Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

T he soft murmur of voices and the low hum of strings tuning up met Eliza's ears as she stepped toward the grand ballroom. Her breath faltered, caught by the sheer brilliance of the sight before her, which had transformed in the last two hours. Crystal chandeliers glimmered above like drops of starlight, casting a warm golden glow over the floors that seemed to shimmer with every step. The scent of fresh blooms from the intricate floral arrangements lingered in the air, mingling with the subtle fragrances of lavender water and jasmine that perfumed the evening.

She paused at the threshold for a heartbeat, her gaze sweeping across the elegantly dressed guests, the vibrant colors of their gowns and coats reflecting the festive atmosphere. Her breath hitched slightly as she thought of how many mornings and afternoons she had spent with Emily, perfecting every detail. She had poured much of herself into the preparations, and now, standing here, it felt like a dream.

"Ah, there you are, Miss Montrose." Adam's voice pulled her back from her thoughts. He and Emily had already greeted Captain Blackwood, and now they stood beside her. Captain Blackwood bowed as they approached, and when his eyes briefly met Eliza's, her pulse quickened.

"Eliza, we've been waiting for you," Emily said brightly, her arm linked with Adam's. "Shall we enter together?"

Eliza nodded, her heart fluttering in anticipation. She felt the weight of Captain Blackwood's gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than propriety allowed before he turned his attention back to greeting guests.

They walked together toward the grand hall, the soft murmur of conversations swelling around them. Crystals gleamed overhead, the light refracting into delicate rainbows that danced upon the walls. She exchanged pleasantries with Adam and Emily as the first guests arrived, but her thoughts kept straying back to Captain Blackwood. A flurry of questions swirled in her mind, all centered around the man she had spent so much time thinking about in the past weeks.

"Eliza!" Lady Margaret's voice broke into her thoughts as she breezed across the room, immediately taking Eliza's arm. "So this is what you've been working on! I must say, it's beyond splendid."

Eliza smiled, warmth rising to her cheeks. "I cannot take all of the credit for it, I assure you. It was Emily's vision, and I merely assisted."

"Nonsense," Lady Margaret said, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I daresay you were more than just an assistant. Look around." She paused, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And, pray tell, how has it been, working so closely with Captain Blackwood?"

Eliza felt her cheeks heat even more under Margaret's playful scrutiny. She cast her eyes downward for a moment before answering. "He is amiable. Though, in all honesty, I have not spent all that much time with him."

Lady Margaret raised a brow, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Ah, I see. Do you expect to dance with him tonight?"

Eliza's heart raced at the very suggestion, but she quickly composed herself. She knew that he had struggled through the only dancing lesson they'd had that week. And he'd repeatedly told Emily that his focus was not on dancing at the ball. "I would not presume," she said, though the thought of Captain Blackwood asking her to dance stirred something deep within her.

Before Margaret could press further, the strings of the orchestra struck their first notes, and Eliza instinctively turned toward the dance floor. She expected Captain Blackwood to take the lead and open the evening's dance, but Adam and Emily stepped forward as the head couple. A small twinge of disappointment rippled through her, though she quickly hid it behind a polite smile.

Margaret tugged her closer, still watching her closely. "Well, if he doesn't come asking soon, then I suggest you stay near the refreshment table—you wouldn't want to miss him."

Eliza smiled and nodded, feeling a slight flutter of nerves. She made her way toward the refreshment table, the sense of anticipation growing with every passing moment. As she picked up a small cup of punch, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, smiling wide, expecting to see Captain Blackwood coming to ask her dance.

Her eyebrows shot up. It wasn't Captain Blackwood. It was Mr. Everly.

"Miss Montrose, how do you do?" He bowed his awkward bow.

Eliza forced herself to keep a smile on her face. "Hello, Mr. Everly. How are you this evening?"

He grinned, showing almost every single tooth in his mouth. "I am very well this evening, Miss Montrose. Very well. However, I must say there is something that would make my evening even better than it already is."

She held up her cup. "A glass of punch?" She put the cup to her lips and took a small sip. The punch was light and refreshing with no hint of a bitter, tart taste .

"Actually, I was hoping to request your first two dances."

Eliza was grateful that she had already swallowed the punch or she would have been in danger of spitting it out at the news. Instead, she forced her lips into a smile. Surely, as a spinster, the rules of society and turning down gentlemen might not precisely apply to her—especially in a residence and not Almack's. And yet, Eliza was not sure that she could risk it.

To refuse Mr. Everly was to put her plans to dance with Captain Blackwood in jeopardy. And yet, he'd asked for a full set—and the first set, no less. It was exactly the two dances she'd hoped Captain Blackwood would ask for. Then again, Captain Blackwood had not secured her dances ahead of time.

She could not in good conscience think of a way to get out of Mr. Everly's request and the thought rankled, but she smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Everly, for your most kind attentions. I would be honored to join you."

"Excellent," he said, immediately taking the empty cup from her hand and placing it on the table. Without waiting for any further invitation, he placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her away to the dance floor.

Eliza did her best to engage in conversation with Mr. Everly. But most of what Mr. Everly was saying, she'd heard before. They'd had these same conversations before. It was rather dull. Still, she did her best to look as if she were interested in everything that Mr. Everly was saying. It would not help her at all if others took note that she scowled on the dance floor. And so she kept her expression pleasant and spoke with Mr. Everly during the entire first dance.

On the second dance, Captain Blackwood appeared only a few couples away from her and Mr. Everly. The woman he danced with was beautiful, and she found herself watching the way they moved together. Captain Blackwood was certainly a more polished dancer than he had been during the dancing lessons. She tried not to stare. Mr. Everly had to ask his questions multiple times before she could focus on them enough to give him an answer.

Captain Blackwood looked her way, catching her eye more than once during the dance. Her cheeks heated each time, and she looked away quickly, not wanting to be caught staring.

When the dance ended, she thanked Mr. Everly, but did not prolong the conversation with him. She hoped to speak with the host and dance with him. Alas, he was still finishing the set that he'd started. She was asked to dance again by someone else, but this time she only danced one dance.

This meant that Captain Blackwood left the dance floor at the same time she did. He was immediately pulled into conversation, and it felt awkward for her to join. Instead, she watched the ballroom come alive from the side. The scene was truly captivating. Everywhere she looked there were women in vibrant gowns with dazzling jewels. The men were equally dressed to the height of fashion. Eliza spent time watching the dancers, and when Emily and Adam exited the ballroom, she followed them, eager to talk with them.

Adam and Emily were several steps ahead of her in the hallway.

"I must say, everything is going as planned," Adam said cheerfully.

"I agree. I couldn't have planned it better if I'd done everything myself."

"You practically did everything yourself, my dear," Adam teased, a warm smile on his face as he glanced at Emily.

Emily shook her head. "Not at all. Eliza helped tremendously. Watching Daniel on the dance floor, it looks as if he never forgot how to dance."

Warmth spread in Eliza's stomach at the realization. She'd noticed the same thing. How happy she was that she had been part of helping Daniel regain his confidence in his dancing skills. After all, wasn't she the one who had led him through countless steps, patiently showing him where to place his feet, how to glide more smoothly? Eliza was about to step forward and make her presence known when Adam's next words froze her mid-step.

"I believe tonight's first dances prove that it was an excellent idea for you to practice with him every day this week."

The world seemed to tilt slightly beneath Eliza's feet. Her breath faltered, her heart sinking with the sudden rush of those words.

Emily had practiced with him every day?

The warm pride she had felt moments ago dissolved into a chilling wave of doubt. Hadn't Emily been the one to tell her that Captain Blackwood no longer had time nor needed dancing lessons? And yet, he'd been practicing with Emily—every day?

Had she truly been so terrible a teacher, or worse, so unwanted a partner, that they had kept the truth of it from her for more than a week?

"The time and energy spent on it does appear to be fruitful," Emily said with a light laugh. "Though time will tell as the night continues if it was worth so many early mornings and late nights fitting in those dancing lessons."

Eliza stepped back, away from the doorway, away from their cheerful conversation. A lump formed in her throat, and her chest tightened. How could he have been practicing with Emily all this time, when he'd told her that he no longer needed lessons? She blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes. Had she so blindly misread everything?

"I know Daniel is grateful," Adam said, his voice softer now. "And you did what no one else could have to bolster his spirits. Especially as he is hoping to make his match tonight."

Eliza's stomach twisted sharply at the words. His match? Her pulse quickened with disbelief. Was that why he had been so eager to learn to dance—so he could impress someone else tonight?

She closed her eyes against the bitter truth that was beginning to unfold before her. How foolish she had been to let thoughts of romance and affection creep into her mind. She had thought about their quiet moments in the garden, the subtle glances, the kiss on the beach—she had thought they meant something. That they might have meant something to him, too.

Her breath came quicker, and her thoughts spiraled. What had she been thinking? She'd helped Emily plan this ball, been part of bringing it to life, but now she saw the truth—she didn't belong here. She was a spinster. Not the debutante. Not the chosen dance partner. She was excellent at planning an event—but that didn't mean that she was really invited to participate in the event.

The memories of her failed Seasons in London came flooding back, and with them, the same gnawing insecurity. The same feeling of standing on the edge, watching others partake in a world she could never truly belong to. Why had she thought it would be different this time?

Reentering the ballroom, she found herself drawn to the corner, where the shadows felt more familiar—more comforting. She could hide there, watching the world move around her, unseen. She listened vaguely to the conversations swirling around her, mostly idle gossip and speculation over Captain Blackwood and the young woman he was dancing with.

Though Eliza tried to avoid looking toward the dance floor, it was impossible. Her gaze was involuntary, drawn to him despite her best efforts. Captain Blackwood was easy to spot—the tallest figure on the floor, his movements elegant and fluid, a stark contrast to the clumsy steps he had taken during their earlier lessons. Her heart pulled and squeezed. Watching him dance so skillfully was a moving art form she didn't want to look away from.

But now, as he danced with a beautiful woman in soft lilac, Eliza couldn't help but feel a sharp pang of jealousy rise within her. She chided herself immediately—what right did she have to feel jealous? Still, the feeling persisted, curling tighter around her heart with every step he took.

Her eyes followed them for a moment longer than she intended. Captain Blackwood's gaze suddenly shifted, and their eyes met across the room. Eliza's breath caught, her pulse quickening at the intensity of his stare. Her cheeks heated in an instant, and she quickly averted her gaze, not wanting to be caught staring at him.

Don't be foolish, she scolded herself silently. She had no claim to his attention.

She swallowed against the tightness in her throat, the heat in her cheeks refusing to fade. She needed to escape this room, but it would take some considerable effort to get through the guests to the exit .

She made her way through the crowd, but it was difficult. All the while, her heart continued to race, and her thoughts churned relentlessly. How could she have been so blind? The truth was staring her in the face now—whatever she had thought was developing between her and Captain Blackwood had been nothing more than her own fanciful imaginings. Heartache clung to her, sharp and painful, like a thorn she could not remove.