Fortunately, as she did not seem to be able to discuss much beyond the weather, the set was a country dance that didn’t allow for much conversation. The thought stopped him, and he had to remember to continue dancing. She was exactly what he had thought he wanted. Except that even in this short time, Miss Battersley bored him. John didn’t know why that should be. Eleanor discussed the weather and he didn’t find it boring. Then it occurred to him that whenever Eleanor mentioned the topic, he’d been the one to bring it up in the first place. Was she as weary with him as he was with this young lady? If so, her manners had never allowed her to show it. Perhaps it was time to take a different approach.

The set ended and he returned the young lady to her aunt.

“I had a lovely time dancing with you, my lord.” Miss Battersley curtseyed.

“I enjoyed it as well.” John bowed. “Please excuse me.” He made his escape and glanced around to locate Eleanor’s circle again but saw his sister instead.

Devil it. There was nothing to do but greet her before finding Eleanor. “Mama, thank you for making my excuses to Lady Markham. Aurelia, Lytton, good evening.”

Lytton inclined his head.

“You are most welcome, my dear.” Mama smiled. “Did you enjoy your dance?”

“She was a very pretty girl,” Aurelia said. “Who is she?”

“Miss Battersley. Her father is with the Foreign Office overseas. Her aunt is sponsoring her.”

“Has she been with her parents?” Aurelia’s interest was genuine. She had always wanted to travel.

“No, she was sent to school here.” John thought that was a shame.

“That makes sense.” He did not understand why his mother would say that.

“In what way?”

“She would need to be raised to be a proper wife. That is much harder if she is constantly traveling around.” As matter-of-fact as his mother’s tone was, had he caught a hint of disapproval? That didn’t make sense. She was the one who had disliked Aurelia being different.

“If you will excuse me, there is someone with whom I must speak.” He gave a short bow and hastened his steps to reach Eleanor’s circle before her next partner claimed his dance.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Eleanor felt the second Lord Montagu entered the ballroom. It was as if there was some invisible thread between them. When she turned he was speaking to Lady Markham, giving Eleanor an opportunity to take in his form. If there was one thing Montagu was, it was very good-looking. Tonight he was dressed in unrelieved black and white, with what looked like gold embroidery on his waistcoat.

“I see he has finally arrived.” Alice was very punctual and expected everyone else to be on time as well.