“No. I asked Grace not to invite him.”

“I see.” It was time to change the subject. “Who is leading you out for the first set?”

“Rothwell.” Alice smiled and shook her head. “He insisted.”

“Madeline?”

“Harry Stern asked me, and I accepted.”

“At least someone else asked you,” Alice said.

Madeline exchanged a glance with Eleanor, and she looked at her twin. “No one asked for your opening set, or no one you wanted to dance with asked for the set?”

Alice’s chin rose. “It is one and the same.”

It was not, but there was no time to discuss it. “We must hurry.”

Over the years, Eleanor and her sisters had picked up bits and pieces of information regarding the Season in general and the come out ball more particularly. One of the best pieces of advice had come from Charlotte, who told them not to wear tight slippers to a ball if they did not want blisters the next day. Eleanor was never so glad of that advice as she was standing in the receiving line.

“I’ve never smiled so much in my life,” Alice grutched. “My face is going to freeze in this position.”

She certainly had not smiled that much recently. “It will be over soon.”

“The Marquis of Montagu, the Marchioness of Montagu, and the Earl and Countess of Lytton,” Thorton announced.

Lady Montagu greeted them and smiled but seemed a little off balance. Eleanor wondered if something had happened to concern her ladyship.

“Good evening, my lady.” Montagu took Eleanor’s hands and squeezed them. “You are the most beautiful lady I have ever seen.”

Eleanor curtseyed as he bowed. “Thank you, sir.” She slid a look at his mother, who had wandered off to the side. “Is your mother all right?”

His lips tipped in a crooked smile. “I told her about dinner and the Danes. She is still in shock.”

Behind him, his sister’s voice was full of laughter as she said, “Mama likes to think she is very modern, but she really is not. Still, given a bit of time, I have no doubt she will decide it is a wonderful idea.”

“We must move along,” he whispered. “I’ll see you in the ballroom.”

“The Duke and Duchess of Cleveland,” Thorton intoned.

“He had better not be here.” Eleanor had never known her twin to be so agitated.

“Good evening, your grace.” Madeline curtseyed.

“How good of you to come.” Eleanor curtseyed as well.

She expected to hear her twin repeat the greeting; instead, the duchess said, “My son is not with us. I, however, am pleased to see the lady who has him tied in knots.” Eleanor could feel her sister trying to think of a polite response when the duchess said, “I have no doubt he has done something stupid.”

The duke merely bowed to them and strolled off after his wife.