up. Obviously, he felt she was beneath his concern, and he had bailed on her.

Helena had been watching Jenny’s shifting mood and asked, “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Somewhat,” she said noncommittedly.

“Did you meet anyone interesting at supper?”

Jenny told her about the walrus and the snobby young man who had just ditched his dance with her.

Helena cast a look at George and then asked her, “Do you want to leave? We could if you want—although I still have a number of partners to dance with—and my Georgie too, of course.”

“No, absolutely not. Nothing could induce me to ruin your evening.”

Helena patted Jenny’s hand and then turned back to chat with George before another gentleman came over to claim his dance with Helena.

George seemed to take pity on her and asked. “Would you like to dance again? I find I am free.”

Jenny smiled weakly. “Thank you, but I believe not. These dancing slippers are pinching somewhat, and I need to rest my feet.”

“Very well,” George said, looking relieved, as he stood and headed to chat with some of his friends while Helena danced.

Thomas made an effort to meet and chat with two more ladies he found passably attractive, but neither had the wit or charm of Lady Alderman, and only one had a living to bring to the marriage that would satisfy his Grandmamma.

The clock on the east tower had already struck midnight and the ball was beginning to wind down. Thomas needed to confer with Willoughby about managing a smooth exit for the guests, and he was assured a number of footmen were already in place and prepared to call the carriages as the guests began to depart. And for those guests staying overnight at Pemberton, a number of housemaids, and the guest’s personal servants were standing by to assist.

Wilcox slithered silently into the chair at the table next to his mother.

“Have you spoken to any of your friends?” he asked, leaning in and kissing her on the cheek.

She turned and said, “To a few, but, as I said before, there is no guarantee any of them will speak to Lady Monmouth.”

He frowned slightly, “You ask me to make amends, but you thwart my efforts to repair myself.”

“Oh, Wilcox, do not be so ridiculous. I have done what you asked. Now it is up to you.”

“But you act on my behalf half-heartedly. Do not blame me if Lady Monmouth fails to see my worth.”

Augusta looked at her son with a mixture of loathing and pity. “Oh, my dear, I am so sorry you lost your dear wife all those years ago. It has made you reckless and bitter.”

“Mother…”

“You used to be such a sweet boy. And even as a young man, you showed ambition and promise. What happened?

“Life happened,” he said with a sneer.

Thomas returned to the table but did not sit. Instead, he stood looking out over the ballroom, deciding what, if anything, he must do next as host. He was displeased his uncle had come, but he could not refuse him, as his Grandmamma had invited him.

He saw that George, Helena, and Miss Jenny were all at their table and appeared to be readying to leave. He went over.

“George, we will meet here tomorrow? We have a lot to go over before we leave for London. And, I have to say, I am most anxious to move forward as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, most certainly. I have been able to speak to a few of your guests, and I may have a few new leads for investors.”

“That is excellent. I have not been able to think about business this evening, as my Grandmamma has been forcing me to concentrate on eligible young heiresses.”

Thomas realized he was in Jenny’s presence and he regretted what he had just said, but he could not take it back. He glanced over to her and her head was bowed, and she looked devastated. Of course, she could not expect that he could consider her, but his words did seem to have wounded her, nevertheless. And to be honest… his heart was aching too. If only he could just throw caution to the wind and take the bride of his heart’s choice—but he could not.

“Gentlemen,” Helena spoke up, “enough about business. It is time for us to go. You can chat to your heart’s content tomorrow, but for this evening, I am fatigued and need to go home. Thank you, Thomas, for the most delightful evening.”

“Yes, thank you for inviting me,” Jenny said quietly, but not looking at Thomas. “It has been a great pleasure. I am only sorry I was unable to keep my commitment to you for the baking. I only hope you can forgive me.”

Thomas’s heart was rending. He looked at the great sorrow in her sweet face and wanted to pull her to him and hug her, but he could not.

“Miss Jenny, there is absolutely no need for forgiveness. And it was a delight having you here. And I thoroughly enjoyed dancing with you this evening. I shall never forget our time together,” he said, looking at her with the greatest sympathy and longing.

At that, Jenny gave a faint smile.

But he felt devastated. He backed away and ended by addressing George. “Until tomorrow, then. But not before ten o’clock. And then we get down to work.”

“I did not belong. I should never have come,” Jenny said very quietly with tears in her eyes, as the carriage headed back toward George’s house. George had nodded off and his head rested on the side of the carriage. But Helena had heard and put her hand on Jenny’s.

“I am so sorry you did not have a good time, my dear,” she said. “I am afraid I did not think it through. Of course, you felt out of place. But, you did look beautiful—a match for any of the fine ladies vying for the Duke’s attention.”

“And tomorrow I shall rise early, once again, and bake my pies, my cakes, and my tarts. And all will be as it should be. I have learned my place, and I shall accept it.”