Page 12 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
His tongueand his face had afforded him some significant influence with certain members of the Ton, and he used their good feelings insatiably.
Adam knew he could ruin Frederick with a few words in the right ears if he so chose, but it was not in his nature to do so—even if he did intensely dislike the man.
Fredericks's eyes were already darting about the floor, seemingly assessing each woman as though he were looking at prizes at an auction. It wasn’t long before Frederick spotted them and nodded. Adam knew they could not avoid speaking to the man.
“There is no avoiding it, I suppose,” Augusta muttered, echoing Adam’s thoughts perfectly.
“Frederick’s propensity to shoot and play cards has won him many friends. Not to mention the fact that Lord Sternwood can afford to lose to him, they are regularly seen at White’s playing piquet, so I’m told.” Lionel’s voice was a low murmur, but his eyes were sharp as he watched their cousin move toward them.
“Of course they are. Men will be men,” Augusta grumbled, her mouth compressed in a firm line before she pasted a strained smile onto her face. “You will mark Lady Seraphina’s card this evening, Adam,” Augusta insisted, making the nerves roll through Adam’s gut. “It is your duty to all of us never to allow that man anywhere near Bellebrook Manor. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Aunt,” Adam replied resignedly, lamenting his position and wishing Anastasia were still there to defend him. Before he could be dragged back into the mire of his thoughts, however, Mr Frederick and his mother approached them.Frederick wore his patented supercilious smile, and his eyes didn’t leave Adam’s for a moment.
Mindful of his aunt’s words, he affected a light smile. Even that tiny effort felt like it drained all of the energy from his body, and he could not wait to be alone in his bed chamber and hide under the covers until dawn.
“Lady Spencer, Lord Spencer, Lord Bellebrook,” Frederick said as he bowed to them all. “I had no idea you were attending this event, and I am so pleased to be able to spend some quality time with such esteemed members of my family.”
His mother’s eyes were adoring as she looked at her son. Everything Frederick did was perfect in the eyes of Mrs Bentley and Adam knew she was unaware of his gambling debts.
Frederick’s short black hair had been slicked back, showing off his prominent features. He had very pale blue eyes, a wide smile, straight white teeth and a perpetually amused expression.
When Adam was younger, Frederick’s charm and charisma had quickly deceived him, as it did to many. They had been firm friends in their early teens, but it had not taken long for Adam to understand his true nature. Frederick acted for himself alone and had little regard for anything but the expansion of his fortunes. His gaze was calculating, and behind it was a hint of challenge, but Adam kept his smile in place.
“Frederick, it’s a pleasure to have you with us once more,” Adam said, his tone courteous but lacking true warmth. He turned to Mrs Verity Bentley with a polite, restrained smile. “And Mrs Bentley, how are you faring? I had heard you were quite unwell in the autumn.”
Mrs Bentley’s rather vacant expression turned to him, and she smiled wanly. “Indeed, I was most unwell, but my son cared for me every day. He is the very best of men.”
Adam felt his aunt stiffen considerably and nodded to Frederick. “A noble thing to do, I am sure. Will you be staying for the events to come?”
“Most certainly. Lady Sternwood has been adamant that I should remain for everything,” he leaned in close, affecting a humble expression. “I do not believe Lord Sternwood would hold this gathering without me.” He leaned back again, smug in his own self-importance, and Adam struggled to stop himself fromrolling his eyes.
“We are delighted you are here,” Augusta said, sounding so sincere that Adam was rather taken aback.
His gaze wandered as Mrs Bentley and his aunt began speaking of the beauty of the room,falling once again on the demure and stunning woman on the edge of it. It occurred to Adam in that moment that Lady Emilia Sterling was by far the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on.
***
Emilia’s fingers fluttered at her skirts as she waited for the guests to settle before taking her seat at the pianoforte.
Her mother had arranged a small performance before the ball began. She could hear the odd chord from a cello and the trill of a violin from the other room as the players began setting up for the dance ahead.
She noticed the tall form of Lord Bellebrook at the back of the room as he leaned down to speak with his aunt. He was accompanied by the man Charlotte had spoken of earlier in the day, and Emilia could quite see how she might like the look of him. His dark hair was a contrast to Bellebrook’s ash-blond style, but their eyes were almost identical in colour. Emilia realised she was staring and swiftly looked away.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she looked at the keys, all of the nightmares and shadows of her past threatening to weigh her down. Everyone in the room was impossibly still, asthough they were all holding their breath. A cruel part of her mind conjured images of women gripping the hands of their husbands, knowing of her reputation and attempting to protect their men from her influence.
She closed her eyes, trying to settle her thundering heartbeat. The piece she had chosen was one of Beethoven’s more difficult melodies. She knew she would need a challenge to occupy her in the weeks leading up to the event, and she had practised for hours to ensure that she could play it perfectly.
She took a deep breath, memorising the beginning few bars of the sheet music ahead of her, and placing her fingers gently on the cold keys.
As she began to play, she was gratified when the old feelings flooded back. The world faded away, and all that existed was her fingers on the piano and the music rising and falling, her whole body singing with it as though a part of her came alive at its presence.
Her fears, her hopes and her longing for acceptance danced through the bars and over the notes as she continued to play. The piece spoke of the joy of the Christmas season, the excitement that she had once felt at this sacred time, and her own desperate urge to be seen.
As she played, Emilia fantasised that the music itself might somehow wash away the stain of scandal, and she would be reborn anew.
CHAPTER SIX
Adam stood at the back of the room and tried to keep the tears from falling down his cheeks. It now seemed foolish to have deprived himself of such rapture for all these years.
