Page 44 of The Duke's Hidden Scandal
As she recovered herself, Charlotte rose to her feet and wiped the last of her tears away.
“I am sorry.”
“You do not need to ever apologise to me, Charlotte, you know that,” Sarah stated kindly.
“Will you help me decide what to wear for the ball?”
“There is no need,” Sarah said with a happy smile. “The modiste sent your new dress today; I believe it is waiting on your bed. Let us go and look at it and ensure you look utterly captivating this evening.”
“Or I could wear something terribly old to put Lord Kilby off.”
“I would not hear of such a thing; besides, it is at the duke’s house, and whatever your future may hold, we must ensure that he continues to notice you.”
Charlotte smiled as Sarah led her back to her room. She felt a little lighter on her feet as she went to change into her new gown. Whatever the night would bring, if it was the last time she could spend with the duke, she would make it the best.
***
The Lindenbrook ballroom was shining with all the candle- light as the guests began to arrive. The ladies were dazzling in their finery, and as Elizabeth accompanied her mother into the room, she was shocked by the beauty on display.
Large vases had been placed all about the room's edges with great plumes of feathers inside in the colors of silver and green. The painted ceiling was illuminated by hundreds of candles that flickered against every wall, and there wasn’t a single guest who had not dressed to impress.
Elizabeth caught her mother’s eye and Lady Constance smiled knowingly.
“The Dowager Duchess has exquisite taste; it is positively stunning.”
“I agree,” Elizabeth said with quiet awe.
“And where is your Lord Preston?” her mother asked, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“He is notmyanything, Mama.”
“Nonsense, he has been more than attentive since last season. I would never wish to predict any man’s actions, but I would not be surprised if he proposed before this season is over.”
Elizabeth kept her features smooth, trying not to give anything away. The idea of Lord Preston proposing was a wonderful thought. She adored him and had spent much of the previous week laughing with him. He was one of the funniest men she had ever met, if a little inclined to turn his comedy upon himself.
She looked around the ballroom, noticing his tall figure instantly, and rather excited to see he had already spotted her and gave her a gentle bow from where he stood by the piano.
Her mother, apparently having seen the exchange, began tugging her forwards without further ado. Lady Constance was a romantic and a widower and held no objection to Lord Preston whatever, but Elizabeth was still very pink-cheeked by the time they came level with him. Her face turned crimson when her mother took out her fan and began flapping it in front of her vigorously.
“It is so very hot. I shall just go to the refreshment table for a glass of lemonade, and I will be back momentarily” and then she disappeared, leaving Elizabeth alone with Lord Preston. He smiled down at her, looking very handsome indeed, and for a moment, Elizabeth was utterly speechless.
“You look very well,” Lord Preston said, his eyes moving over her hair. It had taken Elizabeth an age to curl it with her maid, and she was pleased to find his eyes lingering on it.
“As do you,” she said happily. “That's a beautiful chain.”
Malcolm looked down at the fob watch chain at his waistcoat and drew it out. It was longer than the usual fashion, and hewas able to hand it over for Lady Elizabeth to examine. It was a beautiful piece, almost fifty years old and polished to a bright shine.
“It was my grandfather's,” he said as she looked it over with fascination. “It does not work,” he whispered, and Elizabeth laughed, handing it back to him.
“Well, it is very beautiful nonetheless.”
“I wished to look the part. I cannot be letting down my fellow dancers when I have the most beautiful lady in the world on my arm, can I?”
Elizabeth saw the mischievous glint in his eye, and she shook her head at him. “My goodness, what lady could ever live up to such praise?”
But Lord Preston’s eyes grew suddenly serious, and he offered her his hand, her breath catching in her throat as he leveled her with a long stare that had an intense heat behind it, she had not seen before.
“I am standing before her, my Lady, and would very much like to secure her hand for the first two dances.”
