“Selina! I am so glad that you are back! I have the most wonderful news for you!”
“I could certainly do with some wonderful news. What is it?”
Ophelia took in a breath and let it out. “There is to be a ball!”
She groaned. “Oh, Phee. I do not think that I could handle another ball. I just want to spend the rest of our stay with a book in my hand and hot cocoa in the other. I have no wish to attend any more balls.”
“What if I told you that the ball is being held by Sir Russell?”
Her attention sharpened at the mention of Alex. A ball? Perhaps she could apologise to him there where she could melt into the crowd once her humiliation was over.
“A ball might be a good way to end off our stay.”
Ophelia smiled knowingly. “Sir Russell will likely look dashing. But of course, my Thomas will be the best dressed there. He so does understand fashion.”
Selina was suddenly struck by the notion that they may not have been invited due to her appalling manner towards him.
“Phee, have we received an invitation from him?”
“But of course! Why would he not? Do not be silly, Selina. I see the way Sir Russell looks at you. If you were not so stubborn, you would see a man who is perfectly suited to you. Just like my Thomas and I.”
Selina had not dared to think of Alex as being perfectly suited to her. To do so would mean that she had chased away the very man that she had been searching for. Alex did tick all of her boxes except for the title part, but his title had not changed who he was. She could overlook that part and focus on what was right about him. But she had lost her chance to watch their relationship bloom into a possible marriage. I refused to get to know him, and now I realise just what a fool I have been. There was no denying the chemistry between them, the comfort of being in one another’s presence, even when they were bickering. Selina needed to make things right, and that meant humbling herself and admitting how wrong she was to have doubted his words. I just hope that he can find it in his heart to forgive me.
Alex was waiting for Selina to arrive. After trying to get to speak to her for the past couple weeks, and failing, this was his last resort. If it hadn’t been for Ophelia and Thomas, he wouldn’t even be doing any of this.
“But what if she decides not to attend the ball?”
He paced up and down his study, suddenly feeling too nervous to leave the room. Most of his guests had arrived, but he couldn’t greet them. Not quite yet. Thomas had the job of welcoming the guests in his absence, having offered when he saw Alex’s nerves. For Alex was nervous. So much was riding on this evening that he felt a bit sick. Sweat beaded his upper lip and brow, despite the chill in the air. He had neglected to have the fireplace going in the study, for which he was grateful for. He removed his jacket, no longer able to bear the cocoon of heat around his body.
“Whoever was daft enough to create restrictive clothing should be whipped. How is a man to breathe in such garments?”
Of course, the clothing had not truly bothered him before, but tonight was different. Alex would see Selina, and the thought strangely terrified him.
“This is ludicrous! Never in my life has anything scared me.”
But neither had anything been as vital for him. If what Ophelia and Thomas had told him was true, then he had a good chance of succeeding in his plan.
“To think that we have been running around each other for quite some time, or rather, I have been running after her. It has been misunderstanding after misunderstanding. I had almost given up hope of ever being anything more to her than the man who supposedly lied to her.”
Once Thomas and Ophelia had opened up to him about Selina’s true feelings towards him and the reason for her odd behaviour, he had visited the Crauford residence several times to try and speak with her, but each time she would give an excuse and run away.
“Did she really believe that I could ever marry a woman like Lavinia? She and I are nothing alike!”
He wanted to tell her that he finally understood her viewpoint about his title omission, to ask for her forgiveness in being careless. Alex had done much introspection, and with the input and objective advice from Thomas, he had come to the conclusion that he had unknowingly been a fool.
“A great one at that.”
So long had he become accustomed to the freedom he had to do as he pleased, that he neglected to consider that women were far more constrained than even a man held in prison. No wonder the rumour had started!
“And right when I believed that she had warmed up to me, the rumour about Lavinia and me was started. Can I blame her for running away?”
There wasn’t a shadow of doubt in his mind that Selina held a tender spot for him in her heart, but the question was how intense and deep that tender feeling went.
“What if she has endeavoured to put me out of her heart?”
It would be a normal thing for her to do considering the fact that she believed he and Lavinia to be together. Alex jumped when a knock sounded at his door.
“Yes?”
Thomas came in, his smile wide and toothy.
“Alex, they are here.”
Those few words sent tingles up and down his spine and to his fingertips. It was time.
“Yes, yes, I will be with you in a moment. Thank you, Thomas.”
Thomas came to clap a hand on Alex’s shoulder, squeezing it.
“Breathe, Alex.”
He then walked away, quietly shutting the door behind him. Alex stared at the door for a moment, knowing that once he left the room, there was no turning back.
Selina was quite sure that many of the guests she saw were servants of the estate. They looked slightly nervous as they stood in their Sunday best, chatting to one another.
“Well,” her aunt commented. “This is highly irregular. Servants at the ball?”
While it was indeed different, Selina didn’t think anything wrong of it. If it were up to her, servants would be allowed at all balls. They deserved a good time at a lavish ball as well as any other person.
“I think it lovely, Aunt Dorothy. Usually, the servants are running around the guests, but today they get to be the guests.”
“But it is simply not done, Selina,” Aunt Dorothy argued. “Who will look after the guests if they are the guests? There is simply no sense to it. Sir Russell has finally lost his marbles.”
“I assure you Mrs Crauford that nothing of the sort has happened,” Alex said as he came into view.
Selina’s heart immediately fluttered, her belly somersaulted. She looked down, suddenly too shy to meet his gaze. Everyone stood around for a moment, not quite knowing what to do. An awkward silence surrounded them until her father stepped forward and took him by the hand.
“Great turnout this evening, Sir Russell!”
“Thank you, Mr Seymour. It is especially full as you can see. This ball is held in honour of my servants. I think it time that they are acknowledged for all their hard work, don’t you think?”
Her father nodded. “Quite right, quite right. Don’t know where we would be without them.”
“I second that,” Uncle Edmund cut in. “Good on you, Sir Russell. If you would excuse me, I see someone that I know.”
“And I,” added her father.
The men soon disappeared, leaving just the women. Her mother and aunt had been silent during the interaction, no doubt slightly embarrassed by Aunt Dorothy’s words.
“I am glad that you could come at such short notice,” Alex addressed the women. “I had been in two minds about hosting this final ball, but I decided that my servants needed some down time before Christmas.”
“And it was a lovely idea, Sir Russell,” her mother said. “Quite a novel idea. I am sure that many others will be doing it soon.”
Alex laughed. “I doubt that Mrs Seymour, but thank you all the same.”
Selina noticed that he kept on looking in her direction, but she firmly avoided his eyes. He only caught her once
, giving her the warmest smile as he did so. She was sure that her cheeks were a blooming pink as she certainly felt flushed. She linked her gloved hands before her, twiddling her thumbs.
“Sir Russell,” her aunt said. “Forgive me if you think my question impertinent, but who will serve the guests if your servants are mingling with the rest of us?”
“It is quite simple, my dear Mrs Crauford,” he answered. “The guests will serve themselves. I have taken measures to ensure that each guest is well taken care of, but each person will be required to serve themselves.”
Selina heard her aunt’s sharp intake of breath. She thought it an excellent idea, but her aunt was positively scandalised.
“My word!” was her only answer.
Ophelia caught Selina’s eye, and they both smiled, their eyes twinkling at each other. Their aunt was an old-fashioned woman with set ideas. It was going to be challenging for her to mingle with the servants.
“Please,” Alex continued. “Have a splendid time this evening. My servants and I have worked hard to create a ball to surpass all other balls. We will start the night’s activities soon.”
He bowed and walked away, leaving her disappointed. She had hoped that he would stay longer if but to hear his voice. Seeing him was as though she had walked through the harshest African desert and found water in a wonderfully lush oasis. She didn’t realise until then just how much she had missed him. I will go so far as to believe that my heart is linked to his with some invisible string. I feel drawn to him, but I remain tongue-tied around him. I did not find it so challenging before, but now words fail me. A problem as I have so many things to say to him, to apologise for.
“I am certain that it will not be such a terrible evening, Dorothy,” her mother said. “Everything looks wonderful, and people are genuinely enjoying themselves. It would not hurt to converse with a servant.”
Aunt Dorothy sniffed, raising her nose in the air. Selina knew that look very well. Her aunt would accept the circumstances, but she wouldn’t be happy about it. Some good gin will loosen her. Her aunt was partial to a good glass of excellent gin, and Selina had a feeling that Alex would have a good supply of that and any other spirits that the guests would enjoy.
Selina could only take watered-down brandy, and that was when it was given to her to chase away the chills. However, there was nothing quite like fresh milk straight from the cow. There is no time to be thinking about milk at this moment! I must find a way to speak to Alex. He would be busy, but if she saw a slim chance to talk with him, she would grab it. I cannot leave this ball having not apologised to him. But would he want to speak to her? He had smiled at her, warmly too. That must be a good sign. He does not strike me as a man who would hold grudges. In fact, Alex had proved himself to be a man of excellent character, kind to all, and naturally generous judging by the ball and its guests. There wasn’t another man of his class who would invite his own servants to the ball. It was an exemplary trait in him, and she admired him for it. I was a fool to have believed the worst of him. Ophelia nudged her, pulling her away from the older women.
“Selina, Alex looks most dashing in his suit this evening. Do you not agree?”
She would be lying if she said she noticed what he had been wearing but saying so would only encourage her sister to speak more on it when she required some time to think.
“Yes, dashing.”
Ophelia pouted. “You did not notice, did you?”
Her sister knew her too well. I should have thought of a better reply.
“Where is Thomas? Have you seen him yet?”
“You know very well that I have not. Although I am sure that I saw the back of him when we had first arrived. He must be otherwise engaged.”
“I am sure that he will come to greet you soon.”
“Oh, I am not in the least concerned about that. Thomas will come to me as soon as he can–he would not miss a chance to see me.”
Selina was almost envious of the growing relationship between her sister and Thomas. The two seemed to understand each other well, often finishing off each other’s sentences. She doubted that her father could keep them apart long enough for Ophelia to mature in years. The lovebirds were simply devoted to each other. Papa will have to agree to their marriage once Thomas asks for Phee’s hand. I am sure that he will make the perfect husband for my sister. They circled the ballroom floor, speaking with familiar guests and allowing their dance cards to be filled with dance partners.
Selina was reluctant to do so, but she knew that Aunt Dorothy would expect it of her. She had not been impressed when she heard about Lavinia and Willoughby. Selina couldn’t decide whether it was because she was the last to know or if it was the loss of a suitor. Best to keep her happy. Selina found herself talking to a young gentleman who was frankly boring her with his tales about his latest hunting adventure when she noticed guests turning to face the stairs that allowed one to ascend to higher ground when the first floor became too much. Selina was rather short in stature so she could not look above people’s heads to see what they were looking at. She looked for her sister, who was rather tall and willowy. Where is she?
“Ladies and gentleman,” she heard Alex say. “May I have your attention, please?
How I wish he would just step higher that I may see him! To her surprise and satisfaction, he did just that.
“Firstly, I wish to extend a warm welcome to my guests. It is an honour to have each and every one of you here. Secondly, I know that there has been some murmuring about my ... slightly unorthodox guest list.”
“Slightly?” she heard a woman mutter.
“I have chosen to do things somewhat differently this evening. This ball has been held in honour of my servants whom I regard as my family. It was they who raised me when my parents departed.”
A moment of silence was held, remembering loved ones past. Soon after, some tittering was heard among the crowds, each person having something to say about his choice, but not having the courage to say it out loud.
Alex continued, “Please, feel free to mingle and speak with them–they are as talkative as you are.”
Some took it upon themselves to shake the hands of the servants while others kept their distance. You cannot win them all.
“Now, I wish to address some rumours that I have unfortunately come across.”
Selina’s heart started to beat quickly. He is going to mention me, I just know it. What will he say?
The murmuring grew louder, but one stern look and a raised hand from Alex was enough to silence them. So much power in one man, and yet he is the gentlest of souls.
“I had the pleasure of making an acquaintance some weeks ago, quite by accident I might add. If you are aware of my routine, which I am sure that a good number of you know, I prefer to walk my own horses along my estate.”
Some people nodded their heads, encouraging him to continue.
“I met Miss Seymour during one of my strolls, and as you all well know, I am not one to let a conversation with a stranger pass me by.”
Everyone smiled at that, some even laughed. Despite her knotted belly, she found herself smiling as well.
“Mr and Mrs Seymour have raised a wonderfully courageous daughter as she didn’t immediately run away when she saw me coming her way in commoner’s garments.”
Some more laughter was heard with some looking in her direction. Their eyes were without condemnation, but mild interest. I think that they might just believe him.
A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 25