Mistress in the Regency Ballroom

His reply was unhesitating. ‘Thank you, Miss Boyce. I will.’

‘Are you sure?’ she whispered, darting a look towards the door.

‘Quite sure.’

‘Then we shall be ten,’ she told the footman, ‘counting the three boarders and Mrs Quayle.’ Removing her spectacles, she tucked them into her reticule, passed her hat and gloves to her maid, and went into the drawing room to meet her guests. With Lord Rayne close behind her, she found she could brave Aunt Minnie’s hostile glare with more tranquillity than if she had been on her own.