by Jenna Brandt
Quickly, she pulled her hand away while giving him a disdainful look, as he slowly straightened. The duke slightly raised his eyebrows and smiled in part amusement and part understanding that he made her feel something she did not expect.
“I hope to enjoy the rest of the evening, and I am sure I will, since you will be in attendance. I look forward to speaking with you again at a future time, my lady.”
Then, almost as an afterthought, he turned to Henry and stated with a slight decline of his head, “Rolantry.”
With that, the duke turned and slowly strolled down the stairs and into the dining hall, leaving them quite alone.
The discomfort was substantial between Margaret and Henry. She did not know what to say or how to break the silence. Instead, she opted for the easiest way out and stood quietly.
“It is not like you to be so silent, my sweet. What is on your pretty little mind?”
Oh no. She could hear it in his tone and affectionate address that he was indeed angry. He was clipping his words, and he never used terms of endearment in public because he knew it embarrassed her. It was a sure sign that fury seethed underneath his cool exterior.
He waited a few moments and asked again, “My love, whatever are you thinking about?”
“I was just thinking that if we do not hurry, we will be late to dine.”
“That can wait. This, on the other hand, needs to be handled straightaway.”
It seemed there was no way around it. She was going to have to deal with what had just happened. He was not going to let it pass without comment.
“The duke approached me. I was standing here searching for you when he startled me from behind.”
“Yes, that may be what you want me to believe, but you did not seem startled when I came upon the two of you together.”
Frustrated by his endless jealousy, Margaret defended, “My lord, the duke was only being courteous and giving his greetings to his hostess. I did not, nor did anyone else, read anything more into it, except you!”
“Is that so? Why, I was certain that the fact that we are betrothed gives me some right to care about who you are with and what you are doing!”
Margaret knew how marriages worked in their society, but she hated the fact that she would be entering into a marriage that made her little more than a possession. “You do not own me, my lord, at least not yet.”
A look of deep hurt crossed Henry’s face as he retorted, “My intent was never to own you, only to love and protect you. Is that so wrong?”
Margaret regretted what she said as soon as he explained his actions. Henry was her oldest friend and she cared deeply for him. She did not want to hurt him.
Chagrined over her behavior, Margaret said, “No, that is not wrong if that was all you intended.”
“The truth of the matter is that the duke has no scruples and even less morals and would stop at nothing to get at me, including using you.”
“I hardly think that I could be a valuable pawn in any scheme directed at you. You have always been self-sufficient, and I, in all reality, am of little consequence.”
He turned to face her and looked deeply into her eyes. It was all she could do to not turn away from his searching gaze. “You must have no idea how important you truly are to me.”
She allowed his confession to sink in momentarily, but just as quickly pushed it away as if he never said it.
Margaret knew that she was trapped in her betrothal to Henry due to a couple of key reasons. First and foremost was his dead father’s influence over her father. They had been the closest of friends from childhood and raised their families together, agreeing to marry their children to each other. All Henry had to do was mention his father’s name and the earl got teary-eyed. Secondly, her father was a man of his word and he had given it to Henry. It did not matter how many suitors tried to entice him to end the betrothal; nothing would change her father’s mind on the subject.
Really, her father should have found someone with a greater title for her once he inherited his earldom, but he chose to stay true to his promise instead. It also helped that no one could match Henry’s wealth. His family had the gift of knowing a good investment when it came along, and Henry had banked on it more than once. He was considered one of the better catches in their social circle because his wealth made up for what he lacked in title.
Henry broke the uncomfortable silence. “You are right about supper. We are on the verge of being late. We should make our way to the dining hall,” he said as he guided her forward with steely resolve.
Chapter 2
The meal had passed by dreadfully slow. Margaret had listened to polite conversation and made the appropriate responses throughout, but her mind unwillingly kept returning to thoughts of the duke. She knew she had no right to be thinking about another man while she was engaged to Henry, but she had never felt anything like what she felt when the duke kissed her hand.
Her father giving a toast interrupted Margaret’s thoughts. The elderly gentleman stood to his feet and all eyes were on the graying, thin man with violet eyes and a friendly smile. “I would like to make a toast to my daughter. She has given me sixteen marvelous years with a lifetime full of memories. You are the finest daughter a man could have.”
Glasses were raised and everyone replied “To Margaret!” before sipping from their goblets.
“I would also like to make a toast to the Lady Margaret, my betrothed. You are my best friend and my one true love. I look forward to sharing my life and home with you.”
The glasses rose again and “Hear, hears” echoed.
Margaret smiled appreciatively at Henry and gently smoothed the edge of her dress as she prepared herself for the dancing part of the evening. But before anyone could stand and move towards the ballroom, one additional, unexpected person stood to make a toast to Margaret.
Her eyes grew wide with surprise as she watched the Duke of Witherton rise from his seat and say, “Since we are making toasts to the fair Lady Margaret, I too would like to make one. Here is to one of the most exquisite ladies that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. You bring light and radiance with you wherever you go, and I find myself utterly enchanted with how you do it. You are truly as majestic as the rumors have said.”
Several guests looked back and forth between Henry, Margaret, and the duke while moments ticked by in awkward silence. Finally, the glasses rose a final time in honor of Margaret. The discomfort in the room was thick. It was unusual for someone of the duke’s stature to single out someone of Lady Margaret’s status, and even more bizarre that he did it while she was betrothed and in front of her intended.
In those moments directly following Richard’s toast, she felt more embarrassment than she had in a long time. The entire situation made her blush from the fact that he would make his interest known so openly.
The earl rose to his feet again. “I would like to thank both the Viscount Rolantry and the Duke of Witherton for making their toasts in honor of my daughter. I would now like to invite everyone to join my family in the ballroom so the dancing may commence.”
She could always count on her father to make an uncomfortable situation more bearable. She smiled at him with a look of relief that only he could register. He smiled back and came around, taking her by the arm.
“I feel it is my duty to escort you to the dance floor, for I fear that those two young men are about to have words over you. I hope it does not result in a row,” he snickered. Then he remarked dryly, “I daresay, what a scandal that would cause.”
“I fear that you are right, Father, and I do not like it at all.”
But before the earl and Margaret could leave the room, Margaret saw Henry stop the duke from heading towards the ballroom.
In a determined tone, Henry proclaimed, “I know what you are about, Witherton. Do not fool yourself into believing I am unaware of what you are trying to do. And let me be the one to guarantee you that it will not work. Lady Margaret is mine! I have courted h
er for years, waited for her to come of age, and she will marry me! Do not think for a moment that you can or will change that.”
“On my brother’s life, you have nothing to fear from me. I truly just enjoy the presence of Lady Margaret.”
It sounded sincere, but then, not many people knew that the duke’s brother was illegitimate and they were estranged. Henry had told Margaret as much.
“I am not inexperienced. I know how much your word is worth.” With that, Henry turned on his heels and brusquely walked over to the earl and Margaret.
“I am sorry you both witnessed that interaction.”
“Nonsense, my boy. You will never see me upset over you protecting my daughter.”
Margaret refrained from commenting. She abhorred the confrontation between the two men but knew any protest on her part would only make the predicament worse.
The three of them entered the ballroom where all the other guests were already gathered and preparing for the first dance of the evening.
The earl asked Margaret as they approached the edge of the dance floor, “Daughter, would you like to honor me with your first dance?”
She was a bit nervous. She had never danced at a ball before. Yes, she knew how to dance quite well, but that was in theory with her dance instructor. This was different. This was in front of hundreds of people who were just waiting for her to misstep or, better yet, trip and fall on her face, so they would have something to gossip about at their next teatime.
“Actually, I was hoping that the Lady Margaret would give me the honor of her first dance,” Henry said earnestly as he reached out his hand to her.
Goodness! How was she going to get out of this? The room almost felt as if it were spinning and a painful knot was forming in the pit of her stomach. She did not think she could manage to stay on her feet the way she was feeling. How could she make excuses to Henry without hurting him further?
“I really do not feel up to it, my lord. If you would allow me to sit out this dance, perhaps I will feel more inclined after a bit.”
He stared at her for a moment without shifting his gaze or features, then replied, “As you wish. I shall stay by your side until you feel up to it.”
But only moments passed before Henry’s aunt, Baroness Wollingleer, came and tapped Henry on the shoulder with her fan, asking him to dance.
And with that, the betrothed couple, knowing that it would be rude to turn down a guest, split ways, Henry replying to the baroness, “I would be honored to dance with you, Lady Helen.”
Watching as her fiancé danced with his aunt, Margaret studied the older woman who was Henry’s godmother. Lady Helen had been the most attractive woman of the English aristocracy—or “the ton” as they were more commonly referred to—during her peak from what she told everyone. Traces of her exceptional splendor still lingered underneath the aging woman’s face. But as her beauty slowly abandoned her over the years, bitterness took root. Her only joy left was being one of the many gossips of the titled.
Half way through the first waltz, Richard materialized out of nowhere. “My lady, I would count it a privilege to be able to dance this first dance with you.”
Hesitantly, she thought about the implications of dancing with the duke. She was feeling better and the queasiness had subsided, but she felt torn between upsetting Henry and disrespecting a higher-titled nobleman. Before she could object, she found herself being swept onto the floor and into the arms of the Duke of Witherton.
Clumsily at first, she tried to keep up with the steady movements of the waltz. Then quickly she fell into the pattern her instructor had taught her and it became like second nature.
“You dance well for your first time, Lady Margaret. I cannot help but wonder if you excel at all new things.”
She blushed again, uncomfortable with the implication. “Thank you, Your Grace. I am pleased that you think I dance well.”
“You are most graciously welcome. Did I mention that you look lovely tonight? More so than what I had expected or hoped.”
His comment piqued her interest, so she asked, “Why exactly did you come here?”
“Why, to make your acquaintance, of course.”
Skeptically, Margaret replied, “Nice attempt at flattery, Your Grace, but I know that I am not known outside my county.”
“Ah, but you have indeed been mentioned in my circle of acquaintances. And I know a great deal more than you might think.”
“Is that so? Then I shall keep that in mind.”
They continued to dance, but Margaret could not help but notice Henry watching them intently with a barely concealed affronted demeanor. When the dance ended, Margaret stepped back quickly and curtsied, wanting to distance herself from the man who was too tempting when holding her near his frame. She hated how she already missed his embrace and craved to be wrapped in his arms again.
“Thank you, Your Grace, for the dance.”
“It was my honor, I assure you. Perhaps we can dance again before the eve is through.”
“I believe that the Lady Margaret’s night is completely full.”
Margaret felt Henry’s hand come to rest on her shoulder from behind. She could tell Henry was staking his claim on her and asserting to Richard that she was unavailable in every way that mattered.
But Richard was not dissuaded. “I am sure that the Lady Margaret can make her own choices as to with whom she wants to dance.” He looked at Margaret meaningfully. “Another time perhaps.”
With a slight nod, the duke left the pair alone.
Henry looked at her for a tense moment before saying with controlled frustration, “I thought you were not feeling well.”
“Yes, I was not but after a bit of time passed, I felt better.”
With unmasked irritation this time, he quipped back, “I could see that. You got well fast enough to dance with the duke.”
“I could not very well turn him down, now could I?” Margaret said defensively.
“I see, but you could me,” Henry said with rising resentment.
“My lord, you take my words out of context. That is not what I meant.”
“Then, by all means, explain.”
She stopped for a moment and then, without being able to control it, started to laugh. How silly the two of them must seem. To fight over such nonsense as to who she danced with seemed ridiculous to her. She was engaged to Henry and everyone knew it. There was no competition except what was in Henry’s head.
First astonishment, then anger crossed his face. He started to turn and walk away when she lightly grabbed his arm.
“Henry, stop, do not be angry with me! Please wait. I would love it if you would dance with me.”
He stood still for an instant and then turned around. “You have not called me by my given name since we were children, not even upon my insistence.”
“I know.”
“Then why now?”
“Because, despite what has happened this evening, I had hoped to find a way to be the woman you deserve. I know I am not very good at it, but the truth is, you mean a great deal to me and I want our life together to be happy. I want our future marriage to work, and I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.”
For the first time that night, she saw a smile cross his face. “Then I will be more than honored to dance with you, my love.”
And for the first time, it did not seem so embarrassing to have Henry call her an endearment.
Henry led Margaret into the center of the ballroom. A fast-paced song began and everyone followed the steps to the Mazurka. Surprisingly, Margaret found herself enjoying their time dancing. He was a good dancer and they chatted pleasantly since they had much in common, but despite her best efforts, her mind continued to drift back to her time with the Duke of Witherton.
After the song ended, Henry escorted Margaret off the dance floor and over to her father. He excused himself, explaining that one of his servants had come with an urgent business matter he needed to attend to right away.
He would only be absent for a few minutes while he gave instruction for what needed to be done.
Margaret smiled and began to patiently wait for her betrothed’s return when Henry’s uncle, the Baron Wollingleer, approached her. He was a short, portly man who had mastered the art of being excessively uncouth. Margaret avoided him when possible. It seemed she was not going to have the luxury of escaping his presence tonight.
“I believe it is my turn to dance with you, Lady Margaret, since my nephew has left you partner-less. After all, we should get to know each other better since soon you will be my niece.”
The lechery tone he used was unmistakable as he talked to her. The baron had a reputation of taking advantage of young girls. She hoped that her being promised to his nephew would keep him from making advances towards her, but knowing all the stories that were whispered about him, she would not put it past him to try.
Margaret reluctantly nodded and put out her gloved hand for him to take. He escorted her onto the dance floor as he gathered her into his arms, a little too closely for Margaret’s liking, as the music began.
“I do say, you look quite becoming tonight. My nephew is a very fortunate man!”
“Thank you, Lord Marcus, for the acclamation.”
“You know, since we will be family soon, it would not be ill-conceived for us to spend some time alone getting to know one another better.”
Margaret tried to hide her disgust at his lascivious comment, then replied, “I do not think your nephew, my betrothed, would be very amicable with that idea.”
“Come now, you did not seem to mind when the Duke of Witherton was getting to know you alone at the top of the stairs earlier this eve.”
So, he had seen her interaction with the duke, which meant his horrid wife, most likely had seen it as well. No doubt, since she was one of the biggest gossips in the ton, Margaret would be fodder for the gossips by night’s end.
“He approached me while I was waiting for Henry, and I was merely being polite to one of my guests as any proper young lady should be.”