Chapter Five

How much I wish I was still at home.

“You will need to smile if you are to attract anyone’s attention.” Nudging her sister Christina, Florentina only laughed when Christina shot her a dark look.

“I am already well aware that you do not want to be here,” Florentina continued, linking arms with Christina and half-dragging her into the ballroom. “But pray, do not allow the gentlemen in this room to be aware of your disinclination also. That will not encourage them in the way that you might hope.”

“What if I have no wish to encourage them? There is no need for me to do so, now that you are wed.” The moment Christina said those words, she winced, throwing a quick look to Florentina who only smiled, pretending the remark had not injured her.

“It is good for us to be in London for the Season,” Florentina answered, albeit more quietly. “Yes, it is true that I am engaged—though, as you recall, the Duke has demanded that we do not speak of it just yet—but you should take this opportunity to see if you can make a match as well.” She winced. “A better match than I have made at least, which I do not think will be too difficult!”

They had arrived in London the previous week and had taken a few days to acclimate to the bustle of the city. There had also been gowns to purchase, and Florentina had to admit her relief upon discovering that her pin money and allowance from her brother were still very much intact. However, between purchasing a gown and wearing it to the ball, Florentina’s anxiety had grown. She worried that they would know very few people and that no one would show interest in acquainting themselves with them. Glancing around the room, she felt that anxiety grow, spreading up through her chest like a weed.

What happens if news of my brother’s foolishness has already spread through society? What shall we do then?

“Pray, stop worrying. You always have a small crease between your brows when you think such thoughts.” Throwing her a glance, Christina smiled against Florentina’s furrowed brows. “You and I are both entirely disinclined to be here this evening, but now that we are, let us make the best of it. Mayhap, we will find ourselves quite contented.”

“Though I can only be contented for a time,” Florentina muttered, trying not to let her spirits sink into the doldrums she had been swathed in for the last few weeks. “No matter how much I try to push him from my mind, the Duke is always there, reminding me that I am soon to become his wife.”

“Though he does not want you to speak of it, as you said.” Christina tipped her head. “Why is that?”

Florentina frowned all the harder. “You were present at the dinner table the night we spoke of it all, were you not?” She cast her mind back to that day when the Duke had offered her the one chance to save her family from ruin, clearly believing that she would not do it—and Florentina had forced herself into acceptance, despite the pain which had seared her the moment she had spoken those words. “You recall that the Duke did not want us to speak of the engagement to anyone, not until he had resolved certain matters regarding the house and his estate.”

“Though he was never clear on what those matters were,” Christina replied. “Have you sought clarification on the matter?”

Florentina let out a dry, broken laugh. “My dear Christina, the Duke and I have done as much as we can to stay apart from each other,” she answered, a slight trembling running through her frame. “I have his promise in writing, of course, but that is all that we have shared. Once the Season is at an end, the wedding date shall be set and all will be well. The house will return to our brother and I… well, I shall have to make the best of things.” Speaking as brightly as she could, Florentina curled her fingers tightly, refusing to let the ball of pain and sadness in her chest rise into her throat. She had cried too many tears already—all of them in solitude, of course—but she was not about to let that distract her now. She had to do her best, had to make sure that Christina made as good a match as she could whilst praying that her brother’s stupidity would not pass as rumors to the ton .

“I do think you are quite wonderful, you know.”

Florentina looked at her sister sharply. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Giving up yourself in such a way,” Christina continued, her arm slipping through Florentina’s. “Miriam told me how upset you were about it all. I do not believe you need to lose yourself in this manner, simply for our sake. This is our brother’s doing, and he ought to have taken responsibility.”

“And yet, our brother is too ashamed to return home,” Florentina answered, her lip curling. Henry had not come back to the house, as they had all expected. Instead, he had merely written to them, offering profuse apologies but giving no indication that he intended to return to the family home or offer any assistance whatsoever. “That is the reason I have done such a thing, for, as I said to the Duke that day, if our brother will not protect our family, then I must. It falls to me as the eldest sister and, even though the Duke did not think that I would accept such an offer—for it is quite clear that I despise him—I had no choice but to do so.” Swallowing the growing ache in her throat, Florentina blinked quickly, trying to push back the ever-threatening tears. “And I was glad to do so, truly. For your sake, for Miriam’s sake, and for Mama’s.” She took in a long breath and tried to smile. “I am sure the Duke will not be as dreadful as we think. In the years to come, he might alter even a little and that would be more bearable.”

Christina shook her head. “You are much too good, Florentina. Mayhap, in this Season, you will find someone better and be unable to do anything but accept him, breaking your engagement to the Duke and finding your happiness instead.”

“I cannot do that,” Florentina answered, hastily. “To do that would be to break the agreement and the house would, instead, remain in his possession. I cannot imagine Mama living in that crumbling Dower house! I can assure you, no matter how many handsome and amiable gentlemen I see this Season, I will have eyes for no one but the Duke. Though quite why he has decided to come to London as well, I do not understand.”

Christina nudged her. “You say that you will have eyes for none but him but I am sure that your gaze will continually wish to pull away from him, for he is indeed the most odious, selfish, arrogant fellow I have ever met!”

Despite her current feelings and inner turmoil—none of which she betrayed to her sister—Florentina managed to laugh. “In that, I quite agree with you,” she admitted, as her sister smiled at her. “Though my focus is now entirely upon you! You are here to make a match of your own and that must be your only thought. You have great beauty, Christina, of both face and character and I am certain that a great many gentlemen in London will be eager to be introduced to you this evening.”

Christina flushed. “You are very kind.” Turning around, she glanced towards their mother, and Florentina followed suit. Lady Haddington was smiling and talking with a lady that neither Christina nor Florentina recognised.

“It is nice to see her smile so,” Christina murmured softly, as Florentina watched, a gentle relief growing within her. It was not often that their mother was seen conversing so animatedly with another, but she had evidently found an old acquaintance and was already deep in conversation.

This, at least, is a joy.

Florentina had been concerned that coming back to London and residing in the family townhouse would bring both happy memories and a deep and sorrowful pain to her mother. Now, however, it seemed as though all would be well, for to see Lady Haddington smile with such delight brought her a sense of happiness. She remembered how angry and upset her mother had been when first told of the agreement with the Duke, but Florentina had not wavered. Though still displeased, Lady Haddington was at least a little more contented now. That was certainly a blessing.

“It is. I actually find myself a little glad that we are in London.”

Pulled out of her thoughts, Florentina smiled. “As do I, although I will not say that I am grateful for the circumstances that brought us here. I do wish that our brother would have the strength and the courage to return to us! His shame is understandable but he only makes things worse by staying away.”

“Lady Christina, Lady Florentina, good evening.”

Any reply that Christina might have made was interrupted as a gentleman they were already acquainted with bowed to them both. Florentina dropped into a curtsy at once. “Lord Barlow! How very good to see you this evening.”

“And to see you both!” Lord Barlow answered with a smile, though Florentina noted how his gaze lingered a little longer on Christina. “This is a marvelous ball, is it not?”

Christina and Florentina shared a small smile.

“You may be surprised to know, Lord Barlow, that this is the first ball of the Season for both myself and my sister.” Florentina gestured to Christina. “We have both been quite excited for it, and it has not failed to meet our expectations.”

Lord Barlow’s eyes lit up. “Is that so?” When they nodded, he inclined his head once more. “Then allow me to make certain that your evening is an exceptional one. If I might have your dance card?”

His eyes remained on Christina as he accepted the dance card from her. A little unsure as to whether or not she too would be asked for her dance card, Florentina made to slip it from her wrist, only to hesitate.

“And as my friend appears to have your sister’s dance card, might I request your own?”

Turning her head. Florentina looked into the eyes of the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was of a stocky sort but with his hands clasped behind his back, Florence found herself fully aware of the strength that was in his frame. Her gaze lifted to his features, seeing eyes of swirling green and gold with the darkness of his hair seeming to illuminate them even more. She opened her mouth, only to close it again, her mouth going dry.

“Might I?” he asked again, a softness in his expression that sent gentleness into his eyes and a warmth into his smile. Florentina found herself returning that smile, even though she was all too aware that they had not yet been introduced. His eyebrows lifted just a little and she realised that, as yet she had not responded to his question; and his second question also! Dropping her gaze, Florentina’s heart quickened, though she could not tell whether it was from embarrassment or the awareness of his handsome presence—and her response to it.

“Wait a moment, I understand the reason for your hesitation.” The gentleman held up one hand, palm out towards her. “You are, of course, being quite proper and I, consequently, am lacking in propriety, am I not?” Smiling, he bowed his head. “We have not yet been introduced, and here I am, asking you for your dance card! You must think me most improper. Forgive me. I confess, when I see something I want, propriety can be damned in my mind!”

Florentina started at this, and immediately the gentleman began to apologise. It was not his language that had made her jump, however, but more the fact that he had considered her, it seemed, as something he wanted .

“Whilst my friend continues to make a mess of the situation, might I have your dance card also?” Sending a jaunty grin in the direction of the gentleman who had just arrived, Lord Barlow held out his hand expectantly, and Florentina quickly handed her dance card to him.

“You need to not be quite so frustrating.” The gentleman shot a dark look towards Lord Barlow, though he smiled quickly thereafter. “I have already admitted to my lack of propriety, have I not? Mayhap you might be as good as to introduce me?”

Lord Barlow chuckled as Florentina and Christina exchanged a glance, Christina’s cheeks quite pink. Was that solely because of Lord Barlow’s attentions?

“I could introduce you but mayhap I shall keep the acquaintance of these two lovely young ladies entirely to myself!”

Florentina flushed at this, her cheeks now matching the colour of Christina’s. Never once had she considered herself to be of any such importance to any gentleman though Lord Barlow’s words were very flattering indeed.

“You are a rogue, and I am sure you are aware of it!” the unintroduced gentleman exclaimed, chuckling now. “Do me the honour, my friend otherwise I shall have mortified myself for nothing!”

“Shall I, Lady Christina?” It was not to Florentina that Lord Barlow requested such a thing but instead, only to Christina, a twinkling grin on his face. “Ought I do so?”

Christina laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling. “I am sure that we are always grateful for new acquaintances, Lord Barlow.” She looked at Florentina who smiled gently. “Is that not so, Florentina?”

“It is,” Florentina agreed, seeing the way that the other gentleman grinned broadly. “As my sister has said, we are truly grateful for any new introductions.”

Lord Barlow sighed heavily, though a smile still quirked his lips. “Very well. Despite my desire to keep your acquaintances to myself, I shall do so.” He gestured to the other gentleman. “Lord Allington, might I introduce Lady Florentina and Lady Christina, daughters to the late Earl of Haddington. Lady Florentina, Lady Christina, this is the Marquess of Allington.”

Florentina dropped into a curtsy, a little surprised to know that this gentleman was a Marquess, who, it seemed, was very eager to be introduced to both her and her sister. To her mind, any Marquess or Duke would be very cautious with their acquaintances, given their high titles. “How very good to meet you, Lord Allington.”

“The pleasure is mine, I assure you.” Lord Allington swept into a bow. “And now that we have been formally introduced, might I again ask for your dance card, Lady Florentina? And yours also Lady Christina?”

Still a little overcome with the handsomeness of the gentleman and his clear desire to dance with her, Florentina blinked quickly but then handed her dance card to him without a moment of hesitation. Lord Allington took it immediately, his eyes holding hers for a moment before he dropped his head to look at her available dances.

“I am very fortunate indeed, it seems,” he murmured, dotting his name down on not one but two dances. “I did hope that you had only just arrived at the ball so that I might secure a dance with you before they were all claimed.” As he returned it to her, his fingers brushed hers and Florentina started slightly with the surprise of his touch. Swallowing, she glanced away from him.

“You are very kind, Lord Allington,” she murmured, gesturing with her eyes to Christina, who quickly handed her dance card to Lord Allington also. Looking down at her dance card, her heart clattered in her chest as she saw that he had not only taken her cotillion but also the waltz.

I have never danced the waltz with any gentleman . Her face flushed. Yes, she had danced it many a time with the dancing master but never before in the arms of a gentleman!

Lord Allington let out a contented sigh as he handed Christina back her dance card. “I am most satisfied.”

“That is good.” Lord Barlow turned to Christina, his eyes bright. “I believe that we have our first dance, Lady Christina,” he said, a smile in his voice. “Might we step out?”

Christina glanced at Florentina, clearly a trifle concerned that she was to be left alone in the company of Lord Allington but, with a quick tilt of her head, Florentina reminded her sister silently that their mother was only a few steps away. There would be nothing improper about leaving her to stand with Lord Allington alone given that their mother was nearby.

In an instant, a smile swept across Christina’s face. “I should be glad to.”

Lord Barlow beamed at her and, as Florentina watched, led Christina out into the middle of the dance floor. Florentina, forgetting about Lord Allington for a moment, clasped her hands in front of her as she smiled. Perhaps it will not be as trying a Season as I first feared. It may be that Christina finds herself a match very soon.

“ Do you have many sisters?”

Florentina started in surprise, turning to see the warmth in Lord Allington’s gaze a little overwhelming. “I am the eldest of three, though I do have an elder brother.” Her stomach suddenly tumbled to the floor as she saw a flicker of awareness in Lord Allington’s eyes. Was he already acquainted with her brother? And if he was, did he know what Henry had done?

“I am acquainted with your brother, Lady Florentina,” he answered, confirming her fears. “And to make matters quite clear, I am also aware of his foolishness of late.”

Florentina sucked in a breath, one hand pressing to her stomach as she stared into Lord Allington.

“I can see the fear in your eyes but you need not be so,” he continued, coming a little closer to her though Florentina felt herself frozen in place, feeling panic begin to draw through her veins. “I was present at the time, though you need not fear that I shall spread the news of his bet.” He shook his head and sighed. “In addition, the Duke of Dartmoor was greatly pleased with his winnings and, inconsiderately so, has told fair few gentlemen of it.” Much to Florentina’s astonishment, he reached out one hand and pressed her hand for just a moment. “It must be a very trying situation for you. Had it been that I was in the Duke’s position, I can assure you that I would not even have accepted such a bet!”

Florentina hesitated, for within her was a desire to speak poorly of the Duke and to express her anger at his actions. However, the look on Lord Allington’s face gave her pause, seeing what she believed to be a genuine earnestness there, a desire for her to speak openly and yet, even that made her hesitate. It would be best not to speak of the situation at all, given that rumors would quickly abound were she not careful. “It appears to me, Lord Allington, that the Duke of Dartmoor was entirely unaware that my brother had dependents still residing in his manor house.”

Lord Allington shrugged. “Be that as it may, it was still an unbecoming wager to accept. It was clear to all that your brother was rather foxed when it came to placing that bet. No doubt he was not thinking clearly. As I have said, I am sorry for the trial that must have brought you all and I can assure you that I myself am not at all influenced by your brother’s foolishness. It will not push me from your acquaintance. Indeed, it will only encourage me towards you.

Florentina blinked, not quite certain where to look and finding herself caught by the softness in his eyes as well as the astonishment of his words. He was smiling gently, as though he were aware of the shock he had caused but was now waiting for her to respond to what he had said.

She swallowed, hard. “I did not think that…” Pausing, she offered a slightly wry smile and then closed her eyes briefly. “Forgive my surprise. I have been very afraid that society would, as a whole, turn its back upon us, given the foolishness of my brother. I had a faint hope that it would not be spread through society though now, after speaking with you, I am afraid that they will all soon know of it.” Though they will soon have more to say, once news of my engagement to the Duke is known.

“There will be many who do turn their back upon you,” came the honest reply. “But those who do so are gentlemen and ladies of the ton that I would consider to be most unwise and therefore not worth your company or your time. Someone like myself, however, would be worth your consideration given that I have not turned my back upon you.”

Seeing his twinkling smile, Florentina could not help but laugh. “Does that mean, then, that you would be glad for me to offer you my company whenever I wish it? Any time?

With another broad smile, Lord Allington reached out one hand again, pressing it lightly to her arm. “I should be very glad to be often in your company, Lady Florentina, whenever you would so wish it.”

Ignoring the way her heart began to dance around at this, she gave him a swift smile. “I am certain that my sister and I would be very grateful for any and all company, Lord Allington,” she told him calmly, refusing to allow her emotions to overwhelm her. After all, she had only just become acquainted with Lord Allington, and she certainly could not permit herself to become overly familiar, particularly after such a short acquaintance. Besides, she reminded herself, as much as she found him handsome and genial, was she not already betrothed?

Heat filled her face. If only the Duke had not demanded that they remain silent about the betrothal! If she had been able to speak of it, then she was quite sure that Lord Allington would take his attentions away from her almost immediately!”

“Then I will be very glad to offer you as much company as you wish.” Lord Allington smiled again, then glanced to his right. “See now, here is your sister returned to us.” Snapping his heels together, Lord Allington made to take his leave. “I shall take my leave and permit other gentlemen to seek you out, Lady Florentina. Your dance card will be full within a few minutes; I am quite certain.” With a smile, he inclined his head. “I very much look forward to our dance later this evening.”

“I thank you.” Offering him a smile in return, Florentina murmured her farewell, then turned to attention to Christina. She was still talking animatedly to Lord Barlow and as they approached, Florentina found herself smiling. Despite her initial concern and anxiety, this evening was going very well indeed. This was in no small part thanks to Lord Allington and Lord Barlow, for their willingness to engage with both herself and Christina meant that other gentleman might soon be eager to dance with them as well. Yes, Lord Allington had mentioned that some of the ton were aware of what her brother had done and the current situation with the Duke of Dartmoor, but mayhap that would not be as great a concern as she had feared.

“I must step away for a few minutes.” Lord Barlow smiled and then moved away from Christina, though his gaze still lingered on her. “Good evening.”

“Good evening.” Christinas let out a small, contented sigh and then took Florentina’s arm so they might, together, begin to meander around the ballroom.

“Lord Barlow appears most interested in you.” Florentina lifted one eyebrow but Christina only shook her head.

“He is very kind but I will not expect anything more from him than that.”

“Why not? It appears to me that he is interested in furthering his acquaintance with you.”

A light smile touched Christina’s face. “If he does, then I shall be grateful for it but I am quite determined to maintain a careful acquaintance with him. It would not be wise to permit my heart to chase after one gentleman simply because he shows me a little attention.”

Florentina smiled. “That is very wise.”

“I thank you. Though I must say, I was rather astonished by Lord Allington!”

Florentina’s smile fell away. “Yes, I was also.” She did not tell her sister of the quickening of her heart nor of the way that her interest had been piqued by his presence.

“He is a gentleman, well used to enjoying the company of young ladies, I think. I thought him a little overwhelming in his remarks!”

Florentina made to agree only for her eyes to go to a figure that, for whatever reason, caught her attention. It was a gentleman standing quietly to the side of the dance floor, looking around him and not showing any particular interest in talking to anyone, despite the fact that there were numerous young ladies and gentleman standing around him.

Oh no. Why did he have to be at this very ball?

“Good gracious!” Evidently aware of who she was looking at, Christina clutched at Florentina’s arm. “Why ever is the Duke at this ball? I thought he said he would not often be in society.”

Florentina could not answer, for her stomach was swirling in the most unexpected manner.

“Is that not what he said?” Christina persisted and Florentina nodded, her whole body suddenly cold.

“It is.” Turning on her heel, Florentina made her way to the opposite side of the room. “But I have every intention of staying as far from him as possible, now that we know he is here. After all, he is the one who stated that he did not want to have even the smallest connection between us during our time in London, did he not?” Her breath twisted in her chest, a desperate desire to distance herself from him surging within her, wanting nothing more than to avoid him completely.

“That gentleman is nothing but arrogance and pride,” she heard Christina say, clearly speaking both half to herself and half to Florentina, given the way her voice dropped low. Unable to do anything other than agree, Florentina took in long, calming breaths, pressing one hand to her stomach as tears began to burn in her eyes.

And that is the gentleman I am one day to call my husband.