The reluctant cavalier by Karen Harbaugh

masquerade, whose fault was it, after all? None but her own. "But surely, even if Papa were here, he would not want to be disturbed by such a trivial thing as a ball. He has more important things to think of—Bonaparte, diplomatic matters. And there can be no objection to calling upon a neighbor, and they an ancient family."
    "The Wentworth family is old, but their reputation has never been what it should be. I would not like to see you often in their company, Bella."
    "But I am not in their company often at all," Annabella replied earnestly. "Are you concerned that Geoffrey, Lord Grafton, will try to compromise my reputation? I assure you he will not!" Her mother's expression showed her that she had guessed correctly. Annabella smiled. "I have never liked him above half, and he has never shown an interest in me—never! Indeed, I believe he finds me quite tedious."
    "Tedious?" Lady Smith raised her brows, as if offended that anyone could find her daughter less than perfect.
    Annabella chuckled and took her mother's hand in hers, pressing it gently. "I assure you he finds me a complete bore, no doubt because I make sure I appear so when I am in his presence."
    "What a terrible girl you are, to be sure!" exclaimed Lady Smith, but there was a tremor of laughter in her voice. "I half think I shall not agree to your attending this masquerade at all! Besides, if I am not mistaken, there is more than one male Wentworth to beware of."
    Annabella shook her head. "Oh, no, you need not worry about Mr. Wentworth. He is not at all like Lord Grafton. I had some conversation with him at Lady Bowerland's card party, and he was quite pleasant. But he is not at all a man who will put himself forward, for he is quite shy and very gentlemanly, and he actually blushed when I first addressed him!" She paused thoughtfully. "How odd it is that he is so different from his brother! There is an air of unreliability about Lord Grafton, but there is nothing like that in Mr. Wentworth. Indeed, I felt quite ... safe with him."
    "Safe? Was there anything you feared at Lady Bowerland's card party?" Lady Smith's brows creased in a concerned frown.
    Annabella almost blurted that she did fear something, but bit back the words. An image of the duke's expression from two weeks ago came to her. . . but there was nothing in that to fear, surely. He had some claim on her, for though she had not yet agreed to marry him, she had agreed to consider him. The duke was no doubt a possessive man, and that was not a very bad thing in a man who wanted to be her husband. She had felt an unexpected comfort in the solidity of Mr. Wentworth's arm under her hand as they came into the Bowerlands' drawing room. No doubt any woman would feel so, for despite his reticence, Mr. Wentworth gave forth an air of steady dependability.
    "No, of course not, Mama. It is just that Mr. Wentworth seems so very reliable. Indeed, he even offered to leave my presence when it seemed we might be alone for too long. Besides, Lady Bowerland would never invite anyone disreputable. She did not invite Lord Grafton, after all." Lady Smith's look was doubtful.
    Annabella smiled beguilingly. "And Mama, you will be there with me. You may disguise yourself as a terrible dragon, and I am sure Lord Grafton will avoid me for the whole of the masquerade."
    "A dragon! I am surprised that you did not suggest a witch's costume!" Her mother tried to look offended, but failed, for she burst out laughing instead. "Oh, you odious girl! Very well then! I shall accompany you and scare off any admirers."
    "Thank you, Mama!" Annabella gave her a brief, impulsive hug.
    Lady Smith smiled fondly at her and brushed away a stray lock from her daughter's forehead. "You are a sweet child, my dear, and I shall miss you sorely when you become a duch—when you marry."
    Annabella just caught herself from turning abruptly away from her mother. She made herself smile. "I have not given my answer yet, you know. You will have me with you