Penny descended the steps and into her first London ball. The room wasn’t crowded, but her mother had warned her that such would be the case since they had arrived quite early in the season. Since she was already behind schedule in age it had been necessary for her to spend as much time in London as possible during her first season. Although Penny sincerely hoped that her husband hunt, for that was what it was called in female company, would only take a matter of weeks and not months.

She caught her reflection in a grandfather clock, glad that everything was still in place. Her chestnut hair was pulled back in a combination of braids, buns, and curls that was quite popular at the capital and had her applauding her maid’s skill. Her gown was a pale pink silk, and although when she had held it up she had worried that it contained too many ruffles and lace she had to admit that it flattered her charmingly. To top off the effect, her mother had allowed her to borrow her pearl necklace in addition to her pearl and diamond drop earrings.

She followed her mother about the room being introduced to acquaintances and chatting with them about the weather. A few seconds before the first dance started Alex came to claim her. Although she would have rather danced with an elegant stranger it was better to start her first dance of the season off with somebody rather than no one.

Not that Alex wasn’t an amiable partner. He kept her laughing, and she was much more comfortable with him than she would have been a complete stranger. She was just as usual impatient. If Alex sensed it he didn’t notice.

When the dance was over he gave her over to Evan not daring to approach her mother who was surrounded by match making mamas. Penny stifled a giggle. Although Alex wasn’t the most dominant male about the ton he did come from a well-respected and wealthy family, in addition to being the eldest son. Thus Alex, like practically every available gentlemen, spent the majority of his time at balls trying to talk to the daughters and avoid the mothers.

Evan proceeded to introduce her to various acquaintances. While she had been forced to stay at home while her father was away Evan had often traveled to the city. Although he always excused it, as business Penny was pretty sure it had something to do with more alluring distractions. A viscount, an earl, a marchioness, and then Penny lost tract. That was at least until he introduced her to the man that had brought her there that night.

“Penny, this is, Jeremy Dunfrey, Marquise of Alborndol. Lord Dunfrey, this is my sister Ms. Weslyan.” Lord Dunfrey bowed taking her hand and lifting it to his lips. He was tall and broad shoulder. His ebony hair, like everything else, was at the very pinnacle of fashion.

The slight brush of his lips against her hand was all that was elegant and decent, but the one bang that fell, framing his face, made her think that he wasn’t always so. So far Jeremy Dunfrey, Marquise of Alborndol, had more than lived up to her expectations.

“It is a pleasure to meant you,” he said in a rich baritone voice. He was still bent slightly down when he said it so his deep emerald eyes looked straight into hers. She could feel them penetrate, but what they were looking for she wasn’t exactly sure.

She curtsied, trying to display an air of indifference. She had often seen too many girls lose in games of the heart simply because they were too forward in emotions, scaring off potential suitors

“It is a pleasure to meet you as well Lord Dunfrey.” The marquis laughed.

“Please do not call me Lord Dunfrey. It makes me feel old. And I hate to feel old especially in such attractive company.” Penny shot a glance at Evan warning him not to say anything.

“Then what should I call you?”

“Alborndol will do. Only my elderly business associates call me Lord Dunfrey.” Penny laughed gaily, careful not to let it turn into a giggle. A cotillion started to play.

“May I have this dance?” he asked bowing and offering his arm.

“Most certainly.” The other men who had asked her to dance had signed up for the waltz or other dances where the partners would be close. As Alborndol whirled her out onto the dance floor she was glad for the first time that night that she would dance the Waltz with the Earl of Grathers, an impolite middle aged man who was missing half of his teeth.

Like everything else the marquis did he danced with an air of perfection. He entertained

her with the newest gossip of the ton and she found herself laughing although she had no clue who he was talking about. But she could hardly blame him for her inexperience in the social sphere.

When the dance ended she was swept up into another with a country gentlemen, and then another, and another, until by the time that she had a break in her schedule she was absolutely parched. She had just started towards the refreshment table when Alex found her and offered her a much-welcomed glass of limonade.

“Thank-you,” she panted and tried to hide how big her gulp was. Alex smiled.

“You know not many ladies are up to dancing six in a row.”

“Was it really six?” Her question was more rhetorical than anything so Alex didn’t answer. Instead they fell into a comfortable silence as she finished off the rest of her limonade.

“So what’s your impression after your first night here?”

“I love it. It’s so exciting nothing like home. Not that I don’t love home, mind you. It’s just that after some many year a woman needs some excitement.” He hesitated, and looked like he was going to say something but Alborndol interrupted by stepping forward.

“Ah Ms. Weslyan I have found you again. If I might be so bold as to secure your hand for another dance?”

“Alex?” she asked hoping that he’d excuse her departure. Alborndol looked up at him for a second, slightly startled. It appeared that he had not known Alex was there.

“Redley.” He nodded and Alex returned his nod albeit rather stiffly. Penny looked at him quizzically but could do no more a s the Marquis once again whisked her off onto the dance floor. This time it was a quadrille, and once again his dancing was exemplary.

Why had he gone and done that? He knew why he had stiffened around Alborndol. He was nothing but a prick. When they had attended Oxford together Alborndol used to pull pranks on him whenever his friends and teachers weren’t around. He also enjoyed transferring the attentions of women who he was close to.

More than anything though he wished that Penny weren’t dancing with him, and from the looks of things enjoying it. Alborndol was used to excess, mostly in the fields of gambling and women. But to say anything would have been highly inappropriate. So he sank back to the table and grabbed a limonade