Chapter 12
“Is this not the most exciting thing?” Evelina said, barely able to contain her excitement as she and Alaina made their way to the courtyard for the final ball with their mother, Charlotte.
Evelina was so excited to be attending her first ball, more than happy to take advantage of the looser social strictures in the country, and seemed unperturbed by Alaina’s silence.
Luckily, Alaina did not need to speak much as Evelina bubbled over with excitement and anticipation of the evening’s activities.
Alaina harbored many worries in her mind, not the least of which was Lady Barbara and Percy out and about on the Ashford Estate, the wake of their destruction exposing their desperation.
Truly, Alaina had no idea what would have happened if no one had been close by to rescue her today.
But Alaina was resolved to enjoy the last evening of the party, and she had forced herself to focus on her preparations, which brought another concern to the forefront: her dress.
Madam Benoit had assured her that it was the fashion all ladies in society wore.
Unlike her dress on the first evening of the country gathering, her frock on this occasion was high-backed, even going so far as to having a mock collar at the base of the neck.
However, it was the front of the dress that was cause for concern.
The neckline was low, revealing ample parts of her pert breasts, and even more of the cleft between them, where the neckline dipped even lower.
Most of the dress was made from the velvet that had interested her in the dressmaker’s shop.
The skirt was pleated with a chiffon of pale pink, almost giving the illusion of an entire skirt underneath, or even glimpses of her shift.
It was an enchanting illusion, one that had raised her mother’s eyebrows, but had not caused an outright protest.
Alaina had tried to convince herself internally that her scrutiny of her appearance had nothing to do with Christopher’s comments, but standing in her room alone and studying her reflection in the mirror, she knew it had everything to do with Christopher.
Since this afternoon, Alaina could no longer hide from herself that it was Christopher that her heart beat for, even if he refused to act on his feelings.
When the duke and Christopher had appeared on the trail, Alaina’s eyes had only been for Christopher, and she had been surprised by the relief she felt due to his presence alone.
In that moment, she knew that to continue with the courtship with the duke would only serve to hurt.
But Alaina did not want to ruin the party and planned to speak with Graham on the morrow, after the guests had left.
Her decision did not make her heart leap with joy, as it was clear that Christopher was not in want of a wife.
Even if he was, she could scarcely hope that he would be interested in her.
Georgiana had enlisted Alaina’s help in planning the events for the past few days, but had been adamant that the decorations for the final ball be left to her.
Apparently, Georgiana had been envisioning this type of party for quite some time and wanted it to be a surprise, even from her mother and Graham.
Alaina and Evelina had absolutely no idea what was in store for them.
Alaina forced a smile, determined to enjoy the evening; she was certainly curious what was in store.
“Well, I guess we are almost there. I do hear some music up ahead,” Charlotte leaned in to add to the conversation, hoping to reassure both her daughters before joining the other guests.
Alaina sighed as they rounded what she assumed was the last corner, seeing wide glass doors ahead and a glow from the outside.
Evelina almost squealed in excitement as they approached the open doors.
Stopping just past the opening, Alaina, Evelina, and Charlotte stood in awe for a few moments, taking in the wonderland before them.
Just to their left was a small refreshment table with sweet treats and what looked to be a warm mulled wine.
As this was a sizable manor, the courtyard was quite large, and a path wound its way lazily toward a well-lit dance floor, where a soft minuet was being played by a small contingent of musicians.
A small group of benches was placed almost directly ahead, not too far from the refreshment table and far enough away from the music to allow conversation.
It seemed at every turn was a tower with a good-sized flame, making the courtyard warmer than Alaina had expected.
Their breath was visible in the air, but the glow of torches and candles scattered throughout the garden made it almost feel like an indoor ball from a bygone era.
Some of the plants in the garden showed a layer of frost or had hanging icicles, twinkling in the light of the courtyard, giving a feeling of magic.
A click of heels on the stone pathway leading to the dance floor caught Alaina’s attention and she looked up to see Georgiana coming to greet them, looking dazzling in an amethyst brocade, with a high back reaching up to her ears as the neckline flared under her chin.
A keyhole neckline teased a glimpse of her pale skin, shining radiantly in the soft light.
Where the fabric of the dress was complex, the cut of the skirt was simple, falling almost straight to the floor.
Alaina thought that Georgiana really did look like the queen of the ball.
“Georgiana, you are a vision. We must thank Madam Benoit for her handiwork. And just think what your husband would think to see you. He would most assuredly be agog,” Charlotte said graciously, motioning to Alaina and Evelina as well.
Even Evelina, who was garbed in a more youthful cut with a higher neckline and fuller skirt, looked enchanting in her ice-blue silk dress.
The fuller sleeves and skirt allowed for heavier undergarments to keep her warm where the lighter fabric could not.
“I thank you for the compliment, Lady Charlotte, and I would agree that Madam Benoit outdid herself. I would like to welcome you all to my winter garden party!” Georgiana said cheerily, wrinkling her nose ever so slightly as she smiled broadly at her newfound friends.
A slightly different look, something more forlorn, passed along Georgiana’s face before she smiled once again.
“I imagine my husband would be as you say. I am hoping you will all meet him at some point in the future.”
Georgiana’s smile faded ever so slightly. Choosing to ignore that subject for now, Alaina spoke first. “Well, as the queen of the ball, maybe you can show us your creation. From what I see, it is quite enchanting.”
“Of course. Most of it is self-explanatory,” Georgiana said, motioning to their immediate surroundings. “But I must say the dance floor is my favorite part. Come with me.”
Georgiana turned and led the pair of sisters and their mother along a winding stone path toward the music.
From the entrance of the courtyard, only a small part of the dance floor could be seen, but as they followed the path and made it past the dense collection of frosted and dormant plants, the full floor came into view.
“Wow,” was all that came from Evelina’s lips. Alaina looked over at her sister’s face and smiled at the wonder she saw there.
Alaina was the next to pay a compliment. “I am truly impressed by your imagination, Georgiana. Everything is breathtaking.”
“Indeed,” remarked Charlotte. “I fear this party will outshine any I may attend in the future.”
A parquet floor had been set up in the garden, large enough for ten or so couples, plenty for the number of guests at the country party.
The quartet of musicians, two violins, one cello, and a viola, were at the far end of the dance floor, and a handful of couples were taking part in a waltz.
Georgiana craned her neck to see over the couples, finding Graham deep in conversation with Christopher.
Both men looked quite stern, but a glance toward the entrance to the dance floor brought a smile to Graham’s face and something slightly different to Christopher’s.
Catching Georgiana’s motion to join them, both of them made their way around the edge of the dance floor, avoiding the fray, joining the group in a few moments.
Graham sank into a deep bow. “Ladies, with what beauty and grace I see before me, the party can now officially begin.”
Evelina giggled as they all sunk into curtsies to match Graham’s bow. Christopher bowed as well, murmuring his welcome.
“Alaina, may I have the honor of this dance?” Graham asked, offering his arm.
“You may, sir,” Alaina smiled, taking his arm and letting him lead her a few steps as they set up for the next dance.
“Evelina, it would be an honor if you would join me,” Christopher said as he offered her his arm.
Evelina graciously accepted, and Christopher led Evelina in the same direction as Graham and Alaina.
Georgiana and Charlotte were left to stare after each of the couples wistfully, and for the same reason: husbands that were not in attendance, whether by choice or not.
The evening of dancing flew by for all the guests, the magic of the atmosphere seeming to accelerate the passage of time, none more so than for Alaina and Christopher.
Alaina shared a pair of dances with Graham before being swept away in a waltz by Lord Blackwell, a friend of Georgiana’s husband who also attended school a year ahead of Graham and Christopher.
It seemed that no sooner was Christopher without a partner, that Alaina was occupied in a dance or in conversation, and vice versa.
Finally, Alaina found herself alone at the refreshment table, able to catch her breath for the first time since arriving.
“My lady, we need to stop meeting like this,” came a rich, low voice behind her, almost like a caress.
Alaina turned to find Christopher smiling at her, a twinkle in his eyes, apparently amused at his own wit.
“And what has you so amused?” Alaina pressed. She had wished for and dreaded the moment she may be alone with the marquess.
Christopher cleared his throat, and his eyes darkened with something that made Alaina shiver, before he breathed the word, “You.”
Alaina stuffed her elation, and let her skepticism guard her heart. “I amuse you, sir?”
“Not so much that, but I would admit that I cannot stop thinking of you,” Christopher added, and Alaina felt her insides twist in a knot.
“Surely you jest,” came her parry. “Pretty words just tumbling from your mouth because of the magic of the evening.”
“No, never that.”
“How can you say such things? I was sure that you hated me once,” Alaina challenged.
“Hated you?”
“Yes, hated me. We argued at every turn.”
But Christopher pushed back, “I admit, yes, we argued, but I found myself enthralled at our every interaction. And there was your courtship with Graham to consider. I could not act on anything before…”
“And now is the appropriate time?” Alaina asked. She felt her heart leap, but was cautious.
Christopher was slow to respond, but then the words came out in a tumble. “No, I know that this is an inopportune moment, but I cannot seem to help myself. At dinner, at the dress shop, our kiss at the Stamford Ball; it was like I was consumed by something.”
Alaina struggled to calm her breathing. The memories he had recalled tumbled about in her mind.
Christopher’s eyes feasted on Alaina, from her hair to her toes, his slow perusal of her person a loving touch, a gentle caress.
Alaina noticed that his breathing matched hers and she wished that her mind did not feel so jumbled.
When she finally spoke, her tone was gentle but cautious.
“So, am I to understand that your thoughts on marriage have changed?”
Alaina watched as Christopher set his jaw, and she did not wait for his response. “I will take your silence as a ‘no.’ Am I to assume that your original statement is correct? I do only amuse you?”
Christopher opened his mouth, but in the next moment the couple was swallowed by the rest of the partygoers as they gathered around the refreshment table.
Georgiana was among the group and was quick to interject, “Alaina, Christopher, what are you doing all the way over here? The musicians will be playing their last set soon, and I would have you both on the dance floor!”
The group seemed oblivious of the couple as they grabbed glasses of punch and treats before once more retreating to the inner garden as strains of music reached Alaina and Christopher’s ears.
Christopher presented his arm to Alaina, and she stiffly accepted.
They walked in silence along the path to the dance floor, and found themselves quickly set upon, Christopher finding himself paired with a lady of Georgiana’s acquaintance and Alaina paired once more with Lord Blackwell.
They each passed the rest of the evening with stilted smiles and forced conversations, wishing for the evening to end.
Alaina flounced once more in her bed as the clock in her room chimed to remind her that sleep eluded her for yet another hour.
Her interaction with Christopher weighed on her, the elation of his admission mixed with disappointment; the marquess had no interest in a wife.
His feelings on the matter did not change the fact that in the morning, Alaina would need to sever her connection with the duke, an undesirable task, but necessary.
Graham deserved someone whose heart was not already captured by another.
Christopher stood by the window in his room and stared at the moon, numbly watching it peak in and out of the clouds that traversed the night sky.
His mind was occupied with his interaction with Lady Alaina, one left unfinished.
Christopher chided himself for his tongue-tied interaction.
To imagine that he left his thoughts on marriage unsaid, even when Alaina asked him a clear question.
The thoughts roiled in his mind. He was still wary of the institution to be sure, but on the other hand, the idea of being without Alaina for even a moment caused an ache in his chest. He could only hope that tomorrow would give him another opportunity.