Lady Barbara's Dilemma Read Online Free Page B

to know that one member of my family respects my privacy,” she continued with mock anger.
    Robin looked not one whit remorseful. Brother and sister shared the same sense of humor and he knew Barbara was not really offended. But her blush had confirmed what he suspected: an interest in Wardour that went beyond anything she had felt for years. Her blush also diminished the mild sense of anxiety he had felt over the past week. Barbara had attended an opera and a concert in the company of the Vanes and Sir David Treves. Robin liked and respected Treves. But he was surprised to discover that despite his politics, he would not be happy seeing his sister marry a Jew.
    “Of course, the Nile green that you wore to the opera only made Treves look handsomer.” Robin couldn’t resist any opportunity to tease, but this time he hoped his worries would be laid to rest.
    “David and I are nothing but good friends, Robin. We discovered our mutual love of music at Simon and Judith’s the other night, and it has been delightful to have his company, rather than my brother’s, who has been known to fall asleep! Come, it is getting late,” said Barbara, starting for the door.
    Robin and Diana shared a look of relief and followed her to the carriage.
    * * * *
    Lady Whiting always invited more people than her house could comfortably hold, and so it took the Stanleys a few minutes to go through the receiving line and search out Viscount Vane and Lord Alverstoke.
    Barbara found herself aware of everyone, and listening for the distinct tone of Wardour’s voice. She was surprised at herself, pleasantly surprised, for surely this indicated that she was ready and willing to fall in love with him.
    When they at last reached their friends, Barbara was delighted to see that one of their company was Wardour. He seemed equally delighted to see her. In fact, he had approached the viscount and immediately renewed their acquaintance precisely because he was the Stanleys’ friend. He did not intend a subtle and slow courtship. He intended to win Barbara, and he intended to do it straightforwardly.
    He was disappointed, therefore, when she could not offer him her first dance. But his disappointment was short-lived, for she offered him her first waltz. She had saved it on purpose, hoping that he would ask her.
    Wardour waited patiently, and when they at last moved off onto the dance floor, neither was disappointed. The marquess was one of those rare dance partners whom one followed without being aware of following. The waltz was effortless, and they could not keep from smiling at each other in sheer enjoyment. She was pleasantly conscious that the steady pressure of his hand on her back did indeed raise her temperature more than could be expected from the exercise. And at one point in the dance, their fingers linked together naturally and unconsciously. When Wardour finally noticed, he gave her hand a squeeze before flattening her palm and holding her less intimately.
    When the dance was over and he left to dance with his sister, Barbara realized that her legs were shaky and her cheeks flushed. It was such a relief to know that this Season might very well bring her everything she wished for that she felt a bit giddy, and moved next to Robin and placed her hand on his arm. When he asked if she were all right, she answered that she was just a little dizzy from her waltz. They smiled at each other in the same instant, both happy at the way things appeared to be working out.
    And while Wardour was careful not to monopolize Barbara’s attention, it was clear by the end of the evening that Lady Barbara Stanley had a serious suitor, and one, moreover, that she seemed to be taking seriously.
     

Chapter 5
     
    It became even more evident over the next few weeks that Wardour was indeed serious, and Barbara found herself liking him as much as she had suspected she would, although there were more than a few political issues on which Barbara suspected they would