Chapter Sixteen
I t was the night of the opening ball of the Season.
And Ariadne was miserable.
The previous two weeks had inched along, and she had kept all her hurt inside her. No one knew what Julian had said to her. His words in the carriage that day had dashed all her dreams. Thankfully, she had her sisters with her. Even though they were unaware of her distress, they had been a balm to her soul.
She had done more fittings, not only of ballgowns, but of gowns she would wear to other events, as well as ones she would don to receive visits from suitors during morning calls.
The twins had been with her each step of the way, their enthusiasm unbridled. Mama had told them they could remain for the first week of the Season before returning to Millbrooke.
They had gone to Gunter’s an additional time with Val and Con, but the place seemed to have lost its charm without Julian being in their party. Lia had asked about him, and Ariadne told her the marquess had business to attend to in the country and that they would not see him until the Season began.
Tally finished dressing Ariadne’s hair in an elaborate coiffure, and she caught sight of her maid smiling at her in the mirror.
“You have outdone yourself, Tally,” she declared, causing the maid to blush. Standing, she turned so the twins could see her.
“Every man in the ballroom will fall in love with you this evening, Ariadne,” Tia exclaimed.
“Your dance programme will be filled,” Lia predicted. “Oh, what fun to dance every dance at a ball.”
She only wished one of those dances could be with Julian. She told herself to stop thinking of him that way. He had expressed his feelings. He was no longer interested in her, for whatever reason, and she would never question him regarding it. She needed to stop moping about, hoping he might change his mind. Julian was a man unlike others, and she would not be able to replace him easily in her heart. Still, she would be meeting many others this evening. The Season had been something she looked forward to for a long time.
Yet something told her that she would never find a man of Julian’s character, much less one whose kiss affected her the way his had.
Mama swept into the room, ordering the twins aside. “Let me look at you, Child.”
Her words rankled Ariadne, but she put a placid look upon her face as Mama scrutinized her daughter’s appearance.
“Madame Laurent has done her job well,” her mother proclaimed. “The gown is flattering. It will attract the eyes of others. Your hair is also suitably dressed.”
Mama turned to the twins. “Go to bed now. We will speak with you tomorrow.”
“But we want to wait up for Ariadne,” protested Tia. “We want to hear all about tonight’s first ball.”
Mama clucked her tongue. “We will not arrive home until at least four or five o’clock in the morning. You may hear about the ball after Ariadne has slept.”
“You will be out all night? Into morning?” Lia questioned.
“Of course,” Mama said dismissively. “The dancing will be broken up when our hosts serve a midnight buffet. Dancing will then resume for several more hours. Everyone in Polite Society makes a point to attend the first ball of each Season, which makes it so difficult to find your carriage and driver afterward. It will take a good hour or longer to return home.”
Ariadne had known none of this. In fact, she thought her mother had done a poor job in preparing her daughter for the Season. Yes, they had gone around to the various shops so that she was dressed impeccably, but as far as anything else went, Mama had neglected her duties. Only Val had filled in a few blanks for her regarding social etiquette and the behavior expected from her.
“Come,” Mama ordered. “His Grace is waiting for us.”
Lia went to embrace her, and Mama shrieked. “Get back, Cornelia! Do not wrinkle or muss Ariadne in any way. She must be perfect tonight.”
“Yes, Mama,” Lia said meekly. She looked at Ariadne and said, “I hope you have a wonderful time at your first ball.”
“Remember every detail because we want to hear about everything,” Tia reminded her, taking her twin’s hand and leading Lia from the room.
Ariadne followed her mother down the stairs, and they accompanied Papa to the carriage awaiting them.
Traffic was brutal. They only had a few blocks to travel, and she thought they could have easily walked the distance more quickly. Her mother would have been appalled at that idea, and Ariadne thought her slippers would not have held up to the walk.
The carriage slowly rolled to a halt, and the door opened. “This is as close as we can get, Your Graces,” a footman announced.
They exited the vehicle and followed the stream of people heading to the townhouse of Lord and Lady Treeley, the host and hostess of this first event.
As they entered the stately townhouse, Ariadne saw a line before them. Her father bypassed it, going up the stairs to the very front. She and Mama followed him, and Ariadne thought it incredibly rude that he would not have them wait their turn to meet Lord and Lady Treeley. She supposed it was one the privileges of his rank, though, because no one called Papa out for doing so.
Gazing out, she saw so many beautifully gowned women and for the first time, she felt a bit insecure. How would she measure up to the rest of the girls who were making their come-outs? There also would be young ladies from last year who had not made a match and would be returning to the Marriage Mart. She prayed her brother and cousin would find a kind man for her. Val had told her he would weed out the fortune hunters, those who would be interested in her only for her large dowry and status as the Duke of Millbrooke’s daughter.
Moments later, Val joined them. “I see we are at the front of the line, as usual,” he quipped quietly.
“Papa marched straight to the front,” she revealed. “No one called him out for doing so.”
“He will not be the only one to do so, Sis.” Val paused, looking at her from head to toe. “You look beautiful. I hope you are excited about this evening.”
All her excitement about the Season had faded, but she smiled brightly, not wishing to betray her true feelings. “Of course. After all, I may meet my future husband tonight.”
“Con and I have a list of gentlemen we expressly wish to introduce you to, as well as those we want you to avoid. I will not bore you with names now. You will be deluged hearing too many of them as it is. I have also warned off a few not to even approach you. Ones I do not believe are appropriate for you. They will not be asking you for a dance.”
He looked about. “I still do not see Julian here. I know he returned from the country yesterday because he was at White’s this morning.”
Even hearing the name caused her to tense. Casually, she said, “I hope he was able to complete his business.”
“Frankly, I do not think he had any business to see to,” Val revealed. “I believe he is nervous about this evening and wanted to retreat to the country in order to collect his thoughts and gather his courage.”
“He should not be nervous,” she said. “After all, he has looks, wealth, and an enviable title. He will easily find a bride this Season.”
Her brother studied her a moment. “I thought Julian was interested in you—and you in him.”
Thankfully, Val did not mention the kiss he had witnessed.
“After I got to know him a bit better, I believe we would not suit,” she explained, deliberately remaining vague. She looked across the room, feeling Val’s gaze bore into her.
“I thought you would suit quite well,” he said, and she knew he was pushing her to reveal more.
Before she could reply, though, a buzz filled the air, and she saw Lord and Lady Treeley had appeared. Footmen opened the doors to the ballroom, and she peeked inside, seeing it decorated with greenery and bright flowers. She turned her attention to their hosts, who were greeting her parents.
“You know my son, Claibourne,” Papa said to the earl. “And this is Ariadne, my daughter who is making her come-out this Season.”
She could see Lady Treeley scrutinizing her as Ariadne dropped a curtsy to her hosts.
“You will easily find a husband, Lady Ariadne,” the countess said. “Your fair face and good breeding will be evident to all.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, a bit taken aback by the brazen statement, wondering if everyone would speak so bluntly regarding her prospects of marriage.
They moved into the ballroom, Mama directing them to the left, saying, “We will stand here. It is a prime location, and I wish for everyone in attendance tonight to see you first thing, Ariadne.”
After that, a flood of people spoke to them upon entering the ballroom. She was introduced to so many others that her head spun, and Ariadne doubted she would be able to recall a single name. She saw Val nod a few times at gentlemen, who only then approached her. Her brother or mother would then make the introduction, and the gentleman would ask to sign her dance card. She knew Val would not have let things go so far unless it was a gentleman he wished for her to know better, and so she agreed every time.
Her programme filled quickly, and she knew she was foolish, holding out hope that Julian might appear and request a dance with her.
Then suddenly, he was there, greeting her parents, looking incredibly handsome in his black evening wear.
He turned to her, a wistful smile crossing his face. “You are lovely, my lady,” he complimented, bowing and taking her gloved hand, bending over it and pressing his lips to her fingers. Familiar sensations rolled through her at his touch.
“Thank you, Lord Aldridge. Your tailor has done a fine job with your wardrobe, as well.”
For a moment, they merely drank in one another, and she held her breath, ready to hand over her dance programme to him.
Then he bowed again. “If you will excuse me. Viscount Dyer has promised to take me about the room and introduce me to others since I am new to Polite Society.”
“I will join you shortly,” Val told his friend.
Ariadne watched Julian walk away, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. He had not wanted a dance with her. He wanted nothing to do with her. She could not let anyone see how his absence affected her, however, and smiled brightly at the next gentleman Val introduced her to. He asked for a dance, and after one more introduction, her programme was now full.
“Ah, Agnes,” Mama said. “It is good to see you.”
Ariadne turned, immediately recognizing the woman. “Aunt Agnes, how good to see you again after so long.”
Her aunt’s eyes twinkled as she took in her niece. “My, Ariadne. You have grown into a true beauty. The last I saw you, you were such a sweet, caring girl.”
“How are my cousins? I assume Hadrian is still at university.”
Aunt Agnes smiled. “He is. He goes by Tray ever since he took his father’s title. Once he graduates from Oxford, he will then take his place in Polite Society.”
“And Verina and Justina?”
Her aunt talked a bit about her two daughters and then said, “I do not want to take up any more of your time, my dear. You must come see me, however.”
“I will do so, Aunt,” she promised, recalling how she had liked this woman very much.
The musicians had picked up their instruments and were tuning them. Val, who had disappeared for a bit, returned.
“I had to see to Julian,” he apologized. “He will be dancing several times this evening.” Her brother frowned. “He was most interested in meeting wallflowers, however. Of course, they were thrilled that a marquess was signing their dance programmes.” Val shook his head. “I am not quite certain why he was doing so.”
Ariadne didn’t understand either. She told herself it shouldn’t matter to her. She had only spent a brief time in the marquess’ company and shared a few kisses with him.
But those kisses had been powerful. Passionate. She wondered if any man could live up to Julian Barrington.
She saw a gentleman coming her way and supposed he was her first dance partner. He confirmed it when he bowed to her.
“I believe we are to dance this first set, Lady Ariadne.” He smiled, a charming smile. “I will remind you that I am Lord Leverley. I know you have met many people this evening already. My advice to you is always to ask your new partner his name again if he does not volunteer it.”
She returned his smile. “That is excellent advice, my lord. I will definitely take it.”
Val looked at them approvingly, and she knew her brother had left her in good hands with Lord Leverley.
“May I escort you onto the dance floor?” he asked.
She placed her fingers upon his sleeve, and they moved onto the floor. Much to her dismay, however, the group which formed included Julian and his partner. She was plain of face, but she had a beautiful smile which she was now using as she looked up adoringly at the marquess.
Ariadne turned away, gazing at her own partner. “Do you enjoy dancing, my lord?”
“I do. Especially when I have such a lovely partner to dance with,” he flirted.
The music began, a lively country dance, the first one she had taught to Julian. Bile rose in her throat, and she swallowed it quickly. She tried not to look at him and concentrated on her own steps and enjoyment. At one point, though, they did join together to dance a few measures before returning to their own partners. Their gazes had met briefly, and deep yearning had filled her.
Lord Leverley escorted her from the floor, and she was quickly claimed by a handsome viscount. The rest of the evening seemed a blur. She did dance every set. She visited the retiring room twice, where she spoke with a few other girls also making their come-outs. The midnight buffet was enjoyable, but she tried not to overeat so she could remain light on her feet.
In the carriage on the way home, she closed her eyes, exhausted from the long night of activity. No one else spoke, and she was glad she wasn’t pressed to give her opinion on anything or anyone. The entire night had been a tremendous disappointment to her. She had looked forward to making her come-out her entire life, and now it seemed pointless.
All because her heart had been broken by Julian.
Ariadne went to her bedchamber, where she found Tally asleep in a chair and Tia and Lia asleep on her bed. She thought it sweet that the twins had wanted to wait for her, but she had no desire to talk about tonight’s ball.
Gently, she shook Tally’s shoulder and put a finger to her own lips. Tally understood and quietly undressed her mistress. She left her bedchamber, Tally following her.
“I will sleep in the twins’ room,” she told the maid.
Once she climbed into bed and brought the covers over her, Ariadne finally gave into the tears she had held back for hours and cried herself to sleep.