Page 35 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
Comforted and reassured, Abigail smiled first at the Captain and then at Lady Isabella. “Thank you, my friends. I am glad to have you both here and to hear your wise words.”
Lady Isabella smiled. “But of course.”
“Now, I think I shall take myself to my rooms for a short respite,” Abigail continued, looking first to Lady Isabella and then, keeping her expression as innocent as she could, returning it to Captain Harrington. “Captain, I am certain that you are more than able to entertain Lady Isabella.”
The Captain grinned as Isabella’s cheeks flushed hot. “I am not only able, I am also willing,” he replied, with a chuckle. “Thank you, Miss Townsend.”
“But of course.” Smiling at her friend, she squeezed her hand and then stepped away, doing her utmost to push away the image of Lord Crestwood and Lady Clara walking arm in arm down the hallway and away from her.
Chapter Seventeen
The ball was in full swing and Arthur smiled to himself, despite knowing that Lady Clara and Lady Templeton were present. It had been a good few days and he had, surprisingly, enjoyed himself more than he had expected, particularly in getting to know Miss Townsend a little better. He would have to continue that pursuit of her, would have to continue growing the intimacy between them and that, though it did not come naturally as yet, would do so in time, he was sure. For the first time, it felt as though he were stepping out of a dark and dusty place into a place so filled with beauty and light that he could not quite accustom himself to it fully, given he had been so long in the shadow.
“I must admit, I was surprised to get your invitation. I did not think you would be as bold as to invite me.”
His lip curling, Arthur drew himself up fully. “I had very little choice after Lady Templeton basically forced my hand. I had to invite everyone within that company.”
Lord Drover chuckled though there was some great friendship between them rather than this hostility which Arthur felt running right through him. “You could have ignored me. I would not have cared.”
“Though you cared enough to come all the way from London to my estate,” Arthur put in, before he could stop himself. When Lord Drover’s tight smile faded, Arthur only shrugged. “I have never done anything to harm or hurt you, Drover. You may wish to continue on in such a vein but for what purpose? I do not understand the animosity between us, nor do I understand your desire to spread rumours about me but one thing Idounderstand is that you are not a gentleman to be trusted. So please, do join us. Do come and take the wine and eat the presented food but do not expect any other sort of warmth in your welcome.”
“The fact that you do not understand explains everything.” Lord Drover’s lip curled. “You always were both blind and foolish.”
Anger swelled but Arthur took a breath and pushed it down. It would do no good to lose his temper here and certainly not with someone so unimportant to him now. “If you do not wish to tell me, then so be it.” With a shrug he turned away, only to walk straight into Lady Clara’s path. “Oh, forgive me!” Stepping back, Arthur held up both hands, already a little embarrassed and hoping he had not stepped on her foot. “Are you all right?”
“Perfectly.” Lady Clara smiled up at him, her face filled with a hope that Arthur did not want to encourage. This morning had already brought about one conversation between the two of them and though it had beena good conversation and one which, he believed, was entirely needed, it had also been awkward and brought with it a tension which he did not like. Lady Clara seemed to think that they would now be friends and he did not want to injure her by stating that was the last thing he desired. When Isabella and Abigail had come upon them both talking in the hallway, he had been somewhere between embarrassment and relief, though he had then mortified himself all the more by permitting Lady Clara to pull him towards the dining room – and had not yet found a way to tell Abigail all that he had said to Lady Clara and all that she had said to him. There had been much preparation for the ball though they had all sat together at dinner thereafter. He had barely managed more than a brief smile in her direction and a brief word of hello rather than the prolonged conversation he wished to have.
“Are you to dance this evening, Lord Crestwood?”
Arthur cleared his throat as he fought to find an answer that would not upset Lady Clara but speak truth at the same time. “I am not yet certain, Lady Clara. I intend to find Miss Townsend just as soon as I am able so I might offer her whichever dances she pleases.”
Lady Clara’s smile flickered. “I see. That is more than understandable and I am sure Miss Townsend will appreciate your consideration of her.”
“I am sure she shall – and I must now go and find her.” Inclining his head, Arthur made to move away only for Lady Clara to catch his arm. He turned, irritation spiking through him, though he said nothing of it to her.
“Might you return to stand up with me thereafter?”
A little confused, Arthur tried not to let the frown pulling at his forehead spread into his expression. “I beg your pardon?”
“Well, after all we spoke of this morning, it would be a way to show everyone that things between us are perfectly at ease now, would it not?”
Considering, Arthur took in a slow breath. “Mayhap it would,” he admitted, after a few minutes. “But as I have said, I must go and find Miss Townsend first. Do excuse me.”
Walking away from her – and relieved that she had not attempted to pull him back, Arthur made his way all the way around the ballroom in the hope of finding Miss Townsend but try as he might, he could not see her. He even passed Lady Clara again, though she was in deep conversation with Lord Drover and did not so much as glance at him.
“Are you looking for your betrothed?”
Arthur turned, only then to smile warmly at his sister. “Isabella, you look quite magnificent.”
“I do, don’t I?” The delight in his sister’s voice had Arthur laughing, though he took her hand and bowed over it.
“Yes, you do. I should be very glad to dance with you this evening, if you would wish to stand up with me?”
“I should like that very much.” Lady Isabella smiled at him when he released her hand. “You are looking for Abigail though, yes? She has only just come down.”
“Oh.” A little surprised that it had taken her a time to join them all at the ball, Arthur looked in the direction his sister pointed, only for his breath to hitch.
Miss Townsend looked absolutely breathtaking and, for the first time since they had been introduced, he found himself unable to speak. Her eyes met his and Arthur put one hand to his heart and then bowed in her direction, a prickling running down his spine as he lifted his head to look at her again. He could hardly take her in, could barely think of what to say that might express his feelings adequately. Making his way towards her, he put one hand out to her and, to his joy, she took it without hesitating. Perhaps he would not have to worry about explaining what his conversation had been with Lady Clara until the ball was over. He could speak to her about that come the morrow.
