Page 40 of A Torn Allegiance
“It is a spontaneous challenge. It strikes in the most inopportune moments and captures you.”
“That’s rather poetic.” Kristoff looked unconvinced. “I’ve never felt anything remotely close to love for any woman. But they are most certainly the more enjoyable of the sexes. I quite like them.” His mouth lifted up in a corner, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes making Hayes laugh. His brother was harmless in most respects but might win over many a woman without meaning to.
“I admit I cannot accurately guess Lady Elsie’s motivations. I do enjoy her attention. But as to what her heart dictates, I’m afraid I haven’t any notion.” Hayes shrugged in so helpless a manner he had to laugh at himself.
“I’m certain it’s at least partly inclined in your direction.” Bartholomew looked more certain than Hayes thought he himself could ever feel.
“Are you?” He hoped Bartholomew’s observations were accurate. Both Marc and Kristoff nodded. And Hayes stood taller, his hope rising.
“Very. Will you be dancing with her this evening?”
“Yes.”
“Secure the dinner set and a waltz, if you can,” Bartholomew advised.
Amused, Marc nudged the duke. “And will you be following your own counsel?”
“I will, in fact. It is time I brought a duchess to my estate.”
“Most excellent.” Hayes led them out through the rooms toward the front door. “Will Lady Elsie be expecting the first set, do you think? That would certainly make a statement as to my preference.”
“Certainly, but have you not already secured that set with Princess Elizabeth?” Bartholomew said.
“I have. I only wonder at Lady Elsie’s expectations. And the princesses may not attend.”
Marc and Kristoff looked from one to the other, great amusement lighting their faces as the servant handed each their overcoats and hats.
“The carriages have arrived, at any rate. Shall we?” Marc stepped aside as the butler moved past to open the door.
Bartholomew and Hayes climbed into the Duke of Shelby’s first carriage, leaving the brothers to join Duncan and his father in the second, which followed. The ladies’ dresses all but filled the space. In the dim lighting, Hayes couldn’t be certain what Lady Elsie had done to her hair, but he knew it involved all manner of adornments that towered to the roof.
“And you three. I would be surprised to find anyone lovelier than you, Lady Elsie, Lady Sophie, and Your Grace.” He dipped his head in a partial bow, though he was sitting.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” The duchess’s smile grew. “We are pleased you have joined us. We find it much more enjoyable to arrive with our friends than attempt to try to find them amidst the great crush at a ball.”
“I appreciate your forethought.” His gaze sought Lady Elsie. “And for your great kindness to me in general since I have arrived. I feel I have benefitted socially of course, and personally as well.”
Lady Elsie sat on the opposite side of the carriage, close to Lady Sophie, and the two seemed to be having their own private conversation. But then she looked in his direction. “It is good to see you again, Your Highness.”
“And you as well. I’m looking forward to dancing with you. Perhaps I might reserve the dinner set and the first waltz.”
She nodded. “I have the first set free as well. Imagine if we four were to open the ball with Prince George.”
His chest tightened. He wasn’t certain how to go about explaining that he would be required to dance the first set with Princess Elizabeth. “Imagine.” His smile felt more like a grimace. But perhaps the princesses would not come, he reminded himself. Perhaps he would be dancing the first set with Lady Elsie after all. He could make no promises.
Lady Elsie eyed him but said nothing about his odd response.
Bartholomew shifted in his seat. “I hope I shall not offend Lady Sophie by misplacing my feet or marring her slippers.”
Lady Sophie smiled in his direction. “I am so relieved you feel the same. Perhaps the entire room won’t be watching as I fear they shall.”
Lady Elsie shook her head. “They’ll all be watching, but the royalty might steal most of the attention, which is just to my liking. Prince George and the Wilhelm princes will be in great demand and under high scrutiny. I shall do my best not to distract anyone from the sight of you.” She laughed, and Hayes wished for a different subject.
He supposed the attention of most in a room often fell in his direction even with seven brothers—even though he was not King yet. Perhaps he was just accustomed to such things, or perhaps he knew that while their attention might be captured in the moment, it would soon drift. He had often been swiftly forgotten, or worse, their attention had turned critical in an instant.
The carriages pulled up in front of St. James’s. He could only hope that the Queen and her daughters arrived later, for he found his hands tingling in anticipation of holding Lady Elsie, of being in her company, of hearing her talk, and of needling some outlandish thought out of her while they danced. But the carriage in front of them had the English royal crest, and just as he feared, the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting stepped out, followed by her daughters and the Queen herself. And then he groaned inside because he’d missed his opportunity to explain to Lady Elsie that she wouldn’t be opening the ball after all.
Chapter Fifteen
