A Graceful Swan for the Fearless Marquess: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance

by Fanny Finch

  Good thing that Miss Humphrey, their governess had agreed to serve as chaperone tonight. Not that she was doing much of a work where Nora was concerned.

  As if confirming her thoughts, Nora squealed again, all giddy.

  “There they are. They come already, Lilly. See for yourself, I was right. Oh, the ladies are already beginning to stare. We shall be the talk of the town by the morrow, I tell you. I shall wait until the introductions are over, then I shall be gone on my way. I bet you, if I can charm him, he shall come after me.”

  Sometimes, Liliana wondered how two people could have spent every living moment together for so many years, yet, could not be more different from the other.

  “You’re not supposed to wander off, Nora.”

  “Who cares? It’s a masquerade ball. I can do and be whatever strikes my fancy. This manor is a beautiful one. Perhaps, you shall explore with me, little sister?”

  For most of it, Liliana knew Nora said many things in a bid to jest. Still, she was aware of the many mischievous her sister had in her.

  “We are to be in our best behavior, remember? This isn’t home, sister. You must behave as any proper lady would. It is the least you can do for father, considering all of the ridiculous amounts he has put into our education.”

  The mention of their step-father was all Nora needed to become sober- for the moment.

  It was a good time, for her father arrived with the marquess then and of course, his mother flanked by his side.

  “Your Grace, my Lord, you must remember my daughters. Liliana and Nora Swan. They are all grown now, so I understand the confusion. They were only girls the last time you set eyes upon them.”

  “That was at your wedding to their mother, was it not? Oh no… I do believe I met them at the funeral too.” It was the duchess, with a cheery smile on her face which quickly downturned at her mention of the funeral.

  Liliana understood. It could not have gotten easy yet. Not quite.

  The girls sunk into deep curtsies, acquiescing to the authority the duchess commanded effortlessly.

  “Nice to meet you, my lady,” they chorused as they rose to their feet.

  “The pleasure is utterly mine, dears. That, I assure you of. I still am sorry about your mother. I know now that the pain never goes away. Nevertheless, I hope the years have been kind to you and my cousin?”

  “Certainly, your grace. Father has been only ever gracious. As for the pain, it grows daily. You must accept our condolences too, your Grace. It is a terrible thing, the loss you have suffered.” Said Nora.

  Liliana was utterly impressed by her sister. Ah… why was she astonished? Nora had a talent for the theatre. When it came to theatrics, she did so effortlessly well.

  “Of course. It is with joy in my heart that I welcome you. I am happy you were able to make it here. Your father tells me you are to enter society this season?”

  “Yes, your grace,” that was Liliana.

  “An excellent decision. You are two beautiful ladies well in your prime. I am confident that you two shall have no trouble finding suitable suitors. Your hearts are as lovely to know, as your faces are beautiful to behold.”

  Their response was the crimson stain upon their cheeks. Liliana decided at that moment, that she liked the duchess. She dared to look her in the eye then and their gazes met and held.

  A silent communication passed. It was an unexpected thing but it happened anyway. The duchess nodded solemnly and Liliana knew that she understood.

  She had seen the depth of Liliana’s best wishes, she knew that Liliana truly understood her pain, and she had welcomed her well-meaning thoughts.

  The knowledge of that felt completely satisfying for Liliana.

  There was a cough then, and that was when they all turned to behold the marquess. He had been all but forgotten. Quick as ever, Lord Rothwell rose to save the day.

  “Lord Longcross, you must become acquainted with my daughters once again. Lady Liliana, and Lady Nora.”

  Lord Rothwell introduced them without indicating who was who.

  Lord Longcross took the hands they held out to him one by one and dipped in a flawless bow to kiss them each.

  “Nice to meet you, my ladies.”

  “My Lord, the honor is ours,” they chorused, dipping into curtsies, themselves.

  When Liliana felt his cool lips against her gloved hands, her whole body warmed.

  She withdrew her hand the moment she could and as he rose, their eyes met…

  Her throat suddenly felt clogged and she followed his gaze until he righted on his feet. Her chin had to go up for he was almost a foot taller than she was, howbeit, she minded naught.

  Goodness, but he was such a handsome man! He had hair like the darkness of midnight. Today, he wore black formal attire, the only items of color being the white shirt and white cravat which complimented his other choice.

  He had grown broad and sturdy, yet graceful. It was a thing to wonder about. What had he been up to in the years he was away?

  After her appraisal, she gazed upon his face again. It felt somewhat discomforting, unable to see the man behind the mask. All that was left visible to her were his eyes… they were almost violet, just like his mother’s.

  They were so lovely to look upon.

  Liliana wondered if she would recognize him if she ever met him again- if he would recognize her. They were blind to each other, as it was.

  Why did it matter, anyway? Why was she so intrigued by his person?

  Well, she reckoned it was because she could not forget that small moment of kindness they had shared at her mother’s wedding, but it had been so long ago.

  For the life of her, she knew naught of the marquess, beyond what everyone else knew. Perhaps, others were just as intrigued as her. He was a mystery and all the many books Liliana occupied herself with when she was not sewing, had grown her a penchant for mystery.

  “Something tickles your mind, my lady? I am happy to answer whatever questions it is that you may have. Pray, ask away.”

  Liliana felt her cheeks grow hot and she knew that she had been flushed with crimson tides. The urge to palm them overwhelmed her but she resisted.

  Ah… she had been caught staring too much.

  “Oh, my Lord… it is nothing of importance, I assure you. It is only, I imagine that you must have seen so many things in the outside world. The knowledge that you hold puts me in marvel, is all.”

  He smiled… she couldn’t see the smile but she felt it all the same, and she instantly felt better.

  “Perhaps, if you still have a dance to spare, I could apprise you with some of that knowledge as we waltz, my lady.”

  Had he just asked her to dance?

  Liliana’s eyes widened as she turned to look at her step-father and her sister.

  They nodded eagerly, their happiness evident.

  She returned to Lord Longcross and stole one look at the duchess. The duchess herself looked pleased.

  Liliana felt warmth once again. This time, it reached her heart.

  Blushing now, she lowered her head, remembering all the lessons Miss Humphrey had given to them. Not that she had to try hide, it seemed to come naturally.

  “Well, I do believe my dance card is free for the very last dance…”

  “Then if you would grant me the honor, I shall return to take your hand.”

  The honor would be hers, for he was the marquess and future duke of Widmore. Liliana said nothing of it though, she simply dipped into another shallow curtsy and murmured,

  “It would be my pleasure, my Lord.”

  “Very well, then. I do hope you enjoy the affair until then. Uncle James? I have been meaning to have a word with you. Shall we?” it was directed at Lord Rothwell who nodded eagerly.

  Afterward, Lord Longcross turned to them once more. “Ladies, if you would excuse me, I beg my leave.”

  They nodded, and with a bow, he walked away with their step-father, his mother following.

  “I d
o believe, dear sister, that the Marquess has taken an interest in you. I would wager ten pounds that he is at this very moment, trying to get Father to confess which twin you are and request rights of courtship.”

  “Oh, Nora! Stop the nonsense! It is nothing of sorts. As you well know, Father had business ties with the Leightons. Beyond that, they are family indeed.”

  “Ah, yes, yes. Be that as it may, I do maintain my stand that that private meeting is regarding you. You shall see. It is only a matter of time before father returns, and he shall affirm it with his own lips.”

  Nora was teasing her, she knew. Yet, Liliana found herself liking the thought that his lordship had called her step-father away to discuss her. Nevertheless, it could not be true, could it?

  They were barely acquainted with one another. He could not have picked an interest so soon. It was rather impossible.

  “Oh, it’s the fourth dance, dear sister. I see Lord Wembley making his way to you now. Oh, and there is Lord Ramsey. It is just as well. We shall enjoy this dance and afterward, you shall waltz into midnight with your fine gentleman.”

  Liliana shook her head at her sister, a giggle escaping her lips beside herself.

  Before she would turn to look at the men Nora had mentioned, they were standing in front of them. Taking their hands, they let the gentlemen lead them to the dance floor.

  Liliana remained amiable through it all, but the marquess never left her mind.

  Chapter 5

  “Thank you very much, uncle. You have been so helpful. I believe that when we both finally arrive in London, we can begin to work together once again, even better.”

  “Certainly. Most certainly. It has been a pleasure meeting you, Longcross. It’s good to have you back home once again, despite the circumstances. Hanson might have gone so soon, but I am certain he would rest easy, knowing he left you behind.”

  Sebastian nodded, grateful for Lord Rothwell’s words of condolence. He had pulled the man aside because he had missed him greatly, and also because he had needed to ask some questions regarding what Hanson had been up to before his death.

  Hanson had worked closely with Lord Rothwell as the Rothwells and Leightons had been business partners for decades. If anyone could give Sebastian an inkling regarding where to start his investigations from, it was Lord Rothwell.

  Thankfully, his uncle had suspected nothing and had been forthcoming with his responses. Sebastian had only gotten little important information, but he was certain that with time, he would get more.

  Not even Lord Rothwell could know what he was doing. The fewer people who knew, the better for them all. Secrets had a way of getting out when more than two ears had heard them.

  Beyond that, Lord Rothwell had nursed great fondness for Hanson. His passion to avenge his death might be spurred and he might not be as helpful as one would imagine.

  Nonetheless, Sebastian admired the man and respected him greatly. After his father, and Hanson, Lord Rothwell was the man who came next. Sebastian looked up to him as a mentor.

  He was certain that if push came to shove and he needed someone he could count on, Lord Rothwell could be that person.

  “Thank you, uncle. That truly means a lot.”

  With a nod and a squeeze on the shoulder, Lord Rothwell turned to leave. Sebastian watched him disappear into the crowd. Just as he did, his mother found him.

  “The last dance shall begin soon.”

  Sebastian’s lips perked up at the sides. “As I am well aware, mother.”

  “She shall be the first lady you will dance with tonight. Why? Have you found interest in her?’

  Sebastian had known his mother would hound him concerning this. In truth, he did not have an answer to this question. His dance request had been made out of impulse, and he had no time to think it through.

  Now that he thought of it, he supposed it was because something about the lady had intrigued him.

  He had met the twins once… at the wedding. They had been lovely and he had immediately assumed he would take them as his little sisters.

  There had been one who had been especially lovely. Liliana, was it? He wondered if it was her he had asked to dance.

  The lady in the midnight blue dress with the stars had been looking at him as though she saw beyond what everyone else did. It had both flattered and unnerved him, and it had begged a question in his mind concerning her person.

  The dance was going to be as much for him to learn more of her, as it would be for her to pick his memories concerning all the experiences he had had in his years away from English soil.

  “Yes, mother… but not in the way you are thinking. She seemed interesting, is all. I do admit, I am intrigued by her person. Perhaps, there is something there. Perhaps, there is not?”

  “I hope there is… I have only met them twice until now, but the girls have always left a good impression on me. They are lovely indeed, I tell you. Not to mention, they are oh so strong. It feels like my world would never be the same since Hanson left. Yet, they have lost both parents and they still manage to smile… and what beautiful smiles they have.”

  Sebastian rolled his eyes. He knew where his mother was going with this.

  “They were wearing masks, mother… full masks.”

  “Yes, yes, but they have always been fair and I can only reckon that the years have been good to them. You will dance with her, my dear. I am quite positive that you shall come to nurse fondness for her as well.”

  “Mother, I have only met the lady this night. I still do not know which twin is which.”

  “Pshaw! There shall be plenty of that by the time the season comes around. They are to be debutantes, you know? Do you know how these gentlemen pursue debutantes? Now that you shall establish camaraderie with her, it shall be easy to court her by the time we arrive in London!”

  “Mother… thou doth move too quickly.”

  “Nonsense! Thou doth protest much!”

  His mother turned to look at the crowd and back at him… they were at a quiet corner in the ballroom, a distance from the noise and crowd.

  She heaved a sigh, her eyes turning soft.

  “Oh son, I know all of these cannot be easy on you. A little too much? Yes, I think so too. Nevertheless, it cannot be helped. Hanson never got around to taking a wife. He died without a woman to become his widow… which I suppose, is just as well. I cannot imagine her grief if he had taken a wife. Still, no wife meant no child, which means no heir. You are all we have left now, Sebastian. You must do this. It is part of your duty. You are required to take a wife and have an heir as soon as you can.”

  “I understand, mother… in the chance that anything happens to me, the line must continue.”

  “Precisely. Nonetheless, God forbid that anything happens to you. It is merely to fulfill righteousness, is all. Think nothing of it.”

  “I hear you, mother.”

  “Very well then. So, you shall do as I say and take a wife?”

  “The way I see it, I do not have a say in the matter.”

  “Of course, you do. You get to choose your bride! That, we promise you. Your father and I have decided not to interfere in the mater.”

  He cocked his brow, his eyes widening slightly. His mother flushed instantly.

  “Err… my meaning is that the choice shall be ultimately yours. Whoever you choose would be loved and welcomed into the family like our own. We are confident in your decision, my love.”

  Knowing that his parents would not try to arrange a marriage was a welcome relief.

  “Thank you, mother…”

  Just then, the crowd started to shift and they knew it was time for the last dance.

  No words were said anymore between mother and son. They simply exchanged a knowing look, after which they parted ways.

  He, to look for his midnight lady, in the silver mask, and his mother, to her husband’s side.

  He found her easily enough. She was where he had left her, seemingly in an interesting conversati
on with the lady he reckoned was their chaperone.

  She sighted him from the side of her eyes before he arrived, and quickly ended the discussion.

  “My lady, I do hope I am not interrupting anything of importance.”

  She was up on her feet in an instant.

  “No, of course not. Miss Humphrey and I were simply discussing how lovely of a ball this is. The duchess truly outdid herself. It is quite simple, yet utterly exquisite. That brings to remembrance, I never quite got the chance to wish you a happy birthday. My felicitations, my lord.”