Chapter Three #2
“I know this is difficult, Sister,” Emily said, shifting closer to her older sister.
“But remember how devastated we were, and how Aunt Beatrice’s revelation helped us transform our grief into anger.
Perhaps, that is no better in some ways.
But hold onto the strength we both took from that to battle any heartache that lingers. ”
Helena nodded silently, taking both her sister’s and her aunt’s hands when they were offered. But her stomach churned with agony and refreshed humiliation as the couple finished their descent from the stairs into the ballroom proper.
People whisper about them as they did about Emily, Father and me, she thought bitterly to herself. But do they truly know the depths of Diana’s manipulation and disloyalty?
***
Aaron watched with bemusement as the ball guests continued to be distracted from him by the entrance of Lord and Lady Warwick.
There was more gossip, only this time, it had nothing to do with him.
It seemed that Lady Warwick, before her marriage to Lord Warwick, had been dear friends of Lady Helena, and her esteemed husband had, at the time, been betrothed to Lady Helena.
There was speculation regarding her quick marriage to the gentleman after he ended his betrothal to Lady Helena.
Aaron was not quick to believe any rumors, not after seeing what ton members could do to even their most esteemed peers after times of crisis.
But it did give him insight into the story which followed the Crawford sisters like a horrible smell.
The next couple to enter, however, stopped Aaron’s heart.
He had been advised to brace himself for the eventuality.
And yet, as he perceived the rhythmic tap of what appeared to be a jeweled walking stick upon the polished floor, he realized that he could never have anticipated such a moment.
Vivian entered in an elegant gold gown on the arm of none other than Thomas Rutherford, the elderly Earl of Elderwood.
His painfully slow progress into the ballroom might have been comedic to Aaron, particularly with the way that Vivian rested her hand on her husband’s shoulder with practiced grace and false support.
But the wounds from the end of their betrothal, broken promises and rejection were reopened as he beheld her.
Aaron saw her eyes surveying the crowd of people, and he instinctively knew who she was looking for.
He began slowly backing further toward the back of the room, but it was not quite enough.
Vivian’s eyes found him, holding his gaze as he stood unable to move.
Another moment later, Vivian was making her way subtly in his direction.
Aaron’s heart stopped. He had vowed not to make a scene for the sake of his mother.
But now, it seemed that Vivian intended to make a scene with him, instead.
If not for the sudden tightening of Lord Elderwood’s grip on his wife’s arm, evident by the way her eyes widened and she looked at him with surprised annoyance, she might have made her way to him.
But the old man’s weathered face flashed with knowing bitterness.
Vivian tried to progress on her set path, but there was a stumble in her step.
It appeared that the man was a little stronger than he appeared.
And it seemed that Vivian was learning the fact for the first time, as well.
Watching their battle of wills, Aaron was able to find marginal amusement.
I wonder how that makes you feel, my darling, he thought dryly as he reached for a glass of wine on a nearby refreshment table and took a long drink.
***
Graham had noticed the two young women which had garnered a great deal of attention when he first arrived.
The subsequent arrivals, which seemed to be more interesting with each one, had distracted him briefly.
But as the orchestra announced the first set, he began searching for them once more.
They were both lovely, looking as similar as two sisters can without being twins.
But one of them was considerably more remarkable, capturing Graham’s attention fully.
The older sister was talking softly to the younger one, looking quietly uncomfortable, yet dignified in her discontent.
The younger girl was smiling, which Graham observed at once.
He noted Aaron persistently rebuffing the attentions of the other unmarried young ladies, a circumstance that undoubtedly accounted for the increasing number of them appearing pouty and brooding, whispering amongst themselves behind their fans and casting Aaron disdainful glances.
But Graham had a single focus. He approached the sisters, bowing and smiling warmly at the younger woman.
“Good evening, my lady,” he said. “I wish to know if you have space on your dance card to share a dance with me.”
The older sister looked on with calm wariness. The younger lady, whose name he had heard was Lady Emily, giggled and nodded, blushing.
“I believe I have a spot or two left,” she said, laughing at her own joke.
Graham laughed, as well, thrilling in the sound as he offered his hand.
“Shall we?” he asked. He wished to make himself sound more charming, with more intent as the young lady put her hand in his.
But her beauty, while impressive from across the room, was stunning, now that he stood close to her.
He prayed he could make up for his lackluster dance invitation as they danced.
With her older sister looking on, Graham and Lady Emily began the dance.
He was careful to keep the proper amount of formal politeness in his grip and his steps.
However, holding the lovely young woman so close to him and looking into her light hazel eyes, he could not deny the intensity of the awareness she awakened in him.
***
Aaron watched as Lord Elderwood insistently led his young bride to the floor to take part in the minuet which constituted the first dance of the evening.
He had abandoned his jeweled cane at a seat near a refreshment table, his limp noticeable as he and Vivian took their positions and began the dance.
It was clear that he was putting in his best effort to perform the dance.
But Vivian’s perfect execution of each step displayed just how difficult it was for the gentleman.
What it did not do, however, was conceal her impatience for her slow, awkwardly moving husband and his stilted, halting movements.
It was clear that she wished to be dancing at a pace more befitting her age and dancing experience.
Aaron had no pity for her. She had destroyed his heart after the most devastating loss his family had ever suffered.
He felt justified in drawing a little amusement from her irritation as she danced.
He was no longer laughing when the path of the dancers brought Vivian and her husband directly toward Aaron.
There was no place to which he could retreat and was thus finally forced to acknowledge the couple.
He gave a curt nod, keeping his eyes just above their heads, rather than meeting their gazes directly.
Vivian, however, was not deterred. She fixed her eyes on him, twirling and stepping as they continued on the floor.
“Good evening, Aaron,” she said, her voice dripping with sickening honey.
Aaron narrowed his eyes, sparing her only a bare glance.
“My lady,” he said coldly, pretending as though she were any other stranger in the room.
The response caused her cheeks to flush with humiliation, which renewed a bit of Aaron’s earlier amusement.
But when he uttered a pointed cough, Vivian’s expression changed to one of a most savage glare.
Aaron turned his back to hide a bitter smile.
What had Vivian gotten herself into after she ruined his life?