The Paid Companion | Herophine

Chapter Eleven

Josephine

The following day, shortly after ten o'clock in the evening, Josephine stood with Anne and Felix Kent in the shelter of a cluster of potted palms.

“The first dance is critical,” Felix explained, assessing the crowd with the wise air. “We must make sure that it is with the right gentleman.”

Josephine peered through the palm fronds. The chamber was ablaze with lights from the pendulous chandeliers. Mirrors lined one entire wall, reflecting the glow of the dazzling scene.

Brilliantly gowned ladies and gentlemen dressed in the height of fashion laughed and gossiped. Elegant couples floated across the dance floor. Music poured down from the balcony where the musicians were ensconced. A small army of servants in blue livery made their way through the throng carrying trays of champagne and lemonade.

“I do not see why I cannot dance with you first,” Josephine said to Felix.

She had decided immediately upon meeting Felix Kent that she liked him very much. One look at his sturdy frame and earnest eyes and she had understood why Hero trusted him. Felix Kent gave the impression of being one of those rare, good-hearted, steadfast people that one knew one could rely upon in a crisis.

“No, no, no, that will never do,” Felix assured her. “Whoever goes first will set a certain standard, you see. Whoever he is, he has the power to make you instantly fashionable.”

Anne regarded him with open admiration. “How do you know such things, sir?”

Felix turned a dull red. “My late wife was a lady who enjoyed the pleasures of the Polite World. One learns things when one is married to an expert.”

“Yes, of course,” Anne murmured. She reached into her reticule and took out a small pad of paper and a tiny pencil.

Felix frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Making notes,” Anne said airily.

“Whatever for?”

“My journal.”

Josephine swallowed a laugh. She wondered what Felix would say if he knew that Anne was researching her new novel.

“I see.” Felix's brows came together in a narrow-eyed expression. He took a swallow of champagne and assumed the air of a man preparing to go into battle. “As I was saying, the question of which gentleman should be allowed the privilege of being the first is extremely important.”

“Hmm,” Josephine murmured. “The process of selection sounds very similar to that of choosing one’s first lover.”

Felix coughed on his champagne.

“Like the process of choosing a lover,” Anne repeated to herself, scribbling furiously on her notepad. “Yes, I like that turn of phrase. Makes it all sound quite intriguing, does it not?”

Felix stared at her. “I cannot believe you wrote that down for your journal.”

“It will make for interesting reading later, don’t you think?” Anne gave him a bright smile and dropped the notepad into her reticule.

Felix evidently decided not to respond to that question. Instead, he turned his attention back to the dance floor. Quite suddenly he brightened with obvious relief.

“There he is,” he announced in low tones.

“Who?” Josephine asked.

“The man who will be the first to lead you out onto the floor.” Felix angled his chin.