Rachel wanted to tell him no, but knew that if she did, there would be no way she could later say yes when Reuben asked— if he asked. She sighed and put on her best face, before accepting Stephen’s hand.
He took her into the ballroom that was adjacent to the sitting room, and quickly joined the others who’d already lined up for the dance.
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14
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
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“If it’s a question of whether or not a man has a right to some sort of recognition for his achievements at war, then I say yes,” Lord Dabney began. “But truly, there is more to being a lord than military pursuits.” He was a thin older gentleman with a slightly curved back that diminished his height, but like Napoleon, height didn’t seem to hold any power in the room. “A boy, an heir, is groomed for taking the title as a child. A grown man will never have the time to learn everything he needs to know.”
The men— lords— who stood behind him, agreed with either hums or the nodding of their heads.
Mr. Palmer came to Reuben’s defense. “I disagree, for the original lords of Great Britain were, in fact, warriors, and were it not for the man who pledged his allegiance to the Crown over a hundred years ago, you’d be no one, good Lord Dabney.” Palmer was older as well, but bigger in stature and size, and he used that to his advantage.
A cheer rose from the common folk, bankers and miners, including their wives and the women they’d brought with them. Ladies had dared to enter the parlor. It was another sign of the divide between the bluebloods and the rest of the world.
Reuben stood and watched the debate, but more so the eyes of the men around him. Most of their expressions were readable— either looking on with agreement or disagreement— while others were a complete mystery.
Karl was grinning, but his eyes were on Reuben. When he’d offered to introduce Reuben to the other gentlemen at the party, Reuben had known what to expect, yet he had no intentions of wasting the night in here. Already, half an hour had passed since he’d left Rachel’s side, and he needed to get back to her. It was a matter of safety, because Karl and his party held a certain unexpected element that he wanted to safeguard Rachel from. At least, that’s what he told himself repeatedly.
When another round of cheering came, Reuben used the opportunity to move things along. “At times like these, I can’t help but think of the Duke of Wellington.”
“Yes.” Palmer readily agreed. “Now there is a lord who has more than earned his title. He led the military into war and came victorious.”
Reuben crossed his arms and cut in again. “Indeed, he defended Crown and country, but now, most lords fight in Parliament. It’s civil war with words. The Tories are for the Crown while the Whigs are for the country. I wonder what would happen if the men of Parliament were given swords.” He turned to Lord Dabney. “You are a Whig, are you not?” The Whigs were against absolute power of the monarchy. “Who would say would fight on your side?”
Lord Dabney’s eyes widened. “Fight, my lord? This sounds like treason.”
“Or you simply believe your side will lose,” Palmer shot back, obviously identifying himself as a Tory.
His crowd laughed.
Karl jumped in, his eyes glowing. “I like the direction this has taken, Lord Eastridge.” Then he turned to Lord Dabney. “Choose your side, sir. Do you think Lord Avon is up to a duel or two?” Karl’s stance became that of a fighter ready to parley. He crouched and lunged his imaginary sword in Palmer’s direction.
There was laughter from both sides. The simple image of the Duke of Avon with a sword, made Reuben’s lips twitch, as well. He saw why people came to Karl’s parties. He had a way of starting fires and then putting them out, over and over again. It was a dangerous game that he’d mastered.
Which Reuben had bet on, when he’d first made his comment that could have very well alluded to treason.
Whoever wanted to assassinate the king was likely a Whig, one who wanted the people to have more power.
Dabney began to list who would be on his side, while Palmer did the same. The names of lords, and even their wives, were mentioned. There were gasps and more laughter when Lady Charles became Joan of Arc. On the face, the conversation was silly, but Reuben took note of everything that was shared, and watched the reactions of the gentlemen.
Then something caught his eyes. Red hair. He looked up and watched Rachel pass the doorway on someone’s arm and glared, when he realized to whom that arm belonged… and just how much he wanted to break it.
Lord Castell.
“Excuse me,” he said to no one in particular, as he slipped from the room. He opened his mouth to call her, but was cut off by another man.
“Lord Eastridge.”
He turned to face Lord Stephen Dew, and was surprised the man had approached him at all. Still, being a duke’s son— even if he was a third son— forced Reuben to incline his head. “Lord Stephen.”
Stephen had one arm vertical, holding his head, while the other lay across his belly holding up the former. He was clearly in thought, as he took a considering look at him.
Reuben thought to turn and leave. His time was being wasted.
Then Stephen spoke. “Odd, that you’re the first man to escort Rachel to a party, in years. Tell me, what occurred for that to be the case?”
Reuben lifted a brow. “Are you implying something, my lord? Attempting to disgrace Lady Rachel?”
His eyes widened, and his arms dropped. “Oh, never. I simply find it strange that you would be the one she turns to, when real lords have tried and failed to gain her hand for years.”
“I am a real lord.” He said the words, even though he didn’t believe them.
Stephen smiled, as if knowing his disbelief. “Of course, though between you and I...” He lowered his voice and moved closer. “I think you’d have better luck with a bride from your own distinction. You have no idea what it takes to court and marry a true lady.” He sighed with exaggeration. “Trust me, I know. Lady Rachel has managed to cultivate a graceful and classic reputation for herself, but attaching herself to someone like you could ruin all she’s gained.” He gave Reuben a look that made it clear he expected Reuben to understand. “It’s best you not go there, my friend.” And then he tapped his shoulder, as though they were friends.
Reuben didn’t feel his face change, but he watched Stephen’s face pale before he stepped away. Then the man straightened his suit. “Just some friendly advice. She’s too good for you.”
He already knew that. He’d told himself that very thing, over and over again. He didn’t need to hear it from Lord Stephen.
Though, maybe he did.
“Where I come from, a man knows to keep to his own business.”
Stephen took another hasty step back, but stopped abruptly, as if realizing what he’d done. Then he straightened his stance. “In this Society, a gentleman protects a lady, even if it means to protect them from one’s self.”
The words hit Reuben right in the gut, and he turned away before Stephen could see. “Good evening, my lord.” He didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he rushed down the hall, telling himself he was running toward something, and not away from it.
He found Rachel and the Earl of Castell standing in the middle of a group of other ladies and lords. They were all laughing at something one of the other lords said, and Reuben had never felt more out of place in his life.
How many times had he told himself he didn’t belong? So why did he keep trying?
As if sensing him, Rachel’s head lifted, and then she turned. There was surprise, as though she’d forgotten he was there, and then her face broke into a smile. Realizing his companion was distracted, Lord Castell looked over as well, and even sported a grin.
“Lord Eastridge.” The man bowed. “I was just about to get the lady a glance of punch.” They were h
eading in the direction of the room that had been set up with food.
“Actually, I was just about the ask the lady if she would dance with me.” Reuben walked over to her, and he took note of the way her eyes widened anxiously.
A serenity he could only find with her, settled over him.
“I would be delighted.” She slipped from Castell’s hold without a backward glance.
And with that, he took her hand and led her away from the prince.
“Did you have fun with Karl? Isn’t he a wonderful host?” she asked, as they turned a corner.
“Wonderful.” He looked down at her, as he guided her to the ballroom upstairs. “Are you expecting me to be anything like him at my own affair?”
“Certainly not.” Her smile was vibrant, and her cheeks pinked. Was it just him, or was there an added glow to her? “I’ve already told you that the only man I wish for you to be is yourself.” She sighed lightly.
He felt the urge to tell her that being himself wouldn’t be good enough. Not for her. Not for society. His thoughts were in turmoil, yet Rachel stared up at him, as though everything were in its right place, nothing amiss.
He settled her into the position for a waltz before asking, “What has happened?”
Rachel blinked, and the music started. “What?” She nearly tripped over the word even as her feet moved deftly with his own.
“You seem flushed.” He narrowed his eyes. “Did Lord Castell—”
She gasped. “Reuben.”
His name was a hiss, but he didn’t care, for it was the first time she’d said his name since being reunited. “Why do you look so happy?”
Her lips curled up and her cheeks reddened further. “Is there something wrong with being happy? I can tell you’ve kept up with your dance lessons. You’re marvelous. At least this is one area that no one would dare criticize you for.”
He was glad for her words. They’d danced together in their youth. She’d needed a partner for her lessons, and the dance instructor had thought Reuben the right height to partner her. He had to admit, the man had been right. They moved in easy harmony together, without much effort or concentration on either side, as though they’d been dancing all their lives, as though six years had not passed without them standing together this way.
Her smile grew, and while it eased him, it also made him suspicious.
“Why are you smiling?” he asked.
She tilted her head. “What’s wrong with smiling?”
He pulled her slightly closer when they passed close to another couple, and whispered, “What have you been doing since I left you in the foyer?”
She turned away and hummed. “Well, let’s see. I spoke to Susanna. Then I danced with Lord Stephen. He escorted me to Aunt Esther, who was still speaking to Lady Charles. Then Lord Castell came over. We all had a pleasant conversation, Aunt Esther included, since no one grows offended with shouting at a party such as this. Then Castell offered to escort me to the dining room. And now I’m here. With you.”
With you.
“And you’re smiling,” he told her. “Why?”
She rubbed his shoulder, warming and distracting him, as she adjusted her hand. “I just told you. I’m here with you and because... you asked me to dance.”
His pulse quickened, but thankfully, his feet stayed steady with the tune.
* * *
15
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
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“Did you think I’d not ask you?” Reuben asked her after they’d remained quiet for what felt like an hour to Rachel, even though she knew that not more than a few seconds had passed.
“I didn’t know what to expect.” And even now, with two glasses of champagne in her, her thoughts were muddled, as the past tried to take over her mind. In an instant, Rachel returned to the fifteen-year-old young woman she’d been, and recalled the man of twenty-five who’d held her this way, as they’d learned to dance with one another.
His eyes were the same, as was his hair, but his face had matured, and yet Rachel was sure that just as before, he was the most handsome man in the room. She’d always thought him handsome and strong. Dancing with him reminded her of those afternoons in her family sitting room. The palm that was pressed in her lower back, the hand that held hers, the smile that Reuben gave her, when she teased him thus.
He wasn’t smiling now, but she’d not teased him yet. She decided she should, then.
“I decided that if you called me ‘Little Rachel’ again, I would have to punish you by stepping on your toes.”
His eyes warmed to a forest color. “Punish me?”
She nodded. “It would be well deserved.”
His eyes warmed. “I prefer it when you call me Reuben.”
The way he’d turned the conversation around surprised her. “But you’re a lord, now.”
He looked away, missing a cue with the music. “I don’t feel like a lord.”
“How should a lord feel?” she asked, truly wishing to know.
He looked at her again. “Powerful.”
“You are powerful,” she told him.
Reuben didn’t feel powerful at all. Not when he was with her. With Rachel, he felt weak in so many ways. A part of him knew he didn’t belong, yet another part of him wasn’t strong enough to resist trying. She left him unbalanced and confused.
And very much humbled, whenever she looked at him as she did now. As though he could take on the world with his bare hands. She made him feel like a duke, no, a king. He didn’t deserve that look from her. Dancing with him should not have made her happy. In fact, she should have been angered that he’d had the audacity to pull her away from a more suitable suitor. Lord Castell was a prince! What woman wouldn’t want him?
He told himself he’d have left her alone, if he was sure Frederick wasn’t connected to the assassin, but he knew that to be a lie. Just as he knew his need to protect her had little to do with who she’d been to him in the past, and everything to do with what his heart was starting to want from her, now.
The song couldn’t have ended quicker, and before the final note could finish ringing, he led her in the direction of Lady Esther.
“I’m thirsty,” she said, when they were halfway there. “Could we go to the refreshment room? You did stop me from going there earlier.”
It was her last words that made him turn in that direction. They left the ballroom, and started down the hall. The noise from the parlor had died down, yet he could still hear the merriment.
“Did you find Karl’s friends to your liking?” She peeked into the parlor, as they passed it.
“Who exactly are Karl’s friends?” As far as Reuben could tell, the man seemed to enjoy being unidentified by person or expectations.
“A good question, that even I have yet to answer,” Rachel said, as they turned yet another corner.
The hallway was just as warm as the rest of the house, with a mixture of fragrances that came from the refreshment room, the flowers that stood in the alcoves, and heady scents of tobacco. It was all pleasant and chaotic, and with the dim lighting it confused his senses, putting him on edge.
Something felt wrong.
“Was he kind to you?” she asked.
“Did you think he wouldn’t be?” he asked.
She turned to him, her hazel gaze luminous. And the flower scent was coming from her. Her scent wrapped around his mind, cultivating dark thoughts that he shouldn’t have.
She licked her lips and left a glistening on the lower ripe one. “You ask so many questions, Reuben. Perhaps, I should punish you for that as well.” Her voice was a low purr that he could barely hear.
He leaned toward her. “And how would you go about do that?”
Rachel wasn’t sure if it was the dim lights, or the potent mixture in the air that caused her actions to become reckless, or if, in fact, it was simply the man before he
r, but in the next second, she was pulling Reuben into the alcove. Her trembling fingers went around his neck and her lips parted.
She wanted to stay something. Was sure she meant to.
But Reuben didn’t give her a chance.
He moved further into the alcove before he seized her mouth, and she realized that it wasn’t the air, or the lighting. It was Reuben. She was sure of it, just as she was sure he was mastering her mouth and conquering her senses. The kiss was hasty and daring, as though both realized they didn’t have forever, yet needed to draw as much from the other as they could, before they were forced to return to reality once more.
It had been so long since a man had kissed her, and the ones she’d shared with Stacy had never been like this. Reuben was enticing, his flavor made rich with wine. It was heavenly being held, and touched his way. His mouth was soft, yet hard in its pursuit of her lips and tongue. He stroked his lips over hers, and a pleasant feeling began to flutter in her blood.
Then he slowed, like a hunter with its prey well caught, his perusal of her mouth became a caress that she was quick to follow. He was older, wiser, and very skilled, and like an apt student, she learned quickly, gaining a moan from her instructor’s lips.
He pulled his mouth away slowly, gently, his fingers trailed her cheek.
She opened her eyes to find him watching her, but stilled when she noticed the anger on his face. Had she done something wrong?
He pulled out of her arms. “Forgive me.” His gaze fell to the ground, and his face colored, as though he was a chided young boy. “This was wrong of me. I shouldn’t have—”
“No.” She reached out to him.
But he backed away and glared. “You should stay away from me, Rachel.” His voice was low, yet just as commanding. “I’ll arrange for my carriage to see you and your aunt safely home, but I must go.”
Tales of a Viscount Page 11