Epilogue
Giles Templeton took Lizzie’s elbow and directed her away from the line of dancers who had just finished a rousing quadrille. Both were out of breath as they returned to where Hawk, Giles’s wife, Suzanna, Bedford and his duchess, Patience, and Lord Campbell and his ward, Lady Bridget, stood near the French doors at the Pennington ball.
“Aren’t any of you going to exert yourselves tonight and join in the dancing?” Giles stepped next to his wife and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her to him, his brows furrowed. “Are you well, my love?”
Suzanna and Giles had just announced the pending arrival in several months of their first child. Given the grimace on Suzanna’s face, it appeared she’d had enough of her husband’s coddling. He’d been treating her like fragile crystal since they’d arrived at the ball. “Yes, my love, I am well. Perhaps you would care to fetch me a lemonade?”
Giles perked right up, as if she asked him to rescue her from peril. “Of course.”
“I believe I could use a glass, myself,” Lizzie said.
“Me, too,” Patience added.
Cam turned to his ward. “Would you care for a glass?”
“No, thank you.” She looked over his shoulder, as if the potted plant behind him held the secrets of the universe.
Cam scowled and followed the rest of the men to the refreshment table.
“Honestly, Giles is driving me absolutely crazy. I don’t know how I will put up with him for the next few months.” Suzanna studied her husband as he crossed the room with his friends.
“I’m afraid you are in for a rough time. Bedford made me so nervous near the end of my confinement that I almost locked myself away in the abandoned steward’s cottage at our estate.”
“Lady Hawkins.” The deep female voice made Lizzie jump, since Lizzie had not noticed Lady Creassy, followed by other ladies of the realm, Lady Honeyfield and Lady Livingstone, right behind their group.
Lizzie turned and dipped. “Good evening, my lady.” This was Lizzie’s first public appearance since the debacle with Mr. Allen. Hawk had assured her she would be accepted back into the ton, but aside from a few remarks hidden behind fans, the only guests to address her had been the circle of Hawk’s friends. She took in a deep breath, waiting for the criticism, or perhaps the outright cut direct.
Lady Creassy tapped Lizzie’s arm with her fan. “You are quite brave attending this ball.”
Lizzie spotted Hawk returning with a glass of lemonade, Bedford, Giles, and Cam behind him. If Hawk’s glower meant anything, this could turn into a problem. One she would prefer not to deal with.
“Yes, my lady. I was quite happy to receive the invitation.”
Lady Livingstone raised her quizzing glass and studied Lizzie. “From what we hear, you are quite the courageous young lady.”
Hawk had reached her side and placed his arm around her waist. “Good evening, ladies. I do hope you are enjoying yourselves.”
“Quite so, Lord Hawkins. It is nice to see you by your wife’s side.” Lady Honeyfield smiled and looked around the rest of the circle. “Surrounded by friends, I see.”
Lizzie still held her breath, waiting for what she assumed would be the set-down she knew was coming. “Yes, my lady, it is quite nice to have friends.”
Lady Creassy finally smiled. “You are indeed a remarkable young lady, and I only stopped by to tell you I would love for you—and your friends—to drop by one afternoon for tea. My hours are on Tuesday and Thursday. ’Tis a wonderful thing you did to uncover the nasty Mr. Allen. Well done.” Once again she tapped Lizzie’s arm with her fan. “Yes, well done indeed.”
“I would be honored to call upon you.” Lizzie let out the breath she’d been holding.
And just like that the three harridans of the ton sailed off, their heads held high, groups of people moving like the parting of the Red Sea so they could proceed across the ballroom floor.
“I knew all would go well.” Hawk grinned and handed her the glass of lemonade.
“You knew no such thing.” Lizzie took the drink with shaky hands, a smile breaking out on her face.
Well done. Yes, well done indeed.
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