by Tia Siren
Jenny laughed and pulled Marie into another hug. “You are a sweet, sweet sister, Marie. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Do you think you will do any dancing tonight at all?”
Marie pressed her lips together and looked down. “I…I’m not sure. Maybe with Cornelius, at least.”
“Well, if you feel like dancing and not playing the piano or singing for everybody, you let me know, and I will find someone for you to dance with.”
“That feels like cheating.” Marie giggled. “I should be waiting for someone to ask me who hasn’t been encouraged to do so.”
“Nonsense!” Jenny laughed. “How will they ever know about you from behind that piano? They probably all think you came with it! You have to meet them somehow and what better way than through a recommendation from me? I know everyone!”
The girls laughed. It was true that Jenny was a social butterfly. But Marie was fairly certain that everyone knew she was betrothed to Jonathan. Everyone except their father.
Chapter Two
When she entered the ballroom, Marie felt instantly out of place. She was familiar with many of the men there. They were standing around and sitting at the tables, drinking and talking to all the women. They seemed comfortable and happy. Most of them did, anyway. They were handsome and rich and knew what they wanted.
She wished she felt that same security.
She made a beeline for the large piano set apart from the orchestra where she would take her place for the evening. Madeline was right that Marie spent her time there and rarely got up. She danced during her first Season and saw no need to this time. Her sister had been wrong, however, when she said that Marie never got attention behind the piano. Several times, men had come over and offered her a drink and asked to be placed on her dance card. She usually declined, stating that she was here to play the piano and not to dance. The rejection was usually taken with an air of nonchalance and the men would just nod and go off to find another victim.
She slid into the piano bench and lifted the cover from the keys. She eyed them lovingly and softly ran one finger over them. She smiled to herself.
“You have a very nice smile, you know.” She heard and looked up abruptly into the eyes of her good friend, Cornelius Argabright. He was smiling from ear to ear.
“Cornelius! How are you this evening?” She lifted one hand, which he took and touched with his lips before releasing it.
“I am good, Marie, thank you. How are you?”
“I am looking forward to playing some beautiful music tonight.”
“Oh? So I assume it’s more of the usual for you, then.”
She caught the compliment and blushed. “Thank you, Cornie.”
“You do play such beautiful music. I suppose you have plenty of room on your card. Care to dance with me once this evening?”
She bit her bottom lip and grinned at him. “I would like that. Are you booked much tonight?”
He laughed. “I have all the ladies after me, Marie. You know that.”
She eyed him. He was rich and handsome and very popular. The masses had expected her to marry him someday but it wasn’t in the cards, and they both knew it. They were good friends but would never be anything more than that. Cornelius was the only man Marie had ever felt comfortable with but her feelings for him had never grown any further.
As for him, he knew he was an eligible bachelor in every sense of the word and therefore, kept his options open. He liked Marie, but she was not the woman he would marry. He was still looking for that woman and was confident his choice would be the right one. In the meantime, he enjoyed spending time with his friend.
“I do.” She finally replied. “So you just let me know when and I will have someone play while I dance.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’ll be back to fetch you for the fifth.”
“All right.” Marie smiled at him. “I’ll see you then.”
Cornelius bowed dramatically and took a few steps backward before turning around and disappearing in the crowd. She watched him as he left. Her eyes were diverted to his left, where Duke Arlington had just stepped into the room. His face was distinguishable because of the long scar that traced the side of his face on the left side from his eye down to his chin, where it was buried under a trim dark brown beard. She had been told the scar came from a fencing duel he had been in when he was a younger man in his early 20’s. She wondered if it was true. She watched him eyeing everyone around him. He was standing with a group of men. They were all talking and laughing while he stood with a solemn face, as usual.
Marie couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. She knew that he was brash and often rude, but she felt like he had a reason for that. He had been rejected by women all his life. How did they expect him to be? It wasn’t just the women who were being cruel. He didn’t promote kindness when he snapped at people and gave them dirty looks.
She began playing, running her fingers over the keys lovingly. She began with the Grand March, the typical opening for each ball. It was a time for anyone who wanted to be seen to dance around the floor, catching the eye of prospective matches. She always enjoyed the Grand March because she was able to look at all of the people without being mixed in with them. She had found the dance-floor to be hot and exhausting last Season. Her area of the ballroom was well-ventilated, having a large set of double glass doors directly behind her piano, doors that were often kept open slightly to let in a gentle breeze.
She moved into a Waltz second and again, kept her eyes on the dance floor, watching her sisters twirling about with their suitors. They all laughed and talked to the men without a problem. Even Madeline had a smile on her usually plastered face.
During a break between songs, the Master of Ceremonies announced a game. During the next song, a fun galloping dance, the partners were obligated to switch after a few spins around the floor, allowing the couples to get to know more of the group on an individual level and only for a few minutes. It looked fun to Marie, but she was still glad she didn’t have to be involved. That kind of movement would surely have made her feel faint.
She didn’t play a great deal during the dance. Her part was simple and allowed her to watch the couples on the floor. She settled her eyes on Duke Arlington because the constant movement would have confused her brain. He was stone-faced most of the time. She noticed that he went through her four sisters one after the other, not paying much attention to any of them. The knowledge of open rejection was obvious on his face. Two of her sisters smiled at him and danced freely, enjoying the movement and the fun. Jenny kept her eyes down as she danced with him but looked shyer than anything else. She responded to the Duke when he spoke to her, making him smile a little. That gave Marie a sense of relief. When they separated, he bowed to her and kissed her hand. He turned then and was confronted with the disdainful face of Madeline.
Once again, Marie found herself feeling sorry for the Duke. She wished she could talk to him and ease his pain. She didn’t believe the scar made him an unattractive man. She felt that it distinguished him from the others and should be worn as a badge of honor. He had obviously been defending his beliefs over something or there would not have been a duel. Even if it was a duel over a woman, surely that still meant that he was a loyal and honorable man who would put himself on the line for a woman he loved?
She didn’t understand why she seemed to be the only one who thought that about him. She noticed that Madeline did not smile when she was dancing with the Duke. In fact, she kept her eyes and face turned away so that she was not looking at him. Marie could tell that the Duke was saying a few words to her, but Madeline did not appear to respond to him.
Duke Arlington spun her in a circle violently, and she almost lost her footing. Marie lowered her head and tried to hide a small grin. It was only what Madeline deserved. She was being rude to the Duke. She could tell when he separated from her that when he bowed low to her, he said a few angry words that made Madeline’s face screw u
p tight. She turned on her heel and stalked away from him into the arms of another man who swept her away to dance.
Marie watched the Duke looking after her retreating sister with a look of rage on his face. He turned away and walked off the dance floor, apparently looking for a drink.
She sighed. She wondered how she could draw the Duke’s attention to her. It was his ballroom they were occupying, which made it even more unsettling that her sister had treated him with such disdain. No one else in the room behaved that way to the Duke.
She spotted Cornelius as he was headed toward her when the music stopped. She stood up from the bench and moved away from it to stand next to the grand piano. She gestured for him to come to her. He stopped on the way and grabbed two glasses of white wine, one of which he handed to her when he got closer.
“How are you getting along, Marie? Enjoying yourself? I do like your playing. You play so well.” They smiled at each other.
“Thank you, Cornie. I do like to play. How have you been this evening? Found your lovely lady yet?”
He narrowed his eyes and grinned slyly. “I think I have my eye on a lady, yes. How about you? See anyone from afar?”
Marie blushed and moved closer to him so that she could speak in a soft voice. “I have. And I need your help.”
“I can’t play the piano for you if that’s what you’re going to ask,” Cornelius replied with a laugh, knowing she would never have asked such a thing. She laughed with him.
“No, no. You know better than that, Cornie. No, I want you to talk to him for me. I want to know if he’s noticed me at all back here. Or if he saw me last Season. I was dancing then.”
“We’ll be dancing together soon. Do you want me to talk to him before then? And who is it we’re talking about anyway?” Cornelius gazed around the room, trying to guess who his young friend could be interested in.
“Duke Phillip,” she whispered.
He leaned closer to her and spoke out the corner of his mouth. “Did you just say Duke Phillip, my dear? Are you interested in becoming an Arlington?”
The thought sent a chill of excitement through Marie that she tried very hard not to show. She assumed her friend noticed anyway because he chuckled deeply.
“Aaah, so it is that way. Well, dear, I will go and have a chat with our host and steer him in your direction. How does that sound?”
“Oh, Cornelius, you are a good friend!” Marie threw her arms around his shoulders, and he leaned over to hug her back.
“It’s not a problem at all.”
“And who is it that you are interested in? Point her out to me right now so I can sing your praises to her.”
Cornelius laughed. He turned and scanned the room and then pointed to a woman in a blue silk and lace ball gown that fit her form beautifully. She had several braids intertwined through her long yellow-blond hair and a slender face with big eyes. “There she is. Lady Jane Caldwell. She is a very nice woman. I look forward to spending the rest of the Season with her, frankly.”
“Oh do you? Well, I will certainly pray that that happens for you.” Marie gave him a big smile.
“And I will talk to the Duke and see what he thinks about visiting the piano for a few minutes.” He scanned her from head to toe. “You do look very pretty tonight, by the way. I love your dress. It compliments your eyes well.”
Marie blushed. “Thank you, Cornie.”
He smiled. “If you can show the Duke that look right there, I know he will fall for you.”
Marie giggled softly and nodded. Cornelius bowed to her and kissed her hand. “I will see you for our dance, my dear.”
Chapter Three
Despite the fact that he was feeling a bit dizzy already, Phillip reached out and grabbed another white wine from the server as he passed. The server stopped to allow him to take the glass and then bowed slightly, moving on through the crowd. Phillip watched him go, feeling a sour anger raging through him. He didn’t know why he ever attended or hosted these dances. They were filled with egomaniacal wenches and shrews. Every one of them.
He felt a pang of regret and guilt. They weren’t all wenches and shrews. But there were enough there to undermine the confidence he spent weeks building up before the Season started. Every Season was the same for him. He wasn’t going to attend many more. He was beginning to tire of the whole thing.
He saw Cornelius heading his way, an intent look in his eyes. He grumbled to himself, wondering what his young friend was going to say. Cornelius generally talked to him about politics and finances, but Phillip had a feeling that wasn’t what this conversation was going to be about. The look his friend had on his face was more joyous, mixed with a bit of sneakiness. He admitted he found himself to be very curious.
He lifted his glass as Cornelius approached and the young man lifted his in return.
“Good evening, Phillip. How is your evening going?”
Phillip shook his head, relieved that his friend was there to talk to. “It’s just another ball. Just another dance to watch all these ladies spinning in circles going nowhere.”
Cornelius shook his hand while at the same time shaking his head. “A sour puss, you are, my friend, but I understand. Are you setting your sights on anyone in the place?” He stood next to Phillip and gazed out at the crowd.
“No. I can’t say that I am.”
“Have you danced with Marie Downing?”
Phillip was quiet for a moment as he scanned the women before his eyes settled on Marie, who was still standing at the piano, now accompanied by Lucinda and Jenny. They were talking about something that was making them laugh.
“The piano player?”
Cornelius was a bit discouraged by Phillip’s plain description of Marie but pressed on. “Yes, that’s her. She doesn’t always play the piano.” He looked at Phillip. “Though I admit that’s where she usually is.”
“I hadn’t thought of her. She doesn’t dance or open herself up to dancing.”
“She would. She just hasn’t been asked by the right man.”
“I doubt very much I am that man,” Phillip said.
“You sell yourself short, my friend. You should ask her for a place on her dance card. It’s very open. So far, she only has one spot slotted. And that’s with me.”
“Why don’t you dance with her then?”
Cornelius laughed. “Oh, I plan to. We are great friends. But I am interested in Lady Caldwell. It concerns me that you are not having a good time. I thought I would suggest a change in your routine.”
“Your concern means a great deal to me.” Phillip looked at his friend with amusement.
“Does it?” Cornelius smiled at him.
“I am thinking about the piano player’s sister. Jenny. I find she is the only one who shows proper respect for me.”
Cornelius’ smile faltered. Marie would be hurt to hear that the Duke was planning to choose her younger sister over her. She felt her prospects were limited. Jenny’s were not. Cornelius suppressed a sigh. “Do you plan to move forward with Jenny?” He asked hesitantly. “I know that Marie would also treat you with respect. You should dance with her, at least once.”
Phillip looked at him closely. “She is a dear friend of yours, and you are encouraging me to dance with her? Don’t you know what a bastard I am?”
Cornelius laughed suddenly. “My friend! You are no such thing. You have many fine qualities.”
Phillip’s mood was lifted, and he felt much more spirited since his friend came over. “You are being polite,” he said.
“I have no need to be polite to you, Phillip. We are already friends, and I’m not a lady for you to court!”
They laughed together.
“I will consider a dance with her,” Phillip said finally.
“That is wonderful. I’m sure she will be delighted.”
“Perhaps you will set it up for me? Find out when she is available?”
“I think it is more whether or not you are available, Phillip. You are the ho
st. Is your schedule already full?”
Phillip pondered it for a moment. “I suppose it is for the night. And your Marie will need to be playing the piano anyway. I do believe she will be singing shortly as well. She does have a beautiful voice.”
“She does.” Cornelius nodded in agreement.
“I will have to dance with her next time. If she comes out from behind the piano.”
“We will just have to make sure she does.”
Phillip watched the three sisters, thinking that they were all very beautiful women. He could, by rights, have his choice. But he wasn’t about to imprison himself to a life of misery by choosing a woman for her looks. He desired respect and love. Not position and outer beauty. Many of the women he danced with were charming. But he could see through the fake behavior to what was underneath. They wanted to be a Duchess. That was clear to see. They didn’t care how he felt about them. And that was if they didn’t turn away in disgust because of the way he looked. He knew his facial scar made him look angry most of the time. But there was nothing he could do about that.
Marie laughed, looked over and caught his eye. They gazed at each other for a moment before both of them moved their eyes away. He wondered what she thought when she looked at him.
Most likely the same thing the rest of them thought. Something unpleasant.
But her eyes had lingered a little longer than the other women who looked at him. And there was something about her smile. It hadn’t slipped when he caught her eye.
He wondered…
A few days later, the door to Marie’s room burst open, and Jenny came running through, sobbing, her hands covering her face. Marie stood up from her place at the desk and ran to her.
“Jenny! What’s happened? What’s wrong?” Marie grabbed her sister and took her to her bed beside the desk, sitting on the edge with her arms still wrapped around her. She began to rock her and smooth her hair back from her forehead.
“Oh, Marie, it’s horrible! It’s horrible!”
“Sshhh. Tell me what’s wrong, my dear?”