Chapter Twenty-Two
Justina headed down to the drawing room.
Tray had told her they would have a light dinner.
She did not want to eat too much, so that she could remain light on her feet for the dancing this evening.
Although she knew she would work up an appetite, the midnight buffet halfway through the evening would help tide her over.
She entered the drawing room and saw Tray in conversation with someone. And then Justina realized who it was.
“Aunt Alice!”
Racing across the room, she watched her aunt rise and turn to greet her as she flung her arms about her. She hugged her tightly.
“You came. But you wrote to us and said that you would be staying at Millvale because of the birth of your new granddaughter.”
Her aunt smiled, cupping Justina’s cheeks. “I could not let my closest friend’s daughter make her come-out without me seeing it occur.”
She burst into tears, clinging to her aunt.
“There, there, dear,” Aunt Alice soothed. “Let us have a seat.”
They did so, and Justina said, “I am so grateful to have you here,” wiping away her tears. “You do not know how much this means to me.”
Aunt Alice gave Tray a knowing look. “I told you this was better, Traywick.” She glanced back to Justina.
“Your brother thought I should surprise you in the carriage, but I told him we would both be watering pots if I did so. I was not going to have my niece appear with swollen eyes and a tearstained bodice as she made her debut into Polite Society. As it is, I should ring for a cold compress.”
Justina sniffed. “You and Mama always know best.”
“I see your wisdom shining through, Aunt,” Tray said good-naturedly.
Aunt Alice explained, “I have only come to town for this first week of the Season, then I will be returning to Millvale. As much as I love my four children and my abundant nieces and nephews, I am needed more at home.”
“How are Eden and the babe?” she asked, causing her aunt to smile.
“Both are well. Millbrooke is the happiest I have ever seen him, and young William goes about bragging about being an older brother. But tell me about you and your paintings.”
She explained how she had an arrangement with an art dealer in town, and that he took a small commission from the sale of each painting.
“Mr. Layton has already sold all the ones I brought to town with me last December. He said that was unusual because more people are in the country than in town during the winter months. I did some painting while I visited Verina at Redfield, and Mr. Layton has now put them on display as of this morning. We are hoping there will be interest within the ton regarding my artwork.”
“Tell me of your gown this evening,” her aunt urged.
Justina did so, noting that Aunt Alice was already dressed for the ball.
“It sounds lovely, my dear. If you do not mind, I will watch Bessie prepare you for this evening.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Here,” Aunt Alice revealed. “I saw no need to open Millbrooke’s townhouse. This way, I can spend more time with you.”
They went into dinner, and her aunt said, “Not all of the family will stand with you this evening, Justina.”
Disappointment flooded her. “Why not? I thought everyone in the family rallied around one another anytime someone made her come-out.”
Aunt Alice shook her head. “We have become far too large a group, my dear. Far too intimidating. Bachelors should not have to run a gauntlet simply to reach you for an introduction. And introductions would go on forever with so many of us surrounding you. When you arrive, the entire family will be present to greet you. Then they will disperse throughout the ballroom and keep their eyes on you the rest of the evening.”
“Who will stand with me?”
“Traywick and I, of course. As a dowager duchess, I know a great many others in Polite Society. Verina and Reddington, as well. It is only appropriate for your sister to be by your side at such a time. The final couple will be Cornelia and Cressley.”
Aunt Alice chuckled to herself, and Justina asked, “What is it?”
“There was quite a to-do in the family about that,” her aunt revealed.
“Ariadne has taken her place as the leader of all the cousins, and she assumed that she and Aldridge would be the final couple to stand with you. Cornelia fought her older sister on this, however. She made quite the case of how close the two of you have become since you are neighbors, and she insisted that she and Cressley be with you on this opening night.”
“I will make certain that Ariadne and Julian remain with me tomorrow evening then.” She hesitated. “But what of Aunt Charlotte? She thinks of herself as the foundation of our three families.”
Aunt Alice waved her hand dismissively. “Do not worry about your aunt. Leave Charlotte to me. You are to enjoy this evening.”
After they finished eating, Justina went upstairs to bathe and dress. She dabbed a bit of violet perfume on her throat and wrists before dressing. Her gown was laid out across the bed, and Aunt Alice raved over it.
“You will be not only the most beautiful making her come-out, but you will also be the best garbed. Madame Laurent has quite the touch.”
“Lady Justina had a hand in designing her gown, Your Grace,” Bessie said proudly.
“Is that so? Well, I am even more impressed than I was to begin with.”
They returned downstairs, and Justina learned that they would be riding with Lia and Rupert to this first ball.
Both her cousin and Rupert told Justina how lovely she looked, and anticipation began running through her.
After all, it wasn’t every day a girl made her come-out, albeit Justina’s was much later than usual.
They went through the receiving line, greeting Lord and Lady Trowell, and then they entered the ballroom.
It was already beginning to fill, and she saw a large group standing off to the left, recognizing her family.
She was embraced and kissed by them all before each couple left.
She reached Ariadne and Julian last, and her cousin held her tightly.
Whispering in her ear, Ariadne said, “Leave one dance free on your programme, Justina. Even after the ball starts. There may be a gentleman you meet whom you would like to dance with. It is always wise to have one available.”
“I will do so. Thank you for the suggestion, Ariadne. I would like for you and Julian to be by my side tomorrow night.”
“That would be lovely,” her cousin said. “Know that we are always here for you.”
Julian embraced her. “Enjoy everything about tonight, Justina.”
He and Ariadne left them, and Justina saw the number of people in the ballroom had doubled since they had arrived.
“I see the first contingent making their way toward us,” Aunt Alice said.
Soon, Justina’s head was swimming, and she forgot the names which went with faces almost as soon as they were given to her.
Her dance card filled quickly, but she did as Ariadne had mentioned, saving the final dance of the evening.
She looked at the programme now, and Tray glanced over her shoulder.
“I see it is completely filled. No, wait a moment. You still have the last dance available.”
Looking up at him, Justina said, “According to Ariadne, I should leave that open. If no gentleman takes it, then we shall simply leave the ball slightly early and avoid the crowd.”
He took her hand in his, squeezing it. “Have fun tonight, Jus. Know that Mama is smiling down at you from Heaven.”
She blinked back tears. “Sometimes, I feel selfish because I did not make my come-out while she was still with us.”
“Nonsense. It was not the right time for you to do so. Tonight, it finally is.”
The musicians began tuning their instruments, and her first partner made his way toward her. She quickly glanced at her dance card to remind herself of his name and then used it to greet him. He led her onto the dance floor, and soon, she was swept away.
*
David had parted from the others. Henry wanted to take Elinor around the room and introduce her, the duke accompanying them. David had not wanted to cling to them.
All he wanted was to see Justina.
He spied her the moment he entered the ballroom.
She was with her brother, as well as Lord and Lady Cressley.
He did not recognize the older woman by her side, nor another couple who was unfamiliar to him.
Most likely they were Justina’s sister and brother-in-law because the woman favored her in height and looks.
Then a bevy of gentlemen surrounded her, all being introduced and signing her dance programme. She looked incredibly happy, as if she had forgotten all about him.
He realized no commitment had been made between them.
Only a few stolen kisses had occurred, and he had no claim on her or her heart.
Though usually a confident man, inadequacy filled him.
He might have been born to an earl and countess, but his mother was nothing but a commoner, an assistant to a Parisienne seamstress.
He had been raised in this world, being educated with some of the very men within this ballroom, but David had never been destined for his father’s title.
Even though he now held it and was doing his best, facing his responsibilities, he felt inferior to every man in this room.
David slunk off to a corner, watching Justina from afar. He wanted to at least claim a dance with her, but he doubted that she had any left by this point.
When it came time for the first dance to begin, he made his way toward Elinor.
“There you are, Sheridan,” she said, addressing him by his title since they were in public.
He followed suit. “Lady Elinor. Did you save this first dance for me, or did some young swain convince you to give it to him?”
She laughed merrily. “I saved it for you.”
He offered his arm to her, leading them to a group forming far away from where Justina and her partner went. He did not want her to spot him. It sounded foolish, of course, but he could not help himself.
David enjoyed his dance with Elinor and returned her to Henry and her father.
His Grace said, “I think I will head to the card room. You are in charge of things in the ballroom, Marbury. Do not let some rogue run off to Gretna Green with your sister.”
“I will go with you, Your Grace,” David said.
He remained hidden away in the card room until the midnight buffet was served and chose not to partake in it.
Instead, he slipped out onto the terrace, relishing the solitude after being around such a crowd.
He asked himself why he had bothered coming this evening and decided he would not return to any other events this Season.
In fact, going home to Sheridale would be the best decision.
Justina had moved on, and he did not wish to hold her back.
He had the paintings of hers which he had purchased.
Those—and the memory of their kisses—would be all he would ever have of her.
When couples began appearing on the terrace, he returned indoors, retreating once more to the card room. He would remain here until the ball concluded and then ride home in the ducal carriage.
He had just won the hand of cards when Henry appeared at his side.
“A word, Sheridan?” Henry asked sternly.
Excusing himself, David followed his friend from the room, where Henry began berating him.
“Why have you been in the card room all evening and not on the dance floor? I thought you were eager to see Lady Justina. Why, you all but told us in the carriage on the way here that you would offer for her.”
Regret filled him. “I spoke out of turn, Henry. I was wrong to think that there still might be something between us. I have observed her this evening. She has moved on—and so must I.”
“I ought to wring your bloody neck,” Henry complained. “At least come out and greet her. Or are you a coward?”
“I am no coward,” he said, taking offense at the words. “I proved my bravery time and time again over seven long years. You know that.”
Henry placed a hand upon David’s shoulder. “I do know that, my friend. Please. If not for yourself, do this for me.”
“I will,” he reluctantly agreed. “But I never wish to speak of this matter again after tonight,” he said, closing the door to his heart.
A set was just ending, and couples were coming off the dance floor. Henry claimed Elinor and said, “You have yet to speak with Lady Justina this evening. We must go and see her before the final dance of the evening.”
David followed them at a distance. He watched Henry and Elinor approach her and saw how her eyes lit up. She warmly embraced Elinor, and they talked briefly, most likely making plans to see one another soon.
Henry glanced over his shoulder, and David stepped forward, joining them.
“My lady,” he said, taking Justina’s gloved hand and kissing her fingers.
She eyed him in wonder. “Good evening, Mr. Rochester. I did not realize that you were in town, much less that you would attend this evening’s ball.”
“Oh, he is no longer Rochester anymore,” Elinor revealed. “He is now Lord Sheridan.”
Justina’s eyes widened. “Your brother?”
“Claude recently passed,” he said succinctly.
They stood there, drinking in one another, and then he said, “I am sorry I did not arrive in time to request a dance with you.”
The corners of her mouth turned up slowly, and then she gave him a dazzling smile. “As a matter of fact, I am free for this final dance if you are, my lord.”
His heart leapt hearing those words, and David asked, “Then might you agree to share it with me, Lady Justina?”
“With pleasure, Lord Sheridan.”