Chapter Nineteen
J ulian stood still as Paulson tied his cravat. The valet stepped back a moment and then nodded his approval.
“You are set, my lord.”
“Thank you,” he said, dismissing the servant as he took a seat by the window.
He did not want to go to tonight’s card party, but he had already replied to the invitation. Con also knew he was scheduled to go. That was before he learned Val and Ariadne would be in attendance. He should have realized they would be invited. Lord and Lady Atterby had only been wed two years and already had a son. Con told him it would be a younger crowd at the card party this evening. Julian had been eager to test his whist skills. But facing Ariadne in such a small setting would be difficult.
He had successfully avoided her ever since the first night of the Season. Feeling obligated to speak to her parents, he had taken time to stop and spend a few moments with Their Graces, along with her and Val. The deep yearning he had felt merely being a few feet from Ariadne told him he must stay out of her sphere.
Or disaster would occur.
They had been a part of the same group during the first dance. After that, he made certain he kept his eye on where she and her dance partner were in the ballroom and led his own partner far away from them. It was easier to avoid her presence at balls because of the sheer number of attendees. Tonight, however, Con had let him know there would only be about two dozen or so present. His greatest fear was being made to serve as her card partner. To have to sit across from her would be pure torture.
Maybe he could beg off. Send a note to Lady Atterby, saying he had taken ill. That would leave his hostess a man short, though, and he did not wish to do that. Julian told himself to stop behaving as a whining child and be the man he was.
Unfortunately, that was one who was desperately in love with Ariadne Worthington.
He refused to condemn her to a lifetime of being chained to him in matrimony. It was obvious from the first night of the Season how she attracted others to her. He didn’t have to imagine the number of suitors she entertained after each at her father’s townhouse because he only had to look out his window and see the steady group of men coming and going.
On the other hand, Julian had yet to call upon a single young lady. He had forced himself to dance at the different balls with various wallflowers, but he was afraid of giving any of them too much hope by calling on them the next day. Instead, he hid in his study, trying to read a book or look through reports Mr. Ross sent him regarding Aldridge Manor.
Determination filled him. He would go to this card party. He would even speak to Ariadne and act as if nothing was wrong—or nothing was between them. It was time to stop skulking about and get serious about the business of finding his marchioness. Once he did so, Julian knew he was too honorable to stray from her. Yes, it was better he found a marriage partner—and soon.
He came downstairs, having told Grigsby he did not need his carriage because the Atterbys lived only a quarter-mile away. Though his butler had frowned at the decision, he had not insisted on the carriage being readied for his employer.
Julian told his butler goodnight and left the townhouse, seeing the ducal carriage leaving the square. He steeled himself, knowing Ariadne and Val would already be present by the time he arrived at Lord and Lady Atterby’s residence.
When he reached his destination, he was taken up to the drawing room. Lord and Lady Atterby greeted him. He liked the viscount, whom he had met at White’s. They had had an interesting, amusing conversation. Atterby had a razor wit and was entertaining to be around. The viscount also had shared his political views with Julian, helping him to make sense of several issues which had puzzled him.
“Glad you could make it, Aldridge,” Lord Atterby said. “Darling, this is the Marquess of Aldridge. My viscountess, Lady Atterby.”
Bowing, he took her hand. “Your husband has been quite kind to me, my lady. Thank you for your kind invitation this evening.”
“We are delighted to have you as a guest, my lord,” the viscountess said. “I hope you enjoy card play. We will be playing whist this evening.”
“I do,” he said, not mentioning how new he was to the game.
He circulated around the room, speaking to those he knew, being introduced to a few others new to him. Finally, he reached Val and his sister, who were speaking with Con and Lady Alicia Smythe. Lady Alicia had been his first dance partner when the Season began. They had danced again a second time at another ball, where they had partnered for the supper dance. She was very plain but quite intelligent. Julian decided he would ask her to be his partner this evening.
And see if anything might come of it.
“Good evening, Lady Ariadne. Lady Alicia. Claibourne,” he said, acknowledging Ariadne first because of her father’s rank in Polite Society.
“Good evening,” they replied as he took each lady’s hand for an obligatory kiss, ignoring the sensation running through him when he touched Ariadne.
A bell sounded, and they turned their attention to their hostess, who had rung it.
“Thank you again for coming this evening. We will be playing here in the drawing room, taking a few breaks from card play throughout the evening. A buffet has been set up in the library, just a short way from here. I hope you will all partake of it.”
He turned to Lady Alicia. “If you are not engaged to partner with someone this evening, my lady, I would like the opportunity to offer my services and pair with you.”
Before she could reply, Lady Atterby said, “We will draw for our playing partners this evening.” Her eyes twinkled. “That way, the best players will not team up and collect the prizes so easily. Tonight, the winners will receive a crystal punchbowl and engraved cane.”
She indicated for a servant to hold each of the prizes up, and the crowd politely applauded. The butler then stepped forward with two small, velvet bags, handing one to his mistress. He crossed the room and gave the other bag to the viscount.
“Men will draw from the green bag. Ladies from the gold one. You will claim your number and match with your playing partner that way.”
Julian glanced around the room. He thought the odds slim that he and Ariadne would draw the same number and relaxed a bit.
“Ladies, come choose your numbers from me. Gentlemen, you may report to my husband for yours.”
Val slapped him on the back. “Let us go claim our numbers, Aldridge.”
He followed his friend, moving in Lord Atterby’s direction, and they joined the line forming in front of the viscount. Julian quickly counted and saw six other gentlemen in front of them.
“I would like that cane,” Val said. “I hope I draw Ariadne’s name. You know from experience how good she is at cards.”
Val took his turn, and then Julian reached his hand into the velvet bag, drawing a slip of parchment, which he then unfolded.
His friend proclaimed, “Eleven. I am off to find my feminine counterpart. Best of luck to you, Aldridge.”
Glancing at his own number, he saw the number seven.
As others began calling out their own numbers and circulating the room, he saw people pairing off. Then his eyes went to Ariadne. She nibbled on her bottom lip, causing a surge of desire to rush through him. His gut told him their numbers would be a match.
He began moving across the room, saying, “Seven?” to other unclaimed ladies. All shook their heads, so he continued on. Finally, he reached her.
“Do you hold the number seven, my lady?” he asked quietly.
She nodded. “I do, my lord.” She scanned the room quickly and said, “If you wish, I will go and trade numbers with Lady Alicia. She has not found her partner yet.”
Ariadne started to move away from him, but Julian clasped her elbow. She turned, a questioning look in her eyes.
“You do not need to do so. We can partner together this evening.”
Relief swept through him when she said, “All right. If you do not mind.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Why should I mind when I know I have been fortunate enough to be paired with the most talented strategist in the room?”
The apparent tension between them eased a bit, and they both chuckled at his remark. Julian added, “I hope I will not prove to be deficient, my lady. I know you are serious about your card play.”
“We should discuss our tactics for play tonight,” she said immediately, her competitive spirit revealing itself.
Quickly, she devised a strategy with him, and he readily agreed to follow her lead since she had far more experience at cards than he did.
“Thank you,” he said as couples started moving toward the various tables in the drawing room.
“For what?” she asked, uncertainty in her eyes.
“I was unkind to you. You do not seem to be holding a grudge against me. For that, I am grateful.”
Sadness filled her luminous eyes. “You were never unkind to me, my lord,” she said quietly. “I merely had different expectations than you regarding our relationship. I am happy to remain a friendly acquaintance to you, especially because Val and Con think so highly of you. I hope your search on the Marriage Mart will prove fruitful.”
She moved toward their hostess, and Julian followed, hearing Lady Atterby assigning them to table number four.
When they reached it, he saw Con already seated there. Across from him was Lady Alicia. Julian thought this an excellent sign. He was comfortable in Con’s company, and he would still be able to visit some with Lady Alicia, spending time with her in a casual atmosphere.
Seating Ariadne first, he came and took the remaining seat at the table.
Con leaned across the table, saying, “We must conspire to win, Lady Alicia. Lady Ariadne is my cousin, and she is known for her skilled card playing. Aldridge is my good friend, and I would enjoy being the victor and lord it over him.”
“I will do my best, Viscount Dyer,” Lady Alicia responded. “I have been known to take more than a trick or two when playing whist.”
“It sounds as if it will be a most interesting evening,” Ariadne said. “Lord Aldridge and I cannot wait to trounce the two of you,” she said confidently, then she began laughing.
Both Con and Lady Alicia laughed, as well, as the butler handed Julian a new pack of cards. He unsealed them and shuffled several times, glad for both the lesson Ariadne had given him and his additional practice of shuffling a deck. Turning to his left, he allowed Con to cut the deck before Julian dealt each player their hand.
Play was lively, and he could see Lady Alicia was an excellent card player. Con could be a little careless at times, but he saw how skilled his partner was and seemed to concentrate more when he saw they would be competitive as a team.
Julian and Ariadne took the first round by a single trick and only received a single point for their efforts. Con and Lady Alicia earned a point of their own the next round.
Though play was fierce, they all seemed to be able to concentrate on the cards in their hands and still banter. The more he learned about Lady Alicia, the more favorably Julian looked upon her.
Con and Lady Alicia tied the game, making it four points for all, meaning this last round would determine who won their match. It surprised Julian when they lost two easy tricks in a row. He tried to catch Ariadne’s attention, but she focused intently on her own cards.
In the end, Con and Lady Alicia proved to be victorious. Con laughed heartily, thanking his partner, telling Julian he would make certain everyone at White’s tomorrow knew he had bested his good friend at whist, thanks to Lady Alicia’s remarkable play.
For her part, Ariadne turned to the other lady, saying, “You are quite the card player, my lady. I hope you and Con go on to win this evening’s tournament and claim your prizes.”
Julian said to Lady Alicia, “Congratulations, my lady, on your victory. I second Lady Ariadne’s thoughts and hope you and my friend win the punchbowl and cane.”
The two ladies rose, with Lady Alicia asking Ariadne if she wished to accompany her to the retiring room. Ariadne agreed, and the two of them left the drawing room.
Play was still going on with a few tables, but other guests were spilling from the room and heading to the library for refreshments. Julian accompanied Con there, where they ran into Val, who lamented his partner had no grasp of the game.
“We will be losing for the remainder of tonight,” Val told them. “Still, my partner is fair of face. I have decided to concentrate more on her than the cards in my hand, so the evening will not be a total loss.”
Julian excused himself, deciding to stretch his legs a bit. He still wondered why he and Ariadne had lost. They shouldn’t have. She was too good a player to have made such mistakes, and their hands had been too strong that final round. He decided he would confront her and learn why she had deliberately thrown the game. He did not think her capable of being so petty, but perhaps she was angrier with him than she had let on.
Going down the corridor, he saw her heading his way. He stopped and waited for her.
“If you are looking for Lady Alicia, my lord, she has been detained. Someone stepped on the hem of her gown and tore it. A maid is now repairing it for her, so Lady Alicia will be delayed from joining us for a few more minutes.”
“I was not searching for Lady Alicia, my lady. You are the one I wished to speak with.”
“Oh!” she said, looking startled. “Why?”
“Why is the question I have of you. Why did you throw the match? I know you deliberately lost. You tossed our strategy to the four winds that final round. I would like an explanation from you.”
She worried her bottom lip again, and he tamped down the instant desire which sprang to his loins.
“Because you favor her,” Ariadne finally shared. “I have seen you dance with Lady Alicia. You even asked her to pair with you before Lady Atterby explained we would be drawing for partners. You like her.”
Her answer dumbfounded him. “So, you chose to allow her to win for that reason?”
Nervously, she said, “I wanted Lady Alicia to shine in your eyes, my lord. She would make a wonderful Marchioness of Aldridge.”
“So would you,” he said roughly, causing her eyes to widen.
Looking quickly about, Julian saw no one else in the hall. He latched onto her wrist and pulled her into the nearby alcove which had caught his eye. The curtain fell behind them.
And his mouth came down on hers.