August 1811

Given how much Polly revelled in the company of the local gentry, it didn't take long for the invitations to begin adorning the Sinclair's abode. Mina was indeed taken aback by the celerity with which Lady Langdon, so evidently committed to weaving a tapestry of connections around the untamed Viscount, orchestrated the affair as if he were not destined to depart Southampton one day.

On the other hand, considering he was to spend a year in this place, it seemed prudent to establish some connections, even if they were to remain shallow and fleeting to superficial acquaintances. Yet, Mina, with her keen perception, understood the profound desire hidden behind her unlikely friend's intentions. The motive, as plain as day in consideration by a caring mother, revolved around the idea of securing wedded bliss for her son. Placing Royston and Mina in proximity to potential matches became a top priority for her, and whenever the opportunity arose for her to showcase her piano-playing talents, it only cast a more favourable and advantageous light upon the family. As for the wager, she didn't take it seriously, as she had already made her thoughts known to Mina:

"It is indeed quite scandalous and a frivolity more suited to younger hearts, not those on the cusp of their thirties. Pray tell, why did you agree to it, Mina? You are as perfect as the Almighty intended, and you certainly have no need for my son's assistance in matters of matrimony."

Mina responded with a modicum of courtesy, for she, too, found herself pondering why in the world she had consented. It was a conundrum even to her. Perhaps it was her unyielding determination to succeed, to wipe that smug grin from Roy's visage. Moreover, the situation appeared advantageous from all angles, whether it resulted in winning a dashing husband in Earl Westhaven or reaping threefold the inheritance sum—both prospects held an equal allure.

On another sweltering day, Polly ventured into her son's study, fortunate to find the two trade masters responsible for the renovations already making their exit.

"Mother," Royston greeted her with a satisfied smile and a nod as she settled into the seat before him.

"Son," she replied with a hint of sarcasm, and Roy was quick to discern that his mother had a barb waiting behind her back, though his smile remained. "Why is it, my dear, that after you spend time with Mina, your subsequent interactions seem to be so... restrained and diffident?"

Royston chuckled and responded with swiftness, "You are reading too much into it, my dear mother. Miss Haswell is merely lost in thought about her admirer, while I have the considerable task of overseeing the renovation. Have you forgotten that we are soon to commence work on this dismal abode?"

Polly raised an inquisitive brow. "You needn't fib to me, Roy. It's as plain as day that Lord Westhaven is no suitor to Mina, just as your concerns extend beyond the mere state of this household."

Roy scoffed and tilted his head in disagreement. "She chose him just as I chose Miss Whitcombe for myself. And, indeed, besides courting Miss Whitcombe I am quite interested in setting this household to rights."

Lady Langdon crossed her arms and expressed her exasperation, saying, "Goodness gracious, Roy, this is even worse – you're not being truthful with yourself."

She noticed a slight darkening of her son's blue eyes.

"Mother, is that all you wished to inquire about?" He asked her with a hint of impatience. It wasn't the first time she had raised such questions, and it was beginning to wear on his nerves.

He diligently mended the fractures etched into his façade, beneath which a genuine gentleman lay concealed. Pray, who was his mother to attempt to unravel them?!

Fortunately, Polly had an innate sense of when a strategic retreat was the wisest path to follow. She deftly presented him with four meticulously sealed invitations to upcoming social gatherings, a move that furrowed his brow with visible consternation.

"I propose that Mina and we attend all of these occasions," she suggested, her tone brimming with an air of determined resolve.

Royston gazed at the invitations for a moment, his countenance gradually relaxing as he adopted an air of apparent indifference. "Only those four?" he inquired, his tone bearing a hint of curiosity.

Polly's response was poised and measured, anticipating her son's potential resistance. "Indeed, my dear. These are but a modest beginning, for I am convinced that more invitations will undoubtedly find their way to our doorstep in due course."

Royston emitted a small sound of acknowledgement. "I had no idea there were so many noble hosts eager to host opulent gatherings and such extravagance," he mused, clicking his tongue in a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"Oh, it's not just the nobles," Polly explained, "but also the affluent upper-class members, which I suppose you would be more accustomed to, given our background."

Royston regarded her for a moment, then acquiesced, saying, "Very well, mother. Just notify me with at least three days' notice."

Polly was pleasantly surprised that she didn't have to spend another quarter-hour persuading him to accompany her to these gatherings, as she had often done in the past.

And so, one evening, he found himself at Lord and Lady Beckenridge's assembly. With August drawing to a close, the evenings had grown cooler, making it more bearable to spend time indoors, dancing or watching couples dance without the need to wrinkle one's nose.

Roy permitted himself the indulgence of a glass of wine, his gaze sweeping over the guests in the grand hall. He recognized at least a third of them from his initial foray into society. As he took a generous sip, Mina glided into view, accompanied by Eleanor. Both bore a rosy flush from the recent dance. Roy's smile graced them both, yet his attention was irresistibly drawn to Mina's countenance. At that moment, she was a vision of exquisite beauty, radiating a vivacity and joy, and, oh, those lips...

"Lord Langdon, would you be so kind as to join us for a dance?" Mina boldly inquired, catching his attention and momentarily diverting his thoughts from Mina's captivating features.

"If I were to admit to any Achilles' heel, it would be the art of dancing," Royston confessed, hoping that his frankness might discourage them both from insisting on his participation.

"Come now," Eleanor insisted, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, "the beauty of assemblies lies in the fact that no one truly pays heed to your dance steps!"

Royston nodded, acknowledging the partial truth in Eleanor's words, even though he had been meticulously observing everyone's movements just minutes ago. Resigned to the unwavering determination etched on both Mina's and Eleanor's faces, he let out a small sigh.

"Very well, then. Which one of you lovely ladies is willing to risk her feet being inadvertently trampled?" he asked with a half-hearted jest, knowing that their enthusiasm would likely outweigh any concerns about their toes.

The ballroom was alive with the graceful swirl of dancers, the music filling the air with an enchanting melody. Yet there was no response to Roy's inquiry, only Eleanor's firm grasp on his arm, leading him into the midst of the whirling couples. Royston's gaze flickered briefly towards Mina, who beamed with encouragement, for it was she who had orchestrated this meeting just moments before.

Now, it was up to him not to falter, to make an impression worthy of the occasion.

Mina watched them, her heart aflutter with a mixture of hope and trepidation. Her mind drifted back to that moment from days ago, when his hand had brushed against hers, sending a shiver down her spine. It was a memory that returned unbidden, a reminder of... what, exactly?

It had been an innocent and honest mistake on his part, she assured herself. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet, a nagging doubt lingered, fuelled by the mischievous glint in his eye. Was he toying with her? It would certainly be in keeping with the persona he'd been parading ever since I had dispatched that damned letter.

Mina couldn't possibly fathom the extent of his self-reproach after that moment, nor how long he gazed at the ceiling in the still of the night, berating himself for not promptly retracting his hand and offering an apology.

Now an unseen force compelled her to glance to the side, where she observed her sister, Evie, engaged in conversation with none other than Earl Westhaven himself. Evie, catching her eye, gave a gentle beckon, inviting Mina to join them. With a deep breath, Mina composed herself and followed in their direction, a warm smile gracing her countenance.

"Lord Stirling," Evie began with a gracious tone, "it would be my honour to introduce my sister, Miss Mina Haswell, to you."

Victor offered a courteous nod, his cerulean eyes locking onto Mina's as he took her hand and pressed a soft kiss upon it, a subtle wink accompanying the gesture before he stood upright.

Mina could feel the warmth spreading across her cheeks. "Indeed, Lord Stirling paid Lord Langdon a visit once. It was in relation to plans for your new residence if I remember correctly?"

Victor nodded and replied with a charming smile. "You have an excellent memory, Miss Haswell. The house needed some alterations as my vision for it had somewhat evolved.

"Forgive me, but it appears my husband requires urgent assistance," Evie interjected, her gaze already fixed on Alistair, who was ensnared by the ever-watchful Lady Evans, known for her notorious gossip. With a polite excuse, Evie hurried away.

Mina and Victor watched her leave, and then their gazes met once more. He was undeniably handsome, and dashing, and a myriad of other compliments raced through Mina's mind. Yet, the usually eloquent miss found herself at a loss for words. Just as she was about to part her lips to speak and break the moment's silence, he pre-empted her:

"How is it to reside under the same roof as such an established gentleman, Miss Haswell?"

It was an unusual question, but it provided a welcome diversion from the silence that had settled between them.

"It's quite pleasant, I would say," she began hesitantly, then continued, "Lord Langdon is on the verge of commencing renovations at his residence here in Southampton."

"Ah," Victor expressed his surprise, "he didn't mention his plans to me, although I did notice some work orders and a blueprint during my last visit to the estate."

Mina's brows furrowed, as she had no knowledge of his second visit or any further visits for that matter.

"I believe you weren't at home at the time, as you were otherwise engaged with Lady Langdon," the Earl remarked when he saw her perplexed expression.

She nodded. "Yes, that may very well be the case."

The somewhat embarrassing moment of silence fell upon them once more, and Mina inwardly chastised herself for not matching Evie's effortless charm and grace.

"Do you fancy the art of dance, Lord Stirling?" Mina inquired, attempting to alleviate the tension that seemed to envelop her in Victor's presence.

"Indeed, Miss Haswell, and I would be most delighted to dance with you if you allow me," he replied cheerfully, taking her hand, and escorting her to the dance floor.

As they waltzed, Roy couldn't help but curse the seemingly endless dances of the evening. He struggled to maintain his composed facade and a polite smile, though his face was beginning to ache from the effort. To add to his discomfort, Miss Whitcombe remained acutely focused on him, her nimbleness allowing her to gracefully sidestep any potential missteps on his part.

When he beheld Mina in the company of Victor, he stumbled, almost faltering, but swiftly righted himself. He had to sternly remind himself not to stare and promptly locked eyes with Eleanor. Relief washed over him as the musical interlude concluded. Royston graciously expressed his gratitude to Eleanor and inquired if she might accompany him to the refreshment table, to which she graciously acquiesced.

"Oh, look, there's Mina, and she's in the company of Victor!" Eleanor exclaimed with a palpable excitement that made Royston raise an inquisitive eyebrow.

Naturally, Eleanor was acquainted with the Earl, for the circles of the ton in Southampton were as intimate as those in Dover or any sizable English city that wasn't the grand metropolis of London. Royston, cautious by nature, refrained from hasty conclusions, but he couldn't help but grow increasingly mindful of the established rapport between Eleanor and Victor.

"Yes-yes, they do indeed make a charming couple," he stammered as he observed them with a curious gaze.

"I would be delighted to witness Mina united with someone of Westhaven's calibre," Eleanor said dreamily.

"Why?" Royston inquired, and perhaps it wasn't the most tactful question he could have asked, or perhaps his tone came across as too abrupt, but Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well... the Earl is a most dashing gentleman and a most enjoyable companion," she replied, delicately sipping from her glass.

An ironic smirk graced Roy's countenance. "A charming and pleasant companion, is it? If that's the sole prerequisite for entering matrimony, it's no surprise that so many unions end in discontent," he mused softly to himself.

Eleanor inquired, unable to hear his words over the music, "Pardon me, were you saying something?"

Roy, his voice carrying above the melodies, replied, "I was merely contemplating whether such qualities would suffice for Miss Haswell. You're aware of her strength of character, the kind that could easily crush any man like a bug beneath the heel of a princess' slipper."

Eleanor's brow furrowed in response. "Lord Langdon, those remarks were hardly the most gentlemanly ones to make about my dear friend's character," she gently admonished him.

Royston's gaze finally settled on Eleanor. "Apologies, Miss Whitcombe, I merely meant that in jest. Miss Haswell is a woman of great gentleness and kindness. She would never intentionally harm a soul."

He struggled to keep any trace of sarcasm from seeping into his words, though the memory of every slight she had caused him briefly flickered through his mind. It appeared Eleanor took his apology at face value, but then again, perhaps she hadn't, for she excused herself and made her way back to her friends.

Royston let out a weary sigh and turned his attention back to Mina and Victor. They appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, yet as the music came to an end, the Earl excused himself, indicating that he was preparing to leave the assembly altogether. Mina's disappointment was evident, but she maintained her composure, not allowing a hint of her true feelings to show on her countenance. She swiftly noticed Royston and approached him.

"You don't appear to be overly thrilled," she observed, helping herself to a glass of wine as well.

"Neither do you," he replied, a small smile gracing his countenance, which, in turn, brought a smile to her lips.

After savouring the last drops of her wine, he extended his hand toward her. "Would you care to share a dance with me?"

She gazed at him, astonishment clear in her eyes and countenance, before replying, "Well, why not?"

They soon found themselves gracefully waltzing amidst the other guests. Lady Evans, spectacles perched on her nose, couldn't help but remark to her friends, "Look at Lord Langdon with Miss Haswell – what a splendid pair, is it not?"

Her friends graciously concurred, and the pair's dance became the talk of the evening.