by Ayles, Abby
That only left Natalie herself.
She would have to find this earl’s son and persuade him that she, out of all the ladies at the ball, was the one who should marry him.
It would be the thing that saved her—and elevated her above all her other sisters. Wife of an earl! Mr. Denny and Mr. Fairchild were both gentlemen. And both had certainly large annual sums.
But a gentleman with a large annual sum was nothing compared to a man with a title. Why, the annual sum need not even be mentioned. It wasn’t polite to talk about how much was made at that point.
An inherited title, and land, and most likely a beautiful home. As the wife of such a prominent member of society, Natalie would have to continue to attend balls and throw her own.
Oh, and she must continue to attend the London season! It would be all but mandatory.
This could be her salvation. She would have a rich and powerful husband and could continue to do the social things she loved.
And the look on Elizabeth’s face when she heard that Natalie got a future earl. Ha!
Perhaps this evening would not be so terrible after all.
Chapter 6
John surveyed the various dancers out on the floor.
This being a masquerade ball, he was hard pressed to find the Hartfield women. Lord Morrison had gone to attend the card game taking place on the second floor.
With Lord Pettifer as one of your players, you could never be too careful.
With him gone, John was having a difficult time of it finding these women, seeing as he’d never met them before. And now everyone was masked.
Fortunately, he did also know Lady Morrison. If he could find her, she could then introduce him to the Hartfields.
He spied a dark purple dress and a flash of dark hair piled up. There she was.
He made his way across the dance floor to reach her, only to bump into a young lady coming from the opposite direction.
Despite her face being mostly covered by the mask, he could tell she was lovely. Bright red hair and flashing, clear blue eyes. A good figure, and lovely soft pale skin.
She was wearing a dark green dress that showed her off well. It contrasted wonderfully with her bright blue eyes and her red hair.
Her mask was matching, with light silver threads sewn through it to give it shine and definition. It was done up in the shape of a cat, almost.
John had the sudden urge to rip the mask off so that he might see her entire face. She was this lovely with the mask on, without it, he was sure he’d be even more entranced.
“I beg your pardon,” the girl said. Was that a blush rising to her cheeks?
Then she turned and hurried away. A moment later he saw her conversing and heading out to the dance floor with a partner. Ah. She was only hurrying to reach him.
Just his luck, a woman so beautiful he stopped in his tracks and she was already with someone else.
There was a light touch at his elbow and he turned. Lady Morrison smiled at him.
“You look as enchanting as ever,” John told her, bowing.
Lady Morrison curtsied. “And you look as frazzled as ever. What on earth has kept you away from us for so long? The Continent cannot be that much more entertaining than we are.”
“No one could be more entertaining than you and your husband,” John assured her. “Has he informed you of my father’s conditions?”
“Not much of them,” Lady Morrison said. She led him over to the side, away from the press of the crowd. “Only that you are looking to marry swiftly?”
“Not so much marry as be engaged,” John explained. A hasty marriage would raise questions. People would speculate scandal, such as a baby on the way.
“And I am to assume that your father has something to do with this?” Lady Morrison hazarded.
John nodded. He quickly outlined the letter he had received. “I asked your husband if he knew of anyone I might find suitable. He suggested to me the Hartfield family. Five daughters!”
“Yes, although you’re down to only two of them, I’m afraid.” Lady Morrison gave him one of her smiles, the ones that made him feel as though she was sharing a secret with him. Lady Morrison was very good at that, getting people to think she was sharing things only with them in confidence.
“Miss Louisa, the second eldest, is promised. Miss Elizabeth, the second youngest, shall be announcing her engagement in a few days’ time. We have only just learned of it.
“That will leave you with Miss Natalie, the middle child, and Miss Regina, the youngest.
“Unless, of course, you can tempt the eldest, Bridget, away from whomever she’s chosen. Both Miss Natalie and Miss Regina are about somewhere, though. I would suggest you try them first.”
“If you can locate them for me, I am happy to be introduced.”
“Natalie is usually in the midst of the dancing.” Lady Morrison scanned the crowd. “Oh! There is Miss Hartfield, the eldest. Come.”
She led John through the tangle of people up to a stately young redhead. She had bright green eyes and a lovely blue dress on.
“Louisa and Elizabeth have green eyes as well,” Lady Morrison whispered. “But Natalie’s are blue and Regina’s are brown, like their mother’s. In case you need to tell them apart tonight.”
“Do they all look so similar?” John asked.
“Not to those who know them, but with masks on, I think so.”
Miss Hartfield turned as they approached. She was lovely, with a statuesque sort of grace about her. She reminded him of the woman he had just run into—and that woman had blue eyes. Could that beauty be Natalie Hartfield? Could he be so fortunate?
Of course, looks were not everything. He knew that. But he had to admit that they were a promising start.
“Miss Bridget Hartfield,” Lady Morrison said, “Lord Ridgecleff, heir to the earldom of Mountbank.”
Miss Hartfield curtsied while John bowed.
“It is an honor to become acquainted with one as esteemed as yourself,” Miss Hartfield said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” John replied. “I believe congratulations are in order? I hear your sister Miss Elizabeth is to shortly announce her engagement.”
“That is so,” Miss Hartfield replied. “She has been telling anyone who will listen. And to think she was the one protesting she would never find herself a man.”
“She is a rather stubborn girl,” Lady Morrison agreed with a laugh.
“But yes, I thank you for your congratulations and shall accept them on her behalf,” Miss Hartfield said.
“I was thinking it would be advantageous for Lord Ridgecleff here to be introduced to your sisters, Miss Natalie and Miss Regina,” Lady Morrison said.
“I haven’t seen Regina all night,” Miss Hartfield admitted. “I am beginning to grow concerned.”
“You know how she is,” Lady Morrison reassured her. “I’m certain she’s reacquainting herself with our library.”
That sounded promising. A lady who liked to read, that sounded like the type of woman he would like to marry.
For all that he had enjoyed flirting with the women around him during his travels, he wanted someone very different to settle down with. Someone sensible.
It made him glad he had decided not to look for a wife on the Continent. There were of course the logistics of taking a lady so far away from her home. And then there was his father’s inevitable disapproval of a non-Englishwoman for a daughter-in-law.
But more than that, he was known on the Continent, and therefore his tastes were known. Or rather his supposed tastes. No one would believe him when he said he wanted a quiet, unassuming sort of person. Someone to talk with, someone who could appreciate long walks and quiet companionship.
Here, back home in England, nobody knew of that. So when he said that he wanted someone who would enjoy reading, they believed him.
Miss Regina sounded like a book lover. Perhaps he should try his luck with her.
There was that beautiful lady he’
d run into, however…
But she might not truly be related. It could be his eyes deceiving him, what with everyone wearing masks and red hair being so memorable in and of itself.
“What is this Miss Regina like?” he asked.
He knew that he was being blatant, but he had no time for subtleties. He had tonight and that was it. He must bring someone home to his father or lose everything.
“She is very shy,” Miss Hartfield cautioned. “I must warn you, my lord, she is as a daughter to me. If you are setting yourself for her I shall have to subject you to the most rigorous of interrogations.”
John laughed. He rather liked Miss Hartfield as well. Perhaps she was available. “And for yourself? Surely you care more about who you are marrying than who your sister marries.”
“If you think that, then you think wrong.” Miss Hartfield smiled.
“I can try and find Miss Regina for you,” Lady Morrison said. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“That would be lovely, thank you,” Miss Hartfield replied.
John inclined his head towards Lady Morrison, signaling his agreement. After she left, he looked back at Miss Hartfield.
Now that her friend was gone, he could sense a slight change in her air. It was not that she became unfriendly. It was more that he could sense a wall being raised between them.
No, not a wall. A gulf. A river. Something that did not prevent him from seeing her but prevented him from getting close. It was something that told him he ought not to try.
Was this why she was considered so desirable, despite not being considered the most beautiful? Most men probably sensed that gulf and decided to try and forge it. That they must cross it, by hook or by crook.
Men tended to like a challenge that way.
But John was not in the mood for a challenge. He’d had plenty of that in his time over on the Continent wiling away the hours.
And even if he had wanted a challenge, he did not have the time for it. He had to get engaged and quickly, this evening even. It would take far more than an evening, he thought, to persuade Bridget Hartfield to marry him.
“Perhaps you would like me to introduce you to my sister Natalie?” Miss Hartfield suggested.
And there was his confirmation. He was not going to win the hand of Bridget Hartfield. But no matter. He was sure that if her sister Natalie was at all like her, he would manage just fine.
“Certainly,” he said, indicating that she lead the way.
Miss Hartfield led him over towards where the center of the dance floor was. There were swirls of couples moving about. So much so, it was hard to keep track of anyone.
John thought, however, that he could catch a glimpse of the young lady he’d run into. She was laughing at something her partner was saying. She had a bright, lovely smile.
He found himself stupidly hoping that Miss Natalie Hartfield might be that woman. It was shallow of him, true, but if he had to find a woman this night he wanted her to be that one. She moved with such grace and lightness, such energy. It entranced him.
“That is her, there, in the green dress,” Miss Hartfield said. She indicated the woman that John was looking at.
John had never thought of himself as a particularly religious man. But he did think about quickly sending up a thank-you to God for granting him a break at last.
“She’s quite lovely,” Miss Hartfield went on. “And lively. A husband would never have a dull moment with her around.”
Then she paused. “I must apologize. I’m being rather forward and presumptuous. It is not my goal to… sell my sisters like cattle.
“I know that many women are anxious to see their daughters wed well. In truth, I can hardly blame them. But I have never wanted to be the kind of person who pushes that onto the men around her.”
“It does make things rather awkward for the men,” John acknowledged.
Miss Hartfield gave a small laugh. “Yes, it does.”
“It seems that your circumstances have most likely changed?” John hazarded.
Miss Hartfield nodded. “Our father has pressed upon us the need to marry, as soon as possible.”
John laughed. Miss Hartfield looked at him, startled. He waved a hand at her. “I apologize, I was not laughing at your expense. I’m sure your situation is most frustrating for you.
“It is only that I am in a similar situation.” He sighed. He saw no reason to keep it a secret. “I trust that in confiding in me, I can confide in you as well?”
Miss Hartfield nodded. “I can assure you, I’ve kept greater secrets than whatever you are going to unleash upon me.”
That made him smile. He hoped that Miss Natalie had the same temperament as her sister. “My father has made it clear that I must find myself a partner. This is my last chance at doing so.”
“Then we do indeed find ourselves in similar situations,” Miss Hartfield noted.
The dancing stopped, and the partners all bowed and curtsied to one another.
As everyone clapped politely, Miss Hartfield darted forward. She caught her sister by the elbow and whispered in her ear. A few young men were stepping forward to try to claim the younger Miss Hartfield, or perhaps both of them, for the next dance.
Miss Hartfield, however, seemed to politely decline them, and escorted her sister back towards John.
“Lord Ridgecleff,” she said. “If I may present to you my younger sister, Miss Natalie Hartfield.”
Chapter 7
Natalie wasn’t sure what to expect when Bridget came up to her and told her that there was a young gentleman to see her.
She hoped, of course, for someone rich and handsome. She was especially hoping that it was the young soon-to-be earl that Lord Morrison had mentioned.
When Bridget led her away from the dancing and introduced her, however, Natalie had to hold her breath for a moment.
She recognized him—he was the handsome stranger she had bumped into earlier in the evening. She hadn’t gotten much of a look at him at the time. She’d been hurrying to her dance partner.
But now she could not only look at him as much as she pleased but could do so without having to be sly about it.
He was tall, with dark blond hair and gray-green eyes. She could not see all of his features with his mask on, but she could see his strong jawline and certainly she could see how his broad stature filled his suit.
With those eyes staring down at her, he quite took her breath away. Natalie wanted to scream with happiness. A son of an earl and handsome as a hero from a novel. She had finally lucked out.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Lord Ridgecleff said, bowing to her.
“The pleasure, and the honor, are all mine my lord,” Natalie replied with a curtsy.
“Perhaps you two could take a turn about the room together?” Bridget suggested. “My sister Miss Louisa can accompany you. I’ve lost Lady Morrison as well as Regina now and I’m starting to wonder. You know how wild people can get at the masquerade.”
Bridget’s concern, as always, was for their youngest sister. Natalie felt a stab of jealousy. Why was it always Regina who earned Bridget’s attention? It wasn’t as though she was doing anything worthwhile to earn it.
“Of course,” Lord Ridgecleff said, all courtesy. “It would be an honor to converse with your sister and Miss Louisa as well.”
Bridget smiled at him in gratitude and then turned to melt into the crowd. A moment later she returned with Louisa.
Louisa looked a picture in her soft yellow dress. She’d probably been sitting and chatting with friends all night.
“Would you mind accompanying these two for a turn about the room?” Bridget asked. “I’m afraid I must go and find Regina.”
“Of course.” Louisa smiled at both Natalie and Lord Ridgecleff brightly. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
Louisa took Natalie’s arm and Lord Ridgecleff stood on her other side. It was an open secret that Louisa was promised, although to whom, nobo
dy knew.
The ongoing rumor, one that Natalie suspected Bridget had arranged herself, was that the man was in the Navy and so Louisa did not wish to speak his name or else it would jinx things and he should be killed overseas.
In any case, knowing as everyone did that Louisa was engaged meant that she could serve as an escort for Natalie. By placing herself between Lord Ridgecleff and Natalie as they walked, it made their activity perfectly acceptable. Especially in such a crowded ballroom where there were plenty of other people present.
“Tell me, Miss Natalie, where is it that you reside?” Lord Ridgecleff asked. “I’m afraid I was not acquainted with your family until now.”
“We are in the south,” Natalie said. “I’m afraid that we must travel often in order to take advantage of the social scene. There is precious little around us.”
“Mountbank has quite its own little community,” Lord Ridgecleff told her. “I have not been there for some years, I’m afraid. I’ve been out on the Continent.”
The Continent! Natalie had never been. Perhaps, if he did propose, she could suggest such a trip for their honeymoon.
“I’ve never been,” she confessed. “Perhaps you could tell me about it.”
Lord Ridgecleff was happy to discuss with her all that he had seen. The art sounded lovely, although spending all day in a museum was not Natalie’s preferred way to spend her time.
But the balls that he described, and the dancing halls, the new dances and the shows and the society! Natalie wanted to see all of that, and this seemed to her the kind of man who would take her there.
Oh, how could she have lucked out in such a fashion? Surely this was meant to be.
Natalie couldn’t ruin this for herself. She had to be at her absolute best and get him to propose to her. If he didn’t, and they ended the night and she had to face the scandal of her family…
And, almost worse than that, three of her sisters getting married before her. And here she had always thought that she would be married first, or perhaps second if Bridget ever deigned to look at a man twice.