Chapter Sixteen
Tia sat before the mirror and fastened her new sapphire earrings onto her earlobes.
She had held back two gowns this Season, hoping to save each for a special occasion.
One was a blush ballgown, the barest of pinks, which flattered her complexion.
The other was what she wore tonight, an iced-blue gown with just a hint of color in it.
Not only did it make the earrings stand out, but it caused her eyes to sparkle.
It also was a perfect shade against her strawberry blond hair.
She was glad that not a single gentleman had mentioned the color of her hair since the Season had begun. All four Worthington siblings had varying shades of red, with hers being the softest of reds, cut with blond. She rather liked her hair’s color.
And she hoped Lord Merriman would appreciate everything about her appearance this evening, especially the gown.
It was cut lower than what she usually wore, revealing more of her breasts.
From having overheard a conversation between Val and Con once, she knew men appreciated the sight of a woman’s breasts.
The earl was such an enigma to her. One minute, he blew hot, filling her with heat and making her seem boneless as he kissed her.
Then he turned cold and haughty, barely acknowledging her existence.
She knew he was attracted to her—just as she was to him—but Tia did not understand why he would kiss her and not wish to pursue her.
He had never sent a single bouquet to her, nor had he even visited once during morning calls.
If anything, he avoided her as if she carried the plague.
Then again, his duty was to his sister, and he must spend every afternoon chaperoning Dilly in their drawing room.
Yet how many suitors could be calling upon her friend these days?
Dilly had told her of the numerous flower arrangements she had received at the beginning of the Season, but as Dilly spent more and more time with Lord Forsythe, surely that number had begun to dwindle.
With Dilly and Forsythe now becoming betrothed, Tia doubted any suitors would be calling upon her friend once the news of the couple’s engagement was announced at tonight’s musicale.
It should free up Lord Merriman. Lady Merriman would be enough to chaperone the couple, and from what Tia gathered, engaged couples were sometimes even left alone, in order to get to know one another better before they became husband and wife.
Should she be so bold as to invite the earl to Val’s drawing room some afternoon?
Sadly, Tia shook her head. She might try to tempt Lord Merriman tonight with her appearance, but she was not going to chase after him as she had seen many other young ladies do in pursuit of other eligible bachelors this Season.
As far as making friends with others, she found most of the girls making their come-outs to be interested in only one thing—finding a husband.
That single-minded purpose kept them from gaining friendships with other girls.
It had been almost shameless how these young ladies, along with their mothers, had pursued the available gentlemen of the Season.
No wonder Con liked to hide in the card room during balls.
She thought about her cousin Tray coming to town next Season.
By now, Tray would have finished up his university studies.
With Verina making her debut into Polite Society next Season, it would make sense for Tray to come to town for the first time.
She doubted her cousin would be interested in securing a bride just yet.
He had gained his title when he was but ten years of age, and Tray had become the man of the family at that time.
It had been a heavy burden placed upon the shoulders of one so young, and she hoped he would come to the Season and relax, enjoying all it had to offer.
Verina was eager for children, and Tia had no doubt that her younger cousin would make a fine match next Season.
Venturing downstairs, she found Val and Eden in the foyer.
“Where is Mama?” she asked.
“Mama said she is tired and told us to go without her this evening,” her brother informed her.
Missing an event was not like Mama. “She is not ill, is she?”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “I think Mama is ready to have a quiet evening to herself.”
They went to the carriage and a short time later arrived at Lord and Lady Tallon’s townhouse.
This was the first musicale Tia had attended, and she was looking forward to it.
She also could not wait to watch Dilly and Lord Forsythe share their good news with those in attendance.
Lady Merriman was right. After tonight’s announcement, most everyone would learn of the betrothal by tomorrow night’s ball.
She wondered when the engagement announcement might appear in the newspapers.
As they entered the townhouse, she saw there was no receiving line, which was a relief.
In the carriage, Val had told her sometimes a musicale took place in a ballroom, but oftentimes, the smaller number of guests invited could be accommodated in a drawing room or library.
The Tallons’ butler took them upstairs to the drawing room now, and she saw the furniture had been moved back against the walls, and chairs had been brought in, placed in rows in a U-shape.
She spoke with several others and then saw Dilly arrive.
Her friend simply glowed with happiness, and Tia knew it was a love match.
She had come to know Lord Forsythe better since the beginning of the Season, and Tia thought the pair simply perfect together.
The couple made their way toward Val, Eden, and her now, with Lord Merriman and his mother following.
“You look splendid,” she cried, embracing Dilly.
“I was about to say the same about you, Tia,” Dilly exclaimed. “This gown is gorgeous on you. And those earrings simply make it. You will be wearing these earrings for many years to come.”
She smiled and saucily replied, “I suppose my cardplaying skills paid off.”
They both laughed, and she glanced to her left, seeing Lord Merriman looking at her as if she were a morsel he wished to gobble up.
Good.
“Good evening, my lady.”
“Good evening, Lord Merriman,” she said coolly, not seeming to encourage him.
The gown is what would reel him in. She only wished she could dance with him this evening, but dancing did not go on at a musicale.
Then Tia chided herself. The earl was not a fish to reel in.
If he were only taken with her physical beauty, she would find him dull and uninteresting.
She almost regretted wearing the gown now, thinking she had been wrong trying to appeal to him.
“I hear tonight’s gathering is small,” he said to her as the others began speaking with Val and Eden.
“Yes, I could tell by the number of chairs set out for the performance.”
His gaze burned into her as she asked, “Do you really wish to talk about the number of guests present tonight, my lord? Or do you have something else to say to me?”
Before he could reply, the Duke of Reddington appeared at his elbow. “Why, Lady Tia, you are the most beautiful woman present this evening. I must compliment you on your gown. The color is exquisite.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I have not seen much of you lately,” she told him, batting her lashes at him. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to have Lord Merriman the tiniest bit jealous, even though Tia had no interest in the Duke of Reddington.
“I heard at White’s today how you won at cards last night,” the duke said. “Are those the earrings which were the prize Lady Swarthmore offered?”
“They are indeed, Your Grace. Thank you for noticing them. I have no other jewels, and so I will wear these proudly, having earned them.”
The two of them spoke back and forth, Lord Merriman simply listening to the conversation. Yet the entire time she spoke with Reddington, Tia was very aware of the earl’s presence.
Their host got their attention, asking everyone to take a seat. Her group filed into a row, and she wound up with the duke on one side of her and Lord Merriman on the other, at the end of the row. Blithely, she ignored him, continuing her conversation with the duke.
Then Lord and Lady Tallon appeared at the front, and the guests fell silent, turning their attention to their host and hostess.
Clearing his throat, Lord Tallon said, “We are greatly honored tonight to have Fr?ulein Engel singing for us. She has dazzled audiences across Europe, and tonight will be no different.”
Lord Tallon held out his hand, and the opera singer approached. A string quartet began tuning their instruments as the fr?ulein took her place in front of those gathered.
In perfect English, with only a slight accent, she said, “Thank you for having me this evening. I look forward to performing for you.” Then she looked to the musicians and nodded.
For the next hour, Tia was transported. The music took her to another time and place, and she was lost in Fr?ulein Engel’s angelic voice.
The applause was thunderous when the opera singer nodded brusquely and moved from being the center of attention. Lord Tallon took her place.
“We will take a brief respite before the fr?ulein sings for us again. Lady Tallon has planned some light refreshments. You can find them in the library. Our servants will direct you there.”
“It was transformative, wasn’t it?” Lord Merriman said quietly.
It had certainly been so. Tia had not been aware of him next to her during the singer’s performance.
“I finally understand how you must feel when you play,” she told him. “You have always seemed to become lost in the piece you play. I found myself mesmerized as the fr?ulein sang.”
“Have you attended the opera this Season?”