Chapter 3
This is not in the least bit enjoyable.
The ballroom was full of guests; the chalked floor was already ruined by the many feet upon it, and the crush of guests felt quite overwhelming.
George cleared his throat and looked about him, wondering just how he was meant to make new acquaintances when there were so many people present that he could barely distinguish one face from another!
The crush was very great, and George was not in the least bit pleased to be present, even though he knew that this was what society expected of him.
And I have a duty and a responsibility, he reminded himself, scowling. Father’s letter told me all I needed to know, and now it is time for that duty to be fulfilled.
“Goodness, it is more than a little busy this evening, is it not?”
George turned his head, then smiled in relief at a familiar face. “Dorset, good evening.”
“You are standing alone, my friend,” Lord Dorset said, with a frown. “Come, let me introduce you to one or two others,”
Without needing any further encouragement, George made his way through the ballroom, following after Lord Dorset.
While he did find the crowd overwhelming and the conversations and laughter loud and engulfing, this was something he was going to have to become used to…
for a time, at least. Once he had fulfilled his father’s requirements, he would return home to his estate and, from then on, would never need to return to society again.
That thought was a sobering one, and George grimaced as he continued across the ballroom.
“Husband!”
Lord Dorset stopped, his head twisting around, only for him to smile and put out one hand to an approaching young lady. George took her in, seeing her contented smile and the warmth in her eyes as she looked back at Lord Dorset, feeling a kick of jealousy in his stomach.
“My dear!” Lord Dorset exclaimed, taking her hand and then turning bodily back towards George.
“I was just returning from fetching a drink – something a little stronger than this watered wine – when I came upon this exceptional gentleman!” He beamed at the lady and then looked to George.
“Might I present my wife, Lady Dorset?” He pressed a kiss to the lady’s hand, seemingly unable to keep her gaze from her.
“My darling, this is the Earl of Surrey.”
“Oh, the friend you came upon unexpectedly!” Lady Dorset replied, looking back at George before dropping into a quick curtsy. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”
“And I yours,” George replied, genuinely. “I – ”
“Oh, and let me introduce my sister to you also,” Lord Dorset continued, as two other young ladies drew near. “My dear Norah, this is the Earl of Surrey, the gentleman I was telling you about?”
George took the lady in, seeing the surprise in her expression, followed by a quick smile as she curtsied. She had similar features to her brother, her eyes the same shade of blue, her hair dark as his was. “How good to meet you.”
“And a new acquaintance of ours,” Lord Dorset continued. “Miss Beatrice Williams.”
It was as if there had come a hole in the floor that suddenly yawned beneath him, opening its mouth wide so it could swallow him up, only to spit him back out again.
George’s stomach slammed hard in one direction and then lurched to the other side, his breathing twisting into a ball in his lungs, sending pain spiraling out from his chest.
He bowed, tearing his eyes away from the lady.
“We are already acquainted, Lord Dorset, but I thank you for your kind introduction.” Her voice was soft, quiet, and held nothing but amiability. “Our first introduction was some time ago, however.”
We are more than mere acquaintances.
Heat began to ripple up George’s spine as he raised his head and looked at Miss Williams. She was doing nothing but gazing right back at him, her eyebrows slightly lifted and a coolness in her green eyes that chilled him.
She was making no attempt to look elsewhere, showed no embarrassment in being in his company, and even the way she spoke was calm and steady.
George did not dare imagine what it was she was feeling at present, certain that underneath this outward calmness, there would be an inner turmoil.
Unless that kiss meant nothing to her, he thought to himself, as Lady Norah smiled, glancing from himself to Miss Williams and back again. Unless I was the only one with any real feelings held in my heart.
“You are already acquainted?” Lord Dorset sounded surprised. “But I thought this was the first ball you had attended, my friend?”
“We were acquainted some time ago, at a Christmas ball.” Miss Williams was the one to speak, to explain as George battled to regain his outward composure. “A ball near to my brother’s estate, you understand, not in London.”
“Ah.” Lord Dorset smiled his understanding. “I see. Well, I am sure this is a very pleasant meeting for you both!”
George, who had not said anything as yet, tried to nod and speak, but his throat was tight, his voice rasping.
“Very pleasant indeed, yes.” Seeing the frown flicker into Lord Dorset’s expression, he clasped his hands behind his back as his heart began to quail, knowing what was expected of him but unwilling to even think about standing up to dance with Miss Williams again.
After the last dance they had shared, George was sure his mind would be filled with thoughts of that… and of what had come thereafter.
“I should return to my brother.” Miss Williams smiled at Lord Dorset, showing not even the smallest interest in continuing a conversation with George, something that he was relieved about. “Do excuse me.”
“Why don't we all go?” Lady Dorset suggested, her gaze on George. “You need to make some new acquaintances, or so my husband tells me! Lord Govanhill and Lord Warwickshire are both excellent gentlemen, I am sure, and would be glad of your company.”
“A capital idea, wife!” Lord Dorset, before giving George a chance to consider, began to walk away, following after Miss Williams, who had hurried off without hesitating. “Come, my friend. Let us see just how many new acquaintances you can make this evening!”
George did not smile. At this present moment, he wanted to do nothing other than turn on his heel and walk in the opposite direction from them all until he could get his emotions under control and his heart quietened, but given that it would be very rude indeed for him to walk away, he forced his steps to follow after Miss Williams.
Within a few minutes, George was introduced to Lord Govanhill and reacquainted with Lord Warwickshire who, while his welcome was pleasant enough, had a keenness to his look that troubled George.
Had Miss Williams told her brother of what had taken place the night of the Christmas ball? Had she told him about the stolen kiss?
“Our dance will be the next, Miss Williams!” Lord Govanhill beamed at Miss Williams as a needle of expectation slammed into George’s heart, making him wince. “I hope you are as eager for the quadrille as I!”
George, clasping his hands behind his back and fully aware that everyone present in the group would be waiting for him to ask for the ladies' dance cards, took in a deep breath. “I should ask for your dance cards also, of course.”
“Oh, how very kind of you, Lord Surrey. I should be very glad to dance.” With a delighted smile, Lady Norah took her dance card from her wrist and handed it to him. George bent his head to look at it, only to lift it again as Miss Williams spoke.
“Let us make our way a little closer to the dance floor, shall we?” She did not speak to George but to Lord Govanhill, whose instant smile spoke of his agreement. “I do very much enjoy dancing, Lord Govanhill, and can hardly wait to step out!”
As George watched, Miss Williams accepted Lord Govanhill’s arm and walked away from them all without so much as a backward glance. Shame stung in his eyes, and he looked down again at Lady Norah’s dance card, trying to focus on what dances she had remaining.
It is clear that Beatrice wants nothing more to do with me, he thought to himself, signing his name to the polka. And I cannot blame her for that.
“I think my sister did not hear you offer for her dance card, Lord Surrey.” Lord Warwickshire offered him a wry smile as George handed Lady Norah’s card back to her. “She was very much looking forward to dancing.”
“It is quite all right.”
Lord Warwickshire tilted his head. “If you wish, I can tell her which dance you would like to take once she returns? I would not want you to be in the least bit affronted.”
George forced a smile he did not feel, quite sure that if he were to do such a thing, Miss Williams would think all the more poorly of him.
She had made it clear to him, without having used any words whatsoever, that she did not want to stand up with him this evening, and George was quite determined to honor that.
“It is quite all right,” he said, in what he hoped was a jovial manner.
“I am sure she will have her dance card quite full, and I would not like to cause any difficulty between myself and another gentleman! No, indeed, I will be quite contented to dance with her another evening.” With a bow, he smiled briefly at Lady Norah.
“I look forward to our dance later this evening. Do excuse me.”
With relief filling his chest, George walked away from them all, his heart burning within him.
He had not expected to see Miss Williams this evening, having convinced himself that, with all her beauty and warmth of character, she would have been wed the previous year.
To discover that she was not only here in London but also still unattached had affected him deeply – but it could not be.
She does not want my company, and I, even if I admit to myself just how much I long to return to her, can never do so.
Passing one hand over his eyes, George let out a low groan that was swallowed up by the noise of the other guests.
The reason he could not pursue her, the very reason he had left so suddenly and without returning to her – that reason was pushing his steps forward along a path he did not want to walk.
How desperately he wanted to turn around, to turn away from the future laid out for him!
But he could not. His duty demanded it and thus, he had no other choice but to do precisely as his father had demanded of him.