by Dawn Brower
At first she thought her sister was asking if Teddy was prepared for Ezra’s interrogation. Then she remembered. “It’s my official launch into society.” She believed it was silly. There had been several balls and soirees she’d already attended this season. But tonight’s ball was in her honor. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She lifted a brow. “Are you ready?” Teddy wasn’t. How the hell was she going to make it through the entire ball? She couldn’t let Billie down.
“I am,” Billie said. “The staff has been working for days, and the ballroom is so lovely. I cannot wait for you to see it.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “You should rest for a little while. Soon, you’ll need to prepare for tonight, and you will not be able to rest for some hours afterward. Yesterday was very trying for you.”
“I fell into the lake,” Teddy said dryly. “I’m quite over the experience.” What she couldn’t get past was how Lord Carrolton had treated her afterward. He had been so kind, and protective. He’d attempted to claim her as if she were property he had to mark too. That part had both irritated and thrilled her because she did want to belong to him. Teddy had always been drawn to him and nothing had changed in that regard.
“I’m glad Mary is all right too. You both could have been gravely injured. Billie shook her head, and sighed. “You’re being purposely obtuse, but since I don’t wish to argue with you, I’m going to ignore it.”
“So kind of you…” Teddy snorted. “Now go so I can do as you suggest and rest.”
Billie stuck her tongue out at her and then stood. “After you are done resting check on your maid.” With those words she slipped out of the room. Teddy adored her older sister but was glad she’d left her bedchamber. She had a dilemma and had no desire to share it with her sister. Ezra wanted to speak with her, but with the ball that evening, it might prove impossible. She couldn’t meet with him before. There was no time and she probably would have difficulties telling it all to him. What were the chances he’d give her a reprieve? Surely this could all wait a day or two?
Teddy nibbled on her bottom lip as she contemplated what she should do next. If she didn’t contact him in some fashion, he’d come over, and if she didn’t tell him everything, he’d seek out Zachary. She couldn’t allow that. Anything that disrupted the ball would upset Billie.
Perhaps there was an easy solution to her predicament. She could send him a missive. At the very least, it would delay him a little bit. He would demand answers at the ball, but she might be able to stall him until tomorrow.
She stood and went over to her writing desk and pulled out parchment. Teddy dipped her quill into the ink pot and considered what to write, and decided to make it as personal as possible.
Ezra,
Please accept my apologies. I understand you wish to discuss the events that took place yesterday, and it is my intention to explain it all to you; however, circumstances prevent me from doing so today.
In the aftermath, and my shock, after my unexpected dip in the Serpentine, it slipped my mind that today is the ball held here at Graystone House. It would be impossible for me to find time to share everything with you.
I do hope you understand, and grant me a small reprieve. On my honor, I promise to be forthright with you when we are free to speak of this matter.
Regards,
Teddy
She reread the letter to make sure it fit her needs, then folded, it and sealed it with wax. Teddy carried it down to the foyer and located a footman. “Can you deliver this to Lord Carrolton immediately.”
He nodded. “Yes, my lady.” He took the note and left to see to the task. Teddy breathed a sigh of relief, then went back to her chamber to rest. She’d need to be at her best for the ball later that night.
She checked on Mary before returning to her room. Her maid was sleeping soundly. Teddy did feel bad for what happened to her. If not for her accompanying Teddy to the park she’d have been safe. She sighed and then went back to her room to rest in truth.
Ezra stared at the note Teddy had sent him. Did she believe it was that easy? There would be a reckoning… He did understand why it might be impossible for her to meet with him prior to the ball, but he needed that information. Lord Eaton had nearly killed her by pushing her into the Serpentine, and Ezra could not let that evil deed go. His uncle would answer for his sins, and the sooner the better.
There was only one thing Ezra could do. He’d planned on attending the ball, but it had slipped his mind as well. If Teddy hadn’t written to him, he might not have remembered it. He’d sent his acceptance weeks ago when he’d received the invitation. Graystone was one of his closest friends, so Ezra would not snub the duchess by refusing to attend. When he was at the ball, he’d steal Teddy away from it all and have a long overdue conversation with her. Not just about what happened at the Serpentine, but about what was happening between them.
He felt something deep for her. Ezra had not believed he could ever care for a woman the way he did her, and in some ways, that terrified him. He would not run from his feelings though. The only way to handle them was to own them, and he fully intended to.
“Knock, knock,” Fox said from the entrance to Ezra’s study. “I’m here; what do you need?”
Ezra frowned. He’d forgotten he’d sent a note to Fox and the Earl of Sheffield. He sighed. “I’m not certain yet.” He didn’t have all the information, so he couldn’t give Fox any specifics.
Fox lifted a brow. “Is that so?” He moved into the room. “Tell me what’s going on, and maybe I can determine what you need.”
He hesitated telling Fox everything. What if Fox brushed his concerns aside as nothing? “There was an incident yesterday with my uncle.”
“The rotten bastard your mother chose to live with instead of raising you and your sister?” Fox’s tone was menacing as he spoke his next words, “What did he do now?”
This was the difficult part. Once he explained to Fox that he’d jumped into the Serpentine to save Teddy, he’d react badly. His friend thought that women of quality were sent by the devil to destroy a man’s freedom. “He pushed Graystone’s wife’s sister into the Serpentine.”
Fox frowned. “I have questions.”
“I expected you would,” Ezra said, resolved to his friend’s interrogation.
“One, why the bloody hell would your uncle do that?”
“That part is what I have yet to determine.” He really needed to have that conversation with Teddy.” “I didn’t stop to question him. The lady needed saving, so I jumped in after her.”
“What is with those Neverhartts and their penchant for nearly drowning…” Fox mumbled the words as he ran his fingers through his black hair. Ezra hoped he didn’t actually expect him to respond to that. Fox had mentioned something before about one of the younger girls swimming, or maybe Teddy had…he couldn’t recall. “I think I need a drink.”
“You always need a drink,” Ezra said. “Why don’t you wait for Sheffield too arrive, and we can all have one together. I expect he’ll be around soon.”
“Did I hear my name?” the Earl of Sheffield said as he entered the room. “And yes, Fox, pour me a drink. It’s been a bloody long day already.” The earl’s golden blond hair was disheveled, and Ezra couldn’t recall him ever not being completely put together. His cravat was loose around his neck, his waistcoat unbuttoned, and his jacket looked…torn.
“What the blazes happened to you?” Ezra asked, concerned for his friend.
“Some ruffian thought it would be fun to try to pummel me to death.” Fox handed a glass of brandy to him. “He learned a hard lesson today. Not all of the gentry are soft marks.”
“You need to stay away from the rough rookeries,” Fox said. “Then maybe they wouldn’t target you.”
“Wasn’t in a rookery,” Sheffield said, then downed the brandy. “Walked out of my rooms, and they jumped me on my way here.” He waved his hand. “I handled it.” He turned his attention to Ezra. “What is it that you need me to do? Does someone else need to feel my f
ists hit their face?”
Ezra grinned. Trust Sheffield to go straight to the heart of the matter. “Not yet,” he told his friend. “But soon I might let you do that.”
“Is that so?” Sheffield smirked. “What is this about?”
“It’s about a lady” Fox supplied. “Which brings me to my other questions…” He took a sip of his brandy and sat down in the chair in front of Ezra’s desk. “Why isn’t Graystone here and why do you care what your uncle did to Lady…” He frowned and sat forward, suddenly concerned where he hadn’t been previously. “Which of Graystone’s sisters-in-law did you say your uncle pushed into the Serpentine?”
“I didn’t say,” Ezra told him. “Does it matter which one it was?” That was an intriguing reaction form Fox. Perhaps he was protesting too much about his feelings for Lady Christiana.
“No, I guess it doesn’t,” Fox said casually, but Ezra didn’t believe him.
“As the twins are at finishing school there is only one sister in town. Tonight is her comeout ball.” Ezra tapped his fingers on the desk. “Lady Theodora was attacked by my uncle yesterday. He attempted to kill her by pushing her into the Serpentine. She cannot swim and would have died if I had not been there to save her.”
He paused briefly. “She was too distraught to explain any of it to me yesterday. At the first reasonable opportunity, I’ll speak to her again to see if she recalls anything or knows why Lord Eaton would have wanted to hurt her. To answer your questions, Fox…Graystone is unaware of what my uncle has done, and since this concerns my uncle, I intend to decide how to rectify the problem. After I speak to Lady Theodora, I’ll inform Graystone of everything.”
“So we are going to a ball tonight,” Sheffield said with resignation.
“I am going to need more than one glass of brandy if I have to attend a ball.” Fox said as he stood. “I might need the whole decanter.”
Ezra grinned. “I am glad I can depend on the two of you. Now please, sit as I explain what I’ll need the two of you to do while we are at the ball. Fox you need to distract Graystone’s wife. I can’t have her interrupting me as I meet with her sister in private.” He turned to Sheffield. “You’ll take Graystone aside and tell him the little we know. After I speak with Lady Theodora, I’ll come find you two and fill in the rest.”
Fox handed Ezra a glass of brandy and returned to his seat. Sheffield sat in the other chair in the room. They worked through everything, and at the end of their discussion, Ezra felt better about it all. Now he had to remain patient until later that evening. He could not wait until he had Teddy in his arms again. Maybe he would kiss her the way he’d been dreaming about, too…
Chapter 8
Teddy sat at her vanity as Billie’s maid, Ella, dressed her hair. She had most of her golden blonde hair pulled up, but a few curls were curved around her face and neck. was currently weaving a silk bandeau adorned with tiny seed pearls and diamonds through her hair at the top of her head, almost like a tiara for a princess. Teddy had never much cared for fashion or pretty things, but with the gown the modiste had created, and the style Ella had created with her hair…she almost felt like royalty.
“There,” Ella said. “Your hair is finished. Now I can help you into that gorgeous gown.”
“It’s almost too pretty to wear,” Teddy said. It was a light blue silk with a lace overlay. Tiny gems were sewn throughout the skirt, giving it a shimmer in the light.
“Come now,” Ella gestured for her to follow her. Teddy stood and went over to her side. Ella lifted the dress and held it out so Teddy could step into it. She lifted it up around Teddy and smoothed the skirt down. Teddy slipped her arms into the sleeves, then Ella started fastening all the tiny buttons in the back of the dress. After she was finished, Ella said, “One final step and you’re ready to make your entrance. Go sit and I’ll get the slippers that match.” Teddy sat at her vanity again and waited for Ella to bring her shoes. Ella retrieved them then went to Teddy and helped her slide them onto her feet. “You are always lovely,” Ella said. “But you’re so beautiful tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised if, come morning, you discover a bunch of new suitors.”
“I don’t want several suitors,” Teddy told her. She never had. There was only one man that made her heart beat faster, but she was not certain she could trust him. “But I do feel especially pretty tonight. Perhaps I’ll even dance tonight.” Something she didn’t hope to do at any ball. She had danced once with Ezra, and if she were honest with herself…she wanted to again. Despite everything, or perhaps because of it, Teddy had undeniable feelings for the viscount.
“You may not want them.” Ella smiled. “But you’re going to have them. It is best you prepare yourself for it now. From the moment you’re introduced in the ballroom, your days of being a wallflower will be over. No more hiding for you.”
Teddy wrinkled her nose. She’d been dreading the inevitable. It was easy to hide in the darkened recesses of ballrooms before. She hadn’t been the guest of honor at those. This ball was different because it was planned especially for her. “Your right.” She sighed. “Wish me luck. I think I’m going to need it.”
“You won’t,” Ella said with confidence. “You’re going to shine.”
Teddy took a fortifying breath. “It’s time.”
She went to the door and opened it, then descended the stairs. Billie had excused her from the greeting line as guests arrived. Her sister had wanted Teddy to make an entrance. In the future, if she continued to live at Graystone, she’d be beside her sister and the duke at social events they hosted—at least until she found a quiet cottage and could escape society all together. She reached the last step and paused momentarily. Teddy held her hand over her stomach as it began to flutter. Her anxiety was going to get the best of her if she didn’t gain control soon. She could do this, and perhaps if she told herself that several thousand more times, she’d believe it.
Teddy couldn’t stall any longer. She continued her trek to the ballroom. When she reached the doors, two footmen opened the doors for her. There was no need for her to give them her card to announce her. They all knew her and announced her name as she descended the stairs into the ballroom. It seemed as if the entire ton was there, and they all stopped to stare at her.
The fluttering returned at a much faster pace than before. Teddy swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. She hated this… Why did she have to have a comeout ball? Billie had insisted on it, and now Teddy had regrets. She hated having everyone’s attention on her.
A man stepped forward and bowed. “Lady Theodora, may I have the first dance?” She didn’t recognize him. He was handsome with pale blond hair and ice blue eyes. “Um…” Words were failing her, so she held her card out for him to sign. The first dance wouldn’t start for another quarter hour, and after he left, if he did, she could sneak a peek at his name.
He signed the card and then smiled. “I look forward to waltzing with you.”
The first dance was a waltz? Drat. She’d wanted to dance with Ezra to the waltz. She did hope her sister had more than one planned for the evening. “Yes,” she said. “It’ll be lovely.” She sounded like she didn’t have a vocabulary bigger than ten words. Lord help her through this.
Another man stepped forward. He had golden blond hair and eyes the color of whisky. “Lady Theodora,” he greeted her. “Pardon my rudeness as we’ve never been introduced, but I must sign your dance card.” He lifted his lips up into a sinful smile. Oh my…this one was a rake for certain. Still, she couldn’t help returning his smile.
“Then perhaps we should rectify that.” She lifted her wrist where her dance card dangled. “Sign it and tell me your name. You may have the second dance.”
Surely, her sister wouldn’t have two waltzes in a row. Granting this rogue a waltz would be too risqué and would beg for people to gossip about her.
He signed his name with flourish. “I am Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling.” He said. He practically dripped with charm and conf
idence. “And I’ve never been so thrilled to dance the quartet.”
She narrowed her gaze. Was he jesting? “Right. Until then… If you’ll pardon me, I must converse with my sister before the dancing begins.” Teddy escaped more requests to dance…narrowly. Where was Ezra? Surely he intended to be there…
Ezra wanted to commit murder. He had never been so angry in his entire life. Teddy had taken his breath away as she entered the ballroom. Then the crush of people in the ballroom made it impossible to reach her side, and she was surrounded by gentlemen vying for her attention. He wasn’t surprised all the men had nearly run to her side. Had they filled up her dance card already? He hoped not. Ezra wanted to dance with her again. He’d prefer a waltz, but he’d take whatever she had left. He hated dancing, but he loved having her in his arms. He’d dance all night for that pleasure alone.
He pushed his way through until he was almost to her where she was speaking to her sister. Ezra only had to take a few more steps and he’d be right next to her. As he was about to do that, a gentleman strode up to Teddy and held out his hand to her. She smiled at him and placed her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor. Ezra’s heart thundered in his chest. She was dancing with the Marquess of Hawthorne. Not just any dance either. The strands of the waltz started playing. Ezra had to retain every ounce of control he could muster not to storm onto the floor and interrupt them. He wanted to have her in his arms, and it was nearly killing him to watch as another man led her in the waltz.
Sheffield came to stand beside him. “Graystone and his wife seem to remain occupied with their guests. When do you plan on having your meeting with Lady Theodora?”
“As soon as I can wrench her from her plethora of admirers,” he nearly growled out the words. He was not accustomed to sharing her, and he was not liking it. Not at all.
“Sounds like there is a little trouble in paradise,” Fox said, then grinned. “Please tell me you’re not in love with her. You reassured me you were not in the market for a wife.”