The Davenant Heiress by Katherine Langton

Author:Katherine Langton [Langton, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance Novella
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2007-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

At the Parnes’ ball some days later, Persia was partnering Lord Marmont in a dance when Lucien’s name was announced.

Ever since her own arrival at the ball, Persia had been glancing in the direction of the double doors. Lucien’s sudden arrival, only minutes short of midnight, caused her to misjudge a step. She trod awkwardly onto Lord Marmont’s foot.

His lordship, as if it were all his fault, apologized profusely. Persia welcomed the distraction of appeasing Lord Marmont, as it allowed her time to marshal her wayward emotions.

She had managed to regain a modicum of composure by the time the dance concluded, and thanked Lord Marmont prettily for his company as he escorted her back to Henrietta. Henrietta was deep in conversation with the lady seated on her other side when Lucien approached Persia.

“Miss Davenant,” he said softly.

Persia gazed up at Lucien. She had been hoping that he would seek her out… having her wish granted, however, seemed to cause paralysis of her vocal chords.

Inwardly rebuking herself for her idiocy, Persia proffered Lucien her hand instead, giving what she hoped was a gracious nod. Lucien’s evening wear was black and white, as were most of the gentlemen present, yet to her, he was exceptional.

Overwhelmed by diffidence, Persia dropped her eyes to the emerald pin that nestled in Lucien’s white cravat. She must appear a complete nodcock. With a stern act of will, she forced herself to meet his eyes.

“I had intended to be here earlier, Miss Davenant, but an urgent business matter required my attention,” Lucien said. The orchestra sounded the first bars of a waltz. Couples drifted on to the floor. “Are you engaged for this dance?”

A shy smile curved Persia’s lips. “I am not, my lord.”

“Would you do me the honor?”

Praying her knees would not buckle under her, Persia rose. Tucking her hand into Lucien’s elbow, she reached the dance floor with a superficial air of calm, although inside she was anything but!

Clara was dancing with a dashing young rake. Sir Charles Capel, sitting forlornly on a chair, watched her mournfully.

Lucien frowned. “What’s the matter with Sir Charles, Persia? He is plainly in love with your cousin, yet she is treating him cruelly - almost as if she were punishing him!”

Lucien speaking her name so naturally took Persia aback. It was a moment before she was able to reply.

“You’re right, my lord. Poor Sir Charles is being punished.” It was beyond Persia to be as equally casual! “Clara met Sir Charles during her first Season five years ago, and they fell in love. Unfortunately, because Clara was penniless, Sir Charles’s mama forbade the match. He didn’t dare flout her. Clara’s father died soon afterwards, and she came to live with my father and myself. She was so very unhappy…”

Persia frowned, momentarily setting aside her own problems as she watched Clara flirt outrageously with the rake. It worried her to see the lengths her cousin was taking to punish Sir Charles.

“Really, I believed Clara to possess more sense than to flirt with rakes like Lord Culbert!” Persia exclaimed.

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