The Ice Captain's Daughter (16 page)

“Very little. Miss Roring is pretty, I grant you. Unfortunately, her father is a common merchant.”

The three girls drew back in horror.

“No! Really?”

“I’m afraid so. He’s a foreigner who trades in ice and I’m not even certain he speaks English,” Sophia said.

“How vulgar!”

“Gentlemen who know Miss Roring call her the Ice Princess in secret…but please don’t repeat that to anyone.”

“Your confidence is safe with us.”

“In my opinion, Lord Archibald is wasting his time with her,” Sophia said. “The Duke and Duchess would never consent to such a lowly match.” She drained her cup and set it down on a nearby tray. “Enjoy the party, ladies.”

Sophia strolled off, secure in the knowledge that the girls with whom she spoke were three of the biggest gossips in London.

Chapter Ten

Headwinds

L
ORD
A
RCHIBALD
E
SCORTED
J
ILLIAN
into the ballroom, where the dancing was about to commence. She marveled at the domed fresco-painted ceiling, the sparkling chandeliers, the polished wooden floor, and the arched windows lining one side of the room. Tall, lit candelabras accented the arched alcoves on the other side of the ballroom, in which chairs had been arranged. The colorful gowns and jewelry worn by matrons and young ladies alike dazzled the eye.

“You are glowing from within, Miss Roring,” Lord Archibald said. “Dare I hope your happiness is due to my presence?”

“I would not have you think otherwise, sir, but I believe no small part of my delight stems from the fact that this is my first ball in London.”

“Hurrah for firsts, then.”

Jillian studied her escort’s profile a moment.
Lord Archibald is perhaps not so magnetically attractive to me as a certain country gentleman, but he is attentive, handsome, and charming. Is it possible I’ve grown tired of Mr. Logan’s brooding good looks?

As the couples lined up, Jillian noticed Sophia was paired with Duke Rochester. Jillian smiled, but Sophia failed to acknowledge her. Although Jillian was taken back at the slight, she tried to shrug it off.
Sophia was rather cool when Lord Archibald came to speak with me. Could her pique have anything to do with him?

The music commenced, and Jillian forgot everything else but the Grand Promenade. The dance, designed specifically for ladies to display their charms, was not especially intricate. Many admiring glances were cast Jillian’s way, and she silently thanked Aunt Letty for her selection of gown. Halfway through the promenade, she spotted a gentleman resembling Logan amongst the onlookers. Her heart nearly stopped until she gave herself a shake.
Silly girl. You mustn’t drop into a dead faint every time you see a head of dark wavy hair!
As the dance brought her closer, her stomach seemed to lift into her throat. Logan had indeed arrived at the ball, his eyes piercing through whatever defenses she’d marshaled against him. Her heart beat faster, and she tore her gaze away.
How am I to get through the entire evening with him here?

When the opening dance ended, Jillian sank into a curtsy. Lord Archibald bowed and extended his arm.

“If you insist, I shall relinquish you to your aunt for now,” he said. “Do you know where she is sitting?”

“I believe she sits in the alcove nearest to the door.”

Lord Archibald led Jillian through the crowd. As they approached Aunt Letty, Jillian froze. Logan had positioned himself in the chair next to Aunt Letty, and they were deep in conversation.

“Is there something wrong?” Lord Archibald asked.

Jillian desperately scanned the faces nearby, looking for an acquaintance. Relief flowed through her when she saw a forlorn Miss Kelsey standing alone.

“No, it’s just that must speak to a friend of mine. If you’ll excuse me, Lord Archibald.”

“Do call me Archie.” He kissed her hand again. “Thank you for the dance.”

Jillian made a beeline for Miss Kelsey and linked her arm through hers.

“Miss Kelsey, you look lovely. Would you be so kind as to accompany me to the ladies’ sitting room? I need a moment to freshen up.”

Before she could leave the ballroom, three gentlemen of Jillian’s acquaintance stopped her to reserve a dance. Because she was with Miss Kelsey, the gentlemen felt obliged to reserve a dance with her as well. Although she was aware the requests were out of courtesy, with each fresh name written on her dance card, Miss Kelsey’s eyes grew brighter. As they left the ballroom, she squeezed Jillian’s hand.

“I do believe I wouldn’t be dancing at all this evening if not for you, Miss Roring,” she murmured. “I’m very grateful.”

Jillian giggled. “I’m not certain you realize how pretty you are. After you are seen on the dance floor, I expect you will not sit down the rest of the night.”

A large music room had been pressed into service as a ladies’ sitting room for the duration of the ball. The walls were already paneled with mirrors, and dressing screens were arranged to afford some measure of privacy. Jillian found an unoccupied area and pretended to preen while she collected herself. Miss Kelsey perched on a nearby settee. Gossip flowed as young ladies chatted a louder than decorum would dictate.

“Lord Archibald is absolutely fawning over that girl. I heard her father is in
trade
.”

Jillian blanched.

“To me she looks like a porcelain doll.”

“They call her Ice Princess behind her back, I’m told.”

At that, laughter ensued.

“That’s too cruel, but it fits!”

The voices faded as the girls returned to the ballroom. A comforting arm suddenly slid around Jillian’s waist.

“Let’s sit for a while, Miss Roring,” Miss Kelsey murmured in a soothing tone. “Neither of us is engaged for the second dance.”

“Yes, I…”

Shaking from head to toe, Jillian allowed Miss Kelsey to lead her to the settee.

“Would you like me to fetch Mrs. Marsh?”

The vision of Logan in a tête-à-tête with Aunt Letty flashed into Jillian’s mind. “No, I don’t want to burden her. She warned me that society gossips could be uncharitable.”

“Don’t listen to those jealous harpies. You’re beautiful, talented, sweet, and kind.”

“Thank you.” Jillian smiled. “May I call you by your Christian name?”

“It’s Katherine. Katie, if you like.”

“My name is Jillian.”

“Ooh, even your name is pretty.”

Jillian’s smile broadened. “If you hadn’t been here, Katie, I might have burst into tears just now.”

“I’ll wait with you as long as you like.”

A glance in the mirror revealed a stain of color on Jillian’s cheeks that had nothing to do with the rouge she wore. Although she would have liked nothing better than to flee, she rose and squared her shoulders.

“No, let’s go back. I’m not a sea captain’s daughter for nothing, you know. I shall stiffen my resolve and sail in the headwinds bravely.”

“That’s the spirit!”

Let’s hope I do not capsize.

The second dance, a quadrille, was underway by the time Jillian and Katie returned to the ballroom. Aunt Letty had left her seat and was dancing with Mr. Loach.
Why she dances beautifully
, Jillian thought. Logan was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps Aunt Letty had given him a verbal trouncing and he’d had the good manners to depart. A vague sense of disappointment ensued, surprising Jillian with its poignancy.
How can I feel his absence so keenly after he exposed me to ridicule?

Vicar Lewis was chatting with Sophia nearby, gazing at her with slavish adoration. Although Jillian’s first impulse was to laugh at Sophia’s pained expression, she took pity on her instead.

“Excuse me, Vicar, but I must beg Miss Watkins’ assistance,” Jillian said. “Sophia, Miss Smith is waiting for you in the ladies’ sitting room. I believe she needs your help with her hair.”

“Oh,
thank
you, Jillian.” Sophia’s gratitude was heartfelt. “I shall go to Miss Smith’s aid immediately.”

To the vicar’s obvious disappointment, Sophia hastened off.

Sophia slipped into the ladies’ sitting room and found an unoccupied mirror. She smoothed her hair, straightened her gown, and checked her teeth. She was about to step out from behind the wooden screen when she heard her name mentioned.

“Did you see Miss Roring rescue Miss Watkins from Vicar Lewis just now?”

“I saw the whole thing! If only Miss Roring knew what Miss Watkins is saying about her, she wouldn’t be so kind.”

“Sophia Watkins ought to be ashamed of herself.”

“I don’t think she cares. Look at the way she jilted Mr. Logan. Her heart must be a lump of black coal.”

Sophia turned back toward the mirror. Although her toilette was immaculate, she frowned.

“Look, Jillian, there’s Mr. Logan with his friend,” Katie whispered. “They are heading this way.”

Jillian flinched at Logan’s approach.
The very sight of him excites my pulse and dulls my wits.
It is not fair he should be so frightfully handsome!

Logan stopped in front of Katie, with Hawkins close at hand.

“My friend has expressed a wish to be acquainted with you, Miss Kelsey,” he said. “Hawkins, allow me to present Miss Kelsey. Miss Kelsey, this is Mr. Hawkins.”

With a shy smile, Katie curtsied. “Hello, Mr. Hawkins.”

“May I reserve a dance or two, Miss Kelsey?” Hawkins asked.

Blushing furiously, Katie extended her dance card. Hawkins peered at it a moment and scribbled his name on three empty lines.

“I cannot believe my luck. The next two dances are mine, as well as the ending Quadrille.”

As Hawkins and Katie made small talk, Logan’s green eyes turned to Jillian.

“Good evening, Miss Roring.”

“Good evening, sir.”

The coolness of her tone would have sent most men scurrying off, but Logan remained steadfast.

“Would you allow me a waltz?”