Page 47 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
As the trio entered, for Victoria and Miss Longacre had decided to be one another’s chaperone that night, they immediately drew the attention of the entire household. Indeed, Christian could have sworn the string quartet faltered in their jaunty tune, as all conversation halted. Christian understood why. Victoria and Miss Longacre were resplendent.
“May I bring you both a beverage?” Christian whispered.
Victoria nodded. “A large one. The largest you can find.”
Smiling, he went off to do as he had been bidden, plucking three goblets of champagne from a passing tray and returning to the ladies with said refreshments. Victoria took a hefty gulp of hers, while Miss Longacre merely held it for comfort, her eyes drifting around the room as if she might be able to spot the kidnappers.
It is no use, Miss Longacre. Victoria and I have tried to espy them in collective company, and we have failed.He remembered the strange figures standing in the shadows of the trees at Hyde Park. The only sure glimpse he had managed to catch of the criminals—the perpetual thorns in the side of polite society. By the time dawn rose, he hoped he would finally come face to face with them and have the pleasure of seeing them clapped in chains and taken away.
Before long, a small group of dancers had collected in one corner of the Earl’s ballroom. Christian glanced at Victoria, wondering if he ought to ask her to join him in a dance.
She caught him staring. “Don’t even think of asking me, Christian. This is not the time for dancing.”
He grinned. “You said one should always find humor, even in the darkest of times. Well, what about enjoyment? The simple pleasure of dancing with a radiant young lady, whom I care about?”
“We must keep a watchful eye over Miss Longacre. And I cannot concentrate on anything other than you, whenever we dance. So, I do not think it would be prudent,” Victoria replied, with a smirk.
His heart leapt. “What if she were to join us? I am certain she could find a partner with ease, among these willing gentlemen.”
“She is engaged, Christian. She cannot dance with anyone else, and her bridegroom is not in attendance.” Victoria offered him an apologetic look.
“But the engagement has not been announced,” Christian protested, desperate to have her close again.
“We cannot do anything that may alert suspicions. That includes dancing.” Victoria’s smile widened. “We will just have to save it for tomorrow, when all of this unpleasantness is finally over. My bedchamber has a spacious floor, as you know. And I much prefer our way of dancing, to this stuffy nonsense.” She gestured to the rigidly-formulaic movements that were taking place.
He sighed. “I suppose that is worth waiting for.”
“High praise indeed,” Victoria retorted sarcastically, though not unkindly.
“My goodness, listen to the two of you.” Miss Longacre laughed unexpectedly. “There is so much romance sparking between you that I feel as if I am interrupting! You will have me blushing furiously if you continue on. Not to mention, you will have everyone wondering if there is something untoward occurring between you if you don’t speak with more care.”
As if on cue, Christian’s cheeks warmed. “My apologies, Miss Longacre. I forgot myself for a moment.”
“I don’t mind it,” Miss Longacre assured. “But, perhaps, you ought to keep your emotions tempered until we have completed our task. Then, you may indulge in all the flirtation you desire, and I shall be right there, championing it at every step.”
Victoria chuckled, but it sounded hollow. “And I shall be standing by, watching Christian and Lady Helena as they bind themselves together in holy matrimony.”
Miss Longacre gasped. “No! I will not permit that. If I am to find the courage to endure this night, then the two of you must find the courage to overcome the obstacles before you and be happy.” She hesitated. “Just as I hope Lady Helena will find the same courage.”
“What do you know?” Christian asked, intrigued. “Is Helena in love with another? You may tell me. I will not hate her for it. How could I? Why, it would… well, it would almost be a relief.”
“I will tell you tomorrow,” Miss Longacre promised. “Once we have captured the criminals, and we know the stolen ladies are safe—then,I will tell you what I know. Only then.”
Christian sighed. “Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.”
But there was still a great deal to do between that moment and the sun rising. Namely, putting an end to the kidnappers’ spree of despicable terror, once and for all.
Despite his unrelenting belief in Victoria, he prayed, harder than he had ever prayed before, that she could pull this endeavor off. And that he and Benedict could play their part, in aiding her. For, if they could not execute it perfectly, he knew there may well be two new names added to the list of lost ladies, when that fateful dawn came.
Chapter 20
After spending the rest of the evening mingling among the small crowd, and chatting among themselves, it came time for the trio to leave. Victoria had briefed Miss Longacre beforehand, instructing her to make a subtle, yet clear, show of her departure. As she said her farewells with Victoria, Christian was to slip out unseen and take a different carriage back to Miss Longacre’s house. There, he would meet with Benedict in the gardens, making it appear, to anyone watching the front of the house, that only Victoria and Miss Longacre were present.
“Now?” Miss Longacre whispered. They stood in the entrance hall, preparing to gather their coats.
Victoria nodded. “Now.”
“Wait.” Christian took Victoria’s arm and led her into a side-corridor, away from prying eyes. Miss Longacre looked on, a small smile upon her lips that Victoria only barely understood.
