Gallant Match Read Online Free PDF Page B

will hire such a one for your wedding voyage, he can hardly object to you being in his company this evening.”
    â€œI doubt he will be so reasonable. But you don’t seem surprised.”
    â€œLet us say I guessed how the affair would turn out,” her aunt agreed in roguish tones. “The sponsors are four former sword masters of note, after all, the Condé de Lérida and Messieurs Pasquale, O’Neill and Blackford. These gentlemen have all become respectable in the past few years through marriages to French-Creole ladies. That’s ever been the way of it, you comprehend. Even the Spaniards who came to conquer decades ago were accepted only after they married among us.”
    â€œI didn’t realize…I mean, who reads the list of sponsors?” She recognized those mentioned, now that they had been brought to her attention, striking men who stood with their ladies in an informal receiving line near the fireplace that formed a focal point for the ballroom. The group laughed and talked among themselves with great camaraderie, one source of amusement being, so it appeared, the cunningly fashioned gowns of at least two of the ladies who were obviously enceinte.
    Some would say they should have remained at home in such a condition. It appeared they flouted opinion in this as well as in their choice of husbands and guests.
    Her aunt lifted a brow as she surveyed Sonia’s set features. “You have been complaining this entire season about how bored you are with the usual balls and other entertainments. I thought this one might pique your interest. Besides, you will soon be married so must broaden your horizons, chère. I very much doubt Jean Pierre will be as nice in his associations as your papa.”
    Sonia was forced to admit the point. Not that her betrothed’s choice of acquaintances was a concern, since she would not be at his side to receive them.
    â€œHow did we come to receive an invitation, do you suppose?”
    â€œI have no idea.” Her aunt lifted a well-rounded shoulder. “Perhaps one of the hosts is aware of your connection to Monsieur Wallace.”
    â€œYou don’t think we should leave?”
    â€œNo, no. The evening promises to be something out of the ordinary. I would not miss it for worlds. As for propriety, I am here at your side, am I not? And you will not desert me.”
    â€œNaturally not,” Sonia said in staunch acquiescence. In truth, it was rather exciting to be among this more dashing set; she had often wondered at the difference between it and the more staid circle she frequented. Her concern was primarily for her father’s disapproval, which might cause curtailment of the little freedom she was allowed. That would not be at all convenient just now.
    As for the man from Kentucky, she would pretend he did not exist. That should be no great effort.
    It was more difficult than she imagined. He seemed to hover on the edge of her vision no matter where she looked. The rumble of his voice drifted over the crowd. It was maddening.
    Still, the evening promised little variation from the dozens of others she had attended that winter. The music was just as sprightly, the decorations as lavish and the food and drink as bountiful. She was not left to sit andmake tapestry, as the saying went, in spite of the strange company. Hardly had she disposed herself on a chair with her skirts spread around her before she was besieged by a number of gentlemen. Denys Vallier, brother-in-law to the Condé de Lérida and a gentleman most comme il faut, was in their forefront. With him were his particular friends, Albert Lollain and Hippolyte Ducolet. The two dances they each begged made a fine showing on the dance card she had been handed at the door, though she became more selective after they were recorded. The filling of such a card required great care. A lady needed to avoid blank spaces but might wish to leave a dance or two free in case some