Mama turned to the other ladies. “I have enjoyed meeting all of you this evening.” The ladies seemed to speak at once, agreeing that they had liked meeting her as well. Then she took his arm. “I hope to see you again soon. We must not keep the horses waiting.”

“There you are, my dear.” Lytton came up to them. “There were so many ladies here that I was in despair of finding you.”

Aurelia tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and the smile she gave him was much warmer than John had expected it to be. “You always find me.”

“Yes. I am lucky that way.” He gave her the same type of smile in return.

Had they fallen in love? Why had John not known? They used to be able to just know what the other was thinking. Yet that was the only reason he could see for the amount of affection they were showing, and in public at that!

Worthington rose. “We should be off as well.” He glanced at his sisters. “Ladies?”

Before John could ask if he could escort Lady Eleanor, his mother practically dragged him off. “What are you doing?”

“Keeping you from making a cake of yourself. You will see her at church on Sunday, and at several entertainments next week.”

“Oh.” He hadn’t thought of that. He supposed that singling her out in this crowd would be rash. “Thank you.”

“That is what mothers are for,” Mama said smugly. “Now come along.”

He would have to get up earlier tomorrow morning. John just hoped she would meet his requirements.

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

“That was interesting,” Madeline whispered in Eleanor’s ear.

“What?” Eleanor and her sisters were following Matt and Grace out of the supper room.

“The way Lord Montagu looked at you,” Alice said.

Eleanor glanced at her twin. “How did you hear her?”

“I did not.” Her sister shrugged. “I knew what she was going to say because I thought the same thing.”

“I will be very surprised if he can tell us apart. A great many people will not be able to do so.”

“It is a shame we are past the age of pretending to be each other,” Alice mused.

“But if he can.” Madeline’s tone was insistent as she looped her arm with Eleanor’s. “It means that he sees you. That you are not just some young lady.”

“Perhaps.” Eleanor was not sure about that. “We shall see. Remember, neither Louisa nor Charlotte married the first gentlemen they met.”

“Very true.” Alice took Eleanor’s other arm, putting them out of order. “But simply because they did not does not mean you will not.”