“Come Benedict; let me introduce you to Der Auserwählter." I must have looked rather confused for Cavendish chuckled and said,
“The chosen one—our dear Leo.”
We walked the perimeter of the ballroom weaving in and out of groups of guests. Cavendish was halted on three occasions to be introduced to lords and ladies, politicians, and royalty. I remained mutely by his side, my eyes searching for other things to distract, like the handsome tapestry of a hunting scene above our heads, or the grand oil paintings.
It took many minutes for us to arrive at the other side of the room. Leopold and his guest were sharing small talk while a string quartet played another merry seasonal tune.
“Baron Leopold Freiherr von Liebenstein, permit me to introduce you to our new brother, Mr. Benedict Hannan.”
Leopold beamed widely. His teeth were as perfect as the rest of him. The young man thrust out his elegant hand. I stared at it like a rabbit facing the barrel of a gun. How could an act that was so simple for others feel to me as if I were reaching across an abyss to put my hand into a fire?
The air was stiflingly hot and the lady beside Leopold fluttered her peach silk fan. She nudged him and their eyes met. To my relief, he distractedly withdrew his hand.
In a soft Germanic voice, he said, “We noticed you from afar, Mr. Hannan. My friend Evie has quite the eye for an attractive older man. She likes your curls very much.”
“LEO!” The girl gasped with embarrassment at the man’s indiscretion, her lace gloved hand moving to cover her mouth as she giggled.
Leopold’s eyes roamed over me as if I were… edible. That look was not the look of an innocent among the wolves. Could Sebastian have been mistaken about his belief that the nobleman had fallen into misfortune and abuse?
“You are the auctioneer, yes?”
“I am—“
“Interesting…Maybe I will come to your little shop, Mr. Shopkeeper … my room at Benjamin’s house is very drab. Maybe I purchase something. Or maybe?—Will you buy me something beautiful Benjamin? Please?” Leopold pouted and whined.
Cavendish grinned wolfishly, his discolored teeth showing. “You know full-well you get whatever your heart desires, brat!” Cavendish ribbed.
“He is right, I do!” Leopold snickered. He leaned closer to me and conspiratorially he said, “Everybody thinks this party is for Mrs. Cavendish, but Benji did this all for me!”
“You are a dreadful liar!” Cavendish laughed and I could see in the exchange between the two men that there was great fondness. That belief was immediately dashed to the rocks when Cavendish then leaned to my ear and whispered,
“Do stay after the party is done; dear fellow, it is all arranged, he is yours for the night! Think of it as a treat before your proper initiation!” I turned to look Cavendish in the eye. Benjamin Cavendish wagged his brows gleefully and then winked, turned, and walked away. I near swallowed my tongue in horror. I could not believe that the Baron had just been offered to me like a common prostitute.
“Hell-ohh, Mr. Hannan”, Leopold called in a sing-song voice to regain my attention.
“Come. I am forgetting my manners. You must meet Evie. She will be terribly upset if I keep you all to myself.” Leo turned to his female companion whose fan was fluttering as if she were in the heat of the Arabian Desert.
“Mademoiselle Yvette d’Harcourt may I introduce Mr. Benedict Hannan. Yvette is French aristocracy you know!” The man said rather clumsily. I was beginning to wonder if Baron Leopold von Leibenstein was not the brightest button.
I noticed that Mademoiselle d’Harcourt stood out from the other ladies in attendance by the cut and fabric of her dress. It was a turquoise and gold silk confection with puffed sleeves and a ruffle neck for modesty. Her makeup was not the subtle, natural look that was favored by English ladies. The French lady had a pretty face; her blonde hair set in ringlets and piled attractively upon her head. She was powdered and rouged in the continental style and when her silk fan covered her face I observed her rather lovely hazel eyes.
I managed to arrange my features into a smile, stepped closer, and bowed to the lady.
“A pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle.” She nodded in response.
“Are you enjoying London?” I asked.
She pouted. “I am actually having much difficulty in London, Monsieur.”
“You are?” I said, surprised.
“Indeed. So many invitations, so many Balls, and not enough time to attend them all!” Mademoiselle d’Harcourt giggled coquettishly and Leopold joined in.
“My dance card is already full. You will dance with me for the waltz.” She said decisively.
“Forgive me Mademoiselle, but I…I do not dance.”
“We shall see about that!” She said confidently.
I gave a cordial smile. It appeared that this pair of vacuous pleasure-seekers were well met. The sound of lilting violins filled the break in our conversation and for a moment we three eyed one another.
“Are you long time friends?” I enquired to break the impasse.
Leopold spoke first. “We met… two nights ago, yes? Lord and Lady Brunswick gave a delightful soiree. Evie is a splendid dancer!”
Mademoiselle d’Harcourt grabbed Leopold’s arm affectionately and announced. “Leo saved me from the grabby ‘ands of a revolting old judge. I did not think the manners of the London gentlemen would be as reprehensible as the French!”
“Goodness. Why do you not have a ladies’ companion to accompany you? It is not safe for a young lady to socialize without a companion.” I blustered.
“That is soo sweet, Mr. Hannan. I thank you for your concern. However, I am, how you say, rather headstrong and unconventional. I can look after myself.”
This was an outrageous assumption on the girl’s
