by Lucy Adams
“It is,” Merry agreed, as Catherine and Dinah stepped away from them, most likely seeking out the quietest corner of the ballroom where they might hide. Lady Whitehaven, who was already caught up conversing with her acquaintances, sighed heavily as she watched them leave, before turning to bestow a smile upon Titania and Merry. “And that will bring Mama some relief, given that the rest of her daughters and her niece have no particular interest in any gentleman.”
Titania frowned, seeing the slight smile on Merry’s face but hearing a twinge of sadness in her voice. What was it that troubled her so?
“It seems you are to be caught already, Titania,” Merry continued, jerking Titania back to the present and pulling her from her questioning thoughts. “Look. Here comes Lord Huckleby.”
Lord Huckleby was almost resplendent in his fine cut of clothes and the broad smile that seemed to light up his face. Titania found herself blushing at his compliments, as she tried to remember that her aim for this evening was to find and speak to Lord Carroway, but she was almost overwhelmed with the presence of Lord Huckleby.
“I would like to dance with you this evening, Miss Wells,” Lord Huckleby boomed, reaching for her dance card and pulling it towards him without so much as asking her if she wished to do so. “Good gracious, I see that I am the first to claim you!” His eyes twinkled, as he looked back at her, making Titania smile despite her thoughts turning towards Lord Carroway. “Then I shall have the cotillion and the waltz, I think.”
Titania felt a blush rise in her cheeks as she murmured her thanks, aware of just how much an effect Lord Huckleby had on her. His handsome face was entirely turned towards her, his eyes fixed on hers as he let go of her dance card, his enigmatic smile growing steadily. Perhaps he knew just how much he affected the young ladies of the ton, Titania thought to herself, trying to think of something to say. Mayhap he enjoyed it.
“I must also give you my sincere apologies that I have not, as yet, called upon you again, Miss Wells,” Lord Huckleby continued, ignoring Merry completely. “I did very much enjoy my last visit with you and hope that I might arrange another time with you very soon.”
Titania nodded quickly. Lord Huckleby had been one of her many gentleman callers the day after the ball where she had been introduced to him, but he had taken his leave without seeking to call upon her again. Now, it seemed, he was eager to do so, and Titania felt herself blush with pleasure.
“Might you care for a walk through the park?” Lord Huckleby asked, grinning at her. “Perhaps, tomorrow afternoon?”
“I…that would be….” Titania found her words tumbling over each other, not quite in the correct order. Taking a breath, she smiled up at him and attempted to settle herself a little more. “I would very much enjoy that, Lord Huckleby,” she said, with a small smile of her own. “Hyde Park, did you say?”
Lord Huckleby shrugged then laughed. “I shall go to whatever place you choose, Miss Wells, although I did think that you would very much enjoy being seen on my arm during the fashionable hour.” He winked at her broadly, sending a flurry through Titania’s heart. “Hyde Park it shall be then.” He bowed before she could say anything more, his gaze fixing on hers again as he lifted his head. “I look forward to our first dance, Miss Wells. Good evening.”
“Good evening,” Titania replied, somewhat breathlessly as she tried to understand what had just occurred. It did not matter to her whether or not she was seen with Lord Huckleby, and certainly she did not care if the ton saw her with him during the fashionable hour, but apparently Lord Huckleby believed that this was what she had meant when she had suggested Hyde Park. A flicker of irritation caught her mind as she frowned, looking to see Merry’s expression also a little dark as she watched Lord Huckleby walk from them.
“He is a trifle arrogant, Titania,” Merry said bluntly, looking back at Titania. “I am not sure I care for him.”
Titania did not know what to say, wanting to protest that Lord Huckleby was not attempting to court Merry but finding that, inwardly, she found herself agreeing with her sister. Fortunately, there was not more than a moment or two of silence before more acquaintances appeared at Titania’s side, each eager to sign their name on her dance card and, much to Titania’s delight, to take Merry to the floor for a dance also. She laughed softly at Merry’s uncomfortable expression as she allowed Lord Danvers to write his name down for the quadrille, thinking silently to herself that it might be just what Merry needed, even though she did not wish it.
It took a good hour or so before Titania was finally able to spot Lord Carroway. She had begun to give up hope of his attendance here this evening, even though she was certain that he would have received an invitation, but the sight of him sent a surge of hope through her heart.
He was watching her with sharp eyes, lingering back in the shadows as she danced with Lord Whitby. She did not hear a single word of Lord Whitby’s conversation and was, therefore, a very poor partner, but her whole being was entirely caught up with the sight and the presence of Lord Carroway. The moment the dance came to a close, she thanked Lord Whitby and took her leave of him, making her way towards Lord Carroway without hesitation.
He shrank back into the darkness and his actions reminded her that most of society would be keeping their eyes on her. She had to behave as appropriately as she could, even though she was more than desperate to speak to Lord Carroway.
Moving slowly, Titania smiled and nodded at various acquaintances, moving slowly through the crowd of guests until she spotted Lord Carroway standing near her sister Catherine and cousin Dinah. A smile settled on her face. Had he found them deliberately so that she would be able to speak to him without being considered improper? To stand next to her sister and cousin would not cause anyone to lift an eyebrow.
“Lord Carroway,” she murmured, her heart leaping in her chest as he bowed towards her. “I did not think that you were present this evening.”
He spread his hands. “And yet you see that I am here,” he stated, his voice low and his eyes filled with doubt as he looked at her. “You have not thought to disregard me completely then?”
“How can I, when I have so many questions?” she asked lightly, tilting her head. “You came to call upon me but did not tell me the truth for your reasons for doing so. I should reject you entirely for such a thing, but I confess that my mind will not allow it.” She leaned closer, just as the music for another waltz began. A waltz that she knew she had no partner for. “You must tell me the truth, Lord Carroway.”
Before he had a chance to respond, Titania moved forward and curtsied beautifully, then reaching out one hand to rest on his arm.
“It is our waltz, Lord Carroway,” she said in a loud enough voice for some of the other guests to overhear. “I have been looking forward to this all evening, I confess.” Smiling brightly in his direction, she waited for him to respond, her stomach tightening when he did not immediately agree to step out with her.
He sighed heavily as though she had pained him with such a request, before inclining his head and leading her through the crowd towards the dance floor. “It seems that I have no choice but to comply,” he muttered, as they walked. “Although the consequences of stepping out with me will be entirely on your own head, Miss Wells.”
She smiled as the music began, curtsying towards him again before he took her into his arms. “If you are speaking of the rumors that surround you, Lord Carroway, then I confess that I do not easily believe them.”
His hand was tight about her waist, his other hand clasping hers gently as they began to waltz. His steps were sure and certain, and she found herself greatly enjoying the waltz as they moved together as one. A sigh escaped from his mouth as he looked down at her and she was caught by the intensity within his gaze.
“If you speak of the rumors that state I am nothing more than the illegitimate son of a duke, whose title and lands were bought for him by way of recompense, then I confess that I believe those rumors to be true,” he said, his voice
a little harsh. “I can see no other explanation, Miss Wells. I am nothing more than an orphan, without family and without a true family lineage.” His gaze drifted away, and Titania felt her heart fill with compassion for him, seeing the sadness in his expression and hearing the hurt in his voice.
“I mean to say that you are supposedly a rake, Lord Carroway,” she replied honestly, as he twirled her about the floor. “Lord Huckleby informed me that I should stay far from you…for you care for nothing other than to seek out your latest conquests.”
Much to her surprise, Lord Carroway laughed aloud, his expression lifting almost at once. He grinned, looking down at her, and Titania felt her heart rise within her.
“I hardly think that can be true,” he protested, still smiling. “If I am a rake, then I confess to be a very poor one, Miss Wells. I do not think I have danced with a lady of the ton in some years.” His smile began to fade. “I have heard such rumors about me, although I have never given them much consideration. I fear for your reputation now, Miss Wells, for you have danced with me and now all of society will be watching you.”
She tossed her head as the waltz came to a close. “I hardly think that stepping out onto the dance floor with a gentleman should bring a stain to my reputation,” she stated firmly. “Although, Lord Carroway, you have not yet told me the truth about your reasons for questioning me yesterday afternoon.” She took his proffered arm as they walked from the floor back towards her sister and cousin. “Nor have you told me why you were present the night I saw the murder.”
Lord Carroway let out his breath in a hiss, silencing her.
“You must remain silent, Miss Wells,” he whispered fiercely, turning towards her as they reached the back of the ballroom once more. “Do you understand? You must not speak of what occurred, not in company. You do not know who could be listening.”
A thrill of excitement ran up Titania’s spine. “What do you mean, Lord Carroway?” she asked, putting one hand on his arm and feeling him jerk away from her. “You must tell me. Please.”
Lord Carroway held her gaze for some moments, his face expressionless. It was as though he were trying to make out what was best for him to do or to say, wondering whether or not she could be trusted with what he had to tell her.
“I do not think that I can do so here,” he stated, shaking his head as his gaze darted from one place to another behind her. “As I have said, we cannot tell who might be listening, and I fear that it may put you in more danger if we speak at the moment.”
Titania blew out a frustrated breath, her brow furrowing.
“But I shall speak to you as honestly as I can,” he promised, placing his hand over hers and sending a wave of heat up her arm as he looked deeply into her eyes. “Might I call upon you tomorrow?”
Titania made to say “yes”—only to recall that Lord Huckleby was already promised to her.
“The day after then,” he suggested, a wry smile on his lips, having evidently seen in her face that she was not at liberty to accept him. “Your company is widely sought, Miss Wells, I quite understand.”
“No,” she said, suddenly decisive. “I shall walk with you tomorrow, Lord Carroway, for Lord Huckleby does not expect to come by until the fashionable hour.”
“Very well,” he agreed, letting go of her hand and filling Titania with a sense of loss that she could not quite understand. “Might I call thereafter? It would be late, I know, but I do feel that such a conversation does have a good deal of urgency.”
She nodded, relief and contentment filling her. She would only have to wait for a little longer before she discovered everything about Lord Carroway and what it was she had witnessed. “My mother may be out at some soiree or other, but I and at least one of my sisters will expect you,” she said, aware of the way her heart suddenly seemed to bounce about her chest with delight and anticipation. “And you will not keep anything from me?”
Lord Carroway chuckled, his expression somewhat rueful. “I do not think that I could do so, Miss Wells, not even if I wished to. Your eyes are so keen and your wit so sharp that I am certain you would see through even the smallest lie.” He bowed and stepped back, already beginning to melt into the shadows. “Until tomorrow, Miss Wells.”
“Good evening, Lord Carroway,” Titania replied, watching him until he turned his back on her and made his way through the crowd, wondering why she felt such a flurry in her heart as she did so. Was it because of the mystery that surrounded him? Was it because she wanted to know all of his secrets? Or was there more to what was in her heart than that?”
“Ah, Miss Wells, I have discovered you!”
At the sound of Lord Huckleby’s voice, Titania turned and pasted a bright smile on her face. She did not want Lord Huckleby to know what she had been thinking, nor whom she had been speaking to. He would not have noticed her dancing with Lord Carroway, she was quite certain, for he was a gentleman entirely caught up with his own endeavors.
“I was simply conversing with my sister and cousin,” she said, gesturing towards Catherine and Dinah, who curtsied quickly. Introducing them, she saw the disinterest in Lord Huckleby’s eyes as he retuned their greeting and, for whatever reason, that irritated her greatly.
“Shall we, Miss Wells?” Lord Huckleby said, turning back to her and offering her his arm. “It is the first of our two dances, and I confess to you that I have been most eager to dance with you.”
“That is most kind of you to say,” Titania replied, finding her irritation beginning to ebb away as Lord Huckleby’s easy manner began to soothe her. “I have been looking forward to it also.”
He chuckled as she took his arm. “Of course you have been,” he stated, as though she could do nothing else other than wait impatiently for her turn to dance with him. “Come then. We need not delay any longer.”
Chapter Nine
“A drink, my Lord?”
Edward hesitated, looking at the glass of champagne that the footman held out to him. After his exchange with Miss Wells, he felt as though he could do with a stiff drink, but another part of him held back, warning him that he would need to keep a clear head for the rest of the evening. After all, despite what Miss Wells thought, he would have to remain close to her for the remainder of the ball, simply to ensure her safety. She thought that he would take his leave of the ball and then call upon her tomorrow, as he had stated, but he could not allow himself to leave her side for fear that she might be set upon by someone unknown to either herself or to him.
“I think not,” he muttered, turning away from the footman and wishing that he could allow himself such a small indulgence, but experience had taught him that it was best to remain entirely without any liquor in his veins if he wished to have himself entirely without hinderance.
Turning back, Edward tried to find Miss Wells in the crowd, aware that she had been dancing with Lord Huckleby, but the dance had come to an end. Where was she now? His gaze traveled across the room, his heart quickening with a little anxiety as he struggled to find her.
A long breath of relief escaped him as he saw Miss Wells talking with another gentleman, and with another gentleman approaching her. She laughed and said something to the second gentleman, which made Edward’s heart twinge with jealousy. He did not mean to feel such a way for Miss Wells, but spending even a little more time in her company had only drawn him to her a more. More than anything, Edward wanted to keep Miss Wells at a distance, to ensure that she was nothing more than someone he needed to protect for the time being before setting her aside once Ravel had been found and captured, but he was beginning to fear that he would not be able to do such a thing, given just how much he was bewitched by her. A single look into her eyes and he lost all reason, forgot about what it was he was meant to say or what he was supposed to be doing. Having never experienced such emotions before, Edward was quite at a loss as to what to do with them. Was he meant to simply push them aside and attempt to forget how she made him feel? Ignore the emotions that blossomed in his hea
rt whenever she smiled at him? Push down the spark of jealousy that rose in his heart when he saw her laughing and smiling with another gentleman, as though he desperately wished that all her attentions were solely settled upon him?
Sighing heavily to himself, Edward thrust one hand into his hair, closing his eyes tightly and groaning inwardly. His heart was making things a good deal more complicated, and he was not at all certain that he liked it. It was much easier to simply deal with matters without any emotion or feeling holding sway. He lifted his chin and looked about for the footman carrying the tray with the glasses of champagne, thinking that he might need a drink after all.
By the time Edward had finished his second glass of champagne – watered down, he was certain of it – the second waltz of the evening had come to an end, which meant that Miss Wells would be freed from Lord Huckleby’s arms. He had hated watching her dance with that gentleman, finding his teeth gritting together tightly and his frustrations beginning to bubble over. It was not because he had anything against Lord Huckleby, for the earl was a well-known rascal who enjoyed the company of ladies and made no bones about throwing his title and fortune about in order to garner such attention. Rather, it came from the sheer dislike of seeing Miss Wells dancing so closely with another. The waltz he himself had danced with her had been the first dance he had done for some time, having not stepped out with a lady for some months. The last time he had danced had been a year ago, he thought to himself, idly watching the gentlemen and ladies disperse from the middle of the ballroom. It had held no particular interest for him – not until this evening when he had held Miss Wells close in his arms and had twirled her about the floor. The softness of her curves, the lightness of her gaze and the delicate smile on her face had made the entire experience rather wonderful, to the point that he found himself jealous that she had stepped out for a waltz with another gentleman instead of with him. Of course, he knew that it would have been entirely improper for her to have waltzed with him again and would have brought a good many questions to bear. It was nothing but foolishness to feel such a way, and yet he could not prevent himself from letting envy burn through him.