Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Beatrice had never felt more out of place.
She gazed around the crowded ballroom, self-consciously adjusting the sleeves of her gown.
She admired the way Anna stood nearby, conversing easily with high-profile guests and intimidating-looking gentlemen.
Anna did look radiantly beautiful tonight.
She had chosen to wear the green ball gown Silas had bought her as a gift to wear at their wedding.
It had a heart-shaped bodice, and light, almost invisible sleeves made of green tulle.
The golden embroidery and beads sparkled as she moved and many eyes followed her around the room.
Beatrice wished she could be so confident.
Despite everything Anna had taught her to put her at ease, her tongue was dry and her back damp with nervous sweat.
She didn’t think she would ever get used to feeling so on display.
“Beatrice!” Anna crossed to her, accompanied by a tall, charming-looking man much older than Beatrice.
“Lord Shelton.” Anna touched Beatrice’s arm gently. “May I present my sister-in-law, Miss Beatrice Klane?”
“Delighted to make your acquaintance.”
Beatrice’s mind raced as she scrambled to remember everything Anna had taught her: Curtsy properly, offer your hand, smile. She did all these things, happy when Lord Shelton’s lips pressed the back of her satin glove, she saw Anna smiling approvingly over the top of his head.
“Miss Beatrice, might I offer you the first dance?” Lord Shelton asked, bowing low.
She remembered Anna’s instructions about accepting offers. Speak graciously. “Thank you, Lord Shelton.” Beatrice inclined her head, wishing her voice was more assertive like Anna’s. “I would be happy to.”
Lord Shelton offered her his arm. Beatrice took it, looking to Anna for support.
Anna smiled gently behind her fan, nodding.
Beatrice took a deep breath and stood in formation opposite her partner as the fiddle music began.
She saw Anna watching her, pulling her shoulders back and raising her eyebrows.
Beatrice mimicked her and smiled as she took the first steps.
She liked to dance and instantly felt more relaxed.
As she moved with the music, she felt confident enough to start a conversation with Lord Shelton.
“How do you know my sister-in-law?” Beatrice asked.
“I have known Lady Anna since she was a little girl, oh, forgive me,” he shook his head. “Mrs Klane, I should say. You are lucky to have her in your family.”
Only when Anna’s two titles were spoken side by side did Beatrice notice their significance for the first time.
Anna’s marriage had lowered her position in society.
It also made Beatrice aware of how impressive Anna’s impact on the ballroom was.
Even her diminished title had not diminished the respect she commanded.
Lord Shelton certainly seemed to respect her. Or perhaps it was more than respect?
“Anna has made a wonderful sister,” Beatrice said, carefully waiting to see if he picked up her familiar name.
“Yes, Anna always was!”
Lord Shelton smiled fondly as they processed down a row of couples. Beatrice couldn’t believe how readily he used her sister’s first name! Was it possible that Lord Shelton had harbored intentions towards Anna? She spoke again carefully, “You seem to have known her well.”
“I knew her brother, Andrew, very well. We were at Eton together, and then Oxford. He was a dear friend. Such a tragedy.”
The music finished and Beatrice bowed to her partner.
There were so many questions she wished she could ask him, for she dearly wanted to learn more about her beloved Anna and the brother she had lost, but it wouldn’t be fair.
Anna had not revealed the details of her brother’s death, and she didn’t want to pry.
“Would you care for another?” Lord Shelton asked.
“Thank you for your kind offer, but perhaps you might ask Mrs Klane?”
They looked to where Anna stood, watching and chatting with some other married women. Lord Shelton bowed and headed towards them whilst Beatrice moved towards Silas, who watched from the sidelines. His wife accepted Lord Shelton’s hand and moved into the dance.
“How does Lord Shelton know Anna? Are they acquainted?” Silas asked. He kept his voice light, but his jaw was tense. His eyes never left his dancing wife.
“He was acquainted with her brother, the one who died.” Beatrice elbowed her brother in the ribs. “Don’t look so jealous, Silas! They are only friends.”
However, when she saw the way Lord Shelton smiled at Anna, she did wonder if he cared for her more than just for her brother’s sake. Silas frowned, his eyes narrowly following every touch of Shelton's hand, every time it took hold of Anna’s and every time his hand touched her back.
“She has not spoken to me of her brother,” Silas said softly.
Beatrice knew there were secrets between Silas and Anna, how could there not be when they were both such guarded people, but she saw that there was still intense affection between the newlyweds, even if they often could not express it to one another.
Beatrice noticed how Silas visibly relaxed when Anna and Lord Shelton’s dance finished and the pair walked over to join them.
“Lord Shelton, please let me introduce my husband, Mr Silas Klane. Silas, this is an old family friend, Lord Henry Shelton.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr Klane.” Lord Shelton bowed. “I must beg your thanks, you have allowed me the pleasure of dancing with your sister and your lovely wife. I have been doubly blessed!”
Shelton smiled down at Anna. Beatrice expected Silas to react badly to the man, and was amazed when her brother’s face broke into a handsome smile.
“You are very welcome,” Silas said, lifting his glass. “I have been very spoiled, hoarding their company at Fallenbrook. It is only fair that I am generous.”
Beatrice’s jaw could have hit the floor! Her brother spoke lightly, almost jokingly, in a tone he never used in company. She saw Anna smile proudly and knew this could only be her doing.
“Indeed, sir!” Shelton lifted his glass in a toast. “We hope that your family might grace many more balls. I have certainly missed Anna’s company.”
Silas raised his eyebrows at the familiar use of his wife’s name, and Beatrice’s own hackles raised.
“I am sure.” Beatrice was impressed when Silas continued to smile as if he hadn’t noticed, though his eyes were dark with mounting rage.
“We are so glad that you are here, Lord Shelton. Aren’t we, husband?” Anna interjected, and Beatrice noticed how she touched Silas’ arm when she spoke to him. “It is fortunate for Lord Shelton can introduce Beatrice to his young sister, Miss Shelton.”
“Very fortunate, indeed.” Silas took Anna’s arm and tucked it into his elbow, smiling kindly at Lord Shelton. Lord Shelton frowned as if put out by this display of marital unity but recovered quickly.
“A capital idea!” Shelton offered his arm to Anna. “Shall we go to her?”
Anna looked up at Silas, turning her head from Shelton’s offer. “What are your thoughts, husband?”
Beatrice’s head reeled at the intricate social politics of how Anna used her body language to speak volumes to both men. She didn’t know if she could ever manage such intense subtleties!
“Of course, my dear,” Silas said, releasing her. “Whatever you think is best.”
Beatrice noticed a slight quiver in Anna’s eyebrow. It was definitely the first time Silas had used such an affectionate term with his wife, still, it was a seamless performance.
“Follow me.” Lord Shelton smiled at Beatrice again. “My sister will be in the parlor. She adores playing cards.”
“Enjoy yourself,” Silas said quietly behind them.
Beatrice looked over her shoulder and noticed him creeping through the crowd behind them, far enough behind that Lord Shelton had not noticed. Silas clearly did not intend for his wife and sister to be out of sight.
The parlor was noisy and crowded. A cheerful folk duet was sung vibrantly from the corner by a young couple had been set up on card tables, and someone was playing the piano.
Lord Shelton led the way through the tables to a corner where two stylish ladies were watching a game of hearts.
Lord Shelton took a blonde girl's elbow and whispered in her ear.
Beatrice's stomach sank as the girl turned, anticipating the inevitable negativity.
Beatrice didn't know much about society, but she could tell when someone was kind and when they weren't.
“Miss Klane, please allow me to introduce my younger sister, Miss Amelia Shelton.”
She was not a pretty girl, her forehead too large and her mouth too thin, but she was very finely dressed and looked down her nose as Beatrice dropped into her curtsy.
“Amelia, you will remember Mrs Klane, formerly Lady Anna?”
“Of course.” Amelia inclined her blonde head, smiling thinly. “Please, let me introduce my dear friend, Miss Lawson of Loudwater.”
The young woman standing with Amelia curtsied proudly.
Beatrice’s stomach tightened. This was the daughter of the Marquess of Loudwater, the heiress of the house.
Unlike Amelia, she was undoubtedly beautiful and very refined.
Her mouth was set in a delicate smile and her fan was made of elaborate peacock feathers. Her eyes glittered with mischief.
“I shall leave you to get reacquainted.”
Lord Shelton took Anna’s hand and kissed it, smiling warmly. Beatrice noticed how Amelia Shelton scowled in response but then switched her face into a sickly sweet smile as her brother left.
“So. You are Silas Klane’s sister,” Lydia smirked behind her fan. “First time at a ball?”
“Yes, it is.” Beatrice tried to smile pleasantly, but Amelia’s sour face was very distracting.
“Seems they’re letting anyone in now,” Amelia murmured.
Beatrice looked down, embarrassed, but Anna stiffened beside her.