“Sylvester!” Adelaide said sharply. “Who are those young men?”

Sylvester looked around. “Well, they’re not bounders, m’dear,” he said comfortably. Sylvester had been her dear friend for years, and anyone he didn’t know wasn’t worth knowing. “I think the one on the left is Sheffie’s heir (he’s a trifle taller) and the other’s his brother. Let me see, I believe the heir is called Alexander and his brother is … Patrick. They are twins, as you can see, but Alexander got five minutes on Patrick and about two million pounds on account of it.”

Sylvester guided Adelaide through a few more slow turns while she thought furiously. Of course! Sheffie was Sylvester’s friend the Earl of Sheffield and Downes, and that was his heir, and his younger son … and they both had silver-shot hair. What on earth should she do?

Perhaps she should excuse herself, dash upstairs, force Charlotte back into the dress, and bring her down? But then Adelaide despairingly remembered Charlotte’s reddened eyes. Besides, these probably weren’t the right men, or man, and Charlotte would be horribly disappointed.

The two men were still staring down into the ballroom. He’s looking for her, Charlotte’s mother thought suddenly. He’s here because of her. Adelaide’s heart warmed a little to him—well, to whom? Which he was the right man? They looked exactly the same to her. I certainly hope Charlotte will know the difference, she thought a little tartly.

Even as she watched, they wheeled and left the ballroom. Couldn’t find her, so they left, Adelaide thought. Well, how very interesting. And I was quite right not to disturb Charlotte, because this is just the beginning of the season. Why, when she herself came out she attended fifty balls and sixty-three breakfasts, and if Charlotte didn’t encounter the future Earl of Sheffield and Downes and his brother within the next week, she’d be astonished!

“Sylvester, m’dear,” said the duchess, leading her partner off the floor. “I should like a glass of lemonade, and a talk. Because we haven’t talked all night, and you know I have to dance every single one of these dances, so I haven’t had a moment of conversation.”