Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Ann

" H e kissed me," I tell Honoria in her room two days after the event. It felt as if the moment was growing too large inside of me. I had to tell someone.

"He being…?" Honoria's blue eyes are already quite large and they grow wider with her gaping mouth as she stares at me from the small desk in the guest room.

It's hard to speak. My body had been on high alert ever since the kiss. Then Oscar moved back into his house the next day. I find myself searching for him and avoiding him at the same time. I should be above all of this. I'm twenty-eight years old. No man wants a woman my age for more than an affair. However, the kiss was sweet and tender. It felt as if there was promise there. Don't be an idiot. I focus on Honoria. "Oscar. I mean the Earl of Kendall."

She sucks her lips in as if she might be holding back a grin or laugh. "Was it a brotherly peck on the cheek or something more meaningful?"

"The latter, though I have little to compare the sensation. I'm fairly certain his tongue in my mouth indicates more than brotherly affection." I want to take it all back and run from her room. Then I want to hide in my room until I can make my escape back to Everton House. Actually, those are just the lies I tell myself. I want more of Oscar's kisses and to know what he was thinking.

"Indeed. Delicious. I'm not surprised. He looks at you with a great deal of fondness. Perhaps he loves you." Honoria uses a white puff to put powder on her nose.

"No. Of course, he doesn't love me. He likely thinks I'm lonely and he is too. A bit of affection is all it was."

Honoria cocks her head. "And are you—lonely?" One of the things I love most about her is there is no judgment with regard to the morality of kissing a man for the sake of mutual loneliness. It makes me wonder about what kind of past she might have had.

"Sometimes." I live in a house full of people and have some good friends there and around the city. Still, I find there are times late at night when my heart yearns for something more. "I'm being silly. I have all I need."

Putting down her powder puff, Honoria turns to face me. "There is nothing silly about wanting companionship or even love. You are still a young woman, Ann. Your father is no longer in control of you and hasn't been for some years."

"My father has nothing to do with this. I'm eight and twenty. Men do not marry women long on the shelf and I do not have dalliances." I draw a breath and it's shakier than I'd like. "I shouldn't have spoken of the matter. His lordship likely regrets the impulse as much as I do."

"Hmm." She turns back to the glass and sighs. "I am always at your disposal should you need to talk. You know that whatever you tell me, I shall take to the grave."

I get up and hug her from behind. In the glass, I look into her eyes. "You are a dear friend."

She pats my hand. "You had better get ready. We have a ball to attend."

Another ball. I sigh. I'm tired of attending celebrations where I hide in the corner like a thief. I'd much rather stay in and read a book. No. That's not true. I like balls, but without taking to the floor, it is rather a bore. However, this one is unavoidable as it is being held by Louisa's parents. "I'll go and dress. Miss Louisa has requested we arrive early so she can speak to her father."

"Oh, well, I'd better get a move on then. Will you pull the bell for my maid?" She touches her hair and frowns.

I pull the bell cord and go to my room.

Margery, Honoria's maid, is standing by the wardrobe in my room. "Margery, what are you doing here? Lady Chervil just rang for you."

She smiles and looks down at the lavender gown lying across her arms. "His lordship sent this for you. He asked if I can make any alterations that are necessary before I dress Lady Chervil tonight."

The fabric is delicate and beautiful. I'm drawn forward and touch the dyed lace along the sleeves. It also runs down the skirt. "This is very fine, but I should wear one of my dresses."

Nudging me in front of a full-length glass mirror, she puts the dress in front of me. "You will be beautiful in this, Miss Ann. Why not wear the gift? From the worried expression on his lordship's face when he gave it to me to press, I don't believe it comes with any expectations." Margery is very bold, but one would have to be to be Honoria's lady's maid.

I almost look pretty in a dress like this. "Perhaps. "

She grins. "Good. Let's get you dressed. Then I'll go and do her ladyship's hair and come back to do yours."

I've lost my mind, but I agree.

W e step inside the Creeves' townhouse and Mae rushes through the foyer. "I'm so glad you're here." She hugs her brother and then Louisa. She greets Honoria formally, then stops when she reaches me. "You look different, Miss Wittman."

Holding my chin up, I force a smile. "A new gown and wrap, my lady." I pull the dark purple wrap around tighter.

Scanning me from head to toe, she smiles, and then winks. "Lovely."

Louisa says, "Mother I must speak to Father before the other guests arrive."

"He is in the library. Would you like me to go with you?" Concern creases Mae's forehead.

"Yes. That would be best. I'd hate to have to do this twice." Louisa pulls her shoulders back and looks at me with a hint of her inner panic showing in her eyes.

I give her a reassuring smile and nod. "The worst he can say is no and you're no worse off than before."

Taking a deep breath, she strides down the hall behind the grand staircase with her mother following.

The butler offers to take our outerwear.

I hesitate to relinquish my wrap, but there is little choice so I give it over.

Honoria saunters toward the ballroom behind a footman.

Oscar stares at me, then a wide smile breaks across his face. He smiles so rarely, I hardly knew how handsome he really was until this moment.

My heart pounds and my hands sweat. The riotous butterflies have broken loose in my belly. "Thank you for the gown."

"Seeing you in it is more than thanks enough. You're beautiful, Ann." He offers his arm.

Throat clogged with emotion, I slip my hand through the crook of his elbow and allow him to show me into the ballroom. We are the first to arrive, so it's not inappropriate for him to be my escort. Who would know?

"Don't you two look cozy." The Dowager Countess of Kendall strides over, carrying a cane that barely touches the ground.

I pull my arm away and curtsy. "Good to see you again, Lady Kendall."

"Mother, why are you here so early?" The brooding tone is back in Oscar's voice as he pulls his hands behind his back.

A knowing smile followed by a stern look crosses over her face. "Your sister wanted my help and so I am here. Where is your charge?"

Since her overbearing stare is on me, I say, "She has gone to speak to her father."

"Lord, she's not joining the Everton Domestic Society, is she?" The derision in her voice is lost on no one.

"Calliope, is that you?" Honoria drifts across the room to join us.

"Honoria?"

They both curtsy and then kiss cheeks.

"I had hoped to see you tonight." Honoria's smile is contagious and even Lady Kendall is susceptible.

"It's good to see you. It's been many years. I understand you are employed." There is no love in the last word.

Honoria's smile widens. "I found that life had grown dull. Husbands dead, children grown and living their lives. I needed something to do with my time. Withering away gracefully isn't my style."

There's a longing in Oscar's mother's eyes. "I know what you mean, but taking employment. It's unseemly."

"Perhaps, but such fun." She slips her arm around Calliope and moves her across the ballroom to the chairs along the wall. "Tell me what you've been doing with your time, I'll regale you with tales of Everton House."

Watching them, I find my love for Honoria grows even deeper. She's always coming to the rescue.

"Miss Wittman?"

I'd forgotten how close Oscar was. His voice is buttery and only inches from my ear. I spin around. "My lord?"

"May I have the first dance?"

"With me?" I blink and shake my head as if that might make sense out of this evening.

He chuckles and takes my hand. Bowing, he kisses my knuckles. "With you, if you will."

"I'm here to assist Louisa, not to dance." The denial is as weak as the reasoning.

"She can spare you here in her family home. Besides, my niece has found her voice. She's going to be fine." He looks at me as if the credit falls to me, but Louisa did it on her own.

"I only offered some encouragement." A bit lightheaded, I say, "I would enjoy the dance, my lord."

He whispers, "Oscar." With a brief smile for me, he crosses to greet his brother-in-law.

The Earl of Creeves is tall and thin with stern eyes and a sharp jaw. Despite the harsh look, he seems genuinely happy to see Oscar. They shake hands and exchange a few words.

Oscar grins and nods before leaving the ballroom .

A few guests begin to enter, their voices excited for the anticipated ball.

Remembering my place, I step back until I'm hidden by a large statue decorated with white and blue flowers.

"Miss Wittman, I presume." The Earl of Creeves rounds the statue and stares down his patrician nose at me.

I curtsy. "Lord Creeves. I am Ann Wittman. A pleasure to meet you."

"I admit to curiosity about you and your profession after hearing much about you from my wife and now my daughter." He bows. "The pleasure is mine."

Keeping my shoulders back and my chin up, I meet his gaze despite my pounding heart. "I hope whatever you have heard did not displease you, my lord."

"On the contrary. They both esteem you greatly. My daughter has asked me to give her until the end of the season to choose a husband. She has informed me that she favors Lord Mansfield, but would like time to decide her future. She made a compelling argument." He steps next to me and watches the partygoers file in.

"She is a very bright young lady." I keep my other thoughts to myself as I wish to know how Louisa's proposal was received before I make my opinion known.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he looks grave, but a hint of a smile shines in his eyes. "She is. I was only blessed with daughters, Miss Wittman. I want them to have security and perhaps have sons, that one of them might inherit should my cousin precede me in death. More than security, I wish them to be happy." He waves at the air as if words are hanging there. "I know society brands me heartless, but I do care that Louisa and her sisters live happy lives." After a long pause, he clears his throat. "I have granted Louisa the time she requested and when offers come, as it seems they will, I shall tell the gentlemen they must wait until the last week of this season for my answer."

"That is very good of you, my lord." Excitement thrums in my chest. I could not be prouder of Louisa.

"You have brought her out of her shell, as they say, Miss Wittman. I am grateful. Should you need a letter of recommendation at any point or my assistance in any way, you need only ask." He faces me and bows.

"That is most kind. Thank you."

"I have asked Louisa to come home when you and Lord Kendall go to the country. As it shall be our last few months with her, I would like to have her here. She didn't object." He lets a hint of a smile slip before returning to his mild expression.

The music begins and Mae waves her husband to the floor where they will lead the first dance.

"I believe I have this dance, Ann." Oscar's voice is low and intimately close to my ear.