“Oh yes, of course! Of course. You’re a good man, Nicholas. None better. You will do the thing. It will get done. We’d better get to dancing. I hear the music starting.”
They both moved toward the larger room where the dancing would commence.
If Julia knew Phoebe, she would soon want her to switch to a livelier tune, something she and the guests could dance to.
Sure enough, when Julia sang the last note, Phoebe caught her eye and winked. Phoebe spread the word that they were about to begin a reel. While several guests paired up to dance, Julia found some appropriate music. Happily for Phoebe, Mr. Langdon had asked her to dance; they were standing up together at the head of the line.
Julia felt a flutter of excitement for Phoebe, who looked triumphant in her pale-blue dress ornamented with ribbon and lace.
Mr. Langdon’s snow-white neckcloth stood out against his dark hair, and he was fashionably dressed in dark-gray breeches and waistcoat, black Hessian boots, and a black double-breasted frock coat.
Julia’s mind raced as fast as her fingers. Would Mr. Langdon break his own rule and dance with Phoebe more than once? Or would Phoebe get the first dance with him, only to watch him dance with every other girl in the room for the rest of the night?
Even though Mr. Langdon was of above-average height, he moved gracefully. He was nothing like his older brother, whose countenance was less serious, almost careless. His brother, Jonathan, was also stouter and more pale complexioned, a perfect contrast to Mr. Langdon’s dark hair and skin, brown eyes, and crow-black brows. Their grandmother was from Spain, and her heritage had made its presence known in the younger son. Mr. Langdon was handsome, Julia had to admit, and though he appeared somewhat reserved, he had expressive brown eyes.
Phoebe certainly wasn’t the first girl whose heart had been captured by him—nor was she likely to be the last.
Julia watched how he interacted with Phoebe. He did not look overly friendly as he danced with her, although he engaged in conversation with her and appeared attentive as they waited their turn in the round.
He had not been as fortunate as one might have assumed in his choice of wife, however. Two years ago, his fiancée had thrown him over for a wealthier, older man. A betrayal like that would make some men bitter, and, at the very least, cautious.
When the dance ended, Mr. Langdon gave Phoebe a quick nod and then turned and seemed to be asking Julia’s friend, Miss Felicity Mayson, to dance.
When the next dance was over, he asked another young lady. Phoebe, meanwhile, also danced with other partners. She stared too much at Mr. Langdon, but Julia was proud of her for not trying to flirt with him. Indeed, she had little chance to, as he danced every dance.
Julia remained busy playing for the lively crowd. Everyone looked to be having a good time, even Phoebe.
Everyone, that is, except Miss Sarah Peck, who sat in the same position all night, near Julia and the pianoforte. Julia took a moment here and there to speak to Sarah, but she had no time for real conversation. No one else said a word to her, as though her station as a governess made her invisible.
Julia had paused to choose some new music when Mr. Langdon suddenly approached Sarah with Julia’s aunt, Mrs. Wilhern, by his side. Her aunt introduced them, and Mr. Langdon asked Sarah to dance.
Julia was so gratified at his kindness, her breath hitched in her throat. Perhaps Mr. Langdon was more worthy of Phoebe’s high regard than Julia had thought.
Sarah smiled for the first time since the party had begun as Mr. Langdon gave her his full attention for the duration of the dance.
Sarah came back to her chair with color in her cheeks. Julia couldn’t remember the last time anyone had asked the young governess to dance.
But perhaps his actions had been calculated to charm. Some men’s only obvious purpose in life was to make conquests of silly young females, although Mr. Langdon didn’t seem to be that type.
Julia had heard nothing but praise from Phoebe’s lips since she’d first met him two years before. His fiancée had jilted him for the older Mr. Tromberg, which resulted not only in making Mr. Langdon eligible again, but also making him the object of romantic sympathy—just the sort to make young girls’ hearts flutter. He’d had his pick of dance partners that Season.
Then, during Julia and Phoebe’s second Season, Julia had heard just as many lamentations from Phoebe, for Mr. Langdon had been sent away to the Peninsula to fight with General Wellington. Now that he was back, Phoebe was no doubt hoping to gain his attentions, and affections, before he must return to his duties as a lieutenant in the Peninsula campaign, fighting Napoleon.
Julia’s hands hovered over the piano keys to start the next dance tune. “Excuse me, Miss Grey.”