Free The Folly by Irina Shapiro Page A

coach with four matching chestnut mares , full of stories of exotic India and laden with boxes and gifts for everyone.  Rosamunde brought Elizabeth a beautiful fan made of peacock feathers, which Elizabeth insisted on carrying during the ball.  The colors of the fan actually complemented her gown , and she took the opportunity to show it off to the other ladies.  Henry got a walking stick with an ivory handle carved in the shape of a dragon’s head , and Jeremy received a silver snuff box, carved with an intricate eastern pattern.  Jeremy didn’t take snuff, but he thanked Rosamunde profusely, happy to see his aunt after all these years. 
    Jeremy remembered o nly a few of the guests from when he was a boy , his eyes glazing over as couple after couple were introduced to him in the receiving line .  Unlike Jeremy, Henry seemed to be enjoying himself, which made Elizabeth happy.  She wanted everything to go off without a hitch , and having Henry in a good mood was certainly a bonus.  Finally, the gong sounded for dinner , inviting the men to escort the ladies into the dining room and to their seats.  A liveried footman was positioned behind each chair serving numerous courses , before the guests finally filed into the ballroom for dancing.  Everything was going according to plan.

 
    Chapter 14
     
    Hundreds of candles illuminated the vast ballroom, their flickering lights reflecting off the gilded frames of the paintings and the polished parquet floor.  Some of the older matrons settled themselves on damask upholstered settees lining the edges of the room, so as to better enjoy watching the dancers, while numerous gentlemen drifted into small groups, discussing politics and horseflesh.  Only the young people were truly excited to dance . 
    Sir Henry and Lady Elizabeth led the guests in the opening minuet as the couples eagerly took their places on the floor, ready to exert themselves after the lengthy supper.  The musicians played some of the traditional dances such as minuets, Scottish reels and waltzes, but Elizabeth also instructed them to make sure to play the quadrille, recently introduced at Almack’s Assembly R ooms in London by Lady Jersey.  The quadrille was gaining popularity , and Elizabeth wanted to make sure to appear fashionable in front of her guests .  Jeremy was familiar with the steps and did his best to teach her , despite a lack of other partners needed to form the set of four dancers.
    Elizabeth glanced at her dance card.  It was already full , with Jeremy’s name next to the quadrille and the slow waltz.  She wished she could dance with him all night, but it was the height of bad manners to dance with the same partner more than twice, especially for the hostess.  She would have to dance with a slew of older men and make polite conversation , while they either drooled over her cleavage or stepped on her toes. 
    Elizabeth smiled at something Magistrate Buxton said to her as he led her around the dance floor , but she hadn’t heard a word.  All her attention was concentrated on the sight of Jeremy dancing with Lady Veronica Bromley.  He was smiling down at her upturned face and leading her skillfully around the floor , making Elizabeth wish that the girl would trip and fall flat on her face.  She felt her cheeks grow red with shame.  The girl was lovely and kind , and she had no basis for such thoughts.  Jeremy was just being a gentleman and doing his duty.  Elizabeth tried to concentrate on her own partner who was still talking.  She forced her attention away from Jeremy and Lady Bromley and looked for Sir Henry instead.  He was on the other side of the dance floor dancing with Mrs. Bolton, who was looking very pleased with having a younger dance partner . 
    At last the dance came to an end , and Elizabeth turned just in time to see Jeremy escorting Lady Bromley outside.  She felt as if someone had just kicked her in the stomach , and excused herself for a moment to go get