Read Online Hidden in the Heart by Beth Andrews - Free Book Online Page A

drive to the inn, which was ablaze with light. The high street was a clatter of carriages and a-bustle with a steady stream of arrivals. They were ushered into the main portal and directed along a corridor to a room at the rear of the building - the only chamber large enough to accommodate all the guests.
    Pushing along beside her aunt through the crush, Lydia was surprised at the scene which awaited her. The room was lit by several large chandeliers and a number of sconces with crystal drops reflecting the light. Along the walls, a few narrow tables had been dressed with centerpieces of what appeared to be fresh spring flowers. On closer inspection, however, she realized that they had been cunningly fashioned from silk. At least they would not wilt in the heat of the many candles.
    Mr Savidge and his son greeted the guests as they entered. The father was so full of pride in his accomplish ment that he looked ready to burst. His son merely seemed mildly amused. However, when he spied Lydia’s party, he frowned heavily. What was wrong with him? Lydia wondered, frowning in her turn.
    It was some time before she had more than a polite word with John. He surprised her by procuring the first dance with her. In the event, he was prudent to have done so. Before very long, Lydia found that every dance was spoken for. She did not attribute this to the fact that she was in good looks tonight. There were so many gentlemen present that most of the ladies were able to pick and choose their partners at their leisure.
    There was to be no waltzing, of course. Mrs Wardle- Penfield did not approve of the waltz, whatever the fine ladies of London might say. It most certainly would not do for Mr Savidge’s ball, which must be held to the absolute strictest standards of propriety.
    Some young ladies were disappointed when they learned of this, but it was no loss to Lydia. Unlike her sister Louisa, she had never bothered to learn the steps.
    When John led her out onto the floor, she was more than happy. She saw Monsieur d’Almain partnering her aunt and felt the thrill of triumph. She herself was promised to him later in the evening, but she knew that he had asked her out of politeness. Besides, more than one speculative glance was directed at the handsome Frenchman and the staid Miss Denton. The town tabbies lapped up scandal broth like fresh cream, and they were sure to have their fill of it tonight.
    ‘Who got you up in that rig tonight?’ John demanded as they made their first steps.
    ‘You do not approve?’ she asked, startled at his tone.
    He reddened slightly before replying, ‘It is just that you are almost good-looking tonight.’
    ‘In contrast to my usual hideous countenance?’ she queried, feeling her anger rise.
    ‘I did not mean that.’ The movement of the dance drew them apart. Upon their reunion, he added, ‘I just never thought of you as a proper young lady. That is all.’
    ‘Well, how did you think of me?’
    ‘I did not think of you at all.’
    While Lydia did not generally consider herself to be ‘missish’, this was definitely not the kind of thing that any young lady longs to hear. Not that she considered John in the light of a suitor, but his patent indifference was not calculated to endear him to her.
    ‘Well, you need not think of me again, sir!’ she snapped. The dance ended and she stalked off in the direction of her aunt, leaving John standing in the middle of the floor with a curious expression on his face.
    She studiously avoided him for the remainder of the evening. What should have been a very pleasant experience had been entirely spoilt, in any case, and she railed silently at the insensibility of the male sex.
    ‘What is the matter?’ Aunt Camilla asked her, seeing the distress writ on her face.
    ‘Men are beasts!’ Lydia answered in the time-honored phrase of the maligned female.
    ‘You have quarrelled with John?’ The older woman correctly interpreted this remark.
    ‘I would not call it