by Amelia Grey
He quirked a bushy eyebrow at her and glowed with pleasure. “Truly? I hadn’t noticed.”
Mirabella smiled, then softly laughed out loud. Archer couldn’t fib any better than she could.
A few minutes later, she watched as a young gentleman named Sir Thomas Rollinson approached her. He had dashing good looks with sky blue eyes, soft brown hair and was well below the average height of most young men. Her senses heightened. He was on her list of possible suspects.
Good heavens, what was she thinking? There would be no trips into the garden with him tonight or ever, thanks to Camden’s return. She had to find some other way to see the crook of his neck and the only idea she had at present was to sneak her way into the gentlemen’s clubs.
“Good evening, Miss Whittingham. Mr. Hornbeck.”
Archer barely nodded to the young man. Mirabella said, “How do you do, Mr. Rollinson?”
“Very well, thank you. Lovely weather we’re having tonight.”
“Indeed,” Archer said in a bored-to-tears tone.
Mr. Rollinson cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Might I say you look simply ravishing this evening, Miss Whittingham.”
Mirabella smiled at him. “Thank you, sir. That is most kind of you.”
“I couldn’t help but notice you’ve been standing here for a few minutes. The buffet is being served. Mr. Hornbeck, I was wondering if you would allow me to escort Miss Whittingham inside for you?”
Archer patted his forehead with his handkerchief, before giving the young man a look of dismissal. “No, I’m afraid I can’t do that, Mr. Rollinson. We’re waiting for someone.”
Undaunted, Mr. Rollinson said, “And may I ask who that might be?”
“That would be Viscount Stonehurst, sir,” Camden said walking up behind Mr. Rollinson. “And I am present. You will excuse us, won’t you, while I escort Miss Whittingham inside?”
“By all means, my lord. I didn’t realize you were here. Pardon me for intruding.” He smiled at Mirabella, bowed and walked away.
“You are late, sir,” Archer grumbled.
“I’m afraid that is the story of my life, Mr. Hornbeck. I offer apologies to you and Miss Whittingham.”
Archer lifted Mirabella’s hand and delivered her over to Camden who wrapped her fingers in the palm of his hand and gave her fingers a slight squeeze. Mirabella felt a delicious skittering of desire tighten her insides at his touch. Pleasing warmth spread through her.
She curtsied before him and whispered, “My lord.”
He kissed the back of first one hand and then the other while keeping his gaze only on her face. “You are very lovely tonight, Mirabella. I don’t know which is sparkling more, your eyes or the emeralds and diamonds you wear.”
“Nothing could outshine your gift. Thank you again. They are beautiful. My father was most impressed.”
“It’s about time I did something to impress him.” Camden turned to the older, impeccably dressed man standing beside him. Without introduction, Mirabella knew him to be Camden’s father, and the quite pale and frail looking woman standing beside the earl had to be Camden’s mother. If not for the grape-colored gown she wore and the colorful flowers in her headpiece, Mirabella was sure the countess would not have a hint of pink in her cheeks. “May I present my father, Earl Lockshaven. Father, this is Miss Mirabella Whittingham, and her chaperone, Mr. Archer Hornbeck.”
The earl took her hand and kissed it. They exchanged polite greetings and smiles.
“May I present Countess Lockshaven.”
“How do you do, Countess?” Mirabella greeted her with a curtsy.
“You are as lovely as I’ve heard,” the countess said with a beaming smile. “We welcome you to our family.”
“Thank you, my lady. It is my pleasure to meet you at last. My father has spoken well of your family for years.”
“And I believe you’ve met my brother, Hudson,” Camden said.
“Yes, we were introduced last Season.”
“Indeed, we were introduced. I believe I met your cousin as well. My condolences. I heard of her untimely death.”
Shock thundered through Mirabella. He had mentioned Sarah. She couldn’t believe it. “Thank you,” she mumbled. “It’s very kind of you to remember her.”
Over the years, she’d found that most people chose to pretend that Sarah wasn’t around. At their parents’ urgings, young bachelors would dance with Sarah, but not a one had ever called on her. No one except Prince Charming, and he had come to their house in the dark of night entirely in secret. Only a few of the older ladies of the ton, with unmarried daughters of their own, had even mentioned Sarah since the current Season started.
“How are you, Miss Whittingham?” Hudson bowed and kissed her hand.
“Very well, thank you.” As the words faded from her lips, she saw a red patch of skin just above his neckcloth on the left side of his neck.
Mirabella’s breath quickened. Could that be the beginning of a raised thick scar? Her mind swirled with possibilities. She thought back. Lord Hudson wasn’t on her list of suspects, but that was only because Mirabella hadn’t found his name on any of Sarah’s dance cards, and he was quite tall.
Sarah had mentioned that her Prince Charming was shorter than most men. Mirabella wouldn’t have considered Hudson short, but he had been one of the few members of the ton to even mention Sarah. Was it possible that Sarah’s seducer was the brother of her betrothed? Merciful heavens! She had to know. But how?
The conversation continued around her, and Mirabella didn’t know how but was sure she answered each question appropriately. She couldn’t avert her attention from Hudson’s neck. What she wouldn’t do to reach over and slip her little finger down his neckcloth and search down to his collarbone as she had with the others. She couldn’t very well do that for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that his entire family had her surrounded.
“Mirabella?”
Her gaze snapped to Camden. “Oh, I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Are you ready to go in and dance before we dine?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
“Why don’t you let me escort her in, Camden?” his father said. “And I would like a dance with her, too, if you don’t mind.”
Camden looked at his father and nodded. “I think that both would be good and appropriate.”
The earl offered his arm to Mirabella and Camden offered his to Countess Lockshaven. The people who had gathered around the entrance to watch them parted and backed away. Mirabella and the earl walked through the opening in the crowd and made their way to the dance floor.
Mirabella heard her name whispered and gasps of surprise as she passed the curious partygoers, but the only thing on her mind was how in the world was she going to find out if Camden’s younger brother had a scar on his neck?
The evening progressed much as they all had since Mirabella debuted four years ago. She twirled, swayed, skipped and glided as Camden and other young gentlemen led her across the dance floor into every appropriate turn, dance after dance. Camden was charming and attentive but not overly so.
Some of the guests must have heard that she had allowed certain liberties, but it was clear not everyone had. She was too well received for that to have happened. For the first time since her father had made the match, she felt as if she truly was engaged. It was a bittersweet feeling because she knew it wouldn’t last.
Camden was an excellent dancer, not missing a step when she danced with him. Even though their engagement was a stratagem, Mirabella felt secure with him. She liked the strength she felt in him when he took hold of her gloved hands or when his hand lightly touched the small of her back or skimmed the top of her shoulder. She loved it when he smiled at her and, when he was talking with someone else, how his eyes searched for her among the crowd.
Shortly after midnight, they joined his parents again and dined from a buffet table laden with fish that had simmered in a wine sauce, pheasant covered in sherry-rais
in gravy and a platter of braised beef surrounded by tenderly cooked vegetables.
After the meal they said good-bye to his family, but she and Camden stayed at the ball and danced again with each other and with other partners. They walked the ballroom and chatted with dukes, earls and a host of untitled attendees. Most of the ladies greeted her with friendly smiles and pleasant words. Only one countess had been cold as a cod and seemed to want to be anywhere but in Mirabella’s presence.
Finally Mirabella pleaded that she needed to go to the ladies’ retiring room. Once there, she sat down on one of the moiré-covered benches and closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. Maybe, with Camden’s help, she could salvage her reputation after all. Maybe the gossip about her escapades hadn’t started and wouldn’t.
“Miss Whittingham?”
Mirabella’s eyes fluttered open. A short, slightly rounded young lady with beautiful red hair and light brown eyes stood before her. Mirabella didn’t recognize her, but she wore a friendly expression.
Mirabella smiled and said, “Yes?”
“I’m Countess Glenbrighton. You might not remember me, but we were introduced two years ago. My husband, Albert Farebrother, Earl of Glenbrighton, and your fiancé have been friends since boyhood. And, I believe, their fathers were friends since childhood.”
“Yes, I remember we met some time ago,” Mirabella said, but truly could not place ever having met the countess. She rose to stand with the young lady. “How have you been?”
“Oh, perfect. I delivered my first child, a boy, ten months ago.”
It was clear from the glow on Countess Glenbrighton’s face that this baby was the joy of her life. “Wonderful for you and the earl,” Mirabella said. “I’m sure your babe is strong and healthy and a constant pleasure.”
“He is, thank you. I’ve just discovered I’m expecting again.”
“You have reason to celebrate. That is happy news for you and your husband.”
“Yes. He’s thrilled. I wanted to renew our acquaintance in hopes the earl and I could have a small dinner party for you and Lord Stonehurst in honor of his return and your engagement.”
“What a lovely thing to want to do, Countess.” Mirabella was touched by the woman’s generous offer. Because Mirabella had always had Sarah in whom to confide, she hadn’t made a lot of friends since her debut.
Countess Glenbrighton laid a gloved hand on Mirabella’s forearm. “Please call me Irene. I know we will be good friends because our husbands are so close.”
“All right, Irene. I have to admit that I’m still getting used to the idea of Lord Stonehurst being home.”
“And no wonder. His absence must have been troublesome for you. As soon as Albert and I made the match, we were able to begin our wedding plans, and now we have a handsome son.”
“There are truly advantages to a fiancé being available.”
“I know you must be eager to get started on your arrangements.”
Mirabella smiled. She might as well get used to these kinds of comments. She had to pretend her wedding would occur. “Yes, though we haven’t begun yet. He’s so recently returned. Perhaps I could call on you one afternoon.”
“Countess Glenbrighton!” a woman’s shrill voice rang sharply throughout the small room.
Startled, they both turned to see a stern-looking, heavy-set older woman with a lace scarf covering most of her graying hair. Heavy red jewels circled her neck and dangled from her ears. Mirabella recognized her as the wife of the Duke of Highbury.
“Oh, Duchess, come let me present you to Miss Mirabella Whittingham.”
The woman sniffed so hard her nose pinched unattractively. “No, thank you. I hear your husband is looking for you, Countess Glenbrighton. You are to go to him at once.”
Irene looked at Mirabella with stunned embarrassment. The duchess had made her disapproval of the countess talking to Mirabella painfully clear.
“I’m sorry, I have to go. Perhaps the earl is ready to go on to another party.”
Mirabella smiled sweetly at the kindly countess who had offered her friendship. It had felt wonderful. But she had a feeling this was as far as a relationship with Irene would go.
“I understand. Please go to your husband.”
Irene glanced at the duchess then quickly back to Mirabella. “Do watch out for Lady Gwyneth Sackville. She’s the belle of the Season this year and can have her pick of the beaux. Word is that she took one look at Lord Stonehurst when he was at the Worsters’ the other night and set her cap for him. Do not be fooled by her charming smile.”
A stab of jealousy tore through Mirabella at the thought that another young lady had designs on Camden. She tried to blunt the pain by taking a deep breath and saying, “Thank you. I’ll consider myself warned. You can be certain I will watch her with all diligence.”
“I’ll pay you a call one day soon,” Irene said with a smile and turned away.
The duchess lifted her chin and jerked her head around stiffly and marched out of the retiring room behind Irene. Mirabella had never been so royally snubbed in her life.
A chill pricked her skin and the warm smile she had given her new friend faded from her lips. Clearly word of her indiscretions with the young gentlemen in the gardens had made its way to Duchess Highbury, and Mirabella couldn’t help but wonder how many other ladies of the ton.
Mirabella plopped down on the bench and took another deep breath. She had given up all hope of a life with Camden weeks ago when she began her search for Sarah’s seducer. She couldn’t start thinking she had any claim on him now that he had returned.
What did it matter what the old ton thought about her? It didn’t. Camden already knew about her indiscretions and was willing to continue acting as her betrothed. His and her father’s opinions of her were the only two she worried about. They were the only two important people in her life.
The sting of the duchess’s affront jabbed Mirabella anew. It was difficult to hold the doubts at bay. Were she and Camden only fooling themselves in thinking her reputation could be salvaged so she could finish this Season unblemished?
Mirabella feared this slight was only the beginning.
***
Candles had burned low and early morning was on the rise when Camden shrugged off the group of gentlemen he was with and walked outside for fresh air. As soon as Mirabella returned he would suggest they leave. By all accounts, it appeared from the way she had been received by everyone they talked to that the evening had been a complete success. Mirabella had been delightful all night, a fiancée any man would want to have by his side.
Camden looked up at the early morning sky. He welcomed the chill in the air and let out a long deep sigh of discontent. How long had it been since he found delight in a woman? Correction. In a lady. Many women of the evening and a few wealthy widows had pleased him in America over the years he was there.
Tonight, Mirabella had pleased him more than he had expected. He hadn’t planned on being smitten by her, but after dancing with her, holding her, touching her, he found he didn’t want the evening to end—even though it was past four in the morning.
Still, there were lingering doubts about her that he couldn’t shake. What had made her allow gentlemen to take her into the gardens and kiss her? Was it only that she wanted to be kissed or was there more as he suspected? Had she only kissed one or two, or had there been more gentlemen? Would he ever know?
Blast her, she was right when she said one was enough to ruin her name. The number didn’t matter. That she kissed one man was unbelievable, inexcusable and unforgivable, but the problem was that she was unforgettable. Mirabella had intrigued him the first night they had met and that hadn’t changed. In fact, he feared he was even more intrigued by her. And, like it or not, she had become a part of his life and would be for the next several months. And that pleased him greatly.
“Stonehurst, over here.”
Damnation. It was Albert, whom Camden had successfully avoided all evening, c
alling and motioning to Camden to join him and none other than Mr. Farthingdale, the young man who was with Mirabella in the garden a few nights ago.
Obviously Albert had been avoiding Camden, too. It was no wonder considering all the things he’d said about Mirabella that day at the club. Camden had felt that he had left Albert feeling thoroughly shamed. No doubt Albert had heard that he and Mirabella were a smashing success tonight, and this was Albert’s way of getting back at him.
Camden suddenly had the feeling there was going to be a bad ending to an otherwise pleasant party.
There was nothing to do but walk over and act as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened with either of the two men. It was clear to them that Camden had seen them so there was no getting out of this meeting.
“Stonehurst, you’re still here. Good. Somehow, I’ve been missing you all evening.”
Camden and Farthingdale barely nodded a greeting to each other.
“I assume you two know each other,” Albert said.
“Yes, we met briefly,” Farthingdale said, a nervous edge to his voice.
“Very briefly,” Camden answered tightly.
“Seems you two have a lot in common.”
“Is that right?” Camden’s words got tighter.
“Both of you full of lust, don’t you know.”
Farthingdale’s mouth gaped. His face paled at Albert’s choice of words. “What do you mean?”
Camden glared at his friend, hoping Albert would stop this foolishness before Camden had to put a stop to it. Obviously Albert knew of Mirabella’s liaison with Farthingdale in the Worsters’ garden, and he wanted to have a little fun. Camden was in no mood to be the brunt of Albert’s game.
“Wanderlust, that is.” Albert laughed but didn’t seem to notice that neither Farthingdale nor Camden cracked so much as a smile.
“Farthingdale was just telling me how he hopes to visit America one day,” Albert continued, seeming oblivious to the strained atmosphere surrounding the two men standing with him. “Tell him, Farthingdale.”