A ball was taking place at Lord Deering’s. Lizzie and Isobel greeted friends and acquaintances with plastered smiles. Being that they were the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, many people sought their attention. As always, Isobel and Lizzie were expected to be on their best behavior. After an exhausting hour of niceties, the sisters found a hidden corner and let themselves breathe.

“I do say. If one more old lady asks me whether Lord Barton and I are to be married, I might very well take off this shoe and start hitting her with it.”

Lizzie’s remark had been meant for her flushed sister’s ears only, but she heard a low, barely audible chuckle. When she looked around, there seemed to be no one paying attention to them. She chalked it up to her annoyed mood. The moment was immediately forgotten when her eyes found a young man approaching them from the side.

Smiling at him, Lizzie murmured to Isobel, “It seems that charming young man over there has an interest in you. I have been watching him work up the courage to approach you since we arrived.”

Isobel’s eyes darted to where she was looking, and to Lizzie’s amusement, the younger girl blushed. “He is very attractive,” she managed.

“Good evening,” Lizzie said as the man approached

The young man bowed quickly and spoke in a deep voice. “Good evening. I am Sir Charles Wentworth. I believe we were introduced last week.”

“Sir Charles, of course. Yours is a hard face to forget. How do you find the ball tonight?”

The man smiled. “I do not find it lacking pretty girls, but I believe I may have found the most beautiful girl in the room yet. Could I ask you for a dance, Lady Isobel?”

Isobel blushed, “Your words are very kind, Sir Charles. I would be honored to have this dance.”

As Sir Charles held her hand, he flashed a charming smile. “Then would it be too bold to claim the next dance as well?”

Isobel gave him a look from under her lashes. “Let us see how you fare on the first dance.” With that she was led away as Lizzie watched on with a smile.

She had forgotten her predicament however, when Lord Deering found her. From his breath, she could tell that he was on the verge of being drunk.

“Good evening, Lady Elizabeth. You look lovely. I believe you promised me a dance.”

She smiled at him. “I believe I did.”

She did not dislike dancing, but Lord Deering’s incessant stumbling was too much. She could not find any joy in the music, in her partner, or in dancing. “Perhaps we should stop, Lord Deering, you seem unwell.”

“Nonsense, Lady Elizabeth. I am as fit as a horse,” he stammered.

She wondered if she should tell him that it was ‘fit as a fiddle’, but decided against it. The man was determined to dance. When the dance ended, she slipped away and didn’t wait for Lord Deering to escort her back to her seat. Isobel was still with her young man. He seemed totally entranced.

“True love. What a joke,” Lizzie said out loud without realizing her inner thoughts had crossed her lips.

“I’ll drink to that,” spoke a familiar male voice. Lizzie looked up to see a tall man sipping on his drink standing next to her.

“Do I know you?” questioned Lizzie, annoyed with the man’s unwelcome conversation.

“We haven’t been introduced.” He gave a short bow. “My name is Matthew Adams. You were dancing with my cousin, if you call what he did dancing.”

Lizzie stood up. “I feel he was not so well.”

“Or he was drunk,” Matthew offered.

“He is your cousin. Should you really be saying that?” Lizzie asked. His lack of manners was almost unforgivable.

“Why? Will you hit me with your shoe?”

Lizzie looked at him intently. “I knew someone had been listening to me. You do realize eavesdropping is very rude.”

“It was not by choice, I assure you. However, it was a sight I would have enjoyed.”

Lizzie was accustomed to presenting a polite, delicate, and cool front to the world and yet this man, this stranger, had seen her for who she was. He had seen her without her playing her role. It was unsettling.

“I did not mean it.”

Matthew continued to sip his drink, his eyes on the new dancers, “I believe you did. Isn’t that your sister?”

“Yes, Lady Isobel.”

Matthew studied her. “You like playing matchmaker. I did not take you for that.”

Annoyed, Lizzie glanced at him. “You do not even know me.”

Her companion gave her a cool, irritating smile. “That is a very good point, Lady Elizabeth. Why don’t you allow me to get to know you?”

“I have a feeling I might regret it, so thank you, but no. Please excuse me, Mr. Adams.” With that, Lizzie walked away to an amused pair of eyes.

So, this was Lady Elizabeth Ellis. He had no idea she was so wild. This chase was going to be invigorating.