Chapter 18

Eleanor swallowed hard. She was walking briskly across the ballroom towards Sebastian, aware of his gazing across at her as she crossed the floor, walking a little awkwardly between the groups of people. Her skin prickled as she looked across at him again, her palms sweating.

Why is he staring at me? she asked herself nervously.

Her first thought was that she had done something wrong. Her dress was too loud, perhaps, or the emerald pendant he had bought her was too ostentatious to be worn to a ball such as this one. She reached up, aware of its weight resting on her skin. She recalled finding it in her room just moments before she settled down to dress.

"The earl asked me to bring this to you, my lady," Amy had murmured nervously as she approached the dressing-table.

"Oh! Thank you," Eleanor said, turning to take the leather-bound box from Amy's hands. It was the size of a small book, and she had thought at first that it was a book, until she noticed the opening down the front, fastened shut with a small gold clasp. She moved the clasp aside and opened the box, then gasped aloud.

"No! This can't be for me."

"His lordship said to give it to you, my lady," Amy told her, sounding a little discomforted. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, not at all," Eleanor breathed. She rested her finger on the black lining of the box, touching it a little nervously. It was real. The pendant was doubtless also real, though in the light of the candles, the emerald stone looked almost too beautiful to be.

"Should I fetch your gown, my lady?" Amy asked.

"Please do, Amy," Eleanor agreed. "And I will wear this necklace with it, I think. It matches almost perfectly."

"Oh. Grand," Amy replied, sounding a little flustered. She hadn't seen what was in the box and Eleanor waited a moment longer, then lifted the pendant on its gold chain from the box, staring at it in the candlelight.

The emerald sparkled. The light dancing across the brilliant cut of the gem, which had been intricately faceted to create a radiant glow.

"Oh, my lady!" Amy gasped as she came in and saw the jewel. "Oh, my! It's beautiful."

"It is," Eleanor said softly. "It certainly is."

She swallowed hard. She had not expected that Sebastian would buy her anything. It wasn't even her birthday or any special occasion to speak of. She put the pendant carefully in the box and looked at her dress. It was a shade darker than the pendant, in dark green silk with a fashionable high waist, a low oval neckline and brief puff sleeves. She drew in a breath, excitement mixing with nerves and making her stomach knot up.

"Shall I help you dress?" Amy asked.

"Please do," Eleanor agreed.

She was already in her shift, her night robe covering it. She stood and Amy helped her into the gown, then buttoned it up behind her.

She had waited until her hair was styled before lifting the pendant and fastening it around her own neck. She had stared in the looking glass, almost unable to believe that the person who stared back, her squarish face alluring in a way she had never seen it before, her hazel eyes huge, was herself.

She had thanked Amy and then hurried downstairs to the ballroom.

She walked across to Sebastian, feeling shy. He was still gazing at her, and she cleared her throat, her stomach knotting with fresh nerves.

"Eleanor," he breathed. "There you are."

"Sebastian," she greeted him shyly.

He smiled at her, his eyes warm and lingering on her and she looked down at her feet, feeling overwhelmed and shy.

"Lord Glenfield!" A familiar voice greeted him. "A fine ball you have arranged."

Eleanor spun around, surprised to see Miss Hatfield with her mother. She had thought they would never come to the manor, since they seemed so nervous of the earl. Now, she frowned in confusion as they greeted him.

"I did not arrange it," Sebastian said tightly. "Lady Glenfield did that."

"Oh! Lady Glenfield!" Miss Hatfield greeted her. "Charming. I thought you were working in the garden."

Eleanor felt her spine stiffen. She wanted to glare at the woman, her cheeks heating with shame even as her body straightened with rage. How dare she?

She breathed in. Sebastian had taken a protective step towards her, and she could see the rage on his face. She looked at Miss Hatfield, seeing a frightened but spiteful girl.

"Not tonight," she said mildly. "It's too dark out there, you know."

Sebastian roared with laughter. Miss Hatfield went red, and Eleanor pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh, too.

"My wife is talented at planning gardens," Sebastian commented, positioning himself beside Eleanor.

"Is gardening a seemly pastime?" Miss Hatfield asked directly.

Eleanor bristled, but Sebastian put his hand on her arm.

"I think any pastime that Eleanor turns her hand to is not only seemly, but likely to become fashionable," he said lightly. "And I, for one, appreciate the renovating of our grounds. I look forward to seeing them blooming soon."

Eleanor glowed. She looked at Sebastian, who had a small smile tugging at his lip. She watched as Miss Hatfield and her mother stammered a reply.

"Most certainly, my lord."

"I am sure your gardens will be the finest in the countryside, my lord."

Eleanor bit her lip, trying not to look too disbelieving. The women hastily wandered off, and Sebastian turned to Eleanor.

"You are marvelous."

She grinned. "You are kind, my lord."

He laughed. "No," he said, his eyes glowing. "I mean it. You truly did that grandly."

"Thank you," Eleanor replied, feeling her cheeks heat, this time with delight, not shame.

"I am sorry about that," Sebastian added softly. "I did not expect them to be so spiteful."

"It was unexpected. But you needn't apologise for them."

He smiled. "Thank you, my dear. But I do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I will fetch you a drink. Would you like some lemonade?"

"Um...um..." Eleanor breathed in, astonished with the endearment. He had never called her "dear". She was so surprised that she almost forgot he wanted a reply. "Lemonade, please," she replied, feeling dizzy.

He nodded, a big grin on his face, and hurried off. Eleanor stood where she was, head spinning.

She gazed out over the ballroom.

Ladies and gentlemen drifted about, the ladies in white dresses, mostly, or some in red and green and blue. The gentlemen were mostly in darker colors, their long tailcoats rimmed with gold thread, their cravats elaborately tied. The room was full, but not to the point that it seemed to be discomforting to anyone. The talk was still loud, but the music could just be heard over it. Eleanor's stomach twisted with excitement. They were readying for a waltz.

She saw Sebastian wandering over to her, two glasses with him, one in each hand. He passed her one and retained the other.

"Thank you," she murmured. She took it and sipped. It was cool and delicious, the sweet lemonade running down her throat and refreshing her at once.

"I am glad to assist you." He beamed, his eyes twinkling.

Eleanor blushed.

The music was becoming louder now, the introductory chords to a waltz, and people were starting to move towards the space at the center of the ballroom that had been cleared for dancing. Eleanor looked over at them and beside her, Sebastian grinned.

"May I have this dance?" he asked.

Eleanor stared. She had not expected that. Of course, it was natural that they would dance, and that they would dance the first waltz together, but somehow it hadn't occurred to her to think of it.

"Um...yes. Yes, of course."

"Good."

Sebastian was grinning and she chuckled, and they walked together quietly to the dance floor. Eleanor swallowed, feeling very shy.

"Do you like the waltz?" Sebastian asked, taking her right hand in his left hand. He placed his right hand on her back, a little below her shoulder, drawing her towards him. She drew in a deep breath.

Her back was tingling, and she felt giddy. "Um...um...yes," she murmured, trying to focus on his words and not on the sensation of standing so close to him. This felt intimate in a different way.

"Good. I rather like it, too. Though some people think it's too scandalous."

"I know," Eleanor replied. She swallowed hard. The waltz had its fair share of criticism, since it did involve contact that was much closer than that in a Polonaise, say, where one stood beside the other person and held hands on one side only. All the same, it was very popular.

The music started and Eleanor drew in a breath, stepping forward and feeling how he stepped back in perfect time. They moved together seemingly without effort, his movements elegant and lithe. His timing was perfect.

Eleanor shut her eyes for a moment as they swayed close in a turn. She had dreamed of dancing like this when she had first learned to waltz, her dancing teacher, Mrs. Plumdale, dancing with her and laughing as they swayed about the room.

She opened her eyes again, as they stepped neatly sideways, rounding another corner. They swayed close and her heart thudded quickly. His hand was firm on hers and he gazed into her eyes.

She gazed back and she could feel her heart racing in her chest. He was so handsome, and his gaze drew her in, those dark eyes warm and tender and focused on her with an intensity that made her blush.

"A fine waltz," he whispered to her as they rounded the corner again and the music slowed, moving towards some grand chords.

"Thank you," she whispered back. "It is."

They moved close, stepping neatly to the edge of the floor again, and then the couples around them were clapping, applauding each other for the dance.

Sebastian clapped lightly and Eleanor felt her cheeks flare even redder.

"Are you also feeling overly warm?" he asked as they walked a few paces away from the dance floor, moving to a less densely packed part of the ballroom.

"A little," Eleanor murmured. She felt quite warm, her body flushed with warmth and delight. Waltzing with Sebastian was truly beautiful.

"I think mayhap we can step onto the terrace for a moment," Sebastian said softly.

"Yes," Eleanor replied, heart thumping. "Perhaps we might."

She was sure there would be plenty of people on the terrace, even though the night was certain to be chilly, it being October. Doubtless some others would feel overheated in the ballroom, as they did. Nonetheless, being outdoors with him, in the dark of the terrace, the leaves of the vines rustling overhead, would be different—even more romantic than being inside, where it seemed romantic too.

"Wait a moment," Eleanor murmured, her gaze moving across the ballroom. She felt her heart thump. Where was the Marquess? She had promised herself she would keep an eye on him during the evening, but she had forgotten for a moment and now she could not see him.

"Let me fetch you some lemonade," Sebastian said quickly, and hurried off before she could refuse.

She looked around, feeling her stomach knot with worry. What if the ball had proven too overexerting for the Marquess? He could have had another apoplexy. She gazed around, walking forward through the crowd to try and reach the back of the hall where some seats were laid out. Perhaps he had decided to sit there.

"My lady?" Sebastian appeared at her side, two glasses held up, one in each hand. "You seem to be looking for someone."

"I am," she said, looking about worriedly.

"I hope you were looking for me?" he asked, a small grin lifting the corner of his lips.

"Not at all," Eleanor said teasingly. "I was searching for another gentleman altogether."

"You were?" He looked shocked and she grinned.

"Have you seen the marquess anywhere recently?"

"Oh. My father!" He laughed. "No. I haven't. He told me he wanted to retire early to bed. I am certain that is where he is. If you like, I will send the butler to check on him."

"Perhaps we should," Eleanor said swiftly, though she felt relieved to know where he was.

"Very well," Sebastian agreed. "You are dear. You're so caring."

"I am fond of him," Eleanor admitted. "He's a difficult old fellow, sometimes, but he's delightful."

Sebastian laughed. "Yes! He is."

She smiled at Sebastian, and he smiled back.

"I'll go and find the butler. A moment, my dear."

"Thank you," Eleanor murmured.

"And then, perhaps, we could retire to the terrace. Though retiring to bed might be rather pleasant, too." His eyes sparkled and Eleanor felt blood rush to her cheeks.

He grinned and took her hand, pressing it to his lips. She looked up at him in utter astonishment, but he laughed and inclined his head towards the door.

"A moment, my lady. I will go and find the butler."

"Thank you," Eleanor said at once. Her heart soared and she had almost forgotten to breathe.

Sebastian grinned and hurried off, and she stood where she was, her gaze moving across the ballroom. As she stood there, her eyes widened in shock. There, coming across the ballroom, looking around as if he was terrified, pushing his way through the crowd from the front door, was her brother.