A Wedding In Springtime(31)
“Just see to it, my boy, that you dance with all the debutantes and give their mamas a thrill.”
Grant bowed to his aunt. “I shall meet my fate with the courage of an Englishman.”
“Good.” She gave Grant a little pat on the shoulder and a nudge toward the ballroom. “I’ve met this year’s crop and you are going to need it!”
***
“Lemonade?”
Genie turned to find Mr. Grant holding two cups of the sweet libation. “Thank you, yes. I had thought you had gone to play cards.” After hours of speaking and dancing with a half-dozen eligible men of various ages and situations in life, the sight of the charming Mr. Grant was a welcome one.
“Indeed I did but was flushed out by my aunt.”
“You poor dear. And now here you are, drinking lemonade.”
“I believe in trying everything at least once. How bad can it be?” Grant raised his glass to her and took a hearty gulp. Instantly, he started to gag. “Good heavens, what a dreadful concoction!”
“Lemonade does not agree with you, sir?” asked Genie, taking a sip.
“Not agree? Why, who could agree with such a wretched drink? And to think they make poor, unsuspecting young ladies drink this. I am horrified.” Grant put his drink down on the table and eyed it suspiciously as if it might strike back.
Genie could not help but laugh.
“There now, that is a good sight better.” Grant smiled at her.
“Stop, please. My aunt has informed me that I must never laugh again. Indeed, I am to appear a very serious lady.”
“How dull. Worse than the lemonade. If this is how we are raising our young people today, we might as well surrender to France.”
“Indeed, sir!”
“At least they know how to enjoy some amusement.”
“And you are not amused by this soiree?”
Grant’s eyes met hers. “It has not been without amusement.”
Genie turned back to the ballroom where a mass of people milled about, waiting for the musicians to return from their break. She was once again feeling unusually warm, a sensation that seemed to be related to the close proximity of Mr. Grant. “Have you seen Lady Louisa?” She wished to change the subject and her mind flitted naturally to her cousin, about whom she had growing concerns.
“No, not recently. Why?”
“I was wondering if we could begin trying to bring Louisa and the duke to speaking terms.”
“Is Lady Louisa feeling neglected?” asked Grant.
“Not as much as she should,” murmured Genie. “But Lady Bremerton certainly feels the sting.”
“I am not sure what can be done,” hedged Grant.
“A dance might not be inappropriate at a ball.”
“Marchford rarely dances.”
“Perhaps he could make this one of those special occasions?”
“I shall make the suggestion to Marchford,” promised Grant.
“Would you?” Genie touched his sleeve and smiled with gratitude. “Thank you. Might there be anything else we can do to help?”
“I shall think on it, never fear. Perhaps I could arrange to bring Marchford for a visit?”
“Yes! That would be quite the thing.”
“Then it shall be done! I do apologize, but I must dash. Promised for the next set!” Grant bowed and disappeared into the sea of bodies. She caught sight of him once more leading out to the floor a plump debutante with pouty lips and spots. The sight ran tingles down her spine. He was not joking when he said he had promised to dance with every debutante to secure an invitation for her. Grant covered a wince with a smile after his foot was trod upon by the graceless young lady.
“Poor man,” murmured Genie. She had been wronged by him but now saw the scales had shifted and she was in his debt.
***
What on earth had become of him? He grimaced as his footwear again suffered attack. A few days ago, he was a notorious rake, a leader of society, carefree, and easy. Now he was standing up with an adolescent who snarled at him every time she made a mistake. What had dragged him to such depths?
He caught sight of Miss Talbot and resisted the urge to wave. Blasted girl. One look at those blue eyes and angelic face and he would promise her the crown jewels and his own head on a platter. His foot again suffered attack, his punishment for taking an interest in a debutante.
At length, the dance ended and Grant slipped away, back to the card room. His conscience pricked him again, and he knew he was not going to enjoy himself, but to meddle into his friend’s affairs, an occurrence so unprecedented he was forced to take some liquid courage.