Page 50 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“What did she say?”
“Only that our invitation was from theduke.”
“It was.”
“But she corrected me. I thanked her for herinvitation.”
“Ah,” Sarah said knowingly. “I see.”
“The duke apologized this morning for herabsence. He said she was ill, but she appeared to be quite healthythis afternoon.”
“Indeed, she did. And Mountebank sought myhelp this morning to arrange the musicians and flowers for tonight.I spent all morning doing so, believing the duchess was sick.”Sarah paused. “Something is not right.”
“Do you think she does not like us?”
“She was more than gracious when we metbefore, but I have not seen her since her wedding.” Sarah paused.“I wonder if the duchess has become conceited in her marriage.”Meredith could not say and so remained quiet. Sarah shook her head.“But I shan’t worry about that right now. We have far moreimportant things to busy ourselves with at the moment. Are youready to go down?”
“Yes.”
They left the room and were both escorted bySimon, who was kind enough with a compliment to Meredith, thoughhis entire focus seemed reserved for his wife. Meredith was nervousas they made their way down the grand staircase. She knew sheshould be concerned with the matter at hand, but a part of herwouldn’t let the strange behavior of the duke and duchess leave hermind. What was going on?
As they reached the middle portion of thestairs, there seemed to be hundreds of people, not merely dozens asSarah had suggested, moving below them. From guests who werestaying at Dragmoor, to arrivals of country neighbors, the entiremanor seemed filled from wall to wall with guests. It feltunseasonably warm as they descended into the sea of ladies andgentlemen.
Every available inch of the house had beencovered in a multitude of colorful autumn blooms. Red, orange,purple, and white flowers were in vases, on tables, and in thehairstyles of nearly half the ladies in attendance. It smelleddivine, and as they moved down the hallway and into the ballroom,Meredith couldn’t help but be enchanted.
While she had lived with her sister atHardwick House, they had never held a ball and before that it hadbeen years since she attended one of the country socials that shehad gone to as a younger woman. She had certainly never been to aduke’s home and it seemed that Mountebank had gone to great lengthsto make his ballroom shine.
Tall white pillars capped with gold filigreeoutlined the room, creating conclaves on one side, as well asdoorways that led out onto a long, stone patio that overlooked thegardens. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, sparkling likethousands of diamonds had been strung together.
Meredith was impressed and was trying veryhard not to let her mouth open in awe when Sir Kent approached.
“Miss Taylor,” he said, bowing to her. “Areyou going to partake in the activities tonight?”
“Yes, Sir Kent.”
“Then may I have this dance?”
The orchestra began to pluck and zing theirinstruments awake as the dance floor opened for Mountebank, who wasescorting the Countess of Gracile for the opening song.
“Of course,” Meredith said, taking his armas they lined up and the music began.
The opening number was a lovely waltz thathad caused Meredith to remember the last time she had been at adance. It had been the night before she fled to Gretna Green withClyde. She had been so eager then, so unreserved with her feelingsas she had openly stared at him all night and danced with him fourtimes. When he had pulled her out into the garden and kissed herbehind a cherub statue, she had been so sure of herself.
Now, as she spun around the room in SirKent’s arms, Meredith felt completely different. She was not inlove at all and so practical that she wondered if her old selfwould even recognize the woman she had grown into. Would heryounger self like who she was now? Meredith doubted it. Still, thiswas safe. Dancing with a gentleman who seemed to enjoy her company,but didn’t wax on poetically about her or inspire any illicitfeelings was safe.
But even as she thought it, something deepwithin her seemed to tick. It was the oddest sensation, this gutfeeling, but Meredith suddenly felt as if she was being watched.She glanced back and forth as she and Sir Kent twirled around theroom.
Through the floral scent she could havesworn she detected a hint of carbolic soap.
“Are you searching for someone?” Sir Kentasked, noticing her sudden curiousness.
“No,” she said honestly as the music beganto end. “I just thought…”
Her eyes had drifted through the crowd whenshe saw him. He stood between a group of guests who were staring athim, almost shocked as they whispered behind their hands. Surely,he would have heard them, but he didn’t seem to care.
Jack Archer only had eyes for Meredith.
Chapter Ten
