Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

" A gnes?"

Agnes turned at the sound of Caroline's hesitant voice. Her friend was standing behind her, getting dressed with the help of the maids while Agnes was still getting her hair coiled.

"Yes?"

The worry written across Caroline's face could not be faked. She never seemed capable of getting rid of it as the night of the engagement ball grew nearer. Agnes could only imagine the anxiety Caroline must be feeling at the thought of her impending marriage to the Duke of Claymore. Anyone in her position must feel as if the noose tightening around her neck would finally cut off her breath.

"What do you think will happen this evening?" Caroline asked vaguely but Agnes knew what she meant.

She turned back to face her mirror, allowing the maid to continue coiling and tucking tufts of her hair away. She wasn't going to come out and tell Caroline that she planned on announcing her betrothal to the duke. Under pressure, Caroline was not one to keep a secret. Besides, the last thing Agnes wanted to do was give Caroline any false hope if things were to go south, which she hoped wouldn't happen.

"I'm sure we're going to have a splendid time," Agnes answered at last. "And everyone is going to leave happy."

"Do you truly believe that?" Caroline asked doubtfully.

Agnes considered her own words and then shook her head slightly. "Well, perhaps not everyone. Not all can be pleased in the same manner, you know."

Caroline sighed as if the entire world was resting on her shoulders. Right now, Agnes could imagine that it felt like it did.

"Do you think His Grace will be terribly upset if I do not attend?" Caroline asked after a while. Agnes met her eyes in the mirror and she caught the flash of regret that passed over Caroline's face. "Oh, what am I saying? I couldn't possibly not attend when this is meant to be in our honor. It would be dreadfully rude, would it not be?"

The anxiousness in her voice was palpable. Agnes didn't miss the way the maids glanced at each other.

She gently touched the hand of the maid styling her hair and said, "Give us a moment, please."

The maid nodded and she left the room, the other following closely behind her. As soon as they were alone, Agnes turned to face Caroline, her heart splintering when she saw that her friend was already on the verge of tears.

"I'm afraid," Caroline confessed softly. "I'm afraid of how my uncle will react."

Agnes quickly made her way to her side, embracing her. "Everything will be fine," she assured, forcing far more confidence in her voice than she felt. "I won't allow anything to happen to you."

"What of you and the duke, Agnes? I know now that your heart has gone towards him? What if my uncle insists that I still marry him?"

Agnes simply stroked her back, letting her cry on her shoulder. Agnes truly didn't know how well this evening was going to play out and, between preparing for the ball and everything else in between, she hadn't been able to talk to Johnathan about it. Worse, she hadn't gotten the chance to tell him that she had been wrong about who Caroline loved. Agnes didn't want to risk being found alone with him again—though the dowager duchess had not said anything about what she'd walked in on—and that line of conversation was hardly one they could have amongst the others.

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, but Agnes 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 comments but there was something about the way he said it that makes me wonder if I should issue a warning to the duke."

"A warning?" Mary echoed in confusion. "You do not seem to know what you are even warning him about. And I do think that if the duke does not wish to honor an agreement between him and the earl, that is not any of your concern."

"Oh?" Solomon abandoned his perusal of the ballroom to look at his wife with a raised brow of surprise. "Since when have you ever cared about limiting your meddling?"

"It is not my meddling, but yours."

"Ah." Solomon's lips twitched. "A sound distinction, if any."

"I would think so," Mary said, sounding rather pleased with herself. "And at any rate, I believe that—Goodness, Caroline, are you all right?"

Agnes looked sharply at Caroline to see that her face was as white as a sheet, her eyes round as saucers.

"Caroline?" Agnes asked gently.

Caroline blinked rapidly and forced a smile onto her face with considerable effort. "Did my uncle say anything else?" she asked Solomon, ignoring Agnes who had taken her by the hand.

Solomon looked worried. Mary even more so. But he said, "He would not say any more, but it was clear that he is rather irritated. Even more so than I have seen him before, which is why I thought to inform the duke about it."

"What of my aunt?" Caroline looked around for a brief moment, eyes shadowed with fear. "Has she said anything?"

"What is there to say?" Mary pressed. Agnes knew that there was little hope of her letting Caroline out of her sight now. "Caroline, is something wrong? What is the matter?"

"It's nothing," Caroline said quickly. She shook her head, averting her gaze, but if she wanted to seem fine she failed miserably. "I only need some fresh air."

She disappeared before Mary could get the chance to say anything else, moving swiftly through the crowd. Agnes watched her go with a dull ache in her chest. She hated to see Caroline despairing.

Her attention remained so focused on Caroline that it took her a while to realize that her parents were staring at her. Agnes looked between Solomon and Mary, raising her brows.

"What is it?"

"Has something happened?" Solomon demanded to know.

"Why is Caroline so upset?"

"She is feeling a little tired, that's all," Agnes lied smoothly. "I'm sure she will be fine after she gets the fresh air she seeks."

They didn't believe her. That much was obvious from the dubious looks on their faces. But before they could say anything else, Johnathan appeared. And suddenly, little else mattered.