Lily ushered her from the studio, leading her down the stairs and to the bathing room adjacent to Martha’s chambers. She hurriedly helped her undress and get in the bath, then she hurried away to fetch her snacks. As Martha bathed, she thought about the painting. She felt much more relaxed than she had in days after spending so much time painting. But the hot water did do well with muscles that she didn’t know were sore until she stretched them out.
She was done bathing by the time Lily returned, and she let her maid help her from the tub and into a robe. She ate the cakes that Lily had brought her while Lily helped her choose a dress. When Lily came upon her dark green evening gown that was studded with rhinestones and jade green ruffles on the sleeves and at the neckline, Martha nodded eagerly in approval.
Lily got the rest of her outfit, including the matching gloves and shoes, ready while Martha finished the cakes and tea and rinsed off her hands. Then, Lily helped her dress and carefully styled her hair in tight ringlets that were piled atop her head and pinned loosely beneath a small green and black hat. She decided to wear her emerald necklace and matching earrings, as well. Then, Lily led her out into the hallway, where her parents waited patiently for her.
“Darling, you look just lovely,” her mother gushed, taking her into her arms and embracing her tightly.
Her father nodded in agreement.
“You certainly do, Martha, dear,” he said. Then, he offered an arm to each of the women. “Shall we, then?”
The three of them departed for Wescott Estate. Martha didn’t realize that she wasn’t dreading the affair until the carriage was well on its way to the townhouse. In fact, she found that she was looking forward to it. Since beginning her courtship with Lord Billington, she had felt less alone, and less dread-filled when she had to be out in public. It was nice to interact with people outside her family. She found that she wasn’t even terribly bothered by the scandal sheets anymore.
She glanced over at her parents, who were talking between themselves and smiling. She, too, smiled as she saw the loving way they gazed at each other. The viscount and viscountess had an arranged marriage, which she guessed contributed to her father’s decision to arrange one for her. Her parents, however, had fallen in love with one another over time. Once upon a time, Martha couldn’t see herself ending up in the same fortunate situation.
But now, as she watched her parents and thought about Lord Billington, she realized that she was looking forward to the evening because she would get to see him again. Moreover, she realized that she was developing strong feelings for the younger viscount. Where once she had worried that the next time she saw him, he would be cold toward her again, now she was filled with nothing but warmth and excitement for each interaction with him.
She didn’t know if he shared her feelings. But as she imagined their future together, she couldn’t help being hopeful that their marriage would eventually be filled with love, like that of her parents. They got along far better than she could have hoped when she first met him. And they had art in common, which was no small thing. Perhaps, if she could get him interested in painting with her, they could find even more ways to bond and grow closer.
She shivered as she thought of the possibility. It would be wonderful to end up with the happy life she had always dreamed of. She was already happier than she had been since she was a girl. And she knew it was still too soon to let her hopes climb too high. But as the carriage arrived at Lady Wescott’s townhouse, she couldn’t help smiling. She was beginning to believe that they truly could find true happiness with one another. It was something she would work very hard toward.
Their carriage came to a stop, and Martha’s father stepped out to help the women exit. Martha looked up in time to see another coach pulling up just behind her family’s. It was Lord Billington’s carriage. Martha paused, watching as he stepped out of his own carriage. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw how handsome he looked in a green jacket that closely matched her dress, a white ruffled shirt and white breeches. His ash blond hair was combed back and shone in the twilight. She had to catch her breath as her father helped her from the carriage, and she blushed when the younger viscount spotted her and smiled.
He separated from his family and approached hers. The smile on his face made him even more handsome, and she had to remind herself to curtsey as he reached her and her parents.
“Good evening,” he said, bowing to her parents. Then, he turned his beautiful blue eyes on her and held out his arm. “May I escort you inside?”
Martha blushed, nodding.
“That would be lovely,” she said.
She gingerly linked arms with him, tingles running up her spine at the simple contact. She looked up at him, her heart fluttering at the sparkle in his blue eyes. She had to remind herself to move along as he led her away from the coaches and toward the townhouse door. Behind them, her parents were talking quietly, and she heard her mother whisper her name. But she was too focused on Lord Billington to pay any mind. She was thrilled to be in his presence, and she hoped for the chance to dance with him again.
The mood soured as they stepped into the ballroom, however. The conversations that could be heard buzzing outside the ballroom door began to hush and cease, and all the attention became focused on them. The scandal sheet gossip returned to her mind, and she glanced at the viscount. He tensed beside her, looking straight ahead, not making eye contact with anyone. Martha couldn’t deny that it bothered her to see that they were upsetting him so.
But as the butler announced their arrival and they made their way down to the dance floor area, Martha noticed that Lord Billington was looking only at her, not paying the rest of the ton any attention.
“You look very lovely tonight, Miss Elwood,” he said with another smile.
Martha blushed again.
“You are very kind,” she said. “And you look quite dashing.”
Lord Billington also blushed, and she had to catch her breath once again. It was clear that he wasn’t used to receiving compliments. But she could also see that they made him feel good.
“Thank you kindly,” he said.
Martha nodded, holding her head high to show the ton that she was proud to be seen with him. The viscount was still a bit tense, but his face seemed relaxed and he didn’t look angry or embarrassed. Was it possible that he still hadn’t seen or heard about the scandal sheets? She didn’t think there was any way that was possible. And yet, he seemed largely unbothered by the stares and whispers of the people around them. She prayed that no one made any kind of scene about them at the ball. She didn’t want to see Lord Billington’s evening ruined because someone couldn’t resist opening their big mouth.
“Miss Elwood, may I secure one of your dance sets?” Lord Billington asked.
Martha shook off her darkening thoughts, fetching her dance card and handing it to him.
“I thought you’d never ask,” she teased gently.
The viscount looked up at her as he selected his dance set and grinned.
“I could always wait a little longer,” he said.
