Page 5 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
Jacinda’s lower lip trembled, but she stood tall and eventually nodded. “Yes, Father.” And then she left, racing out of the room and slamming the door behind her.
He sighed and sank to the sofa, his head in his hands. “It was the right thing to do, my love,” he said softly, feeling Sarah’s arm on his. “Although I believe we will have to wait a long while for Jacinda to get over her grief at the loss of him.”
Chapter 5
The day of the ball had come, and Arabella, while doing her best, still felt a little out of sorts since her brother’s engagement. It was like the announcement had opened the door to her past that she’d been trying so desperately to keep closed.
She was in the sitting room, awaiting the carriage and having a glass of sherry to calm her nerves. Arabella had disliked ballrooms ever since her heart had been broken four years ago. She could practically feel the forced merriment and the pressure for her to find another to love and love her.
Matchmaking mamas watched her with derision, for even though she was an earl’s daughter and now an earl’s sister, she never shied from speaking her mind. And she knew they were desperate to keep their daughters ahead of her in line for all the available titled and handsome gentlemen on the marriage mart.
Twisting the sherry glass in her fingers, she tried to envision how the night would go. She would spy the odd glances, reminding her she would be on the shelf very soon if she wasn’t careful.
Spinsterhood had never bothered her before, for perhaps it meant she could be left alone, but the idea that she might never love again scared her entirely. Seeing Alvin so happy with his own love had brought that desire to life again.
Alvin walked into the sitting room, looking rather fine in his black coat, red waistcoat, and buff breeches. “You look lovely, sister,” he said with a grin and held out a hand to her to stand.
“So do you.” She put down her sherry and stood. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” He offered her his arm, and she took it.
One thing Arabella enjoyed was wearing fine clothes, for even if she felt sad and empty on the inside, she felt suitable on the outside.
Her gown that evening was the palest of greens, with pearls around her neck and lovely feathers in her hair. Her wrist held a pearl bracelet she’d got from her father, and she wore long, cream-coloured gloves. It would do to soothe the strange listlessness inside her that evening.
In the carriage ride over, Alvin spoke of how many hearty congratulations he’d already received on his engagement and how happy they would be together, but Arabella let her mind wander. She stared out the carriage window, watching as the streets passed, trying to imagine another man who could takehisplace. That love might be lost, but perhaps another could appear.
She had never dared to consider it before, but it had been four long years, and her heart still ached for the tenderness of that time. The tenderness and the passion. Even distant memories warmed her cheeks as the carriage slowed in front of the house.
Alvin jumped down and helped her out of the carriage. He continued to chat about the usual gossip while they entered Lord and Lady Helmouth’s home, greeting their hosts and relinquishing their cloaks before heading to the ballroom. Alvin left her on her own to seek out Jacinda. She collected her dance card, a slimy, uncomfortable feeling in her belly. She did not want to be there more than any other night.
If only I could be freed from these feelings.
Arabella considered rushing away when the first gentleman approached her to ask her to dance. She smiled at him, a smile that came so easily, for it had been so well-practiced over the years.
“Would you care to dance the first with me, Lady Simpkin?”
“Yes, Lord Sheffield, thank you.” She took his hand, which she could tell was already sweating underneath its white glove.
He was young but not handsome, and she tried her best to be kind as he whirled her away on the dance floor alongside a flurry of other couples. Everything was a shade paler, a little less withouthim. Dancing had been one of her favourite pastimes, but without the one she had loved so desperately, it felt disingenuous: fake.
But Lord Sheffield was kind enough, and for a few moments, she could forget everything else.
Chapter 6
Even amid the loud ballroom, Edward could hear the tapping of his father’s cane as they walked through the crowd. People’s eyes turned to him as he knew they would, and he pulled on his waistcoat to smooth it and cleared his throat for something to do, something else to focus on. His heart was beating fast, but he tried to keep his breath steady.
She is here; I’m sure of it.
He was certain that his father would mention her again, but thankfully, he had not, the duke preferring to discuss his excitement for his first ball in many years.
“Come, Edward, I need you to collect refreshments for us while I sit with the old men over there.”
He pointed with his cane to the far corner where a collection of overstuffed armchairs sat, a few white and gray-haired men talking to one another.
“You’re hardly old enough for that group, Father, but yes, I will bring you refreshment.”
His father shuffled away, the cane tapping lightly once more, and Edward stiffened, nodding to a few acquaintances, glad that no one he knew yet approached him. He finally made it through the crush to collect two glasses of wine before he had to go again.
