Appleton nodded. “Indeed we are.”
So now Appleton had Miss Pankhurst on one side of him with Elvin on the other. Just so that he would not be obliged to speak the whole time to Miss Pankhurst, he had ensured that Annie sat on the other side of her, though he did not expect Annie to spend very much time sitting. He had not exaggerated when he said she was one of the most popular dancing partners in all of Bath.
As soon as the two men were seated, and Annie had engaged Miss Pankhurst in conversation, Elvin whispered hoarsely in his ear. “Aren’t you bloody lucky? Your heiress ain’t a plain dunderhead after all. I’d say she’s bang up to scratch.”
Appleton remembered again how plain she had looked earlier this same day and was grateful for what her father’s purse would be able to accomplish—not that tonight’s appearance could be improved upon. She would never again embarrass Appleton. “It’s amazing what can be had when one has a hefty purse.”
Elvin’s elbows poked him as a smile eked across his face. “With a figure much to your liking, I daresay.”
It was well known that shapeless women held no appeal for Appleton.
“Your brother coming tonight?” Appleton asked.
“No, he’s mad at work on a new book.”
“I believe it’s the same with Jonathan Blankenship. But Blanks is here. Moreland, too.”
“In the card room?”
Appleton nodded.
“Seen Penguin yet?”
“No.”
“How much does your sister know about him?”
“As little as possible.”
“Only one dance with him?”
“Only one.”
The orchestra started playing. Three different men rushed to Annie, and she bestowed the honor of dancing on the first to reach her chair.
As the dancing commenced, Appleton watched Miss Pankhurst. She could not remove her gaze from the groups of dancers, and that smile still had not left her face.
He had to own that there was something pretty about Miss Pankhurst. He admired her large, dark, expressive eyes very much. He liked, too, that her smile revealed fine white teeth, and she seemed to always be smiling. Or was that just because she was so vastly enjoying herself with all these sights and sounds that were new and wondrous to her?
Nevertheless, he would do everything in his power to keep that wholesome smile upon her face.
At the end of the first set, Penguin came into the ballroom. Appleton caught a glimpse of that chalky face when the crowd parted, and Henry Wolf strode toward them, his eyes on Annie. Just the sight of the man angered Appleton.
The very notion that this man had been secretly watching his favorite sister sickened Appleton. Not about to allow him to claim the chair to which Annie was returning, he leapt to his feet to greet him. Elvin followed his lead.
After her partner restored Annie to their group, her brother was obliged to introduce her to the man who held all of his IOUs. “Annie, I should like to present to you Mr. Henry Wolf.” Then, turning to Wolf, he added. “My eldest sister, Miss Annie Appleton.”
Wolf bowed. “I am delighted to meet my friend’s lovely sister, and I pray you will do me the goodness of standing up with me for the next set.”
How dare the man claim Appleton as his friend!
His sister’s uncharacteristic stiffness when she greeted Penguin pleased Appleton. “I can oblige you, sir.”
That next dance, featuring a longway, was the one Appleton had practiced the most with Miss Pankhurst. After Wolf led Annie onto the dance floor, Appleton turned to his female companion. “Will you do me the honor, Miss Pankhurst?”
That bright smile faded from her face. “Would you mind awfully if I declined?”
“Of course not. My only wish is for your happiness.” Oddly, he meant it.
“I shall be much happier as an observer. I think when I deem myself ready to dance, it won’t be for a dance where I will be so prominently upon public display. With you being so handsome, everyone would be sure to scrutinize me, and I should perish of mortification.”
Appleton was not handsome. His married friends held that distinction. But owing to the fact he was likely the most sought-after bachelor currently residing in Bath, females might be inclined to think him handsome in comparison to other, less desirable matrimonial prospects.
“I am honored by the friendship which has you mistakenly flattering me,” he said, bowing his head with humility, “but it’s your own beauty which demands attention from others.”
He sat back down beside her and once again covered her hand with his. “I shouldn’t wish to do anything which mortifies you. We’ll wait. Perhaps at your next assembly we can stand up together for a country dance.”
“Perhaps I will be more confident then. Papa was taking steps to engage a dancing master for me.”
“Would he like a recommendation?”
Dot shook her head. “My headstrong Papa never asks like that. It’s his belief that whoever is considered the most expensive must be the best.”
Appleton chuckled. It must be gratifying to be as wealthy as Mr. Pankhurst.
His attention turned to Annie and Wolf as they began the slow, graceful glide down the longway formed by the two facing rows of dancers. Anyone else observing would find nothing objectionable in Henry Wolf. His dress was impeccable, and he had obviously been instructed by an extremely competent dance master. Even his interaction with Annie had been exemplary.
Were Appleton and Annie not so close, she would have been apt to think her brother daft. But Annie had always trusted him. Because of that, she would be wary of the man.
Elvin, too, watched. His elbow kept digging into Appleton’s side. “Do not let her be fooled by courtly ways,” he whispered hoarsely.
“You may be assured.”
When Wolf escorted Annie back to her brother, he said, “May I call on you tomorrow, Miss Appleton?”
For a fraction of a second, her gaze flicked to her brother, and then returned to the man addressing her. “Alas, Mr. Wolf, I will be spending the day with Miss Pankhurst at the dressmaker’s.”
He fixed a smile on his face and bowed.
