The three men in her company were all fine-looking, one dark, the Duke, one fair, Clifford Stone, and one sandy-haired, her own beloved Jonathan. She would have been hard-pressed to tell which was the titled gentleman, they all looked so well.
The Duke said, "It seems everyone is ready. Shall we?"
"We're ready, at any rate," Vanessa said, curtseying. She was wearing a very fine gold gown with a split green over-skirt trimmed with gold embroidery which made her look like a queen.
The Duchess was clad in royal blue, which matched perfectly her husband's cravat, and her own eyes.
"Right, everyone, gloves, fans, reticules, vinaigrettes, and handkerchiefs at the ready? Then off we go," the Duke said with a laugh.
They had to go in both carriages since the party was so large. Pamela found herself in the one with Vanessa and Clifford, Sarah and Jonathan. Her aunt had not been able to resist the invitation to arrive at the Upper Rooms with the Duke and his entourage. Pamela could just hear her telling all of her friends about their wonderful evening when she got back to Brimley.
And wonderful she hoped it would be, for though Pamela had lost her chance for the first dance with Jonathan, she was determined to come away from the evening with an understanding between them. He had to return her feelings, he simply had to. No man could be so attentive and be completely indifferent.
Just how far Pamela was prepared to go, she had no idea. She drew upon her tiny store of experience to decide how to approach the issue. Kisses and caresses were the obvious solution to the problem, but it was maneuvering him into them and still keeping her own reputation that was going to be the tricky part. She could see how much he admired her appearance, so the getting him into position would probably be the easy part. The difficult aspect would be to goad him into telling her or showing her how he really felt.
Well, provoking jealousy within him was as good a method as any, she decided, and launched into her role of woman of the world with verve. Jonathan would be hers before the night was out, or she would eat her new hat.
Chapter Twenty-one
As luck would have it, when the party arrived at the Upper Rooms, the Earl of Ferncliffe was there early, and so was Pamela's friend Belinda Bassett. Jonathan had no choice but to go over to claim his partner for the first dance.
Pamela moved toward the Earl and said casually, "It appears I am supplanted. My old school friend knows very few people here, so I have relinquished my dance partner to her."
"That's an opportunity too good for me to miss," the Earl said with a broad smile. "I shall dance the first and second with you then."
"Oh no, I did not mean- Are you not already committed?"
"Not at all."
"I accept the first dance, but would not want to trouble you for the second."
"It's no trouble, I assure you, my dear Miss Ashton. You may have as many dances as you like."
The Earl looked especially handsome in black and gold, his ensemble complementing her own very well, and causing not a few people to turn and stare as they went fairly near the top of the Assembly Rooms to dance.
That was one thing she had not counted upon. All eyes were upon her now to see who the young miss was whom the Earl had given such consideration to. The fact that they danced together twice in a row caused even more comment.
Pamela decided that since she could do nothing about it, she might as well enjoy her remarkable triumph. She smiled, chatted, flirted her fan and fluttered her eyelashes. Every man became charmed by the delightful little golden-haired creature who was part of the Earl's group.
The Duke of Ellesmere actually approached Pamela purposefully to ask for the fifth dance. She was surprised, but gladly stood up with him at the very top of the Upper Rooms.
However, he was not there for the sheer enjoyment of it. After the barest of pleasantries about the weather, he launched into his lecture.
"I don't mean to sound reproachful, but I can't fathom your, well, your performance here this evening, Miss Ashton. I had always thought you a sensible enough girl, one whom I would not be ashamed for my wife and sister to keep company with.
"But really, this evening is just too bad of you. If you don't tread carefully, you will get yourself talked about. This is most unlike you. Has Jonathan offended you in some way?"
"Why on earth would you presume to think that my mood, and my enjoyment of the excellent company and the dances, have anything whatsoever to do with Mr. Deveril?"
"Please, Miss Ashton, I would like to consider you a friend. Do not take this awry. My eyes and instincts may deceive me, but I'm sure that the two of you have a fondness for one another. Only think what you do. All of this giddy laughter and flirtation only sets you up as a figure of fun, if not scandal."