Holding the Line by Jennifer Delamere

Author:Jennifer Delamere
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;FIC042110;FIC042030;FIC027170
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2022-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

Sixteen

Several dances in, Rose could see that Sophie had taken to this world as easily as a duck to water. Her first two dances had been reserved for Sandy, but after that, she had branched off to other admirers. Each of those men had been allotted one dance only. From what Rose could see, Sophie was flirting with all her partners with equal vigor.

Sophie participated in every type of dance with ease, from the lancers, which required knowledge of intricate steps and patterns in a group, to the two-person dances, such as the waltz or gallop. Rose had to acknowledge that, based on her comportment on the dance floor, Sophie was prepared and mature enough to enter society. Pearl had been correct on that point.

As to the girl’s emotional maturity, Rose had her doubts. She was still stewing over the rude words tossed at her by Sophie and Jane Drayton. Her concerns swelled again when Sophie began a third dance with Sandy. He held her more familiarly now than he had during their second dance. He was beaming at her, revealing the full force of his admiration. Sophie was positively basking in it. They were a striking couple. Handsome, impeccably dressed, and moving together in perfect unison, they drew admiring looks from everyone around them. If the gossip mill had started up for Sophie before tonight, it was surely in full gear now.

As the couple twirled around the ballroom, Rose made up her mind about one thing. She could not allow this disrespect from the girls to continue. Jane Drayton was also dancing, so this could be a good time for Rose to get in a word with Mrs. Drayton about the girl’s behavior toward her.

She found Mrs. Drayton, as Jane had so impudently predicted, near the punch table. She was chatting with another woman. They paused as Rose approached.

“Good evening, ladies,” Rose said. “Might I join you? I hope I’m not intruding. It’s Mrs. Drayton, isn’t it? I’m Mrs. Finlay. I’ve come here tonight with Miss Cochrane.”

“We have already heard all about you from Mrs. Cochrane,” Mrs. Drayton said. Her voice held cool disdain, as though she’d already decided not to like Rose. Mother and daughter were very much alike, it seemed.

“And from Lady Randolph,” chimed in the other lady. “I understand you are in some vague way connected to the Countess of Bancroft?” She sounded more dismissive than impressed.

“She’s my second cousin.” Seeing these women weren’t inclined to be friendly, Rose decided to get to the point. “Mrs. Drayton, I met your daughter earlier this evening. She is a lovely girl.” Rose paused after this slight exaggeration of Jane’s charms, long enough to allow Mrs. Drayton to enjoy a moment of pride. “However, I’m afraid I must report that her behavior toward me was less than polite.”

Mrs. Drayton’s brow furrowed. “You must be mistaken. My daughter has excellent manners.”

“Perhaps tonight’s episode was an aberration. Nevertheless, she ought to be reprimanded for it and told such behavior toward an elder person is unacceptable.

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