“Would you have me walk about scowling, Claire?”
“Do you want to scowl?”
He looked down at her briefly. “Constantly.”
“I’m sorry. I thought I was the only one who was not overly enamored with these events, brother.”
They stopped behind several other people, and once again Mathew looked down at her, his eyes searching her face. “Perhaps if you had asked, I would have told you.”
Claire didn’t know what to say to that because she’d never really shared confidences or secrets with Mathew. It had been Anthony she was close to, not her older brother.
“Excuse me, children. I see a friend I would like to talk with. I shall see you both later in the evening.”
The Belmont siblings watched their mother move with ease through the crowd and disappear.
“One wonders how she saw her friend when I can only just see over the
heads closest to me,” Mathew said.
“She has been to more of these events than both of us put together, Mathew, but she never seems to tire of them. Do you think it is something lacking in her or us that we cannot find the same enjoyment?’
Mathew didn’t answer her immediately, as he navigated them around a large, chatting group of guests, but Claire could see he was thinking carefully about what to say next.
“I would never suggest mother’s intelligence is beneath ours, Claire. However
I will say she finds joy in her surroundings far more easily than you or I.”
“Acceptance, Mathew. She is far more accepting than us, surely?”
He let out a little snuffle that was his way of showing humor. Mathew rarely laughed out loud. Indeed, perhaps he was more like her than Claire had realized. He rarely expressed emotions. “We should probably host a ball one day. Mother is constantly harping on about it.”
God, just the thought made her shudder. All those preparations and invitations. The planning would take weeks. “Must we?”
“But how are we to secure you a husband if your hostessing prowess is not displayed to the eligible bachelors, sister?”
Claire looked up at her brother with narrowed eyes. He looked calmly back.
“You had better be teasing me, brother. For in truth, were you not, I may be forced to seek retribution.” She was surprised to realize they were actually having a conversation that she was enjoying. Usually Mathew was lecturing her, and she was snapping back at him. They had not laughed in each other’s company for a long time, especially since their brother’s death.
He snuffled again and continued walking. “What will it be, Claire? Frogs or insects in my bed?”
This time she laughed, remembering their childhood antics “Frogs, I think.”
“You are about to be claimed for your first dance, sister, and for the record, I would never accept Lord Smythe’s suite, were he to offer for you.”
Claire eyed the tall man heading her way. “Why?”
“My horse could outthink him.”
“Mathew!” Claire gasped, giggling behind her hand.
“Good evening, Lord Belmont, Miss Belmont.”
“How does Arthur fare today, Smythe? I heard he was not in good form.”
Who was Arthur? Claire thought, looking from her brother to Lord Smythe.
“Much better, Belmont. He ate a full meal before I left for the ball, and I have hopes of letting him outside again in the morning.”
“Who is Arthur?” Claire questioned.
Mathew turned to face her, his eyes twinkling—a rare sight. “Lord Smythe’s piglet. He takes it everywhere with him. It even lives in the house.”
“In my room,” Lord Smythe said, nodding his head several times.
“Well then,” Claire said because she could think of nothing further to add to this silly conversation.
“Perhaps you will take your brother’s word more seriously in future,” Mathew said in her ear. Then he kissed her cheek.
“May I have this dance, Miss Belmont?”
“Thank you, Lord Smythe, I would be honored.” Claire gave her brother a bright, very false smile and then let Lord Smythe lead her onto the dance floor.
CHAPTER TWO
Claire tried to focus on her partners as she danced the next set, yet she kept surveying the crowd, searching for Simon. She was determined to avoid him for as long as possible.
“Can I get you some refreshment, Miss Belmont?”
“No thank you, Lord Cavell, I shall be fine.”
After he had excused himself, Claire stood on her toes and looked around the room. She couldn’t see the black and silver hair of Lord Kelkirk, however that did not mean he was not here. She would keep moving, circling the room, and then if she saw him, she could nip behind the nearest statue.