Page 24 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“I do hope you are to have a ball.” Lord Drover lifted one eyebrow and tipped his head as though he was thinking. “Your estate is not too far away from London so mayhap – ”
“And so many of us have not visited your estate these last few years,” Lady Templeton put in, though Arthur noticed how she slipped her arm through her daughter’s as she spoke, clearly interested in pushing Lady Clara back into his field of view. “I am certain that your estate is not the prison that so many of society believe it now to be.”
A cold hand gripped Arthur’s heart. “I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, did you not know?” Lady Templeton’s innocent tone did not fool Arthur for a moment, though there were others in the group who quickly averted their eyes, perhaps alltooaware of what it was Lady Templeton was saying. “You were given the mostunfortunatename and many thought your estate had become a prison for you, holding you captive in your darkness and discontent.”
The cold, unconcerned manner with which she spoke sent Arthur’s already heated blood into a burning fury. He had no understanding as to why Lady Templeton spoke as she did other than to injure him but that injury was quick and severe and he did not like it in the least.
“I hardly think that Crestwood Hall is a prison.”
A quiet yet mirthful voice caught Arthur’s attention before he could even think about what to say to Lady Templeton.
“If it were, I should be rather afraid going to visit it but instead, I find myself very excited indeed to be visiting.”
A hand slipped through Arthur’s arm just as Miss Townsend stepped beside him, her eyes going to his for a moment and a small smile on her face. Arthur was well able to see the shards of anger flickering in her green eyes, however, and understood that she felt just he did – though why she felt such defensiveness, he could not fully understand. After all, she had only just become engaged to him and had not yet even visited Crestwood Hall, so why was she so irritated?
“That is to be my home,” Miss Townsend continued sweetly, answering his silent questions in her response. “I am to be the Mistress ofCrestwood Hall.” Smiling brightly though the hand on his arm tightened considerably, she looked around the group. “I should not like it to hold onto the supposed dark reputation it has, just as I am glad to see that the whispers about my betrothed have already taken flight! Crestwood Hall is no prison, just as Lord Crestwood is no beast!”
“Ofcoursehe is not and I know that my daughter is deeply sorry for her part in that.” Lady Templeton nudged Lady Clara who quickly dropped her head, her face flushing hot as she murmured a quiet apology. “I am sure that you can understand why a young woman might have been overwhelmed – but it does not mean that she thinks of you in such a way now.”
Arthur cleared his throat, aware of the many members of thetonwho were now listening to this conversation, no doubt enthralled by what they heard. They would have heard all that Lady Clara would have said of him when their engagement had ended and this would only add fodder for their gossiping tongues. “I do not think this needs to be spoken of again, Lady Templeton.”
“Then allow us to make amends in another way or at least, show us that there is a healing between our families.” Speaking a little louder, no doubt so that the audience around them might grow a little more, Lady Templeton put one hand to her heart as if in entreaty. “There must be some way to soften the pain and difficulty which lingers between us. My daughter has apologised and has apologised sincerely.”
“I am well aware of that,” Arthur replied, firmly, “but I choose my acquaintances with great care now, Lady Templeton. It is not that I do not accept Lady Clara’s apology but more than – ”
“Might we attend your house party? Or the ball?”
Arthur blinked furiously, beginning to stutter. Did Lady Templeton know no bounds when it came to her bold way of speaking? One did not invite oneself to another’s house party! It was not the done thing and considered very rude indeed… though given the way that everyone was looking at him, it was clear that the only thing they were interested in was hearing what he had to say about Lady Templeton’s request.
“I… I am not… that is to say – ”
“We shall send out many invitations to Lord Crestwood’s ball, I assure you.” Again, Miss Townsend spoke before Arthur could even think of an answer, only for her then to draw him away. “Do excuse us, it is the waltz I think and we are to dance it together.”
Arthur, who had not thought about dancing with anyone, not even his betrothed, frowned with confusion, only to then find himself relieved when Miss Townsend led him away from the assembled crowd. They walked in silence towards the center of the room and as the music for the waltz began, Arthur bowed low and then stepped forward, ready to takehis betrothed in his arms for what would be their first dance together since this scheme had been put together. Taking her hand in his, he settled his other at her waist and, at that very moment, his heart threw itself hard against his ribs and he was forced to catch his breath.
“I do apologise, Lord Crestwood.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Apologise? To what end?”
“For interrupting you.” Her eyes tugged to the right and she caught her lip for a moment. “I spoke twice before you had opportunity to do so and I am sorry for that.”
Astounded that she thought there was need to apologise, Arthur smiled gently and pressed her hand a little more. “My dear Miss Townsend, you saved me from speaking foolishly. Indeed, I did not know what to say in response to Lady Templeton’s suggestion that my estate is a prisonnorwhether I might think to invite them to the house party! It is just as well you spoke as you did, else I would have said something dreadful, I am sure.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Then I am relieved. Though I am sorry that you shall have to invite them all to the ball now.”
Arthur chuckled ruefully. “It is better than having to invite them to the house party!”
At this, Miss Townsend laughed aloud and as Arthur twirled her around the dance floor, he could not help but smile. There was a warmth in being in her company, he decided. A satisfaction which came from simply having her in his life. That was an exceptional thing and he suddenly found himself very glad that Lord Townsend had approached him in the way he had, even though it had been most untoward.
Wait a moment.
His heart thudded violently as his smile shattered.
I cannot be finding myself with an affection for the lady, can I?
The awareness brought with it a sudden dread and he shuddered so violently, Miss Townsend looked at him with wide eyes, clearly being able to feel what had happened.
