Chapter Thirty-One
~May 29~
Ellen boldly walked into the Countess of Midton’s ball entirely on her own. For the past two years, she’d been coming to parties on her own, but then she’d done so as a widow. She’d displayed this to all with her choice of colors, silently explaining she was there only to be mildly social. Tonight, however, she was there as an eligible, single woman in an emerald green silk gown, brash in her lack of escort.
“Good evening, Lady Moreton,” Mr. Sherman said, greeting her near the entrance.
“Good evening and”—she leaned a little closer so that only he could hear her—“and congratulations.”
His smile grew. “Thank you,” he whispered back.
“I assume Aunt Amelia is already here? She left before I finished dressing for the evening.”
“I believe she is speaking with
