Albie was silent. Then he grabbed her hand and tugged her towards him. Christabel barely had time to protest before he was kissing her. She didn’t even put up a fight, sighing into his mouth as his arms went around her. Her hands clutched onto his jacket as her legs threatened to give way.
If she knew this would have been after the proposal, Christabel wouldn’t have turned him down.
Albie lifted his head and gave her a smile. “How about now? Are you still as angry?”
Christabel found herself smiling as she leant into him. “Not as much.” She kissed him this time, a little clumsy but Albie didn’t pull away immediately.
Then he pulled back, kissing her nose and then her forehead. “Can I offer you my proposal again?”
Christabel stared up at him. “You still want to marry me after all this?”
“I think my reputation can hold you up enough.”
Christabel bit her lip. She shouldn’t be this lucky. “And you still love me after all this?”
“I do.” Albie cupped the back of her head and kissed her gently. “But I’m more concerned about you.”
“Me?”
“You haven’t said it to me.”
Christabel smiled. That could be easily rectified. “I love you.”
Albie’s eyes twinkled and he drew her to him again. “That’s better.”
It certainly was.
*** The End ***
Saved From Ruin
Regency Romance
Grace Fletcher
Chapter 1
Her First Season
D iana Price was nervous. She was shaking and was feeling cold despite it being a warm evening. The room was full of people she had never seen before, all conversing or dancing. The atmosphere was bright and gay.
Diana didn’t feel either. She felt as though she was going to faint with the nerves. Beside her, her sister nudged her.
“Will you stop fiddling about with your fan, Diana?” She whispered loudly. “It’ll fall apart on you if you’re not careful.”
It was then that Diana realized that she had been picking at the edges of her fan and it was beginning to fray. She bit her lip and folded her hands around the handle. Her mother had given her the fan earlier that day as a present for entering Society for her first season. She would be upset if she saw that Diana had torn it apart.
“I can’t help it.” Diana swallowed and looked under her eyelashes around the room again. “I’m nervous, Eloise.”
Eloise Price smiled.
“I’m not surprised. It is your first ball.” She squeezed her younger sister’s hand. “You just need to be calm.”
Diana didn’t know how she could be calm right now. They were standing at the edge of the ballroom, their parents having drifted off to talk to friends. Like David and Jennifer Price, Eloise was a sociable person and loved to be in a crowd. Diana was different; she preferred her books and her own company than seeing lots of people every day. It made her uncomfortable and worried that she was going to make a fool of herself.
While she knew it was a necessity for her to have her first season now that she was eighteen, Diana wished she didn’t have to. And now she was standing at the edge of the ballroom, her sister beside her and clearly eager to get involved with the dancing. Diana was sure Eloise had had her card filled before she had even entered Lady Astor’s town house.
“It’s easy for you to say that I need to keep calm.” Diana muttered. “You’ve done this before.”
“I know I have.” Eloise sighed. “And I let my nerves get in the way. This is my third season and there are no marriage prospects for me.”
Diana doubted that. Everyone seemed to love Eloise. At twenty, she lit up the room. Raven-haired, tall and slim, she was beautiful and Eloise knew it. Diana’s hair was auburn, she had freckles and was petite. She did not compare to her older sister.
To know that Eloise didn’t even have any marriage prospects was startling. And Diana didn’t want to be the reason her sister didn’t have a man to marry in her third season.
“Then focus on yourself and not on me.” She urged but Eloise shook her head.
“I’m not leaving you on your first ball. Mother and Father told me to look after you and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Diana rolled her eyes.
“I’m not a little girl anymore.”
Eloise giggled.
“Well, someone seems to have noticed.”
“What?”
Diana looked around and saw two men standing near the terrace window. They were talking amongst themselves but one of them, a tall, black-haired man in a dark blue jacket was staring at her. Diana felt her breath catch in her throat. He was young and very handsome. Even with his hair in a mess he looked very dapper.
A man like him couldn’t be interested in a woman like her. Could he?
Suddenly, Diana was struggling to breathe. She turned away, clutching at her chest.
“I can’t breathe.”
Eloise didn’t chastise her as she normally did. Instead, she put her arms around her sister and guided her to the door into the foyer.
“Calm down, Diana. Go to the powder room and have a few minutes to collect your thoughts. Then we’ll see about getting you acquainted with everyone.” She gave Diana a little push down a hallway. “Go.”
Diana wasn’t about to argue. Anything to get away from the crowds of people. If she could, Diana would sneak away and go home. But her parents would be disappointed in her and Diana loved her parents. She didn’t want to upset them.
She would just have to take a few minutes to compose herself and then go back into the ballroom. Eloise would be waiting for her; she wouldn’t leave her alone. Maybe Eloise could give her some confidence that Diana needed.
What if that handsome man came up to her and spoke to her? Diana didn’t know who was who in Society but she did know he had to be very high-up, judging by the cut of his clothes. Very wealthy.
To have someone as wealthy as him showing an interest in her felt like a very strange dream. Diana read a lot of stories and found herself wishing she could have a handsome hero coming to rescue her. Never did she think it would actually happen.
It took a little longer than a few minutes to calm down but Diana enjoyed the respite. She liked the quiet, sitting there peacefully while other ladies moved in and out of the room. They gave her looks that ranged from confusion to sympathy. Diana ignored them; she was happy where she was.
But all good things had to come to an end and Diana knew she had to head back. Reluctantly, she left the powder room and made her way back to the ballroom. She was reaching an alcove which was blocked off by a curtain when she heard voices. They were barely whispers, but the tone reached across to Diana.
She momentarily slowed, realizing that she might be coming upon a couple in a romantic interlude. Not only would she be embarrassed but the couple might be as well. She didn’t want to bother them but she didn’t want to be complicit in what might be illicit.
Just as she was slowing, a woman came out from behind the curtain. It was dimly lit but Diana saw her clearly. Petite, delicate features but not young with golden blonde hair. She wore a green dress that looked good on her. All in all, a lovely looking woman.
She was putting something into a small purse that she was holding. Diana didn’t see what it was, but the woman snapped her purse closed and walked away. She didn’t seem to notice Diana at all.
Diana realized that someone was watching her from behind the curtain. A chill went up her spine. She didn’t want to be involved in this at all. Whatever was going on, someone had seen her. And she had seen something she shouldn’t.
Her heart hammering in her chest, Diana hurried back to the ballroom. For the first time that evening, she didn’t want to be alone.
***
“Diana?” Someone touched Diana’s hand. “Diana.”
Diana jumped. She looked up and saw her father frowning at her in concern.
�
�Are you all right?”
Then Diana realized she had drifted off in her thoughts while in the presence of her parents. They were in the dining room having their breakfast and Diana was staring at her plate without really seeing what was there. She gave her father a weak smile.
“Sorry, Father. I… I’m not myself this morning.”
David Price frowned.
“What’s wrong? Did you not sleep very well?”
“Of course she didn’t sleep well.” Jennifer tittered, sipping at her tea. “She was still too excited from last night.”
Diana swallowed. She hadn’t slept well because all she could think about was that interlude she had seen the night before. There was something about how she felt she was being watched and how sneaky the woman had been that made Diana feel very uncomfortable. Her intuition told her that she had seen something she shouldn’t.
It had been a little before dawn that Diana had finally been able to sleep. But Diana wasn’t about to tell her parents what had happened. She managed a slightly brighter smile and nodded.
“Yes. Yes, that was it. I was too excited.”
Jennifer winked at her and nibbled at her toast. David looked like he wanted to argue but he decided not to. The man was astute and could smell a lie a mile away. Diana bit her lip and bowed her head, focusing on her breakfast. Her father had to go into Parliament for another session in a short while and her mother and sister would be visiting some friends for late morning tea. Diana planned to sneak back to her room and try to sleep then.
She was nearly finished with her breakfast when Eloise came in. She gave her mother a bright smile across the table and kissed her father’s head.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.” Price raised her eyebrows at his eldest daughter as Eloise went to the breakfast bar. “Do you realize what time it is, Eloise?”
Chapter 2
Lady Astor’s
Necklace
“I ’m sorry but I had trouble sleeping.” Eloise served herself and went to sit in her usual place beside Diana. “There was a lot of excitement at the ball. The place was practically humming with the gossip by the time I left.”
Jennifer looked confused.
“Really? I didn’t notice anything different.”
“That’s because you and Father were having a discussion about your morning session in Parliament with Mr. and Mrs. Layton. When you’re discussing politics, you don’t hear anything else.” Eloise accepted a cup of tea from the butler and took a sip. “One of Lady Astor’s necklaces was stolen. Someone sneaked into her bedchamber during the ball and stole it from her jewelry box.”
Diana bit back a gasp. Lady Astor’s necklace had gone? She couldn’t believe it. There had been a series of thefts going on for the past few months but she never thought she would be this close.
Then she thought about the interaction she had seen in the hallway. The woman with the purse and the shadow who had been watching her. Had they been involved?
Had she just witnessed the theft and an exchange?
“Oh, dear.” Jennifer clutched at her own necklace, fiddling with the jewel in its setting. “That poor lady.”
“Lady Astor is a rich woman.” Price pointed out. “She can afford to lose one necklace.”
“That’s not the point, darling.”
Diana ignored her mother chastising her husband for being callous and leaned over to Eloise, who was stuffing her fact with bacon.
“Eloise.” She nudged her sister and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Do they have any idea who did it?”
“No.” Eloise swallowed her mouthful. “It was done while everyone was busy with the ball. Some people think it was the servants that did it, although they don’t know which one, and others think it’s that thief who’s been going around the rich houses lately.”
“But the thief did the thefts when everyone was in their homes in the country.” Diana pointed out. “All the jewelry they didn’t take was locked up.”
“Evidently not because they got away with a lot.” Eloise’s eyes glinted. “Maybe we’re next.”
Diana didn’t want to think about that. It was bad enough that she might have seen something without worrying that the thief could come into the house and find their valuable belongings—and find her.
That was enough to give her the shivers again. Diana sat back in her chair and looked at her breakfast, which was almost gone. Suddenly she didn’t feel hungry anymore.
***
“Have you heard anything more about the theft?”
Henry Egerton, Duke of Bedford, looked up from his glass, which he had been staring into while he was lost in his thoughts. His friend eyed him eagerly, looking for some gossip. Bedford shook his head.
“Nothing. I think the thief’s disappeared.”
It had been two weeks since the theft at Lady Astor’s ball and there had been nothing to go on. The thief might as well have been a ghost. Because of who he was stealing from, the whole Society was agog with bewilderment and outrage. It was the main talking point in the whole Season for now.
Derek Moore, the Duke of Cambridge, grunted and sipped at his champagne.
“He’s probably hiding somewhere plotting who to steal from next.” He grunted with a scowl.
“He hasn’t gone after you yet, has he?”
“No, not yet.” Cambridge’s nostrils flared. “I’m willing him to try.”
Bedford sighed. He had known Cambridge since they were four years old and while he could have a temper that was easily prodded, Cambridge couldn’t lay a finger on anyone, even if they were in the wrong.
Bedford had been another lucky one not to be stolen from. From what he was aware of, the ones to have a theft were either past middle-age and so wouldn’t be able to sustain a fight, or were widowed ladies and gentlemen. Mostly widowed ladies. Bedford could see the thief picking and choosing wisely.
Then his thoughts were drawn away from the situation with the recent thefts when a family came into the room. The mother and father were just ahead of two young girls, both wearing pale yellow. The taller, raven-haired girl was slightly ahead, her head held high with a poised, composed expression and a pleasant smile. The other girl, petite with hair as red as Bedford’s jacket, hung back a little, her eyes down at the floor with several glances at the crowded room.
Bedford couldn’t stop himself from staring. He remembered seeing them at Lady Astor’s ball and the redheaded girl had caught his attention. She was lovely and there was something about her sweet, shy disposition that snagged Bedford enough that he couldn’t look away. He preferred more confident women so to be drawn to a shy girl was surprising.
“Bedford?” Cambridge nudged him. “You all right?”
Bedford jumped. He hadn’t realized he had completely ignored his friend.
“Forgive me, Cambridge. I got a little… distracted.”
Cambridge raised his eyebrows and then looked across at the family who had arrived. He smiled, his expression saying he knew exactly what his friend was thinking.
“Which one got your attention?”
“The younger girl.” Bedford didn’t keep secrets from Cambridge. “The one with the flaming red hair.”
Cambridge cast his eyes over the girl who was still hanging back a little from her family despite her mother’s hand on her arm.
“Pretty.” He conceded. “But not as pretty as her sister.”
Bedford would beg to differ but he and Cambridge had different tastes. Clearly, Cambridge’s attention had been caught by the raven-haired young woman, who was glancing over at them with a slight smile. Cambridge nudged Bedford.
“That’s David Price they’re with. They must be his daughters. How about we introduce ourselves?”
Bedford wasn’t about to show that he was eager. He shrugged and waved the way for his friend.
“Lead the way.”
Cambridge crossed the ballroom, Bedford shortly behind him. Price saw them coming, his ruddy, handsom
e face splitting into a beaming smile. He bowed at both of them before shaking Cambridge’s hand.
“Your Grace, it’s good to see you this evening. I didn’t think you were in London yet.”
“I thought I’d come into town earlier than usual.” Cambridge introduced Bedford. “This is my friend Henry Egerton, His Grace the Duke of Bedford.”
Price turned his smile, which never faded, onto Bedford, and bowed to him.
“Your Grace. This is my wife, Jennifer.” Jennifer dropped into a curtsy that Bedford was amazed she managed to get out of. “And these are my daughters, Eloise and Diana.”
Diana. So that was her name. Bedford watched as Diana, her eyes still on the floor, as she curtsied. She was a little hunched over and unsure of herself but Bedford saw the grace and the poise on the cusp of bursting through. It had to be her first Season; Bedford would have remembered meeting her before.
“Mr. Price.”
Price turned and so did Bedford. A tall, handsome man near Bedford’s age was striding towards them. His stride was purposeful and very sure of himself. Dressed in some of the finest clothes Bedford had ever seen with a unique cut to them. With his blond hair left a little long around his collar, he was a sight to behold. Several women watched him walk past and kept on watching, even with their husbands standing beside them scowling.
Price beamed and shook the man’s hand enthusiastically.
“My lord, it’s so good to see you.” Then he turned to Cambridge and Bedford. “My apologies, this is The Lord Neville. He’s just arrived in London from India. I was showing him around town today.”
“It’s been a long time.” Percy Neville said warmly, looking around them at the vast and crowded room. “Lots of things have certainly changed.”
Bedford and Cambridge exchanged glances. Bedford was surprised. Where had he come from? Bedford had never seen him before and they were near enough the same age.
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 48