“Use care not to encourage him.”
“I never have! But I will certainly use more care now than ever.” She rubbed her hands over her eyes. “I do not know what to do. If I follow my mother’s rules around him, he will find me more appealing.”
Her aunt raised her brows.
“His words, not my own,” Coralyn said with a laugh. “If I ignore them, as I have been during my stay, he may reconsider offering again, or he may hurry home to London to tell my parents how shameful my behavior is here, in which case they will call me home immediately.”
“Oh, do not worry yourself on that count. I will not allow you to leave until after Christmas at the very least. I promised you a Christmas at Lynwood, and I will not be made into a liar.”
Coralyn smiled at her aunt, grateful for her kindness. But still she worried.
Coralyn’s nerves did not cease as they drove to the ball that evening, though not all her anxiety was centered on Lord Seton. Christopher sat beside her, and Coralyn was reminded of her aunt’s questions that afternoon. She had never stopped to consider her feelings for him, but now wondered if she ought to have. Yet part of her felt that if she were in love, there would be nothing to consider. She would simply know it, as Aunt Agnes had said.
Upon arriving at the ball, Christopher extended his hand to help her from the carriage, then laced her hand through his arm. The gesture both pleased and concerned her. What will Lord Seton think? Coralyn banished the thought just as quickly. She could not care what Lord Seton thought.
However much she did not care what he thought, she could not avoid him. After she had removed her coat, Christopher took her arm again and led her into the ballroom. She saw Lord Seton across the room, and even at the distance, the anger in his eyes was unmistakable. He came quickly through the crowd, shoving past more than one guest who watched him with scorn.
A jolt of fear ran through Coralyn as she remembered the night she had refused him. When he’d come today in all his politeness, she’d assumed that his aggressive behavior had been a passing ordeal. But the way he looked as he come toward her now left her doubting that assumption.
Christopher leaned close to her. “Will you dance with me, Coralyn?”
Regret filled her heart. She would much prefer to dance with him. “I wish I could, but I have been promised for the first dance.”
His forehead creased. “To whom?”
“To myself.” Lord Seton stopped in front of them. He had done well to hide his anger, but he, nonetheless, seemed tense.
Christopher narrowed his eyes at him and his jaw tensed. “Lord Seton, how surprising to see you in Roselund Heights. I was under the impression you were to remain in London for the holiday.”
“It was my original intent, but my plans have changed.” He looked icily at Christopher. “Forgive me, I was not under the impression that I must report my movements to you.”
Christopher’s lips formed a firm line and he straightened his shoulders.
Lord Seton lowered his gaze to Coralyn. “I am more surprised Miss Fairchild did not inform you of my presence. She has known for several hours.”
Christopher looked down at her as well, and though she did not meet his gaze, she could feel the questions in his expression.
Lord Seton smirked at Christopher. “If you must know, I am here specifically to see Miss Fairchild. I had hoped to court her in London, but seeing as she left, I had no choice but to follow her to Roselund Heights.”
Coralyn felt her face burn crimson.
Stupid man!
She felt Christopher tense beside her, then unwrap her hand from his arm. “I must beg your forgiveness. I did not realize you held a claim over her company.”
Coralyn looked up at him at last, hoping her eyes could communicate how dreadfully wrong Lord Seton was. Her efforts were in vain as Christopher bowed and walked away without looking back.
The smug expression on Lord Seton’s face made Coralyn furious. He extended his hand. “I believe I have this dance.”
Coralyn pressed her teeth together, keeping her angry words within. If only she could say what she wished to him, she would put him firmly in his place. But Mother’s rules or not, there were some things one did not say to a marquis. She lowered her hand onto his and allowed him to lead her to the floor.
The music began and Coralyn stepped forward to meet Lord Seton in the middle of the set. His hand came to her waist and he pulled her close to him. Coralyn misplaced her step. Though they had danced many times, he had never danced in such a way. So possessively. She relished the moment when the steps took her away from him.
But when they came together again, he grasped her hand to the point of almost being painful. He pulled her close by her waist again, and Coralyn felt an uneasy tremble pass through her. She looked into his face and drew in a breath at what she saw there. His eyes held a hard glint to them, his mouth was in a thin line, and the muscles along his jaw were taught. He almost looked frightening.
Coralyn was relieved when the dance ended, though Lord Seton seemed hesitant to let her go. He remained close by as the next set gathered, silently holding her arm. She noticed Alice standing near the set, looking throughout the crowd.
Coralyn heaved a sigh of gratitude. “I believe you are promised for the next dance. There is Lady Alice just there.” She pointed in Alice’s direction.
Lord Seton grumbled beneath his breath. “I’ll return when the dance is over.” He released her and made his way toward Alice.
Coralyn did not even wait for him to take his place in the set before she hurried into the crowd, hoping, but not really expecting, to avoid him for the rest of the night. She wove through the guests, searching for a face she might know. Ahead of her she saw Edith Colborne and Joanna Leighton, talking animatedly. Coralyn approached them, unable to avoid overhearing their conversation.
“He is certainly in love with her. Look at how he looks at her,” Joanna said.
“Since when are you such an expert on love?” Edith asked.
“I have long been proficient in the ways of love.”
“Ah, of course, just too afraid to embrace it yourself.” Edith grinned.
Joanna tilted her head in a shrug. “Until recently, if you insist on my confessing it.”
“I might suggest you have only become an expert on love recently, then, as well.”
“You hush, Edith.” Joanna smiled. “The fact is, he looks at her the same way my Mr. Aldridge looks at me.”
“But does Fanny look at him the same way you look at your Mr. Aldridge?”
Joanna saw Coralyn first and turned to her with a smile. “Miss Fairchild, how pleasant to see you again.”
“Thank you. Are you enjoying your evening?”
“Quite, although I am finding that being engaged to an artist is not nearly as romantic as one might think.” She gestured toward Mr. Aldridge, who stood a short distance off, surrounded by other guests. “They all want to purchase his art or have him paint their portraits.”
“Do not be glum, Joanna. You know he will not leave you to yourself for long.” Edith patted her friend’s arm.
“And how are you, Miss Fairchild? Has your visit to Roselund been pleasant?”
Coralyn thought back. “It has been interesting, to say the least.”
“That is better than being boring, is it not?” Edith asked.
Coralyn laughed. “Yes, far better.” She looked around at the surrounding guests. “You have not seen Rose, have you?”
“She is dancing. She is almost always dancing.” Edith pointed her out in the set.
“Or flirting,” Joanna said. “She is also often flirting.”
“That is precisely what she did in London as well.” Coralyn shook her head, thinking on all the times she would have preferred to be in Rose’s company enjoying society, instead of the tedious company of women like Lady Seton.
A few minutes later, the dance ended, and Coralyn was certain Lord Seton would come looking for
her. Rose found her first.
“Coralyn, what is Lord Seton doing here?”
“He is trying to woo me, as he’s put it.”
Rose’s eyes went wide. “Didn’t you refuse him?”
“Plainly.”
“He told you he planned to woo you?” Joanna asked, laughter already evident in her eyes.
Coralyn nodded solemnly.
“Oh, my,” she said, allowing her laughter its freedom.
Rose looked over Coralyn’s shoulder. “Here he comes now. Let me see if I cannot detain him.” She glanced at Coralyn with a twinkle in her eye. “You must find a better place to hide.”
Coralyn smiled at her friend, said goodbye to Edith and Joanna, and slipped into the crowd again. She turned in a circle, wondering where she could go to escape for a time, when a firm hand took her by the arm and propelled her forward. She looked up, expecting to see Lord Seton’s angry face. Instead she found Christopher there, though his expression was just as upset as she’d imagined Lord Seton’s would be.
He pulled her into an alcove and turned her back to the wall, facing him. “Are you engaged?”
The question was so direct it caught her off guard. “What? No!”
He released her arm and pointed out toward the other guests. “To Seton. You are not engaged to him?”
“Christopher, I cannot stand Lord Seton. He is self-absorbed, tedious and less interesting than a pebble in my shoe. Though he is just as irritating.”
A look of relief accompanied Christopher’s snort of laughter.
Coralyn broke into laughter as well. “Do you think me so easily bought?”
Christopher shook his head. “I do not know what to think of you, Miss Fairchild.”
Her expression must have showed dismay, for he placed a gentle hand on her arm. “I do not mean that to be offensive. I simply feel I am getting to know you again.”
“I can only assure you I have not changed so many times.” She looked up at him earnestly.
“I know. But the girl I knew would never have a man such as Seton chasing after her. He is too blind to appreciate the girl I knew.”
Coralyn felt her face flush and she lowered her gaze. “Lord Seton does not know me as you do, Christopher. He knows the prim and proper, always precise woman I am forced to be in London.”
Christopher searched her eyes. Though she was unsure what he sought, his expression made her heart race.
Aunt Agnes’s questions crept into her mind. Was this love? Christopher was the only person in the world she felt completely comfortable around, and it was to him alone that she felt she could talk to about anything at all. And it was him alone who sent her heart skittering as it did now.
“Well, look what you have found!” Alice’s voice cut through Coralyn’s thoughts.
She and Christopher both jumped and he stepped away from her. “What do you mean, Alice?” he asked, sounding aggravated.
She pointed above their heads. “You’ve found the mistletoe.” She grinned. “Come along, you know the tradition.”
Coralyn’s heart began to race again. Would he kiss her?
Christopher glanced at Coralyn, but did not move toward her.
Alice put her hands on her hips. “You’ll give her bad luck if you do not kiss her.”
Several guests had heard Alice’s remarks and now stood nearby, watching. He turned to her again and Coralyn struggled to read the emotion in his eyes. She could not determine them exactly, but she felt apprehension in the very air between them. Attempting to lighten things, she laughed softly. “As you’ve seen, there are plenty of other men who will step in for you if you wish.”
The intensity left his eyes, replaced by a shadow of frustration. Nonetheless, he lowered his head toward hers.
His lips only brushed against the corner of her mouth, but it was enough to send sparks shooting in her stomach.
When he stepped back, Coralyn’s hand flew to her lips without her consent. She looked into his eyes where the frustration faded into something more pleasant.
Her lips still tingled where they had met his.
“Curses,” she whispered.
His looked at her strangely. “Pardon me?”
She was horrified she had spoken out loud. “Nothing.”
A small round of laughter and applause came up from those guests who’d stopped to watch the spectacle. Alice smiled in a satisfied sort of way, then turned and blended into the crowd. Coralyn’s face burned and she slid from the alcove, not wishing to be caught in a compromising situation again. Before she could say anything more to Christopher, Lord Seton stepped out of the crowd, his face dark with anger.
He strode up to Coralyn and stopped within a short distance. “Would you care to explain the meaning of this.”
She looked up at him and for the first time felt real fear at what she saw. His eyes were hard, angry, and there was an intense glint in them that hadn’t existed before. She opened her mouth to respond, but Christopher stepped beside her.
“There is mistletoe, Seton, and we found ourselves beneath it.”
Lord Seton’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “And you think that is a proper excuse.”
Christopher laughed a hard, short laugh. “Excuse? It is a tradition. There is nothing unseemly in it.”
“It was nothing,” Coralyn agreed, attempting to ignore the sparks that lingered within. “Only a tradition.”
Both men looked at her. In Lord Seton’s eyes remained that anger which left her feeling as if she’d done something shameful. But in Christopher’s she saw concern, compassion, and admiration.
Coralyn’s emotions teetered between fear and pleasure. Lord Seton and Christopher. A rush of heat came upon her, leaving her more than uncomfortable. “Excuse me, I’d like to find the refreshment table.”
She stepped away from the men, but Lord Seton grabbed her arm. “Let me accompany you.”
Without waiting for her response, he took her hand in his and held it firmly on his arm. He led her through the people, keeping her close by. When they reached the table, he filled a cup and handed it to her, but did not take one himself. Instead, he stood beside her, watching her as she drank. She looked past him, pretending he was not there, difficult as that was. She could not keep this up throughout the evening.
When she’d finished her beverage, he took her cup. “You’ll dance the next with me.”
Though his words sounded as a demand, she knew her mother would want her to accept. She found some courage and stood tall. Mother’s rules or not, she would not allow him to control her.
“Thank you, but no.”
His eyes flashed. “No?”
“I have promised the next to someone else.” Before he could question her further she walked away, not knowing who she would convince to dance with her or how. Surely she could not ask a man for a dance! She glanced through the guests and found Christopher easily; he seemed to stand out in the crowd.
He stood to the side, talking to a man with wild hair, near in color to his own. Though he seemed to be agitated, Coralyn did not know where else to turn.
He stopped speaking as she approached and looked behind her, as if expecting Lord Seton to be there. “Will you dance with me, Christopher?”
He raised a brow, clearly surprised by her request, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “I’d be delighted.” He motioned to the man beside him. “Miss Fairchild, this is my friend, Hugh Colborne.”
“Edith’s brother?” Coralyn asked.
“I see my reputation precedes me,” he said with a crooked grin.
“It is nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine.” His eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “If you are handing out dances, my card is empty for the second next.”
Instead of shock or embarrassment, Coralyn felt relief. “Would you be so kind?”
Mr. Colborne laughed. “I would be honored, Miss Fairchild. Although Eversley tells me you have found yourself an admirer.”
&n
bsp; “Yes, though he is quite unwanted and rather persistent. I’m afraid I’ll have to go home to ensure he will leave me be.”
Mr. Colborne clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Come now, there is no cause for that. Give me your dance card.”
Coralyn looked at him warily, but handed it to him.
“You dance with my friend here, and when you return, I’ll have your card filled. Then there will be no need to make excuses to your hostile suitor.” He smiled a crooked grin, clearly pleased with his plan.
Coralyn did not know what to say, and felt more than a little embarrassed at having a stranger rescue her. “Thank you, sir. But that is most unconventional.”
Mr. Colborne waved away her concern. “I know several good men who would be more than pleased to aid a damsel in distress.” He leaned forward and spoke in a loud whisper. “Besides, a good number of them hold Lord Seton in ill regard. They will be happy to ruin his evening.” He motioned toward Christopher. “As long as his lordship here has no objections.”
Coralyn peered up at Christopher. Why would he object?
As a reply, Christopher motioned for Mr. Colborne to hand him her dance card. He filled two additional dances with his name. “There. Now get to work,” he said with a smile.
Mr. Colborne dipped his head and turned away.
Christopher extended his arm. “Shall we?”
Coralyn placed her hand on it, enjoying the rush of joy that flew into her heart. As the dance began, Coralyn focused all her thoughts on Christopher and the dance they shared. There was no need to dwell on less pleasant people.
Christopher took her hand to lead her through the first movement. She had never realized how well her hand fit into his, nor the comfort the small gesture gave her. And when he placed his hand on her back for a turn, pulling her toward him, a shiver ran down her spine. When the dance ended, she longed for it to go on, but did not mourn long as she knew there were two dances still to come.
Mr. Colborne waited for her at the side of the set, her dance card in hand. He gave it to her with a smile. “Here you are, damsel. One full card, as promised.”
She looked it over, pleased he had been considerate enough to include an occasional rest. He’d even gone to the lengths of penning the word “rest” on the line. “You are wonderful, thank you.”
Forgotten Friend (Roselund Heights) Page 7