Edward glanced around the ballroom, hoping to glimpse her mother or sister nearby, but saw neither. “Why don’t I find Lady Caldwell and advise her you’re not feeling well?”
“No need.” Her high-pitched tone suggested panic. But still, she continued forward.
“Perhaps it would be best if you stayed near the door.”
She turned to face him then swayed alarmingly. “I fear I must find a place to sit. I'm not feeling quite the thing. Do you know where a bench might be?”
Edward gritted his teeth as he took a step closer to search. “I'm sure one is nearby. Are you certain you don’t want me to find your mother?”
“I believe I'll be fine if I could just rest for a moment. Do you think it’s this way?” She paused at the edge of the terrace to peer into the darkness.
“There is one straight ahead of you.” How could she not see the bench directly before her?
“Where? Oh my.” She held a gloved hand to her forehead and swayed once more, her body dipping as if her legs would no longer hold her. Her performance would’ve rivaled any actress he’d seen perform.
Blast it all. He would see her to the bench then find Lady Caldwell. Lady Dorothy was acting out of character, and he didn’t pretend to understand it. Her mother would be better suited to sort out whatever was wrong.
~*~
Margaret wanted to growl with frustration as Caroline took her time alighting from the carriage outside the Thompson Ball. They should have arrived an hour ago, but her sister had found one reason after another to delay their departure.
Margaret was eager to see Edward. It was as if she needed physical contact with him to make certain those few minutes at the garden party hadn't been a dream. She couldn't quite believe that he cared enough for her to try to make things work between them. But when she was able to look into his eyes again and see him smile, all would be well.
They were so late to the ball that there was no receiving line. Obviously, Lord and Lady Thompson had already joined their guests in the ballroom.
“Could you walk faster?” Margaret asked her as they followed the footman’s direction down the corridor to the ballroom.
Caroline frowned at her. “Whatever has you so anxious to arrive at a ball?”
Edward's name was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud for fear doing so would bring bad luck.
“I’m eager to see Charlotte,” she said at last. And Edward, she added silently.
“Didn't you just see her three days’ past?”
“Yes, but I am eager to hear how the wedding plans are progressing.”
Caroline's expression softened. “I nearly forgot she and Viscount Redmond are to be married next week. How exciting. Is she planning a large wedding breakfast?”
“Not overly so.”
“I noticed she and her mother are now in half-mourning rather than full. Quite generous of them to even wear mourning attire that long, considering how difficult the late earl was.”
“Caroline.” Margaret shook her head. “How unlike you to speak ill of someone. Especially the dead.”
“Some deserve it,” she defended herself with a lift of her chin. “The man never had a good thing to say about anyone. I can't believe he treated his family differently than he treated the rest of us. Such a grumpy man.”
“True.” But Margaret knew how guilty Edward and Charlotte felt over his death. She didn't believe for a moment that he wouldn't have become angry due to some other reason and had his heart give out. Their confrontation wasn’t to blame. “At any rate, I look forward to hearing how plans are coming along.”
What she really meant was how Edward's plan for them to be together was progressing. Did he have one? Had he found a way to overcome the crevasse between them? She eagerly followed Caroline into the ballroom, where they both paused to search the crowd.
“Richard said he would meet us here,” Caroline advised.
Margaret hardly heard her. She was intent on finding Edward’s tall form, frowning when she didn’t immediately see him. Normally, she had a sense as to where he was in crowds like this. As if they shared a connection on an instinctual level. The fanciful thought had her smiling.
Caroline waved a hand before her face. “It is incredibly warm in here, isn't it? Knowing Aberland, he will be outside given this heat.”
Without bothering to comment, Margaret led the way toward the open terrace doors. Surely Edward would share the same idea and be near the doors as well.
They threaded their way slowly through the throng around the dance floor, searching as they went. Margaret spotted Charlotte and Redmond near the dance floor, but Edward wasn't with them, so she continued on.
A lovely breeze drifted through the doors and served to convince her all the more that he might be on the terrace. Perhaps he and Aberland visited out there.
She stepped through the doors and glanced about, surprised by the number of people outside. It only took a moment to realize Edward was indeed present.
With Lady Dorothy at his side.
Her mother, Lady Caldwell, and younger sister, Lady Minerva, along with the hostess, Lady Thompson, were there as well. By the sound of Lady Caldwell’s high-pitched hysterical tone, all was not well.
Margaret met Edward's eyes, her heart catching at the relief in his expression at her arrival. But she could also see the worry in their depths. Something was terribly wrong.
At last, Lady Caldwell’s words became clear. “You have ruined her! What do you intend to do about it?”
Edward stared at the woman, his tight expression a mixture of frustration and anger. “She was not feeling well. I assisted her to a bench, so she might have a breath of fresh air and regain her senses.”
“Obviously, that is not all that occurred.” Lady Caldwell placed her hands on her hips, her outrage evident. “She was out here alone with you, my lord. Now she is ruined. Ruined, I say.” The woman glanced about as if in search of support for her claim.
“Oh dear,” Caroline whispered with a gasp.
Lady Dorothy stood stiffly beside Edward, her gaze locked on the ground, blushing. But she didn't deny any of her mother’s outburst.
Not for a moment did Margaret believe that Edward had taken advantage of Lady Dorothy on the terrace. Still, a terrible dread crept over her, chilling her to the bone, as she realized what the accusation might mean.
If only she and Caroline had arrived a moment earlier, they would have been the ones to come upon Edward and Lady Dorothy. She had no doubt the outcome would have been much different.
Lady Minerva glanced backward, and Margaret noted a sly smile on her face.
Margaret clenched her gloved hand, wishing she could knock the smile from the young woman's face. This had been a deliberate act. That smirk was all the proof Margaret needed.
“Let us not jump to conclusions,” Lady Thompson protested, her hands fluttering as if she wasn’t certain what to do. “Lord Wynn’s explanation for all of this is plausible.”
“You can’t possibly believe him.” Dorothy's mother pressed a hand to her mouth in alarm as if realizing she had overstepped.
Edward’s gaze narrowed even as his jaw clenched, yet his tone remained calm. “Nothing occurred. As I said before, Lady Dorothy was overcome by the heat and wanted to rest in the fresh air. When she couldn't find the bench, I assisted her to it.” He gestured to where the bench stood directly behind them. “Nothing else happened.”
Everyone followed his hand to look at the bench as if the answers were there.
But if anything, the nearness of the bench made his explanation sound ridiculous. It was difficult to believe Lady Dorothy hadn't been able to find the bench on her own when it was clearly visible.
While Margaret appreciated that Edward had acted the gentleman exactly as he said, she wished he hadn’t. If only he’d remained by the terrace door and kept his distance.
“There’s no reason to doubt Lord Wynn,” Margaret said u
nable to resist coming to his defense. His behavior had always been above reproach. He’d set his roguish ways behind him upon his father’s death. Yet those few minutes at the garden party came to mind and caused her own cheeks to heat. She glanced at her sister in time to see a puzzled expression briefly cross her face.
“My sister is right,” Caroline said with another curious glance at Margaret. “I'm certain the moment is as Lord Wynn stated.”
The hostess appeared greatly relieved at Caroline's calm words. No hostess wanted a scandal at their ball. “Perhaps Lady Dorothy could verify what happened,” Lady Thompson suggested.
Lady Dorothy looked up at last, her eyes wide and color staining her cheeks, much like a child caught stealing biscuits from the kitchen. “I—” Her gaze fluttered and after holding briefly on her mother, she crumpled to the ground.
“How convenient,” Margaret muttered. Lady Minerva glanced at Margaret, guilt and dismay etched on her face. Margaret bit her lip to keep from accusing the young lady of foul play.
“Oh, my poor daughter!” Lady Caldwell rushed forward to kneel beside Lady Dorothy.
Edward glanced helplessly at Margaret before doing the same.
“I don't think I have seen a more graceful faint in my life.” Caroline shook her head.
“What is all this?”
Margaret turned to see Aberland arrive, his gaze quickly taking in the scene.
“An attempt to force a proposal I would say,” Caroline whispered with a sympathetic glance in Edward’s direction.
“Surely it won’t work,” Margaret said even as a hint of panic clutched her throat. “We have seen through the ploy. Others will as well.” She glanced between Caroline and Aberland, desperate for reassurance. “Won’t they?”
Aberland’s expression was grim as he studied Lady Caldwell, who continued to lament over her daughter while Edward remained silent. “You may remember your sister and I have been in similar circumstances, and we can advise that the situation rarely turns out as one hopes.”
Margaret’s heart pinched even as she turned to glare at Lady Dorothy, feeling her dream of a future with Edward slip away.
~*~
Edward held his head in his hands as he sat in the drawing room at home, filled with despair. How had a few brief minutes ripped his future from his hands? Why hadn’t he listened to his instincts and left Lady Dorothy to fend for herself?
“Oh, Edward.” The dismay in his mother's tone only made him feel worse.
“This is ridiculous,” Charlotte insisted as she paced before him. “It was clearly a ruse on Lady Dorothy's part to force you to propose.”
“I agree,” Redmond said. “Perhaps the lady realized you were losing interest and decided to take action.”
“Even Lord and Lady Aberland agree,” Charlotte added.
Edward lifted his head to see Charlotte's hands flutter in the air helplessly. That was how he felt. Helpless. While he appreciated that Aberland and his wife believed him, the true question was did Margaret? Despite the realization that it made little difference to the outcome, it was still important to him. Vital, in fact.
“I will speak with Lady Thompson,” his mother offered. “If she agrees with the Earl and Countess of Aberland, that could sway others’ opinion as well. The situation might not be as dire as we think.”
“My apologies if I missed something,” Redmond began, “but I thought you were considering Lady Dorothy. While her actions are disappointing, do they bring you to the same end? Were you planning to offer for her?”
“No.” Edward jerked to his feet, feeling as if a cage were closing around him. “I had someone else in mind.” He shared a pained look with his mother. “Even if Lady Thompson suspects the truth, I have no choice. I will have to offer for Lady Dorothy. Her mother was adamant. No doubt her father will feel the same way.”
“There is no need to take rash action.” Charlotte glared at him as if the stern look would force him to agree. “Perhaps Lady Dorothy will tell her mother the truth. That nothing happened and you were only being a gentleman to help her.”
“That will make little difference. What’s done is done. Lady Dorothy faces ruin if I don’t propose.” Edward turned to stare out the window, his hands on his hips.
He could see the shock on Margaret's face followed quickly by disappointment. How ironic that he had longed to see her and so certain all would be well once he did. Now it felt as if his world would never be well again.
“At least wait a day or two to see if anything changes,” Redmond suggested. “As Charlotte suggested, don’t act rashly.”
Edward nodded, though he didn’t see how a few hours would make any difference. He’d lost Margaret before he had the chance to find a way for them to be together. The idea of Lady Dorothy’s generous dowry held no appeal. Not even considering the roof repairs at the country house that needed to be done.
He rubbed a hand over his aching heart as Margaret filled his mind. So close and yet so far...
Chapter Twenty-One
Margaret went through the motions of life for the next two days, feeling as if she might shatter at any moment. With each hour that passed—then an entire day—and no message from Edward, the little hope she held slowly died. What could she do but stay busy?
She’d completed her drawings and commentary and sent them to Thomas. She assisted her mother with a few special things for Barclay to send him off in fine fashion and thank him for his many years of service.
The initial interview with Mr. and Mrs. Dawson had gone well the previous afternoon, according to her mother. So well that a second one would begin shortly with the entire family present. Margaret already waited in the drawing room, working on a piece of embroidery.
Yet her thoughts remained on Edward. She longed to speak with him and tell him—
Tell him what?
That she believed him, certainly. But sharing what was in her heart would only worsen the situation. What purpose would be served in saying how much she wished the evening’s events hadn’t happened? Or how she wished that instead of Edward offering for Lady Dorothy, he and Margaret were planning their life together? She already ached for what couldn’t be. Talking about it, especially with him, seemed as if it would only make them both feel worse. Nor had she shared her upset with any of her family.
Hadn’t she just been thinking not long ago that everyone else’s life was moving forward except hers? She’d briefly held hope that her future was changing into something she had only dreamed of. All because of Edward. Now she wondered if he didn’t think the attraction between them was worth fighting for. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he have done something more to prove his innocence?
It seemed she was meant to remain a spinster, staying at home to help care for her father, just as she’d originally intended. Dwelling on what could’ve been solved nothing.
Instead, she focused on the next task that needed to be done, which was meeting the Dawsons. Even Barclay wanted to meet with the pair, insisting he would delay his departure if he didn’t find them satisfactory.
Annabelle joined her in the drawing room, and Margaret managed a smile. “I hope the day finds you well.”
“What is happening?” Annabelle asked, ignoring her attempt at pleasantries.
“I thought we were meeting Mr. and Mrs. Dawson. Do I have the day wrong?” Considering how difficult it was to focus, she could easily believe that to be true.
“Mother says you’ve been miserable since the Thompson Ball, and Caroline agrees.”
“Yes, I do,” Caroline said as she hurried into the room. She glanced at the clock on the nearby table. “We have less than a quarter of an hour before the others join us. Please tell us what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Except for everything, she added silently. Though she wasn’t normally given to dramatics, if there was ever a time to do so, this was it.
Annabelle knelt beside her chair and took her hand. “I can see for myself there is. It’s writte
n all over your face.”
Caroline joined Annabelle and placed her hand on top of theirs as she searched Margaret’s expression. “Does it have anything to do with Lord Wynn and Lady Dorothy?”
Hearing their names linked caused Margaret to stiffen. “Has a betrothal been announced?” Why had she asked when she didn’t want to know the answer?
“It is about them.” Annabelle sent a questioning glance at Caroline. “I heard what happened.”
Understanding spread over Caroline’s expression. “Lord Wynn. You and he?” Her unspoken question had Margaret drawing a deep breath.
Annabelle gasped. “I should’ve realized. Of course. You and Charlotte have become so close. It’s no surprise you developed a tendre for her brother.”
Margaret lifted her gaze to the ceiling. Why did she bother to try to hide her feelings from her sisters? If she waited long enough, they’d decipher everything without her saying a word.
“Oh, Margaret.” Caroline squeezed her hand, forcing her to meet her sympathy-filled gaze. “How terrible that moment must’ve been. To see Edward—”
“He is innocent in all this.” Of that, Margaret had no doubt. “Lady Dorothy played upon his gentlemanly behavior and took advantage of the situation.”
“Yes, of course,” Caroline agreed. “That was my impression as well. While that truth might make it slightly less painful, it doesn’t change the facts. I’m surprised their betrothal has not yet been announced.”
“You truly believe Lord Wynn is innocent?” Annabelle asked, eyes narrowed. “That he was taken advantage of by Lady Dorothy?”
“Yes, I do.” Margaret would swear to it with her dying breath.
“And you have reason to believe he returns your...feelings for him?” Annabelle continued.
“Yes.” Margaret blinked back tears as her emotions got the better of her. “We were hoping to find a way to be together. But circumstances have made that...challenging.”
“Beyond the situation with Lady Dorothy?” Caroline asked.
Margaret hesitated to say more. She didn’t want to concern them, but since a future with Edward wasn’t meant to be, what harm could it cause? “First of all, Edward needs to marry an heiress, which I am not. Second, I-I didn’t intend to marry at all. I can’t imagine leaving Mother to care for Father on her own.”
A Rogue Meets His Match (The Rogue Chronicles Book 7) Page 21