Chapter 6
Chapter Six
L ady Essington is rather lovely.
The thought came unbidden and James started in surprise, jerking his eyes away from the lady in question and turning them to the opposite side of the room. What am I doing?
It had been around a month since he had first been introduced to Lady Essington and his opinion of her had only grown since that first meeting. Whilst being very fair of face, he found her conversation appealing and her laughter always made him smile. When they danced, he found he thought of nothing and nobody else – although, at other times, Lady Maude still clung to his mind.
James frowned hard and rubbed the spot between his eyebrows. He was not a man inclined toward confusion but yet he was, at present, utterly astonished at his thoughts and considerations. On the one hand, he was still very much drawn to Lady Maude, but on the other, he found himself interested in lingering in Lady Essington’s company. The former, however, also had the added confusion of Lord Huntsford’s remarks which, even some weeks later, still had not left James. Lady Maude had not often been in his company of late, but that was not for a lack of trying on James’ part. She was, as she always seemed to be, caught up with the company of many other gentlemen who were all vying for her attention.
And yet I still find myself eager to be the sole object of her attention.
Sighing, James dropped his hand to his side and shook his head to himself. He was being quite ridiculous.
“You look perturbed, my dear friend.”
“And that is no thanks to you,” James replied, as Lord Huntsford’s brows shot up. “I am once again thinking of Lady Maude and wondering whether or not things are as you have suggested.”
Lord Huntsford grinned. “That is interesting, certainly. I always considered that you would ignore such remarks from me.”
James lifted one eyebrow, his mouth pulling to one side. “How could I forget the fervency with which you last spoke?” he asked, as Lord Huntsford’s gaze suddenly dropped to the floor. “I have never heard you speak in such a way and the words have lingered long with me.”
“Ah.” Lord Huntsford cleared his throat and looked away from James for a moment. “I did speak rather forcefully, I suppose, but that is only because my frustrations have grown to the point that I could not contain myself any further.”
“Frustrations? I always thought you understood my eagerness for Lady Maude’s company?”
“I do understand it – possibly more than you might be aware of it,” came the reply. “That is why I expressed myself in such a way because I believe that it is solely your pride that seeks Lady Maude’s company. There would be a great accolade, would it not, to be the gentleman that she decides upon?” He held out one hand as though he knew the protest that James would make. “And even if you were eager to wed her, you would do so solely for that purpose rather than because you had any genuine affection for her. I believe, Yardley, you see her only in her perfection because she is a diamond of the first water, rather than allowing yourself to see any of her flaws.”
“In short, you believe I am obsessed with her beauty rather than her character.”
“And what it would feel like for you to have her so near to you.”
Nodding slowly, James chewed on his bottom lip. “I understand your meaning. I have not been as eager in my attempts to converse with her or praying for an opportunity to dance of late although that does not mean she has left my thoughts.”
Lord Huntsford tapped his chin with one finger, his eyes thoughtful. “Might I ask if you have taken notice of any other lady in the meantime?”
James opened his mouth to say that no, he had not, only for Lady Essington’s face to flood his mind. Closing it again with a snap, he cleared his throat. “I could not say.” By the knowing look and a broad grin that immediately stretched across his face, it was clear that Lord Huntsford did not truly believe him.
“Well, if you find yourself in mind of another, you would do well to ask yourself whether or not you think only of her beauty or if there is more to her character that you find yourself considering.”
Grimacing, James looked away, knowing he could answer that question already. Had he not only just been considering Lady Essington’s conversation and the way her laugh always made him smile?
“You do not wish to discuss the matter any further and I quite understand.” Lord Huntsford turned slightly and gestured to the large crowd of guests who seemed to take over almost the entire room. “This ball is a little overwhelming, is it not?”
“It is, for I am certain that almost every gentleman and lady in London have been invited,” James replied, relieved his friend had changed the subject. “That is why Lord Charleston decided to host it in these rooms rather than his townhouse, I presume.”
Lord Huntsford nodded. “Although I doubt we shall see Miss Harding this evening,” he replied, speaking of Lord Charleston’s niece. “From what I understand, she has already left for Scotland.”
James looked at his friend, astonished. “Scotland?”
“To elope, yes,” came the reply. “The news was in the society pages this morning.”
“Good gracious.”
Lord Huntsford shook his head. “I believe it is a most imprudent match. I only hope they can catch the girl in time.”
James’ lips twisted. He disliked the practically constant referencing to the society pages but given that Lord Huntsford devoured them every time the newspaper was published, it was very hard indeed to avoid it. “I am surprised such a thing was put in the society pages at all.”
“I believe it was done in the hope that the elopement could be prevented. Even now, I believe the girl’s father has gone after her.”
“Then I hope they are successful.” James did not ask for any further details, silently dismissing the matter. No matter just how helpful the society pages were in revealing certain things, he would never appreciate them. His eyes floated vaguely across the room, only to linger on Lady Essington once more. She was laughing at something another gentleman had said and James was surprised at the twist of envy that suddenly pulled at his heart.
“I think I shall…..” Seeing Lord Huntsford’s lifted eyebrows, James threw him a wry smile. “Excuse me. I am going to ask Lady Essington if she wishes to dance.”
“You have danced with her at every society ball, have you not?” Lord Huntsford’s hand rested on James’ shoulder for a moment and James nodded, a little unwilling to admit to his friend that he had an interest in Lady Essington despite his obvious actions. “I see. Then I shall not hinder you.”
James smiled and took his leave, walking across the room toward the lady. The gentleman she was speaking to took his leave just as he bowed and James felt his good fortune, coming to stand a little in front of her as he bowed.
“Good evening, Lady Essington. I must hope that you are dancing this evening?”
Her smile was ever ready, lighting her emerald eyes. “I am inclined to dance, yes.” Slipping her dance card from her wrist, she made to hold it out to him, only for a figure to come to stand directly in front of the lady, looking up at James with sharp, flashing eyes.
“Good evening.”
Such was James’ shock at being so rudely interrupted that he took a moment or two to reply. “Good – good evening, Lady Maude.” Taking a step to the side so that he might see Lady Essington again, he saw the color drain from her face as her smile shattered completely. Annoyance tightened his frame and he cleared his throat. “You may be unaware, Lady Maude, but I was just in conversation with Lady Essington. Do excuse me.” He stepped to one side and reached for Lady Essington’s dance card for what was the second time, only for Lady Maude to catch his hand. His eyes caught Miss Patterson standing only two steps away, her eyes watching Lady Maude although James could not tell whether she was pleased about what the lady had done or was embarrassed by her friend. His attention was pulled back to Lady Maude as she smiled brightly at him, hauling his interest back toward her.
“I thought it best to offer you my dance card, Lord Yardley, given that you have so often come in search of it and been denied, given how many gentlemen wish to dance with me.” Her eyes shifted to Lady Essington’s for a moment, her lips lifting into a smile that did nothing to further her beauty.
James was nonplussed. What was Lady Maude attempting to do? He did not want to appear rude but how Lady Maude was behaving was, to his mind, terribly ill-mannered. And yet, a part of him wanted to take hold of Lady Maude’s dance card and write his name in whatever dance he could take.
“I have not yet a partner for the waltz.”
Her voice was soft and James’ heart lurched at the look in her eyes. Her lips were curved gently as he looked back at her, blood roaring in his ears. She was offering him the opportunity to dance the waltz, to have her pulled close to him, and to feel her gentle breath brush his cheek as they moved together across the floor. It would be the fulfillment of a long-held hope which, thereafter, might lead to a furthering of their acquaintance which he had long been eager for.
‘You see her only in her perfection because she is a diamond of the first water, rather than allowing yourself to see any of her flaws.’
His friend’s words came back to him so forcefully that James caught his breath. That was what he was doing at this very moment, was it not? He was forgetting about Lady Maude’s disrespect toward Lady Essington simply because of what she was offering him. He was seeing only her beauty rather than considering her flaws.
“If you would but wait a moment, Lady Maude.” Turning his head from her, he made to speak to Lady Essington, only to see her walking away from him, melting into the crowd. His heart slammed hard in his chest, shame billowing over him. “Lady Essington?” Calling her name and heedless as to the attention he was garnering from others, he hurried after her, eventually catching her arm. She turned sharply and he was astonished to see the flicker of pain in her eyes and the blooming color in her cheeks.
“Lady Essington, I must beg your forgiveness.”
She did not smile but looked up at him steadily. “I do not think that you have much to apologize for, Lord Yardley. Lady Maude was the one to interrupt our conversation.”
“Yes, but I did not act nor speak as decisively as I ought to have done.”
The corners of her mouth dropped. “No, I suppose you did not.”
“I have asked Lady Maude to wait for it is only right that I sign your dance card first.”
Her eyes widened. “Is that so?” Tilting her head to one side, she looked past him, evidently trying to see Lady Maude standing somewhere behind him. “Good gracious, it is as you say.” These last words were spoken as if to herself and James had to bite his lip hard to keep himself from turning around.
“As I have said, I did not think it right that Lady Maude interrupts us as she did but I ought to have acted and spoken with a good deal more decisiveness than I did. Pray forgive me, Lady Essington.”
A tiny light grew in her eyes and after a moment, she smiled. “You are quite forgiven, Lord Yardley.”
“And might I sign your dance card?”
Without hesitation, she slipped it from her wrist and handed it to him. “You may. I must say, Lord Yardley, you flatter me terribly.”
Taking it from her and seeing the gleam in her eye, he looked at her steadily rather than writing his name down and then hurrying away. “Oh?”
“To be pursued and spoken to first over Lady Maude, whose beauty is beyond compare in all of London, is certainly flattering.” A gentle pink blew across her cheeks but her eyes remained quite steady. “I am very appreciative, Lord Yardley.”
“She may have a great deal of beauty, Lady Essington, but that does not require me to put her first above all others. I confess that I hope I am a little better than that.”
A stab of guilt plunged itself firmly into his heart but James did not flinch. Yes, he had been distracted and overcome by Lady Maude’s presence and her willingness to offer him the waltz but good manners had taken a hold of his actions soon after. When Lady Essington smiled, he felt his heart swell, finding relief and a gladness lingering there. He had managed to make amends, had managed to show to her that he was not about to be a very foolish, unkind gentleman who cared nothing for her and would be willing to go to another simply because she held a little more beauty.
Although had not Lord Huntsford spoken to me of such a thing recently, then I might very well have behaved very poorly indeed.
Wincing inwardly, James turned his attention to the dance card and wrote his name down for the cotillion. Biting his lip, his hand hovered over the waltz. He had never danced the waltz with Lady Essington but Lady Maude had promised him that her waltz was free, had she not?
But I have stepped away from her and, no doubt, when I return the waltz will be gone.
“Lord Yardley?” There was a hint of confusion in Lady Essington’s voice and James quickly wrote down his name before he could change his mind. Smiling, he lifted his head and returned the dance card to her.
“I thought two dances again would suit very well,” he told her, seeing the way her eyes drifted down to her dance card. “That is only if you are contented with them, of course.”
She smiled and her green eyes seemed to alight. “I am most contented, Lord Yardley. I thank you.” Her smile crumpled as her gaze drifted over his shoulder. “However, I shall step away for the time being. Good evening, Lord Yardley.”
A sense of dread began to rush through his veins, making his stomach twist wildly and his throat constrict. Turning, he saw that Lady Maude was no longer standing alone. Three gentlemen were near to her but she had angled herself so that she might still look directly at James. When he turned, her eyes immediately fastened themselves to his, her lip curving gently but not in a way that sent any pleasure into James’ heart.
I must now go to her. I must continue our conversation, as I said I would. A little surprised at his reluctance, James made his way back toward Lady Maude and the three gentlemen, standing a little to one side with his hands clasped behind his back.
Lady Maude ignored him and for some minutes, James merely stood there, waiting without making any sort of interruption. One gentleman glanced at him and a rush of embarrassment began to heat his core but still, he stood. Lady Maude had been very improper indeed by interrupting his conversation with Lady Essington but he was not about to do the same. Besides which, she knew very well that he was waiting to speak to her. If she wished to ignore him for a time, then so be it. He would be patient.
Eventually, Lady Maude glanced at him, twirling her hand toward him in a dismissive gesture. “Yes, Lord Yardley? You have returned from your other conversation, I see?”
James did not smile. “I made certain that Lady Essington’s dance card was signed, given that to do so was my intention.” His voice was steady and he continually kept his gaze toward her.
I am quite able to see her flaws now. A scowl played around his mouth but he forced it away. I just wish I had been able to see her as she truly is before now. It was as if a veil had suddenly been lifted from his eyes and he could now see Lady Maude as she truly was. Yes, he had been a little distracted when she had offered him her waltz but he had managed to overcome that and find Lady Essington instead. In a way, James was rather proud of himself.
“And now you have returned, expecting to have my dance card also?” She sent a sharp look toward the other gentlemen who all laughed as though James were being quite ridiculous.
“I am doing as I said, Lady Maude,” James put in, ignoring the laughter and refusing to respond to it. “If you wish me to depart without being allowed the opportunity to sign your dance card, then I shall go.” This was said without any vehemence or any obvious anger, for James held no frustration nor fury in his heart toward the lady. He waited, seeing Lady Maude turn toward him a little more so that she might study him more closely. Her blue eyes flashed and her confident smile faded away as he looked back at her without flinching. It was as if she had been able to see into his heart and realized now that he did not have the same consideration for her as he had once done – and that evidently displeased her.
“My dance card, Lord Yardley.” She handed it to him with a flourish. “You will see that there are still some dances remaining.” Her lip curved upwards again as her chin lifted.
“Ah, I can see that Lord Guthrie is to take your waltz, Lady Maude.”
“Yes, indeed.” Her smile grew but it lacked any warmth. “He was very eager to do so and I could not help but grant him.”
James nodded, a new curl of dislike beginning to form in his belly. “That is quite understandable, Lady Maude, and indeed, I am glad that he did so.” Scribbling his name down for the polka, he handed her back the card with a broad smile. Lady Maude’s eyes flashed and her smile flattened.
“You are glad that he has taken my waltz, Lord Yardley?” she responded, sounding quite disbelieving. “How very gracious of you.” The irony in her voice reached out to slap James across the cheek but he merely smiled.
“Indeed, it is just as well, Lady Maude, for I have already signed Lady Essington’s dance card for the waltz.” Seeing her smile shatter, he bowed low, not wanting to linger in her company any longer. After her behavior this evening, James had seen her in an entirely new light and it was not a light that brought her any favor, not in his eyes. “Good evening.” Stepping away, James let out a long, slow breath but felt his heart lift free of a weight that he had never really known it carried. In turning away from Lady Maude in favor of Lady Essington, he had allowed his heart to see the lady as she truly was. Her beauty had threatened to distract him, threatened to tear him away from what would have been the right and gentlemanly course of action. But thanks to Lord Huntsford’s previous words, James had been able to pursue Lady Essington and, in doing so, had seen Lady Maude’s true character – and it had not been one that pleased him.
In fact, I am rather irritated with myself that I have never seen such a thing before. That I have spent months pursuing a lady whose character is most displeasing. Taking in a deep breath, James set his shoulders. Lady Maude was displeased with him and had thought to set him in his place by giving her waltz to another, but for whatever reason, he had suspected that she would have done such a thing. How glad he was that he had written his name for Lady Essington’s waltz! That, he was certain, would be a very enjoyable dance indeed and he was already looking forward to stepping out with Lady Essington again.