The twins didn’t notice Monty when they came outside, though they weren’t in the habit of paying attention to grooms. But on the short ride to the park, Vanessa laughed at herself when she recalled what she had originally thought of London, and what had turned her away from it—too much smoke and soot. This area of the town was utterly different, with beautiful, clean streets, not at all congested, exactly what she had imagined it would be like before she had turned away in disgust nearly three weeks ago. When her mother’s coach had entered the city yesterday afternoon, she had closed her eyes for a few minutes. But by the time they’d reached Grosvenor Square in the area of Mayfair where Kathleen’s new town house was located, she’d been utterly pleased with London—at least this part of it. Elegant homes, fancy carriages and coaches, well-dressed couples strolling the streets. No wonder Kathleen used to love coming here.
In the park, Monty surprised the twins with his presence and his attire. Emily was a little embarrassed that she hadn’t noticed him sooner, but Layla did question his disguise, to which he rejoined, “I didn’t want to scare away any young gentlemen who try to meet you today.”
Yet he stopped behaving like a groom and rode between the twins instead of behind them with the other two grooms. He kept up a steady banter with them, provoking giggles, laughs, even a few blushes. Vanessa began to feel neglected, riding on Layla’s other side, but it was just as well that he paid some attention to the twins. If he spoke with only her, they might wonder if there was more than friendship between her and Monty. There was; she just wasn’t sure exactly what it was—flirting, a mutual attraction that sometimes ran out of control, letting herself be led astray by a charming rake? And she’d been a little too bold and daring with him, but no more. She had an arranged marriage to take care of now that she was in London. But he was definitely amusing the twins. She loved how easily he could make those around him laugh.
But he did fall back when the gentlemen in the park started catching up to the girls to introduce themselves. Vanessa was greeted almost as an afterthought, which made her want to laugh because she’d been expecting it. The twins were a novelty, after all, identical and beautiful. None of the young men stayed long, but all expressed hope that they would meet again. And the twins were thrilled. They hadn’t even attended their first social event yet and they were already a success.
Chapter Thirty
VANESSA FELT EXCITED ABOUT her first ball in London, even if it would be at the home of people she despised. It was still a momentous event for her, one she should be sharing with both her parents, but that wasn’t possible. At least she could share it with her sisters. But her nervousness mounted as the hour to depart approached and now it was overshadowing the excitement. She would be meeting her future husband tonight. She would have to speak with Albert Rathban at some point in the evening, too, and not revile him as she’d like to do. She would have to be on her best behavior—she would have to be a lady.
She certainly looked the part. Her ball gown was exquisite, such a pale aquamarine it might be mistaken for white in sunlight, but it would never be worn during the day. The trimming was a complementary shade of turquoise, but very thin so the bold color couldn’t be objected to. And then Kathleen arrived in her room, carrying her jewelry box, which she opened on Vanessa’s vanity. She held up emeralds to Vanessa’s neck, then sapphires, but in the end decided a necklace of opals would suit her and her gown better. She had a ring and bracelet to go with it and even a few matching pins that she tucked into Vanessa’s coiffure.
“You’re going to make me very, very proud tonight,” Kathleen said, and gave her a hug.
Vanessa laughed, hearing an order in that remark rather than a prediction, but she allowed, “I intend to behave, even if I must bite my tongue until it bleeds.”
Kathleen tsked. “Don’t be dramatic.”
“When I hate Albert Rathban above all people? But I will endeavor not to show it.”
“I remember my first ball,” Kathleen said with a smile. “It was the highlight of my youth. I hope you can relax and simply enjoy this one, Nessa.”
Vanessa was surprised at how sincere Kathleen sounded. Maybe she was sincere. Circumstances had brought them both to this particular point in their relationship, but she had never doubted, at least, not in the past, that Kathleen wanted the best for her daughters. But how could she relax enough to enjoy herself tonight when she was about to meet her future husband, who Monty claimed was a rake of the worst sort? She still hoped he’d told her that only in an effort to talk her out of an arranged engagement. A shy, awkward boy becoming a philanderer seemed so improbable to her she doubted that it was true.
“I’m nervous about meeting Daniel,” Vanessa admitted.
“Don’t be. You are utterly exquisite tonight. I have no doubt a’tall that you will charm him right to the altar. It’s time to go.”
Kathleen left the room to gather the twins. Vanessa headed to the stairs. It was a lovely town house, beautifully appointed, but it felt cramped compared to Dawton Manor, where every room was large. She reminded herself that the cottage in Scotland had been tiny in comparison.
She looked for Monty below in the hall, but he wasn’t there, nor was he in the parlor waiting. But he had mentioned that he would arrive at the ball separately. Or perhaps he’d changed his mind about going. That was a disappointing thought. While her purpose in attending this ball was to meet her future husband and get acquainted with him, she’d still thought she might have some fun if Monty were there.
It didn’t take long to reach the Rathban residence in the northern part of Mayfair. It was a grand old mansion that had likely been built long before the many narrow town houses had gone up in this exclusive end of town. Vanessa was surprised to see so many people already in the ballroom, considering the reason for this ball.
Kathleen whispered to her on the way in, “You are to be a surprise for Daniel. Lord Albert doesn’t want his son to think he organized this ball for the express purpose of introducing you to him, which is exactly what he did. But apparently the Rathbans haven’t hosted a ball in over a decade, so everyone of note clamored for an invitation. And it appears that they were successful.”
And to the twins she added, “The crème de la crème of young bachelors are in attendance, as well as your competition, though truly, my darlings, you will make the other young debutantes cry tonight.”
Of course there was a receiving line to meet their host—and his wife. Somehow Vanessa hadn’t expected such a vengeful man to have one. Nor did she expect him to look so normal when he ought to have horns. He was in his late fifties and had black hair with only a few streaks of gray, while his wife looked older, though that might be because of the very unfashionable white wig she was wearing. But then she had come of age at a time when everyone wore them, and it was rumored that most of the older crowd who had worn them the longest had actually lost their natural hair because of it.
“There he is! That’s Daniel standing just behind his parents,” Kathleen whispered to Vanessa before they reached their hosts.
Vanessa’s eyes moved to the portly, plain-looking young man, although there was another young man who resembled him standing near him, so she wasn’t sure which one Kathleen was referring to. Both of them looked so dull and bored. And neither one had a rakish air about him. If they chased women expressly to get them into bed, she couldn’t imagine how they accomplished it. So Monty had lied to her just to keep her from getting married so quickly? She’d give him an earful about that the next time she saw him.
And then they were standing before the elderly Rathban couple. “You haven’t aged a day, Lady Blackburn,” Albert said cordially to Kathleen. “I find myself very pleased that you arrived in London with your family in time to join us. We have high hopes that our little gathering shall be a success.”
Such innuendo, when he was so obviously referring to their bargain! But since he was giving Vanessa a very long look as he said it, she supposed he was pa
tting himself on the back that she was prettier than he might have expected—pretty enough to get his son to the altar. But she said not one word to him, letting her mother handle the social niceties and introductions.
And Margaret Rathban leaned close to whisper to Vanessa, “You’ll do fine, m’dear. Fine indeed.”
So the wife knew about the bargain, too? Yes, of course she would. Daniel was her only son, too, who wouldn’t do his duty to perpetuate the family line.
Then she heard her mother greet one of the younger men, “How do you do, Daniel?”
The young man looked behind him, while Albert gave Kathleen an odd look before saying, “That’s my nephew Edward and his brother Charles, John’s children.” Then he added pointedly, “My brother Henry wasn’t blessed with children.”
Kathleen started to blush over her mistake, or more likely at Albert’s mention of the brother who had died in a duel because of her.
But Albert’s wife was quick to add, “Daniel isn’t here yet, but he will be soon.”
It was a rather tense moment for the four of them, or so Vanessa thought. And she was disappointed that neither of the two dullards was Daniel. They were nothing to look at, but she was sure she could have had them eating out of her hand. But Kathleen recovered enough to say, “We will all look forward to meeting him.”
Vanessa would have preferred to head for the exit, but of course she couldn’t. And as soon as the Blackburn women left the line, other guests converged on them. Kathleen was warmly greeted by old friends, and gentlemen surrounded the girls, requesting the first dance, even though the music hadn’t begun yet. The twins happily made their choices while Vanessa declined. She needed to keep herself available to meet the Rathban heir as soon as he arrived.
But after the first dance began, she got her mother’s attention long enough to ask, “Is the son here?”
“I would say, not yet, or he would have joined his parents to greet guests that are still arriving. I imagine he’s making sure to avoid that very thing and waiting for the greeting duty to be over. But I don’t doubt Lord Albert will bring him by to meet you once he does make an appearance. Feel free to dance in the meantime. The boy may be tardy deliberately.”
Vanessa hoped not. She would prefer to get the meeting over with, then have a good cry if it didn’t go well, or enjoy herself if it did. And then the music started again. The twins’ second choices were back almost instantly to lead them to the large dance floor. She caught sight of a half dozen young men heading her way again to request a dance.
But a hand suddenly slipped over hers and tugged her toward the middle of the room, and while she could see only the back of him as he wove them through the crowd, she could think of only one person who would do that without asking first. He even stole her breath for a moment as soon as he began the waltz, giving her a frontal view of him. She’d never seen Monty done up this formally, with his cravat tied perfectly, his black jacket with tails, and his auburn hair tightly queued.
He appeared to be a little amazed himself, blurting out, “Good God, Nessi, you’re beautiful tonight—not that you aren’t always, but tonight you take my breath. I wish you didn’t. Bloody hell, did you have to primp so much?”
She burst out laughing at the complaint. “No more than you did. I suppose you feel our friendship allows you to get a dance without asking for it?” she teased.
“Of course it does, since I’m the one who taught you how to waltz.” But he amended with a grin that belied the words, “I saw you shake your head at nine others and couldn’t bear the thought of a similar refusal.”
“Did you get here before we did?”
“I’ve been lurking in the shadows.”
She grinned. “You snuck in uninvited?”
“Not exactly, but now it’s my turn to ask a question. Why do your sisters continue to think you were in the West Indies? You’ve had time to tell them where you really were these last years.”
She frowned. “When did that subject come up again?”
“Today during the park ride. And don’t think you can’t satisfy my curiosity this time.”
“Actually, I must think that because I can’t. It’s not my secret to divulge.”
“Whose then? Your father’s?” And then he laughed. “Has he been hiding from his wife? She might be a dragon, but really, six years’ absence likely won’t make the heart grow fonder.”
“Wrong and wrong, so do stop guessing,” she said tersely, then suddenly had a good reason to change the subject. “Oh, my, was that Charley who just waltzed by? His new dark hair color certainly helps him blend in.”
Monty raised a skeptical brow. “In that gold brocade jacket?” But he wasn’t letting the previous subject go, remarking, “George mentioned my hostess’s husband was in the West Indies. Two to one in favor of the Caribbean, as it were, or does everyone think he’s been in the West Indies all these years?”
“My mother knows he’s not there. They just agreed to tell people that’s where he went. But she doesn’t know where he really is, and he doesn’t want her to know.”
“And you don’t trust me enough to explain, when I am your favorite confidant? Dashed if I’m not wounded.”
“You don’t look wounded.”
“Would it change your mind if I did?”
“No.”
“Didn’t think so.”
After a few more twirls, her annoyance with him faded and her nervousness returned. “Is he here?”
He guessed whom she meant. “The lucky cur? No, I haven’t seen him yet.”
“Perhaps he won’t show up?”
“Was that a hopeful note I just heard? Alas, I must disappoint you. I believe he lives in this residence permanently, while his parents spend most of the year in the country.”
And then the cur was there, at least, she guessed as much when she saw a tall, formally dressed man kiss Lady Rathban’s cheek and the lady hooked her arm through his and started leading him around for introductions.
“I think you need to return me to my mother’s side,” she said in a nervous tone.
“Yes, I can see that,” he fairly growled, confirming her guess that Daniel had arrived.
He did return her to Kathleen, who stood with two other ladies, and he immediately slipped away, but not far. And after Kathleen introduced Vanessa to her friends, she pulled her aside. “Are you ready?”
“You know the heir is here?”
“Yes, Lord Albert just caught my eye and nodded toward his son. Smart of him to let his wife do the introductions. Apparently the boy goes out of his way to do exactly the opposite of what his father wants him to do—sound familiar?”
“Not now, Mother,” Vanessa hissed in response to the slipped-in scold. “And if you spotted him, you know bloody well he’s no boy, so stop calling him that. You lied to me.”
“Don’t be obtuse, you must know it was an honest mistake. I was sure the boy with Albert that day at the races was his son. Without actually speaking to them, I couldn’t know Albert was there with his nephew. But at least the real Daniel is handsome.”
Too handsome. Vanessa wouldn’t be wrapping this man around her little finger. And she had agreed to the match because she thought she could!
“He’s too old,” Vanessa said, wishing she didn’t sound apprehensive.
“Don’t be absurd. He doesn’t look a day over thirty. And you have nothing to be nervous about, darling. You’re bound to win him instantly.”
Vanessa had no such confidence, but too much was riding on Kathleen’s being right. And then the two Rathbans were there before her, giving her a close-up view of the man she was engaged to, although he didn’t know it yet.
He had drooping eyelids as if he’d just awoken from slumber that gave him an aura of sensuality. He was older than she would have liked, no longer a young buck exactly, and older than most of the other gentlemen who frequented debutante balls, but he certainly wasn’t too old to join the marriage mart. Because of his family
’s wealth and titles, and his looks, he would actually be considered a prime catch. But he was also imposing, a big handsome bear of a man, with black hair in the short, wind-blown fashion, and light brown eyes that were almost amber.
His drooping eyelids suddenly made her think of snake eyes, and she choked back a nervous giggle as they were introduced to each other by his mother. But he looked so bored as Lady Margaret said all the right things and he said not a word! He couldn’t be bothered to be the least bit cordial. In fact, with a rude flick of his hand he walked away after the introductions, apparently concluding that he’d met enough guests for the night. He left his mother red-cheeked and uttering apologies. Vanessa, despite her hopes that she’d find her fiancé tolerable, couldn’t deny to herself that what she felt at that moment was relief. She was still going to have to do something to win him, but apparently, not tonight.
Chapter Thirty-one
“I SEE THAT WENT WELL.”
Monty said it so drolly Vanessa rolled her eyes. They were dancing again, and again, Monty had stolen her away right before a number of hopefuls converged on her.
“It appears he’s not interested a’tall,” she remarked candidly, then sighed.
“You’re disappointed?”
“Not yet, though I don’t doubt I will be.”
“Why?”
“Because the match still needs to happen.”
“The devil it does, and besides, now you know he’s too bloody old for you.”
Monty’s sudden outrage made her want to smile, but she didn’t. He seemed jealous.
“Are you incensed on my behalf because he snubbed me? Yes, I do realize that’s what he did.”
“No, I’m incensed that you would still consider him as a marital prospect after he snubbed you. I assumed you would come to your senses once you met him.”
“I believe I mentioned that I want this match for more than the usual reasons?”
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