Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley

Author:Jo Beverley [Beverley, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-05-14T00:49:19+00:00

Despite Jane’s good intentions and her resolute adherence to them, real disaster almost struck at the Faverstowe Ball.

Lady Faverstowe’s ball was a very ordinary social occasion. Neither Jane nor Sophie, who was out of spirits, intended mayhem. At supper Jane took care to sit down with the quieter military gentlemen and the Ashby sisters, whom she liked very well. They were known to have a restraining influence on the company they kept. But a dispute broke out among the officers in their escort.

As voices became heated, Jane leaned forward to intervene, anxious to avoid another scene. “Gentlemen! We cannot have this dispute. Explain your altercation to us, and we will attempt to resolve it.”

Hotly, Major Heckleton spoke up. “Fallwell here will just not admit the truth. At Valladolid a few months ago we were given a choice of billets. From the outside the houses looked the same, but I found myself sharing quarters with a half-mad old couple who lived on gruel. He settled in with a family of pretty daughters who could cook like angels. I don’t object to him taking the advantage,” he continued angrily. “But I wish he would admit that he had prior information and not say it was just his good fortune.”

“And I wish you would accept my word,” replied the Irish captain in disgust. “I tell you I have the gift. If that is prior information, I admit it. But other than that I had none.”

“Gammon! No one can be expected to believe such stuff,” snapped the major. “Next you’ll be telling fortunes at the fair.”

The captain colored angrily and would have risen had Lady Caroline not pulled him back. “Perhaps you can show your skills here, Captain Fallwell,” she said gently.

“I am not a fairground performer,” he retorted bitterly. But after some persuasion he agreed to attempt his inspired guesswork if anyone could think of something not known to all.

“It must be something close by,” he declared.

A number of suggestions were made—colors of handkerchiefs, coins in pockets, but these were rejected as being too easy to guess or possibly known. Then someone, it was never recalled who, said, “Tell us the color of Miss Sandiford’s garters!”

Some were taken aback but others acclaimed the suggestion mightily. Rather pink, the young captain protested that Miss Sandiford would not agree and certainly the Ashby sisters looked horror-struck.

Jane had opened her mouth to refuse but she could sense the explosive nature of the atmosphere around her. She glanced about for guidance.

Lord Randal would know how to handle this situation. He had been seated only a few tables away with Sophie and some others. Now she saw only Sophie watching the scene with amusement, and realized that soon other people would be drawn by the raised voices. She just wanted this scene over before it attracted more notice.

“I am perfectly willing for the test to go on,” she said quietly, “as long as my word is taken as to who is the winner. I assure you no one has seen my garters this evening and no one is going to.

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