‘How can she be so foolish tonight of all nights?’ Andrina asked herself, ‘when every Nobleman of importance is here?’
Could any girls have been luckier than to have a ball given for them that was graced by the Prince Regent and for which every hostess of stature in London had given a dinner party?
Andrina was determined to speak to Sharon and, as her sister waltzing round the room came near her, she stepped forward.
The Count saw her and stopped dancing, but his arms still encircled his partner’s waist.
“Your skirt is caught up a little,” Andrina said.
Then as she pretended to adjust it and Sharon turned her head to see what was wrong, she said in a whisper,
“Dance with the Duke. If he does not ask you, you must ask him!”
She did not wait for her sister’s reply, but stood back as i
