Chapter Two
Miss Elaina Bantham held tight to the bedpost as the housekeeper—currently acting as her lady’s maid—tugged on her corset. It wasn’t as if Elaina wasn’t already too tall for society’s standards, but she also had curves that needed to be squeezed into submission.
Statuesque,her Aunt Rose would say. Her Uncle Henry would agree by claiming her lovely.
Lainey loved them both for taking her in after her parents died. It had been comforting for an eleven-year-old to have her aunt, who so reminded her of her mother; it was as if she still lived.
Aunt Rose and Lainey’s mother had been only a year apart, and many people thought them to be twins because they were so much alike. The three of them had been close and when Lainey’s mother passed, Lainey and Aunt Rose had both shared an excruciating loss which strengthened their bond as well.
Her Uncle Henry, Viscount Darlington, had always treated her as his own, despite there being no connection by blood. He’d also included her in their extensive adventures.
While most young women only read of such places as China or Egypt, Lainey had been there. She’d seen amazing things and met interesting people.
Which made tonight’s ball seem that much more insufferable.
The ton claimed very few interesting people.
If she had her choice, she would much rather be wearing breeches while digging in the dirt than face a room full of gossiping ninnies and boorish dandies.
But her aunt and uncle had once again asked her to attend their annual ball, and she didn’t want to disappoint them.
It wouldn’t be the jungles of the Amazon that made her sweat, or being chased by a baboon that made her heart race tonight. It would be a ballroom stuffed with people who would cause her plenty of discomfort this evening.
Lainey remembered all too well the failure that had been her come out and the person who had ruined all her dreams of a happy ever after. And she was sure he would be in attendance tonight.
“Look at you,” Aunt Rose startled Lainey as she glided into the room. “So statuesque. I wish I had your height, it would rather even out some of this middle.” She pointed to her waist.
“You are beautiful, auntie.”
“As are you. We women spend too much time wishing for attributes we don’t have, all while the ones who do have them often find them a bother. It is the curse of being a woman I suppose.” She fussed with Lainey’s red-blonde curls that had been fashioned by her ears, and cocked her head.
“Apparently these are all the rage this Season. Of course, what would I care about being fashionable for a bunch of stuffy aristocrats?”
“You may not care, but they suit you.” She tilted her head the other direction and Lainey knew what she would say next before she opened her mouth to speak. “This might be the year the right man finally notices what a catch you are and sweeps you off your feet.”
Lainey refrained from sighing. At three and twenty, Lainey was considered a spinster and perfectly fine with her status. Men didn’t like women who were taller than them, which meant Lainey’s five feet ten inches frightened off the majority of the men in attendance.
Her unfashionable hair and freckles didn’t help matters either.
But rather than argue with her aunt, she offered a smile and nodded.
“We shall see.”
With their arms linked, they descended the stairs to find Uncle Henry waiting.
“How lucky I am to have the loveliest ladies in London by my side as we greet our guests tonight. The men won’t stand a chance when they see you, they shall want to donate enormous sums for the opportunity just to be near you.”
Lainey couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“I saw that, Elaina,” he scolded with a wink. “Let’s ready ourselves to charm the britches off the ton.”
With a laugh, Lainey followed her aunt and uncle to the edge of the ballroom where they would wait for their guests to arrive. There they would greet each one pleasantly, all in the hope they would want to donate funds toward the next expedition that would be starting at the beginning of the following year.
Their most recent artifacts were ensconced in glass cases along the wall where previous donors were honored for their gifts. Not that they had dug them out of the dirt themselves, but they’d paid for the trip, and seeing their name associated with an artifact made them happy.
It was all about making the donors happy. Which was why she pasted a smile on her lips and went out to greet the ton, even though she’d much rather face a Nile crocodile.
An hour later, Lainey’s feet hurt and she worried her cheeks would be pulled up forever in the strained smile that had taken over her face.
Fortunately, she was given a reprieve when Lord Melville entered the ballroom. If she’d ever had a reason not to smile, it was him. Ever charming, he stood well over six feet, putting him in the small group of men that wouldn’t be intimidated by her height.
But despite his meeting any physical requirements, the large Scot was completely unacceptable. His arrogance was enough to dismiss him. Not that she would be granted the opportunity to dismiss him. He could never claim enough of an interest in her to be dismissed.
This was her cue to leave the receiving line and go find refreshment.
“Excuse me, aunt. I’m parched. Would you like me to bring you something to drink as well?”
“Yes, dear. How sweet of you.”
Lainey only suffered the slightest twinge of guilt as she rushed away, just before the man had stepped up to their group. She only needed to delay long enough that he offered his greetings and moved along. Then she could return to her aunt’s side with a cup of lemonade, and no one would think anything of it.
She stood at the edge of the room, watching as the guests, dressed in colorful gowns and black eveningwear, perused and pointed at the artifacts with excitement.
Her aunt had done a beautiful job of incorporating the splendor of their London townhouse with hints of Egyptian décor. Even the underlying scents of cinnamon and myrrh made her think of her home away from home. Egypt.
She may not have to worry about sand or scorpions here, but there were plenty of other dangers.
She glanced over at the biggest one, who was still speaking with her uncle. She’d finished the first glass of lemonade, and started on the second, determined to wait him out.
She kept her smile in place as she nodded to the few guests who acknowledged her where she hid behind a potted palm. She wasn’t comfortable with people. She didn’t know how to start a discussion or keep it going. Unless someone asked about antiquary or archaeology, she was rather lost.
But when she was engaged in conversation on her favorite topics, she often forgot to stop talking about dirt until the other person began searching for some way to escape her ramblings. Because of that, it was best if she stayed clear of conversation altogether.
Glancing over to her aunt and uncle, she realized her plan wasn’t working as it had in years past. Lainey had finished her second cup of lemonade as well as the one she’d retrieved for her aunt. However, the earl still stood next to her uncle chatting with him, while her aunt was now searching around the room.
Most likely for her.
Any second now, Aunt Rose would spot Lainey hiding by the wall behind her and wave her over. She might have taken refuge outside, but it was terribly chilly out, despite it being June.
“Good lord,” Lainey muttered when the inevitable happened and she was found. Getting another cup of lemonade, she returned to her aunt, hoping to hide. But due to her aunt’s small stature, it was like a rhinoceros hiding behind a shrub.
“There you are, dear,” her uncle said when she was close. “Let me introduce you to Lord Melville. Lord Melville, our niece, Miss Bantham.”
As if she had not been introduced to him at several balls in the past. She needed no introduction, but as she curtseyed, he bowed and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you.” Just as he had every other time they’d met. His rumbling brogue did odd things to her stomach.
“Your aunt and uncle have told me what an asset you are in the field. I hope to learn much from ye when I join the expedition next year.”
Lainey blinked as her mind struggled to piece his words together in a way that made sense.
“Isn’t it wonderful? Lord Melville will be joining us in Egypt,” her aunt explained as if Lainey hadn’t come to that conclusion on her own. And maybe it was taking longer than it should have, but the thought was preposterous.
Wonderful? No, it wasn’t wonderful at all. It was impossible.
Before she had the chance to consider her response, panic took over and she uttered words that made her aunt and uncle gasp as the earl flinched.
“You can’t possibly allow this bored dandy to accompany us on an active expedition. He’s untrained and will only injure himself or someone else. He’ll no doubt wish to come home minutes after we’ve disembarked because the heat is intolerable.” And even the heat wouldn’t be as intolerable as having this man spend more than a minute in her presence.
Her rant had gone wide from the rule of keeping the donors happy, but she could not allow this man to join them, for she hated him with her entire being.
All these years, and he probably didn’t even realize how much she despised him. But the cat was rather out of that bag now.
*
Julian stood stillin the awkward silence following the woman’s outburst. He’d seen her at these functions in the past but had never spoken to her. For whatever reason their paths had never crossed.
He’d always thought her quiet and shy, but he realized now he’d been quite wrong on both counts. She’d practically yelled her disapproval, and the way her brown eyes blazed at him in anger, he knew she was not so shy she wouldn’t take a step closer and plant him a facer.
He was glad her aunt had placed a calming hand on Miss Bantham’s arm to keep that from happening.
Lord Darlington looked around and smiled at the people closest to them who had turned curious gazes in their direction while Lady Darlington offered a strained laugh.
“Oh, Lainey, you are too funny.”
Julian studied the taller woman hoping to see some sign that she was indeed joking, but her glare had not wavered as she stepped toward him with her fingers clenched into fists.
“You can’t do this. You won’t ruin this too.” With that, she turned and rushed away.
Though the situation had been quite unpleasant, he barely fought the urge to follow after her and… do what exactly? Ask her why she was so angry with him? Or angry at the world in general?
Not exactly. As he considered the flutter in his stomach, he realized he suffered an entirely different reaction than what the situation warranted. He briefly imagined kissing her, exploring the passion she barely reined in.
Absurd.
Passion came in all forms and was closely related. Anger was just the opposite side of the coin from desire. Though she was making an argument that perhaps some coins had only one side. All he’d seen was anger sparking from her eyes. He would be better served to find another adventure and stay clear of the woman.
But he wouldn’t. Or perhaps, it was that he couldn’t.
Julian blamed his father’s constant disapproval for his need to be accepted by every other person. After spending so much of his life not being good enough, he couldn’t tolerate anyone rejecting him now. It was ridiculous and clearly the reason for his surprisingly lustful reaction to the harpy.
She was pretty, with luscious curves that called for a man’s hands to trace them. He wasn’t sure how he’d had time to notice that when he feared she would pummel him, but he had. Call it a gift.
“I apologize for my niece,” Lord Darlington said. “She is usually quite pleasant. I’m not sure what caused that reaction. I’m certain she will come around and will be more than happy to welcome you.”
The man was unexpectedly generous after Julian had basically forced the man into an ultimatum. To allow Julian to join the expedition to Egypt or he would withdraw his funding.
It was a drastic measure, but he couldn’t afford to be turned away. This was his last chance for adventure, and he had done what needed to be done to secure his place. Or rather the place he’d taken under duress.
“It seemed she was quite concerned with my lack of training and the risk I might bring to the team. If there is anything I can do to reassure everyone I’m willing to learn, I would be happy to do so. I understand I know nothing, but if someone would only teach me, I promise, I’m a fast learner.”
And he was a fast learner in the sense that it took him only seconds to find a way to appease anyone in his presence. Even the woman who’d run off would have to agree he was willing to put her mind at ease.
Why hadn’t she liked him? He found he still wanted to track her down, though now that his unsolicited attraction had abated, he only wanted to find out why she’d seemed to loathe him. No one loathed him. He made certain of it.
The Darlingtons exchanged a look that seemed to contain an entire conversation. One that hadn’t needed to be spoken for them to understand each other. He’d seen Hale and his duchess communicate in a similar fashion many times and thought it proof that perhaps witchcraft was a real thing.
The devilish twinkle in Lady Darlington’s eyes and the crooked grin on Lord Darlington’s face gave Julian pause. He couldn’t help but feel he was about to be tossed into shark infested waters.
“There is a small expedition leaving in two weeks to the Highlands. It’s only the ruins of a castle, but it is said the castle was abandoned hastily which means there could be artifacts of value on the grounds that have been left behind. Even if there are no treasures to be found, it would still give you an opportunity to learn the techniques and determine if you are interested in digging about in the dirt. As well as give us the chance to evaluate your suitability for the larger expedition leaving in January. I believe you have an estate nearby which would be convenient.”
While Scotland didn’t have the same allure as Egypt, because Julian had already spent most of his youth in Scotland, he wouldn’t turn down this chance to prove himself worthy of his place on their team.
“I would be honored for the opportunity and to host the team at my home.”
“Very well. You should be ready to leave the first week of August. That will give you plenty of time to gather supplies.”
He offered a winning smile even if inside he felt the first flutter of panic.
Supplies? He didn’t have the first idea of what supplies he would need for an expedition. He gave a casual nod. He wouldn’t let the things he didn’t know stop him from taking advantage of this opportunity.
He would figure it out. Until then, excitement filled his veins.
He was going on an expedition. One that would lead him to the adventure of a lifetime. It would have to. He would only have this one opportunity to make enough memories to satisfy his thirst for excitement.
For when the expedition was over and he returned to England, he would choose a proper bride and marry.
Just as his father required.