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  Most held a glass of punch as they smiled and laughed while they engaged in conversation. The music coming from the quartet that played on a dais in the corner was drowned out by the cacophony of voices and laughter, although several couples danced a spry country dance in a space that had been cleared, surrounded by onlookers who clapped and tapped toes along with the music.

  Unfortunately, no gentleman approached her to speak to her let alone ask her to dance, but she refused to give any indication of her disappointment, not with her aunt standing beside her. Annabel refused to ruin the evening for the woman, and if men did not find her as exciting or interesting as the more vivacious young ladies, she could do nothing about it.

  Caroline emerged from a small circle of people, her yellow skirts flowing as she came to stand beside Annabel. Her cheeks were flushed, and she wore a wide smile. “Lady Lambert, Annabel. I do hope you are enjoying my party. You do like it, do you not?” Was there a pleading note in her tone?

  “It is a wonderful party,” Aunt Eleanor replied with graciousness. “One of the best I have ever attended. Annabel was just telling me that she could not have wished for anything grander if it was her debut.”

  Annabel smiled. Of course, she had said no such thing. It was nothing more than polite conversation, and therefore, small lies were permitted.

  “That brings me joy,” Caroline said. “I want nothing but the best for my guests this evening. Mother said I should enjoy myself, but I cannot fathom being selfish.”

  Annabel had to hide a smile. Caroline and her mother were known to be Rumsbury’s biggest gossips and to be quite selfish, so she doubted Lady Thrup said anything remotely close to those words.

  “Oh, Lady Lambert, Mother wanted to speak to you. She is over by the food table.”

  “Then I shall go and say hello to her,” Aunt Eleanor said. She smiled and walked away, wearing confidence fit for a queen. How Annabel envied her!

  Annabel straightened her shoulders in an attempt to emulate her aunt, but Caroline frowned.

  “Must you thrust your bosom so? There are better ways to attract a gentleman’s eye, you know.”

  Annabel shot the young woman a glare. “I am doing no such thing. I simply want to appear the strong woman my aunt is. She is well-respected, and I wish to be like her.”

  Caroline glanced in the direction Aunt Eleanor had gone and sighed. “I do agree.” She turned and took a half-step closer to Annabel and lowered her voice. “Mother is quite jealous of her, you know. But do not tell anyone.”

  “Jealous?” Annabel asked incredulously.

  “Oh, yes. She claims that Lady Lambert has procured a drink made by the hands of heathens to keep her skin appearing so young.”

  Annabel laughed. “I can assure you she has done no such thing.” She glanced around the room. “Where is Reuben? I thought he would be here with you.” Reuben, or Lord Haskett, had spoken of courting Caroline and was the very man for whom Caroline had been caught practicing kissing on the pillow.

  “Did you not hear?” Caroline asked. “Reuben became engaged to another woman, whom I shall not name.” She gave a derisive sniff. “They are to be married in two months.”

  Annabel placed a hand on the woman’s arm. “I am sorry. But do not worry; you are a formidable woman. Another gentleman will come along, and he will prove to be much more worthy of your hand.”

  “I suspect the woman is carrying his child,” Caroline said as if Annabel had not spoken. “Why else would he not want to court me? Mother agrees. She discussed the matter with several of her friends at the home of Lady Miller last Wednesday, as a matter of fact. I had wanted to discuss the matter with Juliet, but I heard the rumors surrounding her and hope she is now safe from harm.”

  “And what rumors would you have heard about her?” Annabel asked, careful to keep her voice controlled. Any number of tales could be floating upon the rumor stream, and some could be true, but she would not add twigs to that current before hearing what this woman believed she knew.

  “That cobbler,” Caroline said. “The man who touched my leg and tried to do far worse with her. I heard that Juliet was sent to London to a home for those feeble in mind. I would understand if she was. What happened at that horrid man’s shop had to be quite traumatic.”

  “No, she is not in London,” Annabel said indignantly. “Nor has she lost her mind.” She saw her aunt returning and lowered her voice. “I shall tell you at another time. In secret.”

  This made Caroline grin—she did enjoy secrets—yet, Annabel would never tell her. “I look forward to us having tea together soon, then.” With that, the woman moved on to greet other guests.

  And to jump in for a swim in that stream of rumors, Annabel thought with disgust. How sickening some of these women were spreading gossip that had absolutely no root in truth!

  As Aunt Eleanor joined her, Annabel said, “If you wish to leave, we may.”

  “Leave?” her aunt said. “Are you not enjoying yourself?”

  Annabel looked around at the guests. “No. I do not mean to complain, but my standing here is futile. Whether it be an hour or ten, I fear no gentleman will approach me, and I wish I understood why.”

  Her aunt was not given the opportunity to reply. “Lady Lambert?”

  They turned and Annabel could not help but smile at the man beside her. His wavy blond hair and kind blue eyes made her curious how her aunt knew him.

  “I am she,” Aunt Eleanor replied. So, she did not know this man? That only intrigued Annabel further.

  The man bowed. “My name is Lord Richard Lockwood, Earl of Favorsharm. I have recently purchased a home in Rumsbury and desire to meet my peers.” As he spoke, he looked at Annabel, and for a moment Annabel could do nothing more than stare. Was the man speaking to her?

  “Lord Lockwood,” Aunt Eleanor said. “My niece, Miss Annabel Lambert.”

  Annabel curtsied and managed to whisper a greeting.

  “I was told the parties in Rumsbury are some of the best,” Lord Lockwood said with a smile. “I did not believe them until now.”

  He looked at Annabel once more, and her heartbeat increased. Was the man inebriated? He had to be if he was wishing to speak to her.

  But no. Although he had the odor of brandy on his breath, he did not otherwise appear to be drunk. Annabel had seen drunkenness before, and he showed no signs whatsoever.

  “I would have to agree with what you heard, my lord,” Aunt Eleanor replied. “This is Annabel’s first party since reaching eighteen, but I suspect it will not be her last.”

  Lord Lockwood turned his full attention to Annabel. “I hope you are enjoying the evening.”

  Annabel nodded, although she wanted to tell him that not moments ago she had wanted nothing more than to leave. “It is a wonderful party.” She glanced at her aunt and remembered the advice she had given her. She straightened her posture and added a bit of haughtiness to her tone. “It is nice to have a civil conversation with a gentleman such as yourself.”

  The man grinned. “If I may be so bold, Lady Lambert,” he said, “but may I have permission to call on Miss Annabel?”

  “That would be acceptable,” Aunt Eleanor replied.

  Annabel could not believe her good fortune! A gentleman, one who appeared kind, wished to call on her! She was so overcome with emotion, she was uncertain if she should laugh or cry.

  “Would next Monday be acceptable?” Lord Lockwood asked.

  Annabel waited for her aunt to nod and then replied, “I believe that can be arranged. We are at Scarlett Hall. Say, one o’clock?”

  “That would be splendid,” he replied, red-cheeked. He gave them a bow. “I do look forward to speaking with you.”

  “As do I, my lord,” Annabel replied. When the man was gone, she turned to her aunt. “What you suggested was true! I do not know from where the confidence came, for I never imagined that I had any. However, when I summoned it, I felt as if I could accomplish anything!”

  “You do have co
nfidence, my dear,” her aunt said. “And it is a great strength inside you. My father once told me that it is something on which one must call in times of trouble, and he was a very clever man. I have had to call upon my own strength often. That gift is as strong in you, I am certain, and it will always serve you well.”

  Annabel’s heart was happy. “Thank you,” she whispered. The evening was so much better than how it had begun.

  Then the oddest of feelings came over her. Her legs became weak and her heart thudded in her chest as the most handsome man she had ever seen entered the room.

  Chapter Five

  Annabel had certainly thought Lord Lockwood handsome, but no words existed to describe the man who entered the ballroom at that moment. Tall with dark hair and complexion, he stood out from the rest with his good looks, not to mention his choice of clothing. Rather than the expected attire, he wore a deep black coat with no tails, no waistcoat, and a crisp blue shirt beneath.

  Yet, this was not what made him different from the other men, for he wore a red sash that ran across his chest from shoulder to waist, several gold medals splayed on it.

  She was not the only person staring. In fact, it seemed that all conversation had come to a halt upon the man’s appearance; either that or she had become so focused on him that she no longer heard those around her.

  Lord Thrup hurried over to the man. He must have been an important person indeed to have Caroline’s father rushing anywhere.

  Annabel could not take her eyes off the newcomer. “Aunt Eleanor?” she asked in a whisper. “That man’s sash. I have never seen anything like it before.”

  “It appears to be military, but I suspect it may be foreign.”

  “Do you know who he is? I have never seen him before.”

  “I am afraid there are many people I do not know. Perhaps the man will introduce himself to you.”

  Annabel giggled at the thought. “That would be wonderful, but I do not see a man of such importance speaking to the likes of me.” Her aunt narrowed her eyes, and Annabel sighed. “Oh, very well. It would be an honor if he spoke to me.”

  “That is better,” Aunt Eleanor said with a smile. “Now, I believe we should…”

  “Is it you?”

  Annabel looked up and was surprised to see the very man she had been admiring standing directly before her, and she had to force her knees to keep still.

  “The rumors are true! You are here in England!” The man gave a diffident bow, and Annabel could do nothing more than stare at him in shock. He was all the more handsome up close with a strong jaw and rich brown eyes. His mysterious accent was like silk, and it sent a tingling down her spine.

  “I am…me,” she managed to whisper, although the words sounded silly when she heard them. Yet, for some odd reasons, she had lost the ability to speak.

  Her aunt put her hand forward. “I am Lady Eleanor Lambert and this is my niece Miss Annabel Lambert. Have we met?”

  The man brought his hand to his forehead and then dipped his head. He certainly was a dramatic one! “Forgive me for my outburst,” he said in that wonderful accent. “It is most unbecoming of a marquis…ah, you say marquess here in England. My apologies.” He stiffened his posture once again.

  So, he was a marquess as well as handsome! And of all the women in attendance, he was speaking to her!

  “My name is Don Ricardo Sánchez Ramírez, former chief adviser to Charles the Fourth of Spain, and I am at your service.”

  He bowed again, and Annabel somehow managed a perfect curtsy. Thank goodness her aunt had insisted on her attending Mrs. Downs School for Young Girls or she would never have produced little more than a light bob! What she could not manage to do was to remove the wide smile from her face.

  The man did not seem to notice. “You must understand that I have not served my king in many years, but it was just this past week that rumors of his daughter, Princess Sofia, was in England. So often I have heard men speak of her beauty with wonder, and although I have never laid eyes on her, I assumed that you were she.”

  Annabel felt as though someone had set fire to her cheeks. This man, an adviser to a king, thought she was a princess? How she wished Juliet had witnessed this encounter, for her cousin had bragged often about just such occurrences!

  “I am but a lady,” Annabel whispered. Then she felt foolish. “What I mean to say, my lord, is that I am no princess.”

  The marquess smiled and turned to her aunt. “Forgive my forwardness, Lady Lambert,” he said. “It is customary in my country to acknowledge those women of great beauty publicly. I forget that different rules of etiquette are in effect here. I beg your forgiveness.” He bowed again and then kissed the back of her aunt’s hand.

  “I understand, my lord,” Aunt Eleanor replied. She did not appear to be as affected by this man as Annabel, for Annabel could barely breathe. “Have you been in England long?”

  “A year only,” the marquess replied. “I have been searching for the right area in which to buy a home, and I believe Rumsbury may be the place.”

  He gave Annabel a quick smile, and Annabel pulled her hand away from the strand of hair she had been twisting around her finger. What was wrong with her? She was never one to simper over a man! Then her aunt reached over and grasped her wrist. She had been smoothing her skirts!

  “Rumsbury, though small, is a lovely area,” Aunt Eleanor said. “You will find wonderful rolling hills in all directions. And if you are interested in how those of the nobility entertain themselves, you will find that the aristocracy hosts the most marvelous parties that rival those in London during the season.”

  “Lord Thrup said as much,” the marquess replied. “It is a lovely area, and I wish to become better acquainted with it.”

  With a gentle tap on her elbow from her aunt, Annabel attempted to focus on her words. “Oh, yes,” she said, praying the confidence she needed would emerge. “I know of several parties that are forthcoming, and if you desire, I will see that my friends invite you to them.”

  “I would be honored, Miss Lambert,” he said with a smile that took her breath away. “And may I say that your name matches in meaning with the name of my country. Beautiful.”

  Annabel could make no sound, but as luck would have it, her aunt said, “That is kind of you to say.”

  Unfortunately, Annabel stood staring at the man in awe, wishing for him to compliment her further. And with a voice like honey, the words sounded all the sweeter. She had never heard a Spanish gentleman speak, but she could listen to him all day.

  “Do you plan to remain in England for an extended time or will you return to Spain in the near future?” Thank heavens Aunt Eleanor kept her head about her!

  “I will remain,” the marquess replied. “Although Spain is my home, it will always reside in my heart.” He put his hand on his chest as emphasis, and Annabel sighed. “I have come to find myself loving this land. I have never seen so much green everywhere. And the wonderful arts that can be found in London! Does not everyone wish to be there?”

  Handsome, confident, and a lover of the arts. This man was a gentleman unlike any other Annabel had ever met.

  “Miss Lambert, do you enjoy the arts? Or perhaps the theater?”

  “I have been to the theater once,” she said. She tried to bring moisture to her mouth. How she wished she had a glass of punch at that moment. Then again, she would more than likely spill it on herself her hand was shaking so. Or worse, all over the marquess. “I enjoyed it and hope to attend during the season. This will be my first, you see.”

  The man smiled and then turned to her aunt. “Lady Lambert, may I ask permission to call on your niece? I have never met a woman with such intelligence, and I would find it an honor to converse more with such a wonderful lady.”

  Her aunt seemed to hesitate, and Annabel felt her heart drop. After all the woman had said about speaking to a gentleman, she could not deny her now!

  The marquess bowed his head. “My apologies. I believe I have em
barrassed myself and my country twice this night. Please, do not think poorly of Spain based on my actions. Forgive me.”

  Annabel’s heart went out to the man. She could not imagine traveling to Spain and worrying about disrespecting the people there with her lack of knowledge for the culture. And the poor man had done nothing wrong.

  “There is no need for embarrassment,” her aunt said, giving Annabel a glimmer of hope. “You represent your country with honor. Concerning Annabel, she would welcome a calling from you.”

  Annabel had to keep herself from jumping for joy like a child on Christmas morning. Now that would have been an embarrassment!

  “Then I will send a card with my request to call,” he said with another bow. “If you will excuse me, I must speak to Lord Thrup.”

  When he was gone, Annabel could not contain her excitement any longer. “Oh, Aunt Eleanor,” she said in a hushed squeal, “two gentlemen have spoken to me this evening! And one even said I am beautiful. And he is a marquess!”

  Although Annabel was pleased, her aunt did not seem as delighted. “Did I embarrass you?” Annabel asked. Aunt Eleanor was the only person who loved her, besides her cousins, of course, and she feared she had disappointed her as she always seemed to disappoint her parents.

  “No, of course you did not embarrass me,” her aunt said with a smile that seemed forced. “In fact, I am proud of you and overcome with joy that you have received requests from two gentlemen to call on you.”

  “Then why do you look sad?”

  Her aunt sighed. “I suppose I am being selfish. I know that tonight was the first step to you finding happiness. Though I wish nothing more for you, besides Nathanial, I will have no one else to look after once you are gone.”

  Overcome with love, Annabel threw her arms around the woman. “I will always come to you whenever I need someone with whom to share my heart. I have always needed you in my life, and nothing will end that.”