Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The carriage ride to Embleton Manor started in nervous silence. Kate's parents kept darting glances her way as if worried about her reaction since this was a very similar situation to the one in which they'd had the accident. Little did they know Kate did not have space inside herself to be concerned about that. It was the anticipation of seeing William that had her on edge in an excitable but anxious way. She did not know how to keep these bouncing nerves inside.

However, while her parents seemed to be fooled that the worry was carriage-related, Jonathan seemed a little wiser as to what was actually happening, if his sullen demeanor was anything to judge by. He had made a great effort to warn both Kate and her parents about the reputation attached to William, but since they were still en route to the party, it seemed like no one had paid his warnings any mind. Her parents were not troubled by William being labeled a rogue; they had never allowed the scandal sheets to affect their opinion of anyone before, so Kate found it easy to forget about that as well. She appreciated Jonathan looking out for her, but the decision to get to know William was her own.

After all, she had almost been an adult and a wife a few months ago. She would have been trusted to make all of her own decisions in that regard, aside from the ones her husband would take on board, so this should be no different.

She glanced down at her beautiful emerald gown, hoping against all hope that she was doing it justice. Kate still felt, as she had done in the shop, that this gown was far too gorgeous to be on someone like her. Once upon a time, she would have relished the sensation of being a princess and having all eyes upon her, but tonight, she was a different person.

A wallflower in the dress of a star. Perhaps she should have allowed someone else to wear it, someone much prettier...

But it was too late now. The family was on the way to William's birthday ball, and she was in the dress. Nothing could change. She was simply going to have to do the dress justice in the best way that she could.

"You should have brought your walking cane," Jonathan commented grumpily, shaking Kate from her thoughts. "We do not want another incident like the one at Gunter's. You need not be so proud. Your health should come first."

Kate was a little shocked by the sharpness of Jonathan's tone. Of course, she knew that he was annoyed, but this felt a little over the top for her liking. "As I said to you in the house, my leg is much better now," she replied coldly. "I am just fine."

That was no longer the lie it had once been. Much to her absolute delight, Kate's leg had been improving. She put it down to the excitement of the upcoming event. She had not had the time to wallow in self-pity as she got herself mentally prepared for the ball tonight, which had given her injury the space it needed to improve. Either that or it was because she had been using her leg a lot more, so it was moving easier. She had been in the garden a lot, preparing herself for this ball, walking that little bit further every single day, and not getting annoyed with herself when it got too much. Kate was proud of the progress that she had made. She certainly did not need her brother making comments like this.

She turned away from Jonathan, refusing to look him in the eye on the rest of the journey to the manor. Even when the carriage halted and Jonathan offered her a hand to help her step down, she took the assistance but would not look at him. He had to be aware that he had upset her somewhat, but Jonathan did not offer her an apology. He remained stubborn, silent.

Well, that was just fine. She could be equally as stubborn, just as silent. Jonathan was not going to make tonight about him when she had so much to look forward to.

They were not the first guests to arrive, which Kate decided was a good thing. It gave her time to find her bearings and calm down her increasing nerves. Knowing now that she was ascending the steps to William's home and could see him at any moment made her jittery all over. Thank goodness she did not have the walking cane with her. No one was paying her special attention at the moment but they would have done had she had it.

She would have been a freak, and Kate could not be a freak in this gorgeous gown.

"You look beautiful," her mother whispered to her, mistaking her nerves for something else. "I am sure that as soon as everyone notices you, you will have every eye in the room upon you. Every man will want to dance with you."

That did not help. Kate's chest grew tight, but she forced herself to smile and nod. No verbal communication could come from her lips, but that would have to be enough. Luckily, her mother did not have time to press her further.

"How lovely it is to see you again," the dowager countess greeted the family as they entered the foyer. "Thank you very much for coming."

William stood beside his mother and bowed deeply to everyone. Kate felt her cheeks turn crimson. She was hoping for a little more time to get adjusted before facing the host for the evening. She wished that she could hide away for just a few moments. But then, as William straightened up, they locked eyes, which sent a flurry of tingles down her spine.

"It was very kind of you to invite us," Jonathan replied, but with an evident coldness toward William. Could he not simply forget about his issues with the host just for tonight? It was the man's birthday, for goodness sake. But William did not seem bothered; he simply smiled and nodded at Jonathan graciously before saying, "I look forward to what tonight may hold."

"Kate felt that William's words were being directed at her. But since no one else reacted or seemed to pick up on this, she could not be sure. "My mother has created a wonderful evening for us all. I do hope you have a very good time."

"We hope you have a very happy birthday," Kate's mother declared. "And a lovely evening."

Everyone else murmured in agreement, including Kate. She wanted to be much braver with her own wishes, but she was currently too shy. She figured there might be another chance later on in the evening when she could greet him properly...

If she were to get so lucky.

It was unfortunate that William had to leave Kate to greet his other guests. She would have liked it if he could stay by her side for the entirety of the evening. As nervous as he made her, it was so much better when he was close by.

"We should make our way to the dining room," Lavinia declared as she took Kate's arm. "Be prepared."

"Already?" Jonathan demanded, but then he spotted William looking at the family again as if he might talk to them as soon as he got the opportunity to do so, which seemed to change his mind. "Yes, I believe you are right, Mother."

Kate resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If this was how her brother was going to behave all night long then it was going to be a challenge to get anywhere near the earl again. But she was starting to have faith in fate. It had worked for her so far. Her dress was proof of that.

The dining room was utterly stunning. William's mother had truly gone all out to make it a wonderful birthday party. The table was long, prepared for a large number of guests, and covered in a stark white cloth. Silver candelabras were distributed evenly along it with flickering flames dancing wildly. Kate was mesmerized, and thought it wonderful.

While Kate's parents quickly engaged themselves in conversation with friends, Kate found a space where she could rest against the wall for a while to give her leg a little respite before it was time for everyone to take their seats at the table. She leaned against the wallpaper and simply admired the view for a little while, smiling to herself gleefully.

There was nowhere else in the world that she would have rather been tonight. Even if nothing had yet happened, there was a magical feel in the air. The atmosphere was flooded with possibilities. Kate clung to the sensation that absolutely anything could happen.

Kate wanted to sit within talking distance of the birthday celebrant, but unfortunately as everyone took their seats, she learned that was not meant to be. She was seated near her parents, practically at the other end of the table from William, but since he was at the head, she could always see him.

Her eyes kept darting toward him. There was a magnetic pull tugging her gaze toward him all the time. She could not focus on anyone else at the dining table. There might as well have been no one else around. Only him and her.

Especially as it seemed that every time William got a free moment from the endless stream of conversation, he looked her way as well. She was definitely not alone in these feelings...

"Are you all right?" Lavinia suddenly asked, concern flooding her face. "Is your leg hurting you? I can call a carriage..."

"We only just arrived, Mother." Kate laughed. "I do not wish to leave immediately. We should at least be at the party for longer than it took me to get into my dress." Her leg had not started affecting her yet, nor would she allow it to until she had at least had a conversation with William. She had come to the party with that wish in mind and it was what she still craved. "Thank you for caring about me, though. I do appreciate it. It is nice to know we can leave whenever I need to. Thank you, Mother."

"Well, of course." Lavinia looked surprised. "We completely understand if you are in pain and wish to leave at any time."

Kate was grateful, but she hoped that did not mean her parents were going to be watching her like a hawk. She did not want to feel strange and out of place while she was here. She simply wished to act like she was the same as everyone else.

Luckily for Kate, the hush of chatter was quickly quietened down by a gentleman tapping the side of his glass and rising to his feet to make a speech. Almost instantly, he had the attention of every single person in the room. Kate thought that without even speaking, this gentleman managed to have a captivating charisma that drew people to him. She watched him carefully.

"Thank you kindly, everyone," he declared loudly enough so everyone could hear. "For those of you who do not know, my name is Lord Marcus Colborne. One of my closest friends is Lord William Moore, the Earl of Embleton."

Marcus rested his hand on William's shoulder which allowed Kate to eye him once more without feeling like she was doing so too much. But when everyone else returned their gaze to Marcus, to hear what he had to say, she remained looking at William. He appeared almost embarrassed to be the center of attention like this, which was an emotion that Kate could relate to, but not one she imagined this man would feel. He did not seem anything like the other man she had fancied she loved.

Was that a good thing? If she compared him to Douglas then certainly. Anyone who was not like that man could only be good news. Of course, she was still a little worried that William was different because her brother was right about him. Not that she would allow Jonathan to know she worried about William being a rogue. That she kept to herself.

"William turns thirty years of age today," Marcus continued. "Which we are all here to celebrate. So, I thought it would be only right for us to toast him before the food arrives and we are too lost in eating and drinking to wish this man a happy birthday." Other people laughed, but Kate merely smiled. There was no way she could forget who she had come here to see. "So let us all raise a glass to celebrate the Earl of Embleton."

Everyone, including Kate, raised their glasses toward William. He smiled in thanks to each and every person, but seemed to lock eyes with Kate for a few seconds longer than everyone else, which excited her. She could only believe that tonight was going to be a really important one for her, the next step in moving on, and this was a step that she never thought she would reach. Not so long ago, the idea of any man terrified her. Yet here she was, locking eyes with Lord Moore, her heart pounding with nerves and excitement, butterflies flooding her stomach...

After what the Marquess of Fairbridge did to her, Kate thought that she would be stuck in sadness forever, but in recent days she had proven that thought wrong. Perhaps her mother was correct and she really was much stronger than she believed herself to be.

Kate loved the idea of being strong. It allowed a happiness to fill her, and helped her to hold her head high. Not many women could suffer what she had gone through with the accident and the heartbreak to be sitting here today. Even if she had been locked away for a while, weeping in her bedchambers, that was not where she had remained. It would have been very easy to stay there forever, but she had not.

It was time for Kate to start focusing on the positives, on all that she had achieved. She had even shown Douglas that his betrayal had not destroyed him when she saw him on Bond Street.

But that moment was not the most important when it came to her future. This ball, this dinner, sitting at the same table as Lord Moore on his birthday was much more vital to her.