Page 78 of A Duchess Mistaken
She planned on telling him at this evening’s ball, before he made his announcement. But whether she did or not, Agnes was sure of one thing.
“I won’t let your uncle force you to do anything you wish not to do anymore,” she stated firmly.
Caroline laughed through her tears, pulling away to look at Agnes. “Sometimes I wish I could be as confident as you are.”
“Some may call me foolish, you know.”
“I would be rather silly of me to be amongst such people,” Caroline said with a smile. “That look in your eye tells me you have a plan.”
“Something of the sort,” Agnes told her. “But nothing will happen if we stay in our chambers, will it? We should continue getting ready.”
Caroline nodded, but she made no move to call for the maids to return. “I wish George could see me like this. I wish I could dance with him at a ball.”
Agnes took her hand. Dancing with Johnathan was one of the things she was looking forward to the most this evening. Forgetting everything and everyone around them as they swirled about lost in their own world. She wanted the same for Caroline.
“Bigger miracles have happened,” Agnes told her, hoping it would give her enough hope to lift her spirits. But it was not likely, that much she was certain of. A stable hand would not be allowed within ten feet of the ballroom.
Caroline’s smile didn’t quite touch her eyes this time and Agnes had a feeling she was thinking the same thing. Still, she said, “I can only hope.”
Then she stepped away and made her way to the bell pull. The maids returned within a matter of seconds and they quickly recommenced the preparations for the ball. Agnes could already hear the quartet tuning their instruments downstairs, the lovely sound seeping through the floorboards. She hummed along in an effort to rid herself of her own anxiety towards what may happen this evening.
Lord Reeds would not go down without a fight. Of that, Agnes was certain. But she couldn’t help but pray that Johnathan’s announcement would be enough to knock the fight out of him.
There were too many uncertainties and already doubt was creeping into her mind, weeding out the faith she had that everything would work out. She could tell that Caroline was trying to her best to remain upbeat. A forced smile and strained laughter went a long way in make one feel better, but Agnes knew better than to think that her friend was not also worried sick about what may happen this evening.
When it came time for them to make their way down to the ballroom, they were late. Fashionably so, in Mary’s opinion, butAgnes knew her father was not inclined to agree. Even so, they made their way to the ballroom arm-in-arm, head held high, the music growing louder as they grew nearer. Caroline was shaking by the time they made it to the door but when they were announced and it was time for them to enter, the smile on her face dispelled any notion of her nervousness.
Agnes felt pride swell in her chest.
“Do you see him?” Caroline whispered to her as they made their way through the throng of guests who had already arrived. An admirable feat, Agnes thought, that they made the trip in time but she supposed not many would miss the opportunity to attend a ball thrown by the Duke of Claymore.
“See who?” Agnes asked.
“His Grace,” Caroline whispered. “I’m sure you are eager to go to him.”
“I am not so eager to leave your side,” Agnes told her but Caroline laughed, the sound far more genuine.
“You need not worry about me, Agnes,” Caroline assured her. “I will be fine on my own.”
Agnes was not so convinced but she was not going to say that aloud. Before she had the chance to think of anything to say at all, they were approached by Mary and Solomon.
“Oh, my darlings!” Mary gushed, reaching out to embrace them both. “You two look absolutely beautiful! Was it your intention to match?”
Agnes looked at Caroline’s aquamarine gown and her forest green one. Though the colors were different, the style of both resembled greatly.
“It was not our intention but rather a happy coincidence,” Agnes told her.
“Well, you two are certainly the belles of the ball. Aren’t they, Solomon?”
“Quite so,” her father responded noncommittally. His eyes were scanning the ballroom, his brows furrowed.
“What are you looking for, Father?” Agnes couldn’t help but ask.
“Hm?” He seemed absentminded, answering Agnes as if her words were taking a while to sink in. “Oh, I am just looking for the duke.”
“Why are you looking for him?”
“Lord Reeds said something rather odd to me not too long ago,” he said, eyes still roving through the crowd of guests. “He said he has to keep an eye on the duke because it seems he is trying to back out of something. Usually, I would ignore such commentsbut there was something about the way he said it that makes me wonder if I should issue a warning to the duke.”
