She was wrong, however. Even once the tears stopped, her thoughts did not. She replayed the entire evening, from the moment she and Lord Billington entered the ballroom, to speaking to Mr. Barnes about Lady Cordelia, to watching Lord Billington with his former lover. She couldn’t actually remember if she had seen him say anything to Lady Cordelia. She supposed he must have, as the lady was smiling at him. But why had he fled from her as though he was terrified of her? Why had Lady Cordelia approached him in the first place, if she left him because of his scars?
There was too much uncertainty in the entire situation, and it was driving Martha mad. She was a little upset that Lord Billington didn’t mention any former lovers to her in the beginning, but she supposed she couldn’t blame him. After all, it was only to be an arranged marriage, and they hadn’t known each other very well. And no matter how it looked, she didn’t want to make assumptions about the viscount and Lady Cordelia. The only thing she did know for absolute fact was that she was madly in love with Albert Billington.
Chapter Twenty-nine
For the second time in as many weeks, Albert awoke the next morning to find himself in a room that didn’t belong to him. As with the first time, it took him a few minutes, especially with the pounding headache that was throbbing behind his eyes. But unlike the previous time, the memories from the previous night came rushing back, and Albert’s heart began to race.
Albert’s eyes darted around the room, which wasn’t immediately completely familiar. The last clear memory he had before leaving the ball was bumping into Cordelia. Despite his aching, spinning head, he tossed his head this way and that, trying to get his bearings. Surely, he hadn’t managed to end up at Cordelia’s home. Had he?
When the dizziness became too much, he closed his eyes and put his face in his hands. He took a deep breath, trying to gather the rest of the memories from the night before. They all returned, albeit slowly, as his breathing returned to normal. He recalled where he was just seconds before he opened his eyes and looked embarrassed around the guest chambers of Neil’s townhouse.
You fool,he groaned, rubbing his temples. He went to stand, his hand bumping the nightstand instead of touching the edge of the mattress and finding a full metal flask on top of it. He gave a weak smile, taking the flask and taking a long drink. He would need to eat, as well, he knew. But if he could get rid of the headache, then he could work through the rest of his thoughts.
He settled back against the headboard as he recalled the previous night. How could one evening go so terribly wrong? He had started off happy, having come to terms with his feelings for Miss Elwood, and preparing to tell her. He had even entertained the notion of getting a license for them to go ahead and marry before the end of their courtship, if she reciprocated those feelings. For the first time in his life, he would be making his father happy by doing something that made him happy.
But then, Cordelia had to arrive. Just seeing her had made him relive the worst time in his life. However, that hadn’t been enough for the universe’s entertainment, apparently. Cordelia had sought him out and tried to speak to him. The shock had been so much that he had nearly fainted at a social gathering, which would have been the end of what little reputation he, and subsequently Miss Elwood, had. But had his fleeing done him any more favors than that would have?
It was bad enough for him to have acted in a way that gave everyone reasons to gossip about him. But as he thought about the stares, about Miss Elwood watching him with Cordelia, and the way everyone started whispering before Albert was even halfway through the ballroom, he knew something else. Miss Elwood would catch as many of the rumors as he did. He had landed her right in the middle of the vultures that were London’s high society members. That was far worse, to Albert, than anything else.
He moaned again, pulling once more from the flask. Gradually, the ache in his head dulled, and the room stopped spinning. His mind didn’t stop racing, however. There was no chance that the ton wasn’t abuzz with conversation about him fleeing the ballroom. Thinking back, he realized he perhaps should have fainted and feigned an illness. At least, there would be room for doubt in their rumors, and he could offer an explanation for the situation. Even if it was a lie.
I should have never agreed to this marriage,he thought for the hundredth time since learning of his father’s arrangement.I never should have returned to London at all…
His father had behaved as though he didn’t have a choice. Albert supposed that his father could have disinherited him, if he had really wanted to punish Albert for refusing to do what the earl wanted. But Albert didn’t know if his father would truly do such a thing. They didn’t have anyone, apart from James, who could take over the earldom. Also, to disinherit his own son would bring scandal down on the earl, and their whole family. Albert was sure his father would ultimately decide against such a foolish endeavor. But at that point, Albert no longer really cared. That would surely be better than what was happening to Albert and Miss Elwood now.
There was no Daniel to bring Albert a fresh suit of clothes this time. He hoped that didn’t mean that Neil and Rachel were angry with him that time, though he supposed he couldn’t blame them if they were. He did the best he could, straightening and smoothing out his clothes from the night before and using the fresh water and comb to wash up and comb his hair. When he was presentable enough, he took one more swig, then left the flask on the bedside table and headed down the stairs.
He found Rachel and Neil taking breakfast in the drawing room. He knew immediately that something was wrong because of their facial expressions. Neither of them even motioned him inside, and he began to fear that he really had overstayed his welcome with them that time.
He slowly approached them, carefully sitting in a seat that made a triangle, between Rachel and Neil. The couple exchanged worried glances before Rachel gave him a look that was more of a grimace.
“Albert,” Neil said gravely as Albert settled into the chair. “I have something you should know.”
Albert sighed and nodded.
“I’m sure the two of you are sick of me,” he said. “Do not worry. This will be the last time that I impose on you in such a way.”
The couple was silent long enough for Albert to look at them again. They were exchanging confused looks, which confused Albert further. Rachel shook her head, and Neil dug for something beside him.
“No, Albert, that’s not what I mean,” he said, holding up a paper. “Last night’s incident has been splashed all over the scandal sheets.”
Albert realized then that what Neil had been reaching for was a copy of theLondon Timesthat lay beside him. Neil held it hesitantly in his hands, looking at it with a worried expression. Albert reached for it, but Neil held it out of his reach. Albert stared at him for a moment before gesturing to the paper.
“Let me see it,” Albert said evenly. “Please?”
Rachel reached over and touched his arm gently.
“Albert, I don’t think that will do you any favours,” she said.
Albert nodded slowly.
“I need to know exactly what’s being said,” he said. “This involved more than just me this time.”
Neil and Rachel exchanged another look, but this time, Rachel nodded. Neil slowly handed Albert the paper, and it was all he could do to not snatch it from his grasp. Neil and Rachel watched nervously as Albert unfolded the paper and began to read. There was only one, longer article this time. But with its contents, it might as well have been a hundred…
Beauty and the Beast… from Storybook to Reality?
Last night’s ball, hosted by Lady Wescott, was filled with laughter, dancing… and drama. The night began with whispers of the allegedly courting couple, Lord Albert Billington and Miss Martha Elwood. But things took a quick, unexpected turn after the arrival of Lady Cordelia Nosh, who happens to be the former betrothed of Lord Billington.
