Dora shook her head. “I cannot imagine he will like that,” she said. “We truly do not get on, Mr Lowe, whatever you may think.”
The music spun to an end, and Albert bowed to Dora. He took her arm to lead her off the floor, and she thought she saw a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. “I believe that you get on just fine,” Albert said. “But it hardly matters. If Elias intends to speak more with you, then he will need an excuse. Why not use this one? It will solve your problems neatly, after all.”
“I will not argue with your logic,” Dora said. “Only with your confidence. But I shall give you nearly half odds, since you have surprised me more than once tonight.”
“Indeed,” Albert told her, with a twitch of his lips. “Be up on time tomorrow, Miss Ettings. Elias is an early riser.” Albert led Dora back to her table, where Auntie Frances and Vanessa were already seated. “Thank you for your indulgence, Lady Lockheed,” he said. “I believe I have returned your charge with toes unharmed.”
Auntie Frances waved a hand generously. “I do not worry at all to leave my Dora in your care, Mr Lowe,” she said. “You are, after all, such a perfect gentleman.” Dora’s aunt glanced towards her meaningfully. “You do not have any other dances on your card right now, dear? You could keep dancing, if you liked.” The words were clearly meant for Albert, but even Auntie Frances wasn’t bullish enough to shove Dora back at him directly.
Albert’s eyes alighted on Vanessa, however, and he offered out his hand to her. “Miss Vanessa,” he said. “Might I dare to ask another dance of you?”
Vanessa blinked at him. Auntie Frances widened her eyes just next to her daughter, and Dora imagined that she could hear the sound of all her aunt’s intricate plans shattering against the floor.
Vanessa would have accepted the dance regardless, of course. But even if she had not been inclined to accept, she could hardly turn down Albert without seeming impolite. His family would snub her badly if she did, and gossip would follow on top of that.
“I would love another dance,” Vanessa told him warmly. “Thank you for asking, Mr Lowe.”
An unattainable lady indeed, Dora thought, as she watched them walk out to dance. She wondered if Albert was aware of the full implications of what he’d done. He was, after all, so very clever.
“What have you done?” Auntie Frances hissed to her, aghast. “How hard can it be to hold one man’s attention, Dora?”
Dora tilted her head at her. “Why, it isn’t what I have or haven’t done,” she said. “Vanessa is simply too lovely tonight, I think. Can you really blame Mr Lowe for his interest?”
Auntie Frances floundered at that, unable to search out a suitable reply. Certainly, she wasn’t about to deny her daughter’s popularity.
But Dora did feel bad for Lady Carroway, who watched this dance with such a sad and knowing expression on her face. She was, after all, only guilty of hoping that her son might have finally found a woman of mutual interest. And now, he had gone and thrown away that chance in order to pursue a woman with far too many other prospects.
Still, Albert’s mother found the opportunity to approach their table. And from the look on her face, Dora suspected that the lady still harboured some determination to foil her son’s foolishness.
“Miss Ettings,” Lady Carroway greeted her. “I am so glad that the Lord Sorcier’s clumsiness did not result in your absence entirely tonight.” Her eyes narrowed as she spoke Elias’ title, and Dora had to hide a bemused smile. “I was hoping to discuss your love of charity work before you left.”
Dora blinked. “My love of charity work?” she echoed. Auntie Frances pinched at her leg beneath the table, and she forced herself to nod. “Of course,” she corrected herself. “I hadn’t realised that was common knowledge.” It was as close to an outright lie as Dora had ever uttered, but there was simply no getting around the matter with Auntie Frances watching her like a hawk.
“Lady Hayworth mentioned it in passing,” Albert’s mother said. There was an oddly satisfied smile on her face now. “She said that you were hoping to find further opportunities for charity while in London. If I may suggest, my son Albert often lends his services to those in need. I am sure that he could take you with him sometime soon—with a proper chaperone, of course.”
Oh dear, Dora thought. Clearly, Albert gets his cleverness from his mother.
“That is such a generous offer, Lady Carroway,” Auntie Frances observed brightly. “We would be delighted to help with any necessary arrangements.”
Dora had the distinct impression that the two mothers had communicated something silently between them, just over her head. “That sounds just lovely, Lady Carroway, thank you,” Dora said, because she was expected to say it. “Though, I would hate to impose upon Mr Lowe while he is doing his work.” Her eyes tracked Albert and Vanessa as they danced.
“There is no imposition involved,” Lady Carroway assured Dora. “Albert has mentioned more than once how he could use an assistant. Why, the arrangement couldn’t be more perfect.”
Dora gave up. Good luck with this one, Mr Lowe, she thought at Albert.
“Why then, it’s settled,” Auntie Frances said. “And what a fortuitous turn of events, Lady Carroway!”
Fortune, Dora thought, had far less to do with the matter than did three particular meddling hens.
Vanessa gave Dora a curious look when she returned—but they hadn’t the chance for another clandestine conversation before she was swept away by another prospective suitor. Instead, Dora found herself
