Alex was aware of how society perceived women, and he did not particularly agree with them. No, I cannot do anything to further embarrass her. For she had been upset by their earlier interaction. That had never been his intention. Alex had just thought to lighten up the mood and see her smile once more. That was a mistake. Even I could see that she was adversely affected by my words. I wish to know why.
Lavinia had sat out of several dances, still wishing to keep up her act of the injured maiden. It would not do for the baronet to see her dancing about the ballroom, despite having complained of a sprained ankle.
“My plan was useless, as he did not spare me the time of day. I should have thought of something else, something that would not spoil my fun of the evening.”
Her father had not been impressed with her plan. He had wished to scold her, but she had stopped him quickly, reminding him that their future depended on a suitable marriage. She was their only hope. He had left her to her sad state soon after, speaking of a parched throat. Lavinia’s mother was nowhere to be seen.
“Likely gossiping in one of the rooms of the house.”
Her mother was a greater gossip than Lavinia, loving to find out little scandalous titbits on people. Sometimes she used it to her advantage, blackmailing people to keep her silence. Lavinia had learned that from her, and it was a useful skill that she relished using.
“If only I can find something about the baronet! Selina is far too squeaky clean to have any skeletons in her closet, but the baronet may be another situation altogether.”
There had to be something that she could use to her advantage. Her scheme was to further soil the baronet’s reputation so that no other woman would have him. He would thus be forced to marry her as she would be the only one to have him. Then, when they were married, she would clear her husband’s name, blaming the gossip on Selina. There was not a person who would believe an unmarried woman over a married one. Marriage would give her instant credibility.
“Selina does not stand a chance.”
Lavinia praised her own intelligence. This is why I always get what I want. But she needed to get closer to Selina if the plan was to work.
“But how?”
Lavinia doubted that the young woman would forgive her for the trouble she had caused her growing up.
“I’ll just have to wait and see. There is bound to be an opportunity to speak with her towards the end of this ball. I must just keep an eye on her.”
Lavinia kept Selina in her sights, counting down the hours until she could pounce.
Selina needed a breath of fresh air. The ball was drawing to a close, and many people had already left. Aunt Dorothy had forced her to fulfil her dancing obligation to the men who were on her dance card, and she was exhausted. One partner after the other had danced with her, regaling her with stories about themselves. They seldom asked anything about her, except to comment on her colouring. Some appeared so dumbfounded that they could only stare at her. All chances of mild conversation were out the window. Her last partner had been like this, even stepping on her foot when she flashed an encouraging smile at him. He had been a bit hefty, but she had managed to keep herself from crying out in pain.
“Thank goodness that he was my last dancing partner! I could not have done with anymore dancing.”
She hobbled to the balcony, breathing in the crisp night air. It was cold, bitterly so. More so than when she had ventured outside earlier on.
“It must be past midnight.”
There were two chairs to her left, and she limped to the one, gratefully sinking into it. Selina wasted no time in taking her slipper off and examining her foot. There was a red welt on it, where her partner’s shoes had dug into the top of her foot.
“I wouldn’t be able to remember his name. Nor his face for that matter!”
Which was just as well, for he had been embarrassed by his clumsiness. She had to reassure him and tell him that she was all right, but her foot had been throbbing as she continued to apply pressure to it by completing the dance. Selina had not bothered to look to see where her family was, needing some time away from the crowd.
“They probably saw me limp outside.”
They had been watching her like a hawk throughout the fifteen dances she took part in. Each time Selina glanced their way, her aunt stretched her mouth with her index fingers, or her mother would straighten her back and point to her. Ophelia would just give her a thumbs up, smiling.
“I am just glad that the ordeal is over with. There had better be no more balls, for I could not take another night of dancing with self-absorbed, blubbering fools.”
Selina massaged her foot, taking care not to fiddle with the area where the pain was greater. She would need coarse salt to bathe her foot, or else it may look like an elephant’s foot before long. There was already some swelling taking place. Footsteps came her way, and, thinking that it was Ophelia, she made a light comment.
“Remind me to lock myself in a bedroom whenever Aunt or Mama decide that there is a party that we need to attend.”
“Surely you don’t mean that, Selina? You looked wonderful out there.”
That voice again. When will she leave me alone? Selina closed her eyes for a few seconds, and then opened them, turning her body to address Lavinia.
“Lavinia, I thought that you had left.”
The young woman settled into the chair next to her, gracefully lifting her dress as she sat down. She settled herself, smoothing out the kinks in her skirts. What could she possibly want with me? I thought that she had said all that she had to say when she cornered me. It took a while for Lavinia to answer, so concerned was she with arranging herself in the chair. When she finally spoke, Selina wished that she hadn’t. The woman’s voice grated on her nerves.
“It is bitterly cold outside, is it not? I should have brought my wrap with me.”
No, you should have just stayed inside. Better yet, you should have left with the other guests.
“Perhaps you should go back inside.”
“Oh no, not until we have caught up again. It has been simply ages since I have seen you!”
“We spoke earlier on, Lavinia,” said Selina dryly.
“Yes, yes, but that was just a quick interaction. We are old friends, are we not? We need more than a few moments to catch up.”
Selina had the feeling of being sized up by a snake. A large one.
“It is quite late, Lavinia. My mind is simply not functioning enough to have a conversation with you.”
“Oh, poppycock, Selina. We are young women! We could dance the night away if we wanted to. Enjoy your youth while it lasts, my mother always says.”
Selina smiled stiffly. “Of course.”
Lavinia looked to the night sky, tilting her head back as though counting the stars.
“Haven’t you ever wished to be a star in the sky? Far removed from the cares of the world. You would just observe the goings on of the masses, glad not to be a part of the messes that people get themselves into.”
Her voice was almost melancholy, surprising Selina. There was meaning behind her words, and Lavinia had given her a cryptic clue. What is she trying to say?
“But a star must get lonely at times. People do get into messes, but there is far more to life than the negative. People love, laugh, cry, show kindness and so much more. A star can only look, never feeling.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Lavinia said. “At least we do not lead the life of a worthless servant, don’t you think?”
“No life is ever worthless, Lavinia. It is just different.”
Lavinia laughed. “Oh Selina, still the champion of the lower class, I see. When will you learn that we are not like them? They are born simply to do our bidding.”
Selina knew that they would never agree on anything. They were complete opposites in every way, and she was tired of listening to her speak. She stood up, wincing as she stepped too hard with her injured foot.
“My family must be looking for m
e, Lavinia. I bid you a goodnight.”
Selina didn’t wait for an answer but left her out in the cold. It matches her heart, after all.
Lavinia bristled with anger.
“She always thinks that she is better than me, doesn’t she? Well, she can have her servants and be damned along with them. Why, she could even marry a pig farmer! That should make her happy.”
She laughed, but it was forced. Lavinia could never understand the workings of Selina’s mind.
“Her sympathy for the working class is improper, but she can make one feel as though they are in the wrong for treating them as they should be treated.”
Her father held by the fact that the social divide between lower and upper classes had to be kept at all costs, or mayhem would ensue.
“Imagine dining with my maidservant? Or having the gardener speak with me in a familiar way?”
She could not even draw up the image in her head. It just wasn’t done.
“That is why I will be the baronet’s wife, and you will be left on the shelf with your lofty morals.”
Lavinia sat there, allowing the cold to seep into her bones. Just for a moment, she imagined herself as a woman unburdened by responsibilities, rules of society, expectations, and inevitable choices. She was who she was, but she was also a result of her upbringing. What would her life have been like if she had been brought up by parents who were not selfish people, intent upon milking the world for all it could give?
“Maybe I too would have shared Selina’s views. But what point is there in thinking like this? I have a plan to put into action.”
Lavinia entered the ballroom, her mind focused on the first phase of securing a marriage with the baronet. She saw Selina with her family.
“Good, they are all together. It makes things easier.”
She walked quickly, her fake injury long time done away with.
Ophelia tugged Selina’s hand, bringing her lips close to her ear.
“It seems that you have a tail.”
Selina frowned. “A tail? Whatever can you mean by that?”
“Look behind you.”
Selina did as her sister asked, groaning when she saw Lavinia approaching them.
“Not again! This is the third time this night!”
“What are you two girls whispering about?” their aunt asked.
They didn’t have to answer because Lavinia had joined them.
“Mr and Mrs Crauford, Mr and Mrs Seymour. How lovely to meet you again. It has been a while, has it not?”
The adults each greeted her. Most likely marvelling at her perfect manners. The men returned to their conversation, but the women looked on, interested to see what Lavinia would say.
“Where is your mother, Lavinia?” Aunt Dorothy asked. “I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with her.”
“I am sure that she is nearby, Mrs Crauford. Mother does love a good ball.”
“And how is she?” Selina’s mother asked.
“Well, thank you. It is kind of you to ask.”
“Send her our regards,” her mother continued.
“I will, Mrs Seymour. I have actually approached you to ask for a special favour.”
“Speak child,” Aunt Dorothy said. “What is this favour?”
It had better not have anything to do with me. I could not suffer another moment with this woman.
“I was wondering if Selina and Ophelia would join me for a small dinner that I am hosting tomorrow evening. I would love to catch up as I have not seen them in quite some time.”
Selina turned pleading eyes to her mother, hoping that she would say no.
“Of course, Lavinia,” her mother said. “I am sure that my daughters would love to spend some time with you. You and Selina were such good friends before.”
Good friends? Had her mother been blind?
“Then that’s settled. I shall expect you both at six. Until then.”
Lavinia left them, taking her bad air with her. Selina didn’t trust her in the slightest. Lavinia had already proven that she still did not like her, so why would she willingly invite them to a dinner tomorrow evening? There is definitely something fishy going on.
“What a lovely young girl!” her aunt mused. “This is the perfect opportunity for you girls to strengthen your social connections in the area.”
“On the contrary,” Selina put in. “I was hoping to have a quiet evening and get to bed early tomorrow.”
“Nonsense!” Aunt Dorothy said. “You are young and have much energy. You will go to that dinner and be the perfect young woman. There might be suitors there. Do not forget that your main objective here is to find a husband.”
How could she forget? She was reminded at least a dozen times in a day. There was nothing else that Selina could do but to reluctantly agree with her.
“Very well, we shall go.”
Another evening spent with Lavinia? How had this happened? Was she walking into a trap? The two older women drifted away from them, leaving the two sisters to speak without fear of reproach.
“Perhaps it will be fun, Selina,” Ophelia said. “It will mainly be people of our own age, will it not?”
“You wouldn’t be saying this because you wish to see your young man again?”
Ophelia blushed. “He is just a friend, Selina. I wish that you would not tease me so. Anyway, there is no telling if he will be at the dinner tomorrow.”
“Oh, I am not teasing you, Phee. I am merely making an observation. If it is of any consolation to you, I do think that Simon fancies you as well.”
Ophelia brought her hands to her rosy cheeks.
“Oh, hush you. Do not say such things. He is a kind young man, better than I have come across in a long while.”
“I shall take your word for it. Maybe he will be there tomorrow, and I can find out for myself whether he is good enough for my little sister.”
Her sister took in a sharp breath, evidently scandalised by the very thought of Selina doing such a thing.
“Oh Selina, you wouldn’t! I would never forgive you if you embarrassed me in front of Simon.”
Selina raised her eyebrows. “There is no need to fret, Phee. I would never do that to you, on my honour of being your sister.”
Ophelia breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. I would have just died with embarrassment; I really would have.”
Selina didn’t respond, as she had just spotted Alex. He had better not come this way. I have nothing left to say to him. Alex did glance in their direction. He even took a step towards them, but one look at Selina’s face stopped him. Instead, he bowed and walked to another group of guests. Selina’s heart had been in her throat when she had seen Alex step towards them. She felt it sink back into its rightful spot when he stopped and walked in another direction.
“It seems that I am not the only one who stands to be embarrassed.”
Selina shrugged her shoulders, turning to her sister.
A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 11