Page 26 of Captivating the Countess
Ten
Bell could almost feelthe blood leaving her head as she fought the sensation of the dark shadow weeping. Rain offered his arm, and she accepted it, steadying herself without keeling over for a change.
Having spirits show up when shewasn’tsemi-conscious was very bad.
She didn’t know if the men accepted her statement, but Lady Estelle appeared concerned.
“I’ll look in on Father. We don’t want to alarm the rest of the party. Rain, provide a distraction and dance with someone else, please. Bell, you should sit down.”
Bell had never really given the sisters permission to use her name. They had simply done so and expected her to call them by their names as well. She preferred order and discipline to hold her challenging life together, but it was exceedingly hard to resist this uninhibited family—
As it was growing difficult to keep her distance from Rainford. Of all his family, he was the most restrained, but underneath that icy demeanor simmered a quiet intensity that could well take any direction if thwarted. She could feel his tension, his determination to protect his father, but he had a duty to the rest of his family as well.
The marquess nodded agreement and Estelle slipped away. Bell had no reason to believe he accepted her foolishness. He could simply be humoring his sister. But she desperately wanted to hope he listened.
“Teddy, be a decent chap for a change. Escort Lady Craigmore to a quiet corner and fend off the dogs until she’s recovered. I’ll lead off the rest of the pack.” Not waiting to see if his orders were followed, Rainford strode off in the direction of Alicia and her eligible young friends.
Unaccustomed to anyone watching after her, Bell wasn’t exactly relieved by this command.
“You needn’t mind me, Teddy.” Now that she knew she wouldn’t topple, Bell headed for a chair almost hidden by a riotous bough of bows with shimmering gold balls and delicate golden glass birds. “You should find a young widow to entertain.”
He shrugged. “I don’t need to woo a widow when Lady Pamela is available.”
Bell sought for the name among the guests and vaguely recalled a languid lady in transparent gossamer who posed as an actress. Or perhaps the actress posed as a lady. Either way, it was apparent Teddy wasn’t ready to hunt a bride.
He continued thoughtlessly. “Rain’s right. If I leave you alone, the rabid dogs will descend. I’ll stay here and growl at them. I’m a very good guard dog. When you’re ready, I’ll lead you back to my cousins. They’ll talk your ear off, but they’re not dangerous.”
She began to feel a bit like a rabbit being coaxed into a cage. “In that case, give me your arm and let us stroll over to the offending corner. Perhaps there is no apparition but a loose drapery or some parlor trick.”
“Don’t usually work that way,” he said gloomily, offering his arm. “It’s why I prefer working here, where the haunts know me and have no interest in my subjects. If I go to someone else’s home... I’ll develop a bad reputation. Do you think I should paint Rain? Or the duke? Would that help the spirit speak to them?”
Well, at least Teddy believed her. “I have spent my life avoiding listening to spirits.” Bell studied the dark corner they approached. “I am not a good source of information.”
“Not sure that’s a smart policy,” he said worriedly as they reached the other side of the floor.
She could feel the icy chill as they stood beneath the musician’s gallery. Lively music poured from overhead. Young couples leapt and jigged about the dance floor with merriment. This corner, however, was flooded with anxiety and fear. She had not encountered anything similar before.
“Well, can you tell anything?” Teddy asked.
“You don’t feel it?” Was she hallucinating, as Rain had suggested?
Teddy shrugged uneasily. “It’s a little cooler here. Probably a draft from outside. This wing isn’t well heated.”
Bell nodded, but privately, she didn’t agree. “Let’s join the ladies, then. They’ll think we’re up to no good over here.”
Alicia seemed to be having a lovely time with her dance partner. Mrs. Lombard—Salina—was chatting with several other young mothers. Estelle hadn’t returned. Victoria, Lady Delahey, was dancing with her husband while engaged in an active discussion that had them dodging other couples.
Bell almost wished she could be in a compatible partnership like theirs, but someone of her nature couldn’t easily adapt to another person’s habits.
A few gentlemen hovered around ladies Bell didn’t know well. She had learned the names of the house guests but not spent much time with them. The older mothers and chaperones huddled together, gossiping about the prospects of the various young men. She didn’t fit anywhere and really wanted to leave.
But Rain was out on the floor, gallantly playing the part of host for his sister’s benefit. She couldn’t dance with him once, then leave. Propriety demanded that she act as if she were interested in the company for a little while. Alicia had worked hard to bring this together. It wasn’t as if Bell could heal the duke.
Her conscience whispered that she could at least listen to his mother.
Ignoring the whisper, Bell accepted the first gentleman who offered for the next dance. She did her best to remember the steps and enjoy the music and the young man who danced so enthusiastically, even if he lacked skill. She deliberately looked anywhere else except the musician’s corner.
She did notice when Estelle returned and the marquess slipped away. She tried not to worry. She danced the next set with a distinguished older man, joining a square with Teddy and the notorious Lady Pamela, who performed boredom superbly.
