Page 57 of The Reclusive Earl's Scandal
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Bedecked in beautiful white swathes of silk, the Reeves’ ballroom was a diamond-themed affair. Glitter brushed the ballroom, and more of it arched across the ceiling, as if everyone was trapped either between stars or jewels, a world that shimmered prettily.
Ladies wore gowns of silver and gray and cream, while men wore dove-colored tailcoats and Edward, with the silver color of his family name anyway, wore a dark silver tailcoat and a cravat that glittered when it caught the light. It was garish for him, but his mother had insisted he should stick to the theme. Otherwise, he would only stick out more from the crowd.
His stomach dipped when he saw Lord Billy, and he quickly looked away so Rebecca’s attention didn’t follow where his went. Exhaustion weighed like ten coats on Edward’s shoulders from a mostly sleepless night. Truly, he had not wanted to attend the ball.
The dance floor was already full of guests, with ladies whispering to one another in the corners of the ballroom, eyeing up their next dance partner. Men milled about together, shaking hands or drinking their wine. And, as always, the mothers gathered, eagle-eyes watching their daughters to criticize or praise.
“Heavens, it is all so abhorrent,” he muttered. He shot Rebecca a careful smile as he offered his arm. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” she answered. As soon as she linked her arm through his, it was a public message. His proposal had already been accepted, and they had managed to convince their families that a betrothal ball was not the smartest idea with the current social threats, so this was as much of a public celebration as they would have. It suited Edward just fine; he did not enjoy being the center of attention.
“Thornshire!” Willoughby’s voice cut through the din of the ballroom, and the other man approached him with a wide grin. He clapped Edward on the back, nodding at the couple’s linked arms. “Congratulations on your match. You lucky man, snatching the duke’s daughter out from under our noses.” He laughed, all good-natured, and Edward gave a hesitant laugh in return.
“In all fairness, Lord Thomas, he did have an advantage,” Rebecca said, seamlessly sliding herself into conversation. She could always do that, and Edward found himself less envious and more impressed. “We were friends from childhood.”
“Ah, yes, Lord Billy was saying as much,” Willoughby said. Edward’s stomach clenched. He had been escaping the antagonistic lord well enough. “Well, in any case, you must know if Lady Mary has been approached by anybody serious about her? For I am, and if I have a chance…”
Edward saw the hurt flash across Rebecca’s face. He realized that, lost in his own grievances with Lady Catherine, he had not considered well enough how she must have felt, losing her close friends. They had started the rumors, had fractured the friendship, but Edward couldn’t help feeling as though he was partly to blame.
“I believe she has not been propositioned, no,” Rebecca told him softly.
“Excellent, then I shall ask her for a dance. Congratulations again to you both. Thornshire, do not think I have forgotten about the drink I have promised you. Let us turn it into a toast some time!”
And then Willoughby ducked away, in search of Lady Mary, and Edward turned to Rebecca with a quiet laugh.
“I admit that was more painless than I thought it would be,” he said. “Truly, I think having you at my side is a great help.”
“Well, you are now stuck with me,” she jested, and Edward eased, feeling further from that protective vacant space he had boxed himself into. Around Rebecca, with no talk of pressure or doubt or promises, he felt lighter. He felt…good. Surprising himself, he realized he actually was already having a good time.
Maybe I just have never lived through life with the right people at my side, except for my father’s support.
As soon as expectation set in, Edward knew he panicked. Gossip of other people, made him feel that he was not good enough, his mother’s stare and sister’s anticipation would also have him escaping. Yet Rebecca simply stood at his side, expecting nothing, even if she hoped for everything.
She kept it unvoiced, and that allowed Edward to meet her halfway.
So, he held out his hand. “Would you care for a dance?”
She turned to him, surprised. Edward’s lips twitched into an almost-smile.
“I promised you I would not keep you confined,” he told her. “If I can help it, I will ensure we dance at every ball for the rest of our lives.”
He waited for the clench of pressure and panic at such a promise, but as he gazed into those gray eyes of hers, he still felt calm.
Rebecca slid her hand into his. “Then let us have the first dance of many.”
He had to remind himself they were not a couple as he led her to the floor, but as Edward slotted his hand against Rebecca’s waist, as he felt the attention slide to them, he wondered what it would have been like for them to have begun as a true, courting match.
The music began for the dance set, and Edward found himself smiling as he waltzed with Rebecca. Their steps were confident, keeping perfect time with one another. When he moved, she did, and when he spun her, she did not falter once, nor hesitate.
“I have a vague recollection,” he spoke, chasing a memory, “of being in Bancroft Hall, in the countryside, and there being a mirrored room. We were young, of course, but we were dancing. I cannot fully remember, but I do recall laughing and stumbling. I like to think we have both come a long way.”
“I wonder if you recall pain as well,” Rebecca jested. “I stood on your feet far too many times for how little you complained. You must have gone home with bruised skin.”
“If I did, I do not remember.” His smile widened. “Heavens, you make all of this so much more bearable. I have expressed it before, but it still catches me off-guard. You have always made things bearable for me, Rebecca. Not just as a support, but as somebody who understands why itisa burden to do…” He looked around before returning to her. “All of this. It is nice not to feel so lonely in this sea of people.”
Her eyes caught the light, and the glittering ceiling above reflected in them. For a moment, Edward’s heart raced, and he stumbled, for she was so beautiful it hurt, and he could not express it in a way that would make a difference.
