Page 21 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
Another ball was here again, and like the last one, Agnes was feeling anything but happy. In times past, her parents had permitted them to skip some balls in the season, agreeing that making one’s presence scarce was a good way to build interest and anticipation. It had been clear that this would not be the case this time around when an invitation arrived three days ago for this ball. Her mother had been ecstatic, instantly announcing that they all had to look their best for this particular ball. Now that Agnes was promised, she had to make regular appearances to become properly acquainted with her ‘betrothed’. In addition to that, she was eager to get her other daughters hitched too, for in her opinion, it would be grand to have all three daughters married off by the end of the season. Agnes did not know whether to feel sorry for her sisters, or to wish her mother good luck with achieving that feat. Neither Isabelle nor Eleanor was eager to be married, and she knew how stubborn her sisters could be, when they wanted to be.
Today made it a week since the last ball, and Nicholas was yet to call on her. She did not know what to think of it. If that meant he was simply busy or was as uninterested in this arrangement as she was. He had seemed cordial enough when they had met, and she had seen for herself that Nicholas was indeed, a fine young man. He was well mannered, had seemed kind, and above that, he was easy on the eyes. No one would ever accuse Nicholas Stamford of not being a handsome man – no one. She had been sincere when she made the offer of friendship for she truly believed she and the young man could manage such a relationship. However, that was the furthest she felt inclined to go with him. Her heart belonged to another, and despite what her parents thought, she could never grow to love a man who wasn’t Alan. A pity because she knew there was no way out of this. There was nothing she could tell her parents to get out of this – nothing that would make them see any reason of some sort, especially not the truth. She had to go ahead with this marriage as long as Nicholas agreed to the same thing. Her only hope would be if he would refuse, and she had great doubts. Although, even if he did, she was certain her parents would just marry her off to the next man who came along. Why did she even dare to keep on hoping?
Sighing, she rose from the wooden chair which graced the private balcony of her chambers and turned to join the others in the dressing chambers. She had come here after getting dressed for some fresh air, to clear her head and to prepare herself for what was to come. More than anything, she wanted to run away, meet with Alan, and let him kiss her worries away. She was yet to tell him of this development. He was overseas but promised to return soon. She had contemplated letting him know through the letters they exchanged secretly, but she knew that would be a cruel thing to do. Better she told him in person, then she would watch his reaction, and maybe when he saw her cry, he would believe she had no interest in any of this. Maybe, maybe he would finally listen to her and take her far away. But she knew he never would. Like he would always say, he would never betray her father’s trust that way. At first, she had thought that was only due to his selfish reasons, that he simply wanted the profits that came with working with her father, but now she knew beyond reasonable doubts that it was not so. Alan was a man of honour and would never do anything to taint his good name, or lose his respect in the eyes of her father who he considered his own.
Upon reaching the dressing chambers, she found that her sisters were already ready.
“Oh, there you are!” Isabelle cried as she stepped in, and she gave a small smile.
“Do not tell me a search party has already been sent out for me?”
“Oh of course not.We were just about to send Edward to get you, only that we weren’t entirely sure where it was you had gone.”
“I was simply in my private chambers, getting some fresh air from my balcony, but I’m here now.”
“Yes, we can see that. Since we are all ready, I suggest we proceed below. Mother will begin calling for usanytime from now. You know how much she loves being fashionably late.”
Agnes chuckled at this. Isabelle was right. Their mother loved to be late ‘in time’. “Well in that case, let’s.”
They all started to leave, and Agnes waited behind so that her younger ones would go in front. As Eleanor passed her, something else pricked her. Ever since they returned from the last ball, her little sister had been so withdrawn and quiet, more than usual. It worried her that something plagued Eleanor and she knew nothing of it. However, she had been so occupied with her own sorrows, that she kept forgetting to ask her sister what it was that plagued her. She hoped that it wasn’t anything grievous like a man breaking her heart, or an attempt to violate her. Making a mental note to enquire about it later, she fell into step after them.
As the Lord would have it, Victoria declared that she would like for Isabelle to ride with her in her carriage, alongside Louis. That left Agnes and Eleanor together in another carriage. Their father had gone to White’s, the most famous gentlemen’s club in London, for a game of cards and would be joining them at the ball later. This time around, the ball was being hosted by the McCaulays, and she was somewhat consoled that it wouldn’t be so packed. Only a selected few got an invite to the McCaulays’ balls. Like her mother’s, it was praised as one of the most desired invites of the season.
As soon as they got into the carriage with the help of Edward, they settled into their seats. Eleanor was still her quiet self, and it bothered Agnes even more. Still, she held her peace until the wheels of their coach began rolling down the street. Thankfully, they sat opposite each other to balance out the weight, so it was easy to hold her gaze, even in the poor lighting of the carriage, as she spoke.
“Eleanor…” she called out, and her sister instantly turned to look at her.
“You do know that as your sister, I love you very much and care for you so dearly?”
Eleanor’s brow furrowed, and Agnes knew she was curious about the destination for this conversation, but she answered nonetheless.
“Of course, I don’t think I have ever, or will ever question that. Why do you ask?”
Agnes paused, not answering right away. She used the break to shift forward in her seat and lean towards her sister.
“Well, I do not mean to pry, but I have noticed a change in your attitude for a few days now. Since the Fortham ball, actually. At first, I thought you had simply not recovered from the ailment that befell you that night, then again as it became obvious that that was not the case, I couldn’t help being concerned. You have been so withdrawn, and it is causing me to worry. Is all well, Eleanor?”
Eleanor looked taken aback, and Agnes waited patiently as she swallowed and found the right words for her answer. The moment passed, and she finally spoke.
“I am touched by your concern, Agnes, and you must believe me when I say I truly appreciate your concern. I am sorry I caused you any worry at all. You see, I recovered from my fever as soon as I arrived home with father that night. However, I am afraid something else ails me. It is a matter of the heart, you see.”
“Oh dear!”Agnes sat up at this, a bit taken aback. Although she had considered that option, she had not really thought it likely. Preparing her mind for the worst, she leaned forward again.
“Do you think it is something you would want to talk to me about? Do remember, Eleanor, I will always be here for you. Who is he? Did he hurt you?”
Her sister’s eyes widened before she settled into a small smile.
“No, Agnes. You’ve got it wrong. There is no he. No one hurt me. You see, I have simply been sad from thinking about how much I shall miss you when you marry and leave the house. You know close knitted we are. Since when I was a little child, I have always been joined to you at the hips. This separation, it’s going to take its toll on me. I thought it would be wise if I started to put my distance right now from the onset. It is my belief that perhaps, when the time comes for you to leave, it would not be such a painful thing, any longer.’
“Oh, really?” Agnes was truly, but pleasantly staggered. Never had she considered this. The thought that her absence would affect her sister was not something that had ever crossed her mind. Her heart immediately went out to Eleanor for she understood all the words she had spoken. A matter of the heart indeed. She heaved a small sigh, gladdened that it wasn’t anything dreadful like she had feared. Leaning further, she reached for Eleanor’s hand, and once she had it in hers, she gave a squeeze.
“Eleanor, I know things are bound to change, but certainly not that much. If I do get married to Nicholas, you must know that my home will always be welcome to you, to all of you. You will always be my family, no matter what. I too cannot imagine being away from all of you for so long. I will make certain that we can arrange regular visits so that you can always come to visit me in Yorkshire. Do not let it get you down, I’ll always be here for you, always. You must believe that.”
Her heart warmed when Eleanor covered her hand with her free one and gave her a squeeze in return. Then she smiled, and Agnes knew everything in the world would be alright as long as Eleanor never lost her smile. Unable to resist a smile of her own, unwilling to, her lips spread in a wide curve, and she added her second hand to the mix.
“That is more like it. We’ll always be like this, Eleanor, always. Nothing will ever come between us, nothing, I promise you this.”
“I would love that,” came her sister’s reply, and she suddenly wished she was sitting next to her, so that she could give her a hug. Darning it, she got up anyway and succeeded in placing her arse on the bench where Eleanor had sat on. As soon as she did, she opened her arms, welcoming a warm embrace.
