Chapter Five

“Hm, what a surprise. Is that Michael dancing with a lady?”

Clarissa turned at her aunt’s voice, frowning. She immediately spotted Michael in the centre of the room, preparing to commence the dance set. And his partner was Lady Elaine.

Clarissa’s heart sank at the sight. It was one thing to know her brother’s plans but it was another thing entirely to see it come alive right before her eyes. It pained her to see her brother like this. Michael was no longer the same person he had been prior to their father’s death. Prior to their father’s wrongful conviction, for that matter. She lost both her brother and her father that day and she feared she would never get back the Michael she once knew.

“She is quite lovely, is she not?” Beatrice went on, oblivious to Clarissa’s internal struggle. “I have noticed her being carted around by Lady Abney. Do you think they are related? I see little resemblance between the two.”

“I believe she is her niece,” Clarissa murmured.

“Her niece?” Beatrice frowned. “Then would that not make her…”

“Pardon me,” Clarissa mumbled.

She walked away before Beatrice could say anything else. She needed some fresh air, she decided. The knowledge that Michael was about to embark on a quest to ruin another family pierced her heart like a knife.

On one hand, she comprehended his feelings. She understood the hatred and vengeance that consumed his heart, that clouded his judgment. She had once cursed Lord Suthenshire and everyone else involved in the lies that had destroyed their family.

However, she herself had come to embrace forgiveness. The darkness that had eaten away at her peace of mind was not worth it. She only wished that Michael could come to peace with what had happened as well.

Clarissa kept going, eyes set on the terrace doors. She was nearly there and would have made it in record time had her path not been abruptly obstructed by a tall, imposing figure.

She drew to a halt, looking up into his dark, stormy eyes. They were deep wells, boring into her with an intensity that immediately sent her guards crashing to the floor. She should have been unnerved by the fierceness of his stare, but instead, she felt the tension and sadness seep out of her body.

Without considering how rude it might appear, her gaze wandered down his form. She observed the sloped jaw and full lips, set in a firm, thin line. His slim yet toned build clearly spoke of a man accustomed to physical pursuits. As he crossed his arms, a sizable ring sparkled upon his finger, signifying his considerable wealth.

“Are you finished?”

His cold tone sent her eyes racing back to him. Clarissa’s face went hot. She’d just been caught staring—no, admiring—this man with wild abandon. How horrifying!

She swallowed, pulling her shoulder back, scraping together her dignity. “May I help you?”

“Yes, you may. Might you be aware of the gentleman currently dancing with my cousin?”

Clarissa looked helplessly at the dancing couples, then back at this incredibly handsome, incredibly rude, gentleman. “There are a dozen gentlemen dancing with a dozen ladies, any one of whom could be your cousin.”

“The tall one. With dark hair.”

She sighed this time. “I cannot assist you. Perhaps you should simply inquire with your cousin if you are so curious.”

His eyes narrowed. “Then you do not know him?”

“I do not know you . Nor am I obligated to answer any of your questions simply because you demand them.”

He stared at her for a moment, unblinking. “Forgive me,” he said at last. “I have not yet introduced myself.”

Just then, Lord Jones made his appearance, a jovial smile upon his face. “Ah, Lord Abney! I trust you are enjoying the ball, though with that serious expression, it is difficult to ascertain if you are having any fun at all!”

James's lips twitched, but he remained silent.

“Lady Clarissa!” Lord Jones exclaimed, turning to her with a bright smile. “You look positively ethereal this evening. Do the two of you know one another?”

Clarissa shook her head slightly, feeling a touch of embarrassment. “No, my lord. We merely chanced upon one another. I do beg your pardon for my mindlessness.”

“Ah, allow me the pleasure of an introduction,” Lord Jones said with a flourish. “Lord James Abney, Viscount of Abney.” He gestured toward James. “And this is Lady Clarissa Rycroft, daughter of the late Duke of Ryewood.”

The two exchanged polite nods. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady,” James said, his tone softening.

“Likewise, my lord,” Clarissa replied, her earlier tension easing slightly.

Just as the moment settled, Lord Jones spotted Lady Hannah in the crowd. “Pray excuse me, dear friends,” he said, his eyes brightening. “I must greet Lady Hannah. She is to meet my close family friend, Lord Thornbush.” With a quick bow, he vanished into the throng of guests.

James stared at Clarissa once again. “Well, now that introductions are made, may I inquire about the gentleman dancing with my cousin? I noticed he was standing next to you a short while ago, so I assume you two are acquainted.”

Clarissa regarded him with a measure of suspicion. “If it is indeed the gentleman I entered with, then that would be my brother, the Duke of Ryewood.”

Lord Abney looked back at those dancers, frowning deeply. “The Duke of Ryewood…” he said, clearly to himself.

“Is there an issue?”

“What can you tell me about him?”

Clarissa let out a breath of frustration. “What business do you have with my brother, my lord? Whatever it is, you shall not meet your goal by pestering me with questions.”

“I have no business with him—yet. However, if he persists in this manner…”

She waited for him to finish his sentence but he simply trailed off, his expression deepening into a frown.

Just as she was about to simply give up and walk away, he turned to face her once more. “Would you care to dance with me?”

Clarissa’s eyes widened. She had not anticipated such a proposal. “Dance with you?” she echoed dumbly.

“Yes.” The frown had vanished, and with a slight bow, he extended his hand. “It would be an honour.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Are you certain you aren’t asking to dance simply to question me further on my brother?”

“It is part of my motivation, yes. But I am also hoping that sharing a dance may clear your mind of whatever ails you.” When she frowned at that, he added, “It is obvious that something is bothering you, my lady. Allow me to set your mind at ease, if just for a short while.”

Slowly, she reached out to accept his hand, even though she kept staring at him as if he was about to pounce on her at any moment. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“I am a kind person,” he said simply.

Laughter bubbled up her throat before she could stop it. “And you are clearly an arrogant one as well.”

The moment their hands touched, Clarissa felt a jolt go through her body. Though she wasn’t sure if it had anything to do with his touch or the broad grin that lit his handsome face. She should not have said yes to this. His appearance aside, his crude behaviour should have been off-putting. But she was drawn to him and she couldn’t understand why.

“That, my lady,” he purred as he guided her away. “I cannot deny.”

Clarissa simply smiled.

***

Elaine couldn’t believe what was happening to her.

In a matter of seconds, the night took a sharp turn for the better. She’d gone from dancing with a man who looked twice her father’s age to doing so with the most handsome gentleman she’d ever laid eyes on. And his voice! It was smooth and deep, the sound sending thrills throughout her body. When his fingers brushed against her elbow, she felt as if she might melt to the floor.

This was what she’d read about in her novels. This instantaneous spark, theattraction that ran through her bones and shook her to the very core. She desperately hoped she hadn’t ruined it with her embarrassing rambling.

“May I confess something, my lady?”

She still could not get used to his voice. Standing this close to him, she felt it reverberate through her chest. How she managed to keep moving to the music was a mystery to her.

“If it will set your mind at ease, Your Grace, it would be an honour to help you.”

“How kind of you to say,” he replied softly, “when you do not yet know what I intend to confess.”

She braced herself before peering up at him. She expected her body to react to the sight of his handsome features so close. Yet she had not anticipated the sensation to hit her like a punch to the gut, knocking the breath from her lungs, when their eyes met.

Somehow, she found her words. “I trust that you will not say anything untoward or unlawful. I do not wish to be an aide to any of your offences.”

He chuckled, causing her insides to flutter. “Crimes? I am an upstanding man, though I suppose the same cannot be said for many of our acquaintances.”

“My acquaintances? Contrary to what you may think, Your Grace, I have no acquaintances.”

“A veritable recluse then?”

“Unintentionally so.” She flushed, realising that she was revealing far too much about herself. “But it is your confession that I wish to hear, Your Grace.”

“Ah, yes. The confession.” He paused and she was left with no choice but to look up at him again. She didn’t want the dance to end, she thought impatiently. But it had to, and there was no telling whether he would wish to converse with her afterwards. She wanted to make the best of the time they had.

“I had hoped to get introduced to you,” he said at last.

Now, it was her turn to be quiet, though she was more speechless than anything else. Heat rushed through her entire body. “Why?” she managed to say.

“You caught my eye the moment I arrived, my lady, and I had hoped to make an introduction. I simply did not know how.” He smiled sheepishly. “Pardon me if that seems too forward.”

“Certainly not, Your Grace!” she said hastily. A little too hastily, she realised, when he raised a brow. “I am flattered. For someone like yourself to take notice of me is quite uncommon.”

“Someone like you?” he probed.

“Well…” A little embarrassed now, she cast a glance over her shoulder. Her mother had always chided her on how open she was with her thoughts and Elaine supposed it was to avoid situations like these. “It is of no consequence.”

“Which means it must certainly be of some. Tell me, my lady,” he urged gently. “Or should I make another confession in order to get to know you better?”

“Goodness, there is more?”

“Many more,” he said. “For instance, I despise balls such as these. I merely attend because it is expected of me.”

“That hardly seems like a noteworthy confession to make,” she said in earnest. “I imagine a number of people attend these events simply out of duty.”

“Not anyone within my circle. My sister takes great pleasure in these events, though I think it has more to do with her love for dancing than anything else.” He pulled her closer slightly. Elaine nearly tripped over her feet. “Have I earned your trust?”

“Not nearly,” she answered breathlessly. “It would not be so easy, Your Grace. I hardly know you, after all. What sort of lady would I be if I were to divulge all about myself during our very first dance?”

“Our first dance?” he parrotted with a raised brow. “So we shall indeed have others then?”

Elaine flushed, looking away. “I would not be averse to the idea..”

“Ah, so shall we tempt scandal then? Will you dance with me again tonight?”

Elaine's eyes widened in horror as she gazed up at him. “And ruin my chances of ever getting married?”

“With your beauty, my lady, your chances shall never truly fade even when you are fifty.”

“While your words are indeed sweet, Your Grace, you very well know that is far from the truth. I am almost considered a spinster as it is.” She paused, then sighed. “Perhaps I should not have told you that. Aunt Lorna would have my tongue were she to learn of my candour.”

“Your candour is beguiling.”

“As it is off-putting,” she added. “But I too have something to confess, Your Grace.”

“At last! Something to balance the scales between us.”

She smiled at that. It came so easily, with such abandon, that Elaine realised it had been years since she’d smiled with such carefree joy.

“I fear I do not enjoy balls either,” she said softly. “But this dance with you has rendered this evening worthwhile.”

The Duke of Ryewood stared at her, searching her face, a little frown touching his brow at her words. Elaine’s earlier confidence withered when he didn’t immediately respond and an apology rushed to the tip of her tongue, though she wasn’t certain she should say it.

Then he smiled. “I’m glad, my lady.”

That was all he said. Elaine felt her anxiety dissipate, a tentative smile gracing her lips. Thankfully, she was saved from answering when the dance set drew to a close and they were forced to stand apart. She curtsied, hoping he would want to continue their conversation. Hoping that longing wasn’t apparent on her face.

“I hope you do not think you can get rid of me that easily, my lady,” he said as he immediately bridged the gap between them once more. “I have decided that you will be my company for the rest of the evening.”

No matter how hard she tried, there was no suppressing the wide, joyous smile that spread across her face. “Do I not have any say in this?”

“It depends. If you agree with me, then you most certainly do.”

“And if I do not?”

“Then I shall make sure that you do. I can be rather persistent.”

“Persistent or annoying?”

“They are one and the same, I’m sure. Perhaps I shall simply have to annoy you into becoming friends. I have no qualms with that.”

She laughed again. He was flirting with her. Elaine was almost certain of it. She’d read enough books to know how it sounded and this was it. Even if he mentioned being friends, certainly his interest went deeper than that.

The hope she’d tucked aside came rushing to the fore once more—hope that she may truly find love in her quest to save her family. Could she find it in the Duke of Ryewood?

The thought sent her heart racing as he offered her his arm. She took and together they made their way off to the side, standing close to that potted plant she’d wanted to hide behind before. Elaine had to keep herself from glancing up at him at every opportunity.

“I would like to become friends with you too, Your Grace,” Elaine said boldly. “But I’m afraid it will not be that easy.”

“Oh?” he probed, brows lifting.

“You see, there are two people in my life who may…deter you. And one of them is on their way over.”

She smiled as Lorna appeared. She’d seen her aunt coming from the moment they walked off the dancefloor and Elaine knew it was a matter of time before they were interrupted. Thankfully, it wasn’t James. Elaine didn’t know how His Grace would stand up against James’ overbearing protectiveness but she didn’t want to find out any time soon.

Lorna was the first step. She knew the Ton, she knew how to conduct herself during the London Season. She knew who would be thebest fit for Elaine. Someone kind, someone generous, and someone wealthy.

Elaine hoped that the Duke of Ryewood was all three.