“Delightful. I would love to dance the waltz with you,” Lord Pembroke said, seeming quite pleased with how things had turned out.

“Oh, yes, of course then,” Lisa said faintly, accepting the card to pencil in his name. What else could she do at that point?

Nothing that she could think of, unfortunately, and Lisa instinctively looked around for Robert. He was going to be annoyed, of course, but there was nothing she could do about that now, she thought, almost relieved when she saw that he was leading Daniel and Richard from the ballroom. No doubt in search of someplace to tell them about the events of the night before, she supposed. She knew he hadn’t got the chance before now. Christiana and Richard had been very late returning from the ball last night, and Robert had said he’d dozed off and missed their arrival. Richard had also apparently been up and gone before Robert rose that morning, returning just in time to rush above stairs and change for the ball.

She was quite sure they were about to get the news of last night’s events now.

“It’s starting. Shall we?”

Lisa forced a smile and accepted Lord Pembroke’s arm, assuring herself as she went that all would be well. He would hardly try to drag her kicking and screaming from the dance floor. And, hopefully, the dance would be over before Robert returned to the room.

“Are you sure you are feeling well, Miss Madison?”

Lisa glanced up and managed a smile. “Yes. I . . . well, actually no, not really,” she said, thinking she’d found a way to avoid this dance after all. “Perhaps I should skip this dance, my lord.”

“Yes, of course,” he said, all solicitous at once. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised if you’ve been ill for the last day and night. Perhaps you shouldn’t have even come tonight.”

“No, I probably shouldn’t have,” Lisa agreed as he began to lead her from the floor, but even as she said it, she realized that was a mistake. Her dance card was full. How would it look if she were to dance with everyone else after claiming she didn’t feel well enough to dance with him? Lisa was so vexed at the pickle she’d somehow got herself into that it wasn’t until a cool breeze brushed her cheek that she realized he’d led her outside on to the terrace. Damn, this was worse than dancing with him. Robert would be beyond furious with her.

“I thought some fresh air would help,” Pembroke said with concern, apparently noting her dismay. “You have a full dance card and some gentlemen aren’t as understanding as myself about these things and might insist you dance. Perhaps some fresh air will help you through the rest of the night.”