Excusing herself from Jillian, Brianna slowly edged away from her mother. With an innocent expression, she headed in the gentleman's direction, keeping her pace slow as to not betray her goal. Stopping a few feet from him, she took a deep breath, smiled, then turned and went up to him.
"Excuse me, I have misplaced my dance card, and I don't wish for my mother to find out. Would you mind partnering me in this dance, so she will not be suspicious?"
His mouth popped open, then turned to a smile. "I would be honored."
"Thank you," Brianna said politely with a coy smile.
"I'm Gregory Locke. May I have the pleasure of your name?" he asked, after executing the first steps of the dance.
"I'm Lady Brianna Denton. I apologize for the improper introduction. My mother would be quite upset if she noticed me sitting out," she expertly lied.
Mr. Gregory laughed, apparently delighted by her brazenness. "How are you enjoying the Season?"
"I like the parties and dancing very much. What about you? Have you found the debutantes to your liking?" she asked, hoping to keep the conversation away from pleasantries.
"They all seem quite agreeable. You, however, are the first one to ask me to dance."
Brianna blushed, not sure if he intended the remark as a compliment or not. As the dance steps separated them, she took the time to determine her response. Examining him more closely, she noticed he was not the most skilled dancer, but he did appear to be trying. His lack of technique didn't bother her, for his good looks gave her leave to excuse a small flaw or two. He raised a brow, waiting for her reply. Still unsure, she kept quiet.
"I'm glad you asked me," he said with a boyish smile that called her to smile back.
As the song ended, Mr. Gregory hesitated, and she realized he didn't know who to return her to. Then she became aware of the dilemma; she didn't know who he should return her to either. Alarm prickled her skin. Her mother was sure to disapprove and could potentially say something so Mr. Gregory would see through her flimsy excuse to dance with him.
Inwardly sighing in relief, she saw her father exiting the card room, so she motioned for Mr. Gregory to take her to him. Stopping a few steps from her father, Mr. Gregory turned to her.
"Lady Brianna, it was a pleasure," he said, bowing.
"Thank you for the dance, Mr. Gregory. I do hope we can share another in the future." She kept her voice low, hoping her father could not overhear her words.
Mr. Gregory gave her a strange look in response, making her feel slightly uncomfortable, but he quickly masked it with a smile before walking away. Turning to her father, she prepared for a lecture, but he only shook his head and offered his arm.
"I'm sorry, Father, but with the number of guests, we were unable to locate Mother."
"Then allow me to escort you. I'm sure she will be fascinated to hear of your dance with Gregory Locke. Although I know you will soon hear it from her, I must say he is unsuitable for you. For you and your mother's well being, you should stay away from him."
"I understand, Father," she replied obediently.
Her father didn't have any idea what was good for her, and she had no intention of staying away from Mr. Gregory, at least not until she discovered if he would suit her or not.
Over the next several gatherings, Brianna managed to spare a considerable amount of time for Mr. Gregory. He appeared to be a decent gentleman, and she found she enjoyed his company. Fortunately, she also avoided the impending meeting with the Marquis of Stonemede, much to her mother's displeasure. She sincerely hoped by the time the introduction took place, he would have already secured his bride, and she would have nothing to fear from him or her mother.
Her luck had not been all good, however. She had also been unable to locate Mr. Richard, regardless of which event she attended. She had even gone so far as to take several trips to Hyde Park throughout the day and shopped incessantly, hoping to catch sight of him. With how well things were progressing with Mr. Gregory, she had hoped to cast Mr. Richard from her thoughts, but she found it impossible. There was something about him, and although their two encounters had been brief, they stood out in her mind.
This obsession with him finally caused her to recruit some unwilling help. Ashley had been extremely reluctant to offer assistance until Brianna mentioned knowledge of her relationship with James. Since Brianna had begun to view Ashley as her friend, she had not wished to force her to cooperate, but desperation clawed at her, and she needed help from both Ashley and James.
Brianna shoved the needle deep into her needlework, then disgustedly tossed it aside. Why was Mr. Richard making this so difficult for her? Ashley gave her a concerned look and then put her own needlework aside as well.
"Lady Grace, that is beautiful. You have done a fine job today, and I believe you have earned a break." Ashley turned to Grace with a warm smile.
Seeing the joy such simple praise gave her sister, Brianna could not resist smiling, pleased they had not gone forward with their plan to run Ashley off.
"Thank you, Miss Ashley. I didn't think I would enjoy needlework this much."
"I'm glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. As I told you before, you will never know if you are partial to something if you don't try it first."
"I understand that now."
"Good, now I believe Cook has prepared some of her muffins. Why not ask her for one?"
"That is a good idea. Are you coming, Bree?"
"Could you save me some? I believe I need more practice before my needlework looks as perfect as yours. Besides, I don't suppose Miss Ashley will allow me a break until I have at least made an effort to achieve perfection."
"That is true," Ashley assured Grace.
"Well, I'll be in the kitchen if you are ever released. However, I can't promise I shall save you any." Grace's smile was mischievous as she turned and left the room before Brianna could comment.
"What is wrong?" Ashley asked her as soon as the door closed. Brianna simply gave her a desperate look in response, to which Ashley sighed. "It's Mr. Richard, is it not? Please tell me again why he is so important."
"As I said before, I really can't describe it. I have only seen him those two times, but I, well, I guess I miss him." Brianna placed her hands over her face, feeling miserable.
"How could you possibly miss someone you don't know?"
"I can't say. All I know is that I feel something different for him." Brianna removed her hands and sat back in her chair, thinking of the wondrous feelings that swamped her when she was around him.
"If he feels the same for you, he will eventually show up, and this nightly errand for James will prove pointless. Perhaps your Mr. Richard has been called off to an estate in the country," Ashley suggested, hope infusing her words.
"I don't believe so. He has no title and most likely no estate."
"James has been monitoring different gentlemen's clubs each night for an entire week, to no avail. What makes you think he is going to find him?"
"Most gentlemen frequent those clubs, and if Mr. Richard decides to, James will find him," Brianna declared with more faith than she felt.
It had been James' idea to check the clubs each night, and Brianna had agreed with his logic. Ashley had not liked the idea, but James seemed excited to go on surveillance. Describing him to James had been difficult, but luckily her love of painting served them well and she easily created a likeness.
"What about Mr. Gregory? I know your mother would not approve of either gentlemen, but you seem to be getting along quite well with him," Ashley pointed out.
"If I had never met Mr. Richard, I imagine I would be happy with Mr. Gregory, but I feel . . ." Brianna cut off, unable to describe the incredible way she had felt when she had been in Mr. Richard's arms, nor could she say how her heart fluttered when he smiled at her. The incredible feeling astounded her, and she wanted to see if the occurrence would repeat, or if it had all been her imagination.
"You feel what exactly?"
"I can't describe my reaction, but I imagine it's similar to how you feel when you are near James. What if he is my James? How can I stay here not attempting to locate him, when I could be out there finding him?"
"I do see what you mean. However, I don't believe this search will prove fruitful."
There was a knock at the door and both girls quieted. They had been careless by not keeping their voices low. Brianna groaned. Whoever was at the door might have heard their entire conversation and could report back to her mother. Ashley called for them to enter and Brianna waited, holding her breath to see who her potential executioner was. Nearly collapsing in relief, she let out her breath when she saw James.