“Hush, let me finish. I expected him to pass me by and maybe give a brief greeting, but to my surprise, he stopped directly in front of me.”
“Oooh, what did he look like? Can you remember?”
“Tall, dark curly hair, amber-coloured eyes, a strong physique, and the kindest smile you could imagine.”
Selina neglected to mention how her heart had stopped when Alex had smiled at her. She does not need to know that just yet.
“He sounds handsome. What happened next?”
“He greeted me, as I did him, and then he asked to see my sketch. Now, you know that I do not like to show strangers my work, but oddly enough, I felt comfortable being around him. I gave him the book to flip through, and he almost immediately started complimenting my work. I was pleased about that.”
“As you should be. It does not take a stranger to tell you that you have a talent for sketching–anyone with a pair of eyes can see how gifted you are, Selina.”
“Thank you, Phee. But you would never guess what I asked of him.”
“You’re not about to say that you asked to sketch him, are you? That would be crazy!”
Ophelia laughed, but Selina did not join her. When Ophelia realised that she was laughing alone, her hilarity was short-lived.
“Do you mean to tell me that you sketched him?”
Selina nodded. “He was the perfect study, Phee.”
Ophelia shook her head. “Did you at least get his name?”
“Yes, his name is Alex, and he is the stable groom of this property.”
“A stable groom? Have you lost your mind, Selina? What would mother say?”
Selina had thought of nothing else since meeting Alex. She was well aware of the disapproval her mother would have once she found out. Mama would do more than just disapprove.
“I am aware of all that, Phee. I did not say that I wished to marry the man, but that I would love to see him. I have been hoping that I would get an opportunity to see him once again.”
But her chances were becoming slimmer as the night continued.
“You sound as though you are enamoured with this man, Selina.”
She blushed. “I would not call it that, Phee. But as I said before, he intrigues me. I would like to see him again, but that may not happen.”
“I see that as a good thing! What if someone was to see you with him? Imagine the backlash, Selina.”
Selina looked down. “Yes, I know.”
She felt a hand on her own and looked up to see her sister’s concerned eyes.
“I do not wish to come across as unsupportive, Selina, I truly don’t, but this situation alarms me. Mama and Aunt Dorothy have been drilling the need to find a good husband into our minds, a husband of our own social status. This Alex person sounds as though he could be trouble for you.”
Selina did not believe that Alex would be troublesome for her.
“You do not know him as I do, Phee.”
Ophelia looked heavenward. “Oh, do you hear yourself speak, Selina? You hardly know the man yourself!”
Selina was surprised that her sister would be so against Alex as she had never even met him.
“You sound quite judgemental, Phee. This does not sound like you. If you insist on being negative about the situation, then it is best that we leave the subject alone and go back to the ball.”
Selina made as though to get up, but Ophelia held her hand out.
“Wait, Selina. Just wait a moment, please. I did not mean to come across as negative, but I am frightened for you. I just do not want you getting hurt. It may not necessarily be this Alex person who will hurt you, but other people who may hear of this situation and start rumours that can destroy your reputation. It would hurt me terribly to hear my sister spoken negatively of.”
Ophelia was speaking from a place of love and concern for her, and Selina could appreciate that. Worry was etched into her sister’s brow–the last thing that Selina had wanted to do was to have her sister fret over her.
“If I promise that I do not intend on partaking in any behaviour that will possibly taint my reputation, will you be happy?”
Ophelia smiled. “Yes. I would be relieved.”
“Now, may I continue to speak of Alex? He is no threat to me, I assure you.”
“Yes, alright. I am curious to know more about him.”
Ophelia was starting to sound like herself once more. Her sister was only sixteen, but her maturity levels were those of a person older than herself. Selina believed that it was due to her mother overcompensating for the amount of freedom that she had been afforded as a young girl growing up. Selina could still throw caution to the wind and go with her heart’s desires, but Ophelia would stick to what was right and acceptable. Her baby sister was growing up at an alarming speed, and if the last Season were anything to go by, she would be married before Selina. Not that she had a problem with it. If her sister should find love before she did, then she would be happy for Ophelia. It was as simple as that. There was no rivalry between them, just sisterly love and affection.
“Alex is sweet, Phee. He is a commoner, but there is something noble about his bearing. I felt that I connected to him in some way, as though we were similar beings–two peas in a pod if you will. I was comfortable around him, and he did nothing to frighten me in the slightest.”
Ophelia settled back into her chair, her lips pursed.
“Well, he certainly sounds interesting. I have half a mind to meet the man myself.”
“I would love the opportunity to sketch him once more, to capture another angle of him.”
“Do you think that he would be interested?”
Did she? Alex had seemed quite eager about the sketch, going so far as to give her more of his time when she had decided to leave and return to the house.
“Yes, I do believe so. I would like nothing more than to leave this ball and go in search of him on the grounds. I am sure that I would find him.”
Ophelia shook her head. “But you cannot–Mama would not be impressed if you left the ball for any period of time, especially as we are here mainly for you and to a lesser extent, me. As it is, Mama must be wondering where we have gotten off to. I daresay that she is searching for us right this minute.”
Selina sighed. “Yes, I suppose that we should be going back before Mama sends out a search party for us. Poor Mama, we must make her a high-strung individual. I wonder if any other daughters at this ball give as much trouble as we do.”
“I sincerely doubt that. We seem to have broken the mould when we were created!”
“You may say that once more! Come, let us join the multitude looking to secure a marriage on this night.”
They soon left the room and returned to the ballroom, but before they entered the doors, Selina stopped her sister.
“Phee, you must promise me that you will not relate anything of what I have told you to anyone else. This is just between you and me.”
“Yes, Selina. You have my word.”
Selina gave her sister a quick hug before entering the ballroom. She knew that she could count on Ophelia to keep her confidence.
The ball was boring, to say the least. Selina had danced with several men, and each of them had been as tedious and odious as the next. She had bitten her tongue on more than one occasion, remembering what her mother had told her. Just give them a chance, she said, I might be pleasantly surprised. Well, I am pleasantly surprised at how right I was about these men.
“You appear quite popular, Selina. Mama looks happy.”
Selina looked in her mother’s direction and saw fierce pride in her eyes. Well, that certainly is a change from her usual disappointed look.
“I’m glad that Mama is enjoying herself this evening. Aunt Dorothy seems to be in her element as well.”
Their aunt had been dragging their mother along to every family at the ball. Selina was not surprised to find that her aunt knew all the families in attendance. She was the sort of woman that made it her busines
s to meet and greet new people, establishing a friendly relationship with them. Selina looked around the room, wanting nothing more than to sneak away and get some fresh air. The mix of bodies and mingling breaths made for a stuffy room, and she longed for the crisp air of the night.
“Phee, I really do need some fresh air. I promise not to go too far.”
Suspicion entered her sister’s eyes. “You do not mean to look for that stable groom, do you?”
“I admit that the thought has crossed my mind, but I sincerely just wish to get some fresh air. The music, the bodies, the chatter–it’s all giving me a bit of a head pain.”
Concerned, Ophelia touched her sister’s brow with the back of her hand.
“You do seem quite warm. Perhaps the fresh air will do you some good.”
“You may join me if you wish to. I would not mind your company.”
Her sister shook her head. “No, I would much rather stay here. Mama may ask where you are; at least I will be able to give a reason that I have not had to lie about.”
Her poor sister did do a lot of covering for her.
“Thank you, Phee.”
However, as Selina was about to turn, her eyes met a familiar amber pair. Alex! Only it wasn’t Alex. What is going on?
Alex would have been able to pick her out anywhere. Her natural beauty stood out against the crowd, drawing his attention as he descended from the stairs in the ballroom.
“I knew that she would be here.”
His immediate thought was to walk toward her and formally introduce himself, but he was immediately closed in by his guests, all of whom wished to greet him. Alex could not be rude and ignore his guests, so he focused his attention on them, but his mind was partially fixated on the woman in the flattering green dress.
“Sir Russell, thank you for inviting us. Mrs Mostyn was most grateful when she received your invitation. May I introduce my daughter, Lavinia?”
Mr Mostyn pulled his daughter forward, nearly throwing her into his arms. This again. People never cease to try their luck. When will they learn that I am simply not interested in their daughters, no matter how pretty and accomplished they may be. The woman that he wanted to get to know was currently standing near one of the entrances, her emerald gaze on him. Only, she looked shocked. Alex watched as she leaned in towards a young blonde woman who immediately looked up, her eyes scanning the crowd. Selina leaned in again, and this time the blonde woman’s gaze rested on him. What is going on there? What are they saying?
“Sir Russell, I must say that it is a pleasure to meet you. Your home is charming, and the grounds are wonderfully kept. I would love to explore your grounds during a sunny day.”
And there it was. This Lavinia woman knew how to cut straight to the point. Alex had to watch himself, or he might unknowingly invite people that he had no intention of inviting.
Thank you, Miss Mostyn. I have an excellent staff that keep everything in shape–I shall pass the compliment to them. They will be most pleased to hear it.
Mr Mostyn started laughing. “My good man! No need to trouble yourself with the feelings of mere servants. It is their job to do so.”
Alex took an immediate dislike to the man before him.
“It boosts morale, Mr Mostyn. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to.”
Alex left a spluttering Mostyn and made a beeline for Selina, but once again he was stopped.
“Alex! Great ball you have here.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr Montague.”
“You must come and meet my daughter–I daresay that the last time you saw her was several years ago. She is a heart-stopping beauty now.”
Alex did not want to be dragged to meet yet another young woman.
“I am sure that she is, and I would be happy to meet her, but I’m afraid that I must see to my other guests.”
Mr Montague’s round face fell. “Well, yes. Perhaps when you are done? I will tell my daughter to keep a space for you on her dance card. I know that she will be pleased to dance with you.”
“Yes, she may do that. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Alex continued his walk towards Selina. Perhaps she is surprised to see me dressed like this. I hope that learning of my title will not change her opinion of me or her behaviour towards me.
Selina could not believe her eyes. Was this her Alex dressed in all this finery? Why would a stable groom be in his Master’s ball, dressed as a gentleman?
“What is it, Selina? Are you no longer going outside?”
“It’s him, Phee. It’s Alex.”
Her sister frowned. “Where? I doubt it, Selina. What would a stable groom be doing at the ball?”
“My thoughts exactly. I am certain that is him, but he looks different.”
“Show me where,” her sister insisted.
Selina leaned into her. “There, by the steps. Do you see him?”
Ophelia looked. “I’m not seeing who you are speaking of.”
“Phee, he is at least a foot taller than most of the crowd surrounding him.”
There was something familiar about the dark headed woman that was currently talking to whom she assumed was Alex. Selina felt a pang of jealousy. Why am I jealous? That may look like Alex, but it cannot be. A stable groom would not be allowed to greet guests in such a familiar manner. People are fairly flocking to him. This must be the baronet that Aunt Dorothy spoke about. The man kept on looking their way, but that didn’t mean that he was looking at them. There were plenty of people milling around them. His gaze could be focused on either one of them. But somehow, Selina knew that they were the centre of his attention.
“Oh, I see him now. You believe that is your Alex? Stable grooms certainly do not dress in finery and greet their Master’s guests, Selina. This is, in fact, the baronet himself.”
When the baronet started to walk in their direction, Selina felt her belly do a flip-flop.
“He is coming this way!” she whispered.
“No,” her sister whispered back. “That round man has stopped him.”
It didn’t take long for the baronet to conclude his brief conversation with the man and continue his walk towards them once more.
“He is coming here, Phee! What do we do?”
“Well, don’t panic, for goodness sake! We have to make a good impression. Just smile.”
But Selina found that she couldn’t. The closer the baronet came towards them, the more he looked like Alex. What is happening here? I do not understand this. When he smiled, and her heart skipped a beat, Selina knew without a doubt that this was Alex.
“It is him, Phee. I am sure of it.”
Ophelia didn’t get a chance to reply as Alex was standing right there before them.
“Selina, I am glad that you could make it. Who is this lovely lady next to you?”
“I, uh, I ...”
Selina was mortified. I cannot even speak! This is Alex, my Alex! Why is he dressed like this?
“Ophelia Seymour, sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 7