Fairest of Them All (Marriage by Fairytale Book 4)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Luck?” Tabitha’s eyebrows rose in disbelief. “You didn’t get a husband. How did it bring you luck?”

  Viola was sure Tabitha meant to startle her by saying that, but Viola had expected such a reply from her. With a smile, Viola said, “It did bring me luck. It led me here. I was wearing it on the day of my brother’s funeral when I learned about you and your father.”

  Tabitha laughed. “You’re delirious. This isn’t luck. This is misfortune.”

  “That depends on how you choose to look at it.” She poked her fork into the egg on her plate. “You should eat. You’ll need your appetite for the day.”

  Though Tabitha rolled her eyes, she picked up her fork and began eating her meal.

  Once they were done, Viola put on her hat and gloves then waited by the front door for Tabitha to join her. She figured there was a fifty percent chance Tabitha wouldn’t come back down the stairs, but to Viola’s relief, she did.

  “This is going to be a lot of fun,” Viola told her.

  Tabitha rolled her eyes, something that didn’t surprise Viola. Tabitha hadn’t been out to Hyde Park before. She hadn’t engaged with other people her own age, nor had she been to a ball. Even if Viola hadn’t had a successful Season, she had enjoyed the activities. She had no doubt that once Tabitha did some of those activities, she would find them enjoyable, too.

  Viola led her outside, and they headed down the sidewalk. She offered a greeting to the people she passed, but they didn’t come across anyone she knew well enough to have a conversation with. She hoped that would change at the park. She had been disconnected from the social scene since her brother’s death, and she needed someone she was familiar with to tell her when the next ball would be.

  The two made it halfway around the park when Viola saw Lord and Lady Pruett. Viola wasn’t exactly friends with Lady Pruett, but the lady had recently stopped by to talk with her and her aunt. That made her enough of an acquaintance that Viola could ask her about a ball.

  “Oh good,” Viola whispered. “There’s someone I can introduce you to.”

  Viola picked up her pace and waved for Tabitha to join her. Tabitha hesitated but then matched her pacing with Viola’s.

  “Lord and Lady Pruett,” Viola began once they were within speaking distance. “How are you two doing this fine morning?”

  “We’re doing well,” Lord Pruett replied. “Miss Keane, I didn’t have a chance to personally offer you my condolences after your brother’s death.”

  Viola nodded her thanks. “I appreciate it, my lord.” She turned to Tabitha. “I recently married the Duke of Sutherton, and this is now my step-daughter, Lady Tabitha. I’ll be her chaperone. This is her first Season.”

  “How exciting!” Lady Pruett exclaimed. “Sometimes I wished I’d had a Season. I see the ladies in their beautiful gowns and think they look absolutely beautiful.”

  “Well, I’m glad you didn’t have one,” her husband replied. “If you had, I doubt we would have ended up together, especially since I rarely went to balls.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mean it that way,” she hurried to amend. “I only meant that it would have been fun to wear a different gown every evening and go from one activity to another.” She glanced at Viola and Tabitha. “I just love the designs and colors in the gowns young ladies wear.”

  “I’m glad you mentioned balls,” Viola replied. “I was wondering when the next one will be. I haven’t been able to socialize much since my brother took ill. I feel like I stayed in one place while the rest of the world went on without me.”

  Lady Pruett offered her an understanding smile. “That feeling is all-too-familiar when we lose someone we love.” She paused then continued, “I believe Lady Cadwalader is having a ball this evening. Do you know where she lives?”

  Viola nodded. “I’ve been to her balls before. She has some nice ones. Will you two be going?”

  “Yes, we will, and,” Lady Pruett glanced at Tabitha, “my cousin will be there. He still hasn’t chosen a wife. He’s twenty-eight. I can tell him to save a dance or two for you.”

  A lead? Already? Viola’s heart skipped a beat. “That would be splendid!”

  “Wonderful. I’ll let him know to save two dances this evening,” Lady Pruett said. “He’s the Duke of Edmondstone. I’ll find you at the ball and introduce him to Lady Tabitha.”

  Not only did Viola already have a possible suitor for Tabitha, but he was also a duke. Evander might be pleased if Tabitha married a duke since he was one. But she couldn’t get ahead of herself. The two had to meet first.

  “Thank you, my lady,” Viola replied. “We look forward to seeing you, your husband, and your cousin this evening.”

  The four said their goodbyes, and Viola urged Tabitha to continue on their walk. When no one was within earshot, she said, “This is turning into a very promising morning. We already have a gentleman who’ll dance with you. That’s good. The more gentlemen we can put down on your dance card, the more attractive you’ll look.”

  “Did you have a lot of gentlemen on your dance card?” Tabitha asked.

  “I did.”

  “That didn’t work out very well for you. What makes you think it’ll work for me?”

  Viola refused to let Tabitha’s words upset her. She didn’t know if that was Tabitha’s aim or not. But either way, she could control how she reacted to them, and she preferred to let them go.

  “I didn’t have the advantage of your beauty,” Viola decided to say after a moment. “And I didn’t have a father who’s a duke with lots of money.”

  “Is that all gentlemen want?” Tabitha asked. “Beauty and money?”

  “Those things help, but there’s also something to be said for being easy to get along with.” Noting the slight scowl on Tabitha’s face, she added, “Also, a smile goes a long way.”

  “My mother married my step-father because he wasn’t anything like my father. My step-father was attentive to her. He would spend hours just talking to her and making her laugh.”

  It was hard to imagine Evander as being the kind of person who used to laugh. She’d gotten the impression that he was the most serious person in the entire world, or, at least, in all of England. However, since this was the most Tabitha had said to her at this point, Viola thought she’d see if the young lady would continue the conversation.

  But she didn’t. She only asked, “Is there anyone else you want me to meet while we’re out here?”

  Viola hid her disappointment. She had hoped to gain more insight into Evander. Specifically, she wanted to know how he went from being the kind of person Tabitha had just described to being the kind of person he was now.

  She’d just have to wait until another time. Perhaps Tabitha might indulge her more then. As it was, Viola had enough to focus on. A Season was no small feat, and there was much to do to get a young lady ready for her first ball. She had to make sure Tabitha knew how to dance, how to greet people, and what to talk about. Yes, there was a lot to do. Viola would have to put Evander aside for the time being.

  Chapter Eight

  A half hour before Viola and Tabitha were due to leave for the ball, Viola decided to go to the attic. She saw the candlelight under the door. At least she knew Evander was awake. Granted, it wasn’t that late in the evening, but if she was stuck in one room all day, she’d probably go to sleep out of boredom.

  She gave four knocks, just as Evander had instructed her to do, and waited. A couple of seconds passed before the candlelight went out. A few seconds later, she heard footsteps before the door creaked open.

  “Viola?” Evander asked.

  “Yes, it’s me.” This time, she reached out for him. Her fingers brushed his chest, and her face grew hot. “I’m sorry. I was trying to find your arm or hand.”

  He clasped his fingers around her hand and led her into the attic. “It’s all right. You needn’t be embarrassed.” He closed the door and guided her over to a chair.

  “I can’t stay long,” she said. “I o
nly came to let you know that I’ll be taking Tabitha to a ball this evening.”

  “You will?” he asked in surprise.

  “I would have told you sooner, but there was so much to do to get her ready. She knew a couple of the dances, but the butler and I had to teach her all of them. Then I was telling her what was appropriate to talk about and how she should address everyone. It’s actually a wonder that we got ready for the ball as early as we did.”

  He was silent for a moment, but then he asked, “Is she nervous?”

  “Yes, but that’s to be expected. I was nervous my first few balls, too. The more she goes to them, the easier it’ll be. Oh, and I have more good news. I already have three gentlemen on her dance card. One will be a cousin of someone I know, and the other two will be acquaintances of one of my aunt’s friends.” Viola had added the other two other gentlemen to Tabitha’s card after talking with Lord and Lady Pruett at the park. “I’ll be checking the ballroom this evening for more available gentlemen.”

  “It sounds like you know what you’re doing.”

  “I should hope so since I went through three Seasons.” Too late did she realize how pathetic that made her sound. Most ladies never had to go through more than one. Glad he couldn’t see how embarrassed she was, she hurried to add, “I just wanted you to know what’s happening. I don’t want you to think I’m not holding up to my part of the bargain.”

  He squeezed her fingers in a silent message to offer her reassurance. “I didn’t doubt you would fulfill your promise. I am grateful to you. I wish I had the courage to be her chaperone, but I’m not as strong as I used to be.”

  What a curious thing to say. What did he mean by that?

  Before she could inquire about his comment, he continued, “Now that I know how quickly you’ve acted at being Tabitha’s chaperone, I’m assured I did the right thing in marrying you.”

  “Well, you helped my aunt and sisters when they needed it. I’d be remiss if I didn’t start fulfilling my part of our agreement.” In case he thought this evening would be all Tabitha needed, she hurried to add, “I expect there to be a couple of weeks before Tabitha starts receiving gentlemen callers. This evening is her debut appearance.”

  “I understand. I won’t expect too much too soon.”

  A moment of silence fell between them, and after struggling to think of something to say, she came up with, “I’ll come up tomorrow and let you know how the evening went.”

  “I’ll have to wait until tomorrow?”

  Surprised, she said, “I figured you’d be asleep by the time we return. The balls run late into the evening.”

  “Yes, I suppose they do.”

  Though she couldn’t see him, she heard the disappointment in his voice. She couldn’t blame him. If she spent all of her days and nights bound up in an attic and suddenly something exciting was happening, she’d want to know about it right away.

  “If you’re still up,” she began, “I can come here.”

  “Would you be willing to do that?”

  “Yes. I’m not sure what time we’ll be back, but I’ll come up here.”

  “Thank you.”

  She sensed there was something else he wanted to say, something he was either too shy or too afraid to mention. Instead of speaking, he brought her hand to his lips. Her hand tingled. His lips were warm—wonderfully so, in fact. She had to take a deep breath to steady her nerves. There was something about him that made her anticipate every time he touched or kissed her.

  It had to be the darkness in the room. It made her notice the small things she’d usually take for granted.

  No, that was silly. Even if there were a thousand candles in the attic, she would have been sensitive to a gentleman’s touch and kiss, especially one she had married.

  She cleared her throat. It wasn’t possible he could hear the sound of her heart beating wildly in her chest, was it? “I should go to the drawing room. I want to be there when Tabitha’s ready to leave.”

  “Of course.” Evander put his arm around her waist and led her to the door. He opened it. “I hope the evening will go well.”

  “I do, too.” She smiled in his direction. Granted, he couldn’t see her, but maybe he could sense it. “I’ll return in a few hours.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  She wondered if he was looking forward to it because he would get another chance to talk to her or if he was looking forward to finding out how things went for Tabitha. Perhaps it was both.

  She shook her head and hurried down the stairs. She had to focus on this evening. The ball was an important one for Tabitha. This evening would give the Ton their first impression of her. If she managed to do the things she’d been taught, the rest of her Season should be a success. She hoped it would be. More than anything, she wanted to fulfill her promise to Evander.

  ***

  Three hours later, Viola sat in a chair at the side of the ballroom. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, and if she guessed right, Tabitha was enjoying the dance she was sharing with one of the many gentlemen Viola had arranged for her to dance with.

  Thank goodness other chaperones were eager to find dances for the people they were in charge of this evening. Within a half hour, Viola had every dance arranged for Tabitha. After that, all she had to do was sit and, on occasion, speak with Tabitha to see how she was doing. But she kept these moments quick so she wouldn’t impede on Tabitha’s progress through the evening.

  As much as Viola tried to focus on Tabitha, however, her mind kept going to Evander. Specifically, it went to how warm his lips had been on her hand…and how nice it felt whenever he touched her. Even now, her body was giving off a nervous kind of energy she wasn’t used to experiencing. She didn’t know what to make of it. She’d been aware of her attraction to him the day she married him, but the more time she spent with him, the stronger the attraction seemed to grow.

  It’s because I’ve never received a gentleman’s affections before. It’s natural I’d be vulnerable to him.

  She didn’t know why it didn’t occur to her that she’d go through this when she agreed to marry him. But then, she hadn’t expected him to invite her to the attic or for him to need her to visit him. He was lonely. She could feel it. And deep down, she was lonely, too.

  Yes, she had her aunt and sisters for companionship, but there was something different about having a gentleman show interest in her. She’d forgotten how exciting it was to have the possibility of love at her fingertips. By the middle of her third Season, she came to the conclusion that she’d be a spinster for the rest of her life. And at that time, she had put aside such ridiculous notions like romantic touches and sweet kisses. Except those notions didn’t seem so silly anymore. Now they seemed within reach again, and the possibility was exciting her far too much.

  She put her gloved hand over the one he had kissed. She didn’t know if she was willing the memory of his kiss away or trying to preserve it. When she went to the attic later this evening, would he kiss her again? Would he touch her in an intimate way?

  Did she want him to?

  Why shouldn’t I want it? I am married to him. Even if everything’s happening so fast, I’m still his wife. Wives are expected to be with their husbands.

  Even though she was a virgin, she knew wives spent time alone with their husbands. Otherwise, how would they ever have children?

  It might be nice to have a child. A son or a daughter to care for. A baby to sing to and rock to sleep at night.

  She closed her eyes. She must not let her thoughts go in the same direction they had when she entered her first Season. She didn’t need to get her hopes up again. These were things Tabitha was to focus on. That’s what this evening was all about. It was about Tabitha getting the kind of future she never did.

  But you might have a future, too. You’re married now. It’s not like you’re still a spinster.

  She rubbed the top of her hand. It was too soon. Even if something was developing, it
was too soon to do anything about it.

  Was it? Other couples marry the same day they meet. Some marriages are arranged for them.

  She let out a groan and crossed her arms so she’d stop touching the top of her hand. She turned her attention to the dancers. The music was coming close to an end. Soon, Tabitha would be dancing with Lord Winslow. Viola scanned the room and found him with another lady. He seemed like a fine enough gentleman. He had a round face and a hearty laugh. He wasn’t lean and handsome like Lady Pruett’s cousin, but he had a kindness about him.

  Tabitha had some good possibilities. That was promising. Her future husband might even be in this room right at this moment.

  Viola saw someone heading in her direction from the corner of her eye, so she turned her head and saw Lady Pruett approaching. Glad for something to distract her, Viola smiled but waited until Lady Pruett sat next to her before asking, “Are you having a good evening?”

  “I am,” Lady Pruett said. “I love coming to these balls. My husband enjoys it, too. He gets to meet other gentlemen and discuss ways to make money. He doesn’t belong to a gentlemen’s club, so this is how he meets new acquaintances.”

  “I bet he met my brother at a ball,” Viola replied. “My brother loved coming here, too. He always said you could tell a lot about people when they’re relaxed and having a good time.”

  “There’s probably a lot of truth to that. Your inhibitions go down when you’re enjoying the evening.” She gave Viola a good look. “You seem nervous about something. Are you worried Lady Tabitha won’t find a suitor?”

  “A little. I’d love for her to find someone tonight, but I’m not sure that’s realistic. The gentlemen may need to talk to her for a couple of evenings before they decide to court her.”

  “I don’t know. My cousin liked her. He said she could hold a conversation with him, and it was hard to find someone like that when most ladies only want to discuss fashion or gossip.”