Athena straightened in her chair. “You compliment me too highly, Miss Hockensmith. I do little enough, and I have the assistance of many others. It seems to me that it is our duty, as the more fortunate, to do what we can to aid the less.”
Miss Hockensmith raised a plucked brow. “Naturally. But the orphanage, the fallen women, the unemployed men in Globeville and Swansea—are you quite sure that you have not taken on too much, my dear?” Her dark eyes sparkled with compassion. “I fear that you will exhaust yourself with the Winter Ball, among so many other ventures. You know that I would be more than happy to assist you. I had much experience with organizing affairs of this sort in New York. And I do so wish to help the dear little orphans.”
Athena looked up at Cecily, at her height and presence and midnight-black hair above a pale, lovely face. The lady was used to being ruler in her own kingdom, and who could blame her? She had sacrificed a great deal to come to Denver with her father.
“Of course,” Athena said. “Your advice and experience will be most welcome. I shall need everyone’s help to make the second Winter Ball a success equal to last year’s.”
“It is a shame that we had not yet come to town then,” Cecily said, “but I am sure you made an excellent job of it. Certainly your ballroom is one of the finest I have seen in Denver… for a modest gathering. How you must enjoy dancing in it.”
Athena made a slight adjustment to her perfectly arranged skirts as if some part of her might have been exposed by an inadvertent motion. She was grateful for Cecily’s oblivious comment; far better these occasional pricks than the slash of pity.
Denver society no longer had reason to pity her. Had she not proven herself capable of contributing as much as anyone in her work for those less fortunate? Was her formal parlor not one of the most stylish and tasteful in Denver? Did not the wives and daughters of her brother’s colleagues trust her judgment on everything from the latest Paris fashions to the hiring of servants?
I am no different than any of them. No different.
“But oh, how thoughtless of me,” Cecily said. “Pray do not think—” With a show of confusion, Cecily created a minor hurricane with her fan. “It was not my intention to remind you—”
“Please, Miss Hockensmith. Do not distress yourself. I assure you that I am not in the least offended by the subject of dancing.” She laughed lightly. “It is a ball, after all! And you are a most elegant dancer.”
Cecily Hockensmith had perfected the fine art of the blush. “You flatter me, Miss Munroe. It is only natural that a woman should dance well when provided with a superlative partner.”
Athena knew to whom Miss Hockensmith referred. Athena made it a point to take note of every ripple in the generally calm waters that made up Denver’s elite social circle. The stylish lady from New York—as yet unmarried—had paid particular notice to Niall from the first. It was no wonder. Niall Munroe was a handsome man of dignified bearing and considerable assets.
But Niall had not reciprocated the interest, though he had courteously danced with Cecily at Mrs. William Byers’s anniversary ball. Nor was he a particularly fine dancer. Business had prevented him from mastering such niceties.
Inwardly, Athena sighed. What was she to do with Niall? Could Miss Hockensmith be the right woman for him?
The mere thought was uncomfortable. But why? There was much to admire in Miss Hockensmith, and her father might become Niall’s new business partner. You will be seeing much of her now that they have settled in Denver. Perhaps we will become great friends. How wonderful it would be if I could help Niall and Miss Hockensmith find happiness…
Cheered at the notion, Athena pushed aside her faint unease and pressed Cecily’s hand. “I doubt that you shall find a shortage of partners at the Winter Ball.”
“Thank you, Miss Munroe. But please consider my offer of help. I should not wish you to tire yourself. Your brother did mention that you work much too hard.”