This was why he did not socialize much. Just because the Earl of Moreland had been foolish in his habits did not mean that, by extension, his family acted the same way. He would not pass judgment on his sister for what he had done. He couldn’t help wondering about the wife, though. Had she known about her husband’s proclivities? He would have to wait and access the dowager countess himself.
“I suppose I should say some pleasantries to the hostess and be introduced to the debutante.” Maxwell frowned. “I don’t know how long I am going to stay tonight. Is Crawford here?”
“He’s in the card room.” Lyonsdale frowned. “You don’t think he’d actually come out here, do you? He hates balls as much as you do.”
“I’m glad there is a card room.” He could retreat there later. “But go drag him out. I need to talk to him. Have him meet me by the hostess. Surely one of you can make introductions.” He glanced around the room. He wasn’t certain he knew who the hostess was. “Which one is she?”
Lyonsdale laughed. “You’re hopeless, you know that?”
“Just show me.” He didn’t have the time or inclination to humor his friend.
“She’s over there,” Lyonsdale gestured to the other side of the dance floor. “And you’re in luck. The debutante is with her. I don’t suppose you wish to know her name?”
“That would be helpful.” He should have known already, but he hadn’t cared to pay any attention to the invitation.
“Lady Roslyn Barrett,” Lyonsdale supplied. “I’ll go retrieve Crawford now. Tread carefully, my friend. Lady Moreland is kind, but she also won’t let you be rude.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior.” He didn’t bother looking at Lyonsdale as he spoke. “Do hurry with Crawford.” He didn’t want to be in the company of the young widow and her marriageable sister that long.
Maxwell crossed the room and stopped before the two women. Neither glanced at him. They were both engrossed in conversation. It gave him a moment to study to the two of them. They were both blonde, and quite lovely. They were close in age. Lady Moreland was indeed quite young for a widow. He also didn’t understand why her husband had been unfaithful. She was quite a beauty, and there was something about her. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, though. He cleared his throat, and they both looked at him. Lady Roslyn was beautiful, too. They could almost have been sisters, in truth. “My apologies,” he said. “I arrived late and hoped you wouldn’t mind my rudeness in introducing myself.”
“We’re aware of who you are, your grace,” Lady Moreland said. Her lips formed a thin line. She didn’t like him? What had he done to her?
“Then you have me at a disadvantage.” He turned toward Lady Roslyn. “Has your dance card been filled?”
“It has, your grace,” she said apologetically. “But you can dance with Eden.”
Lady Moreland’s mouth fell open in shock. “Roslyn,” she chastised her. “That’s completely unnecessary. I do not need to dance.”
Eden… He liked her name. She didn’t want to dance with him, and that made Maxwell want to dance with her even more. It was perverse of him, but he could be contrary. “I’d be happy to sign your card, Lady Moreland.” He didn’t give her a chance to argue with him. He lifted her card and scribbled his name on the first waltz. If he was going to dance, it would be one that he could hold her close. He wanted to unnerve her, and it would give him time to discern what it was about her that seemed so bloody familiar. “Until our dance.” He bowed and left the two ladies alone. Crawford and Lyonsdale were nearby, and he walked toward his two friends. Perhaps they knew more about the countess. He’d have to ask for more details on the young widow.
Eden couldn’t believe Roslyn had just done that. “How could you,” she hissed out. “You know I had no intention of actually dancing tonight.”
Roslyn shrugged. “He’s a duke. One of us had to dance with him and my card is actually full. It wouldn’t do to snub him.”
She closed her eyes and prayed for patience. Eden hadn’t expected him to attend the ball. Everything she knew about the Duke of Carrington suggested he did not attend social functions. From what she understood, he hadn’t actually attended one of Sinbrough’s masquerades in a while, either. It had been a chance meeting, and now he was here again. Why was fate continuing to throw him in her path? She had wanted to avoid him for as long as possible, hell forever if she could have managed it. Now she had to dance with him…
Of course, a dance wasn’t nearly as intimate as what she had already done with the man. He knew her body, and she was very much acquainted with his. Did he know who she was? Had he realized that she was the woman he’d thoroughly seduced all those weeks ago? She hoped not… That would be disastrous. “I’ll dance with him,” she said in as even a tone as she could manage. Eden wasn’t over him. The shadows of her night with him still danced in her memory. “But never volunteer me to dance again. I don’t want a husband, and dancing is not something I’ve ever enjoyed.”
“You should not close yourself off to the possibility of happiness,” Roslyn said in a quiet tone. “I don’t want you to live your life and regret what you could have had later. All I’m asking is that you consider opening yourself up to something more.”
“I cannot make a promise I may not be able to keep,” Eden told her. “I can’t be hurt like that again. If I loved someone…” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “It would break me if they did not meet my expectations.” Eden never asked for anything, and she realized now that had been the problem all along. She should ask for a great deal. If she were to open her heart again, she wanted more than the mediocrity that she’d had in her marriage. She wanted passion, love, and forever. In short, she wanted a man’s full heart and attention. She wanted a great love that rarely happened, but everyone dreamed about. Even if they never wanted to admit it to anyone, especially to themselves.
“Just try,” Roslyn said. “Start with a dance and see where it leads.”
Roslyn did not know what she was asking of Eden. She’d already had a night of passion with that duke. If that hadn’t opened her up to the possibility of something, more than a mere dance wouldn’t change anything. “All right,” she conceded. “I’ll consider it.”
“That’s all I ask,” Roslyn said. “Now I think my next dance partner is approaching. Be nice to the duke. He seems nice enough.”
Eden hoped Claudine would arrive soon. She didn’t know how much more of this she could take. She glanced around the room and breathed a sigh of relief. Her friend was here, and her earl was with her. Eden sucked in a breath. The way the Earl of Wyndam glanced at Claudine… He clearly adored her. Now that was apparently a great love match, and neither cared to hide it. Eden was envious…
Claudine and the earl walked toward her. When they reached her, Claudine grasped her hand. “This is a success.”
“It is,” Eden agreed. She hadn’t expected so many to actually accept the invitation. “I wonder if they hope a new scandal will erupt on the dance floor. They’re trying to hide it, but I think that is why they’re all here. My husband’s scandalous death was the talk of the ton for quite some time. Surely, by extension Roslyn and I are equally sinful.”
“They’re fools,” Wyndam said. “I wouldn’t pay them any mind.”
Easy enough for him to say… “I’ll try.” She didn’t see any reason to be rude to the earl. He loved her friend and deserved her best self. “I’m glad you’re both here. I do hope you’ll dance.”
