Chapter 15

He should have moved faster.

Anthony was getting sick of knowing what he should have done far too late. It was starting to become a very uncomfortable pattern for him. As he stood at the edge of the ballroom, trying to keep his focus on the conversation with his mother, he hated that he had allowed Lord Frampton to get to Chloe before him. This was supposed to be his dance. And the start of the fake courtship as well. He was supposed to keep Chloe away from the duke, she did not want to throw him right in to her arms.

"When are you going to dance?" his mother asked him curiously as she seemed to sense that his attention was elsewhere. "I do not think I have seen you on the dance floor at all yet."

"I will dance soon," Anthony promised. "I am just… waiting for the right moment."

Anthony's mother raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "The right moment? Or the right partner?" she asked, her gaze drifting over to Chloe and Lord Frampton.

Perhaps Anthony was not being as discrete as he thought. They were gliding effortlessly across the dance floor, and Lord Frampton's confident smile only fanned the flames of Anthony's growing jealousy.

Anthony forced a smile, attempting to hide his frustration. "Perhaps a bit of both," he replied, his eyes never leaving Chloe.

His mother sighed softly. "Do not let opportunities pass you by, Anthony. Sometimes, you have to create the right moment yourself."

Anthony turned his gaze back to his mother, her words piercing through his frustration. She was always good at cutting to the heart of the matter. His mother's eyes softened, and she gave him a knowing look.

"You remind me so much of your father," she said quietly, a wistful smile playing on her lips.

Anthony was taken aback. "How so?"

"Your hesitation," she explained, her eyes taking on a distant look as she remembered. "He was always so careful, so deliberate. He wanted everything to be perfect, just like you. But sometimes, Anthony, life does not wait for perfection. Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith."

Anthony's curiosity was piqued. "Did he miss many opportunities?"

"He almost missed the most important one," she said with a chuckle. "Our first dance."

Anthony's eyes widened in surprise. "Father? Hesitate when it comes to you? I find that hard to believe."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh yes, he was quite the nervous young man back then. We were at a grand ball, much like this one. I saw him standing at the edge of the dance floor, much like you are now, watching me dance with another suitor."

Anthony could not help but smile at the image. "What happened?"

"He stood there for what felt like an eternity, just watching. I had almost given up hope that he would ask me to dance. But then, as the final dance of the evening was announced, he finally gathered his courage. He walked straight across the ballroom and asked me for the honor of the last dance. It was bold, unexpected, and it took my breath away. From that moment on, he had my heart."

Anthony felt a pang of regret. "I wish I had his courage."

"You do, my dear," she assured him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You just need to find it within yourself. Do not let fear of imperfection hold you back. Your father was not perfect, but he loved with all his heart. And that made all the difference."

Anthony looked at his mother, her eyes filled with love and wisdom. He glanced back at the dance floor where Chloe was now laughing at something Lord Frampton had said. The sight made his heart ache, but his mother's words resonated deeply within him.

"I will," he muttered more to himself than his mother. "As soon as I can, I will."

Lord Frampton twirled Chloe, and she moved with such grace that it made Anthony's heart ache. Even knowing that there were no feelings coming from Chloe, he could not stop the tension from coiling in his gut. He wanted to be the one holding her, making her smile. He clenched his fists, his nails digging in to his palms. He had to do something, anything, to change the course of the evening.

As the music came to an end, he finally saw Lord Frampton escort Chloe off the dance floor. He took a deep breath, hoping that he could be next. But before he got the chance to move, a presence appeared beside him. This time, it was not his mother. She had gotten caught up in a conversation with another lady on the other side of her…

No, this was Lord Swift. With a look of disdain on his face.

"Anthony," Lord Swift said, his voice low and hushed so no one else could hear him. "I think it is better that you keep off the dance floor tonight. Would you not agree?"

Anthony's eyes narrowed as he faced Lord Swift. "And why would you think that, Lord Swift?" he asked, his tone icy.

"Because you should not be here."

Anthony was struck cold. "What do you mean?"

Lord Swift turned to smirk at Anthony. "I must say, the only reason you are here is because of Lady Swift's friendship with your mother. Otherwise, I would have had the foot men remove you a long time ago."

Anthony felt a surge of anger but forced himself to remain calm as Lord Swift let him know that he was most certainly not welcome here. His words were intended to provoke him, to test his patience. He clenched his jaw and nodded, not trusting himself to speak immediately.

"I see…"

What was he supposed to say to that? How would anyone respond?

"Thank you for your… words, Your Grace," he said politely. "Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I have just spotted a business acquaintance."

Getting away from this man was the safest thing that he could do right now. The last thing he wanted to do was make a scene. It was as if he had become more attuned to the tensions clinging to the air now. The unspoken rivalries and hidden agendas simmering just beneath the surface. Anthony could feel it in the air, a palpable sense of unease that seemed to radiate from every corner of the ballroom.

He truly wanted to escape, but he had a job to do yet. He scanned the room, searching for Chloe. She was laughing with a group of young women near the refreshments table, her eyes sparkling under the chandeliers. Anthony's heart quickened at the sight. This was his moment. He could not let anyone or anything else stand in his way. Steeling himself, he began to weave through the crowd, nodding politely at acquaintances and ignoring the occasional disdainful glance. He was almost there, just a few steps away, when he felt a hand on his arm.

"Anthony!" It was Lady Penelope Caldwell, a woman whom he has known in childhood. "I simply must speak with you about the upcoming charity event that I am running. I have been told you are the man to see about donations."

He forced a smile, though inside he seethed with frustration. "Of course, Lady Penelope. Perhaps we can discuss this another time? I am afraid I have an urgent matter to attend to right now."

Her grip tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Surely you can spare a moment. It will not take long. I just want to tell you everything…"

Anthony glanced over her shoulder at Chloe, who was now beginning to turn away from the group, perhaps to seek him out. Time was slipping away, and with it, his chance.

"I really must insist, Lady Penelope," he said, gently but firmly removing her hand from his arm. "I promise we will speak later. I will most certainly donate, but not right now."

Without waiting for a response, he stepped past her, his eyes fixed on Chloe. At last, he reached her side. Chloe turned, her expression brightening as she saw him.

"Chloe," he said, his voice a mix of relief and determination as the words tumbled out of his mouth at the speed of light. "May I have this dance?"

Her smile widened, and she placed her hand in his. "I thought you would never ask."

As they moved to the center of the floor, the orchestra struck up another waltz. Anthony placed his hand on Chloe's waist, and they began to glide across the polished wood, the world around them fading away. They danced as if no one else existed, their steps perfectly in sync, the rhythm of the music guiding them effortlessly. Chloe's hand in his felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her touch sent a shiver of warmth through him, anchoring him in the moment. The risks were still there of course.

Neither of them had forgotten what they were potentially going to face if this whole plan went wrong.

But in that moment, it truly felt right.

Everything was worth it to be with Chloe in this moment.

***

I do not like this, Julian thought to himself. I do not like this one bit.

Julian watched Chloe and Anthony with narrowed eyes, his suspicions growing as he took in the undeniable connection between them. They moved together with an effortless grace, their bodies swaying in perfect harmony to the music. Chloe's face lit up when she looked at Anthony, her eyes sparkling with a joy that made Julian 's chest tighten with jealousy.

He did not like jealousy. He did not like the sensation of losing control. It was not something that he was used to. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. This was a set back, but nothing he could not over come. Julian had faced and conquered greater challenges before. He was a man of power and influence, and he would not be bested by a mere baron, especially not when Chloe's hand was at stake.

Julian's mind raced with strategies as he sipped his champagne, his eyes never leaving the couple on the dance floor. Anthony might have Chloe's attention for the moment, but Julian had the means to secure her future. He would redouble his efforts to win her, no matter the cost. As he continued to sip his drink, his thoughts grew darker.

This game is definitely one that I will win , he vowed silently. I have to.

His anger simmered beneath his composed exterior. Losing was not an option for him. He was used to bending the world to his will, and this situation would be no different. He watched Chloe laugh at something Anthony said, and the sight only fueled his anger. How dare Anthony think he could come between him and what was rightfully his? Julian's mind raced with strategies as he formulated his next move. If charm and influence were not enough, he would find other ways to ensure his victory.

He needed to make more progress in speaking to Chloe's father about aligning their business interests through marriage. Securing Lord Swift's full support was crucial. With the right pressure and the promise of significant advantages, Julian knew he could sway him. Once that was done, Chloe would have little choice but to see the sense in their union.

Julian's jaw tightened as he considered the options.

He had already begun laying the groundwork with Lord Swift, but it was time to accelerate his efforts. The old man valued his business more than anything, and Julian knew exactly how to exploit that. A few well-placed investments, a subtle hint of potential losses without his partnership, and Lord Swift would be singing his praises.

Julian's eyes flicked back to Chloe, who was now resting her head on Anthony's shoulder as they swayed to a slow waltz. The sight was infuriating. He drained his glass and set it down with a determined clink. He would not let this go on any longer.

No one beats me, he thought determinedly. No one ever has done, and no one ever will.

Julian's eyes scanned the room, searching for Lord Swift. If he could just get a moment alone with him, perhaps he could expedite his plans. However, being the host of the evening meant that Lord Swift was constantly being approached by guests, offering their congratulations and exchanging pleasantries. The man was the most popular man of the evening.

Julian knew he needed to take control of the situation quickly. He could not afford to let Anthony's apparent success with Chloe continue. His mind raced with possibilities as he continued to navigate the room, every step bringing him closer to his goal. Lord Swift enjoyed Julian, and he liked his status. He should not be so difficult to convince when the time came.

Julian's eyes continued to track Lord Swift as he navigated the room, his patience wearing thin with every passing minute. He needed a strategic moment, a lull in the constant flow of guests, to catch Lord Swift alone.

Finally, Julian saw his chance.

Lord Swift stood near the balcony, taking a brief respite from the festivities. Julian excused himself from his current conversation and moved swiftly, cutting through the remaining guests with determined strides.

"Lord Swift," Julian greeted him with a firm handshake, his voice low and serious. "A moment of your time, if you will."

Lord Swift turned, surprise flickering in his eyes before he nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. What is on your mind?"

Julian cast a quick glance around to ensure they were not overheard. "It is about Lady Chloe. We need to discuss our mutual interests regarding her future."

Lord Swift's expression shifted to one of curiosity. "Go on."

Julian took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "We both understand the strategic advantages of aligning my resources with your family's interests. Lady Chloe is a remarkable woman, and I am determined to secure her future with all the means at my disposal. However, we must act swiftly to ensure that less advantageous suitors do not disrupt our plans."

Lord Swift nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he considered Julian's words. "You have my attention. What exactly do you propose?"

Julian leaned in, his voice firm and confident. "We both know that your family's holdings, while substantial, could greatly benefit from the security and expansion that my assets could provide. My influence within the court and my extensive network of allies could ensure not only a prosperous future for Lady Chloe but also solidify your legacy as one of the most influential families in the city. That is what you want, is it not? That is what you said to me."

"That is what I want."

Julian smiled at the agreement. "So let us move forward."

"Come to see me," Lord Swift declared. "We shall have a meeting about this. Discuss everything under better circumstances."

It was not quick enough for Julian, but he knew that this was just another part of the game.

A game that he was now much closer to winning.