Ethan’s compliment did little to dissuade the color from her cheeks. “Far from it,” she said, denying his words. “It is the ballgown. It does well to embellish my appearance. I understand you chose the design yourself, how did you manage to find something that would look so well on me, I wonder.”
“Having observed you from such an intimate distance, it was no difficult task,” he said nonchalantly, causing Meredith to halt in surprise. When she noticed him continue forward without breaking a step, she sped up toward him again.
“Please do not say such things,” Meredith chided quietly. “Not in front of prying ears.”
“So, I presume you would rather hear such things in the privacy of our chambers instead?” Ethan grinned.
Meredith did not reply to that comment. It tugged at her heart to imagine such a thing, but she knew him too well now to understand he was likely just teasing her as he so often did.
They continued further toward the majestic back wall, and Meredith saw a cluster of individuals who nodded and smiled, seemingly being well acquainted with Ethan. She felt as if she was an intruder as they reached closer, but there was not a hint of displeasure in their faces at her presence.
A dashing gentleman around Ethan's age appeared before her after greeting Ethan, taking her hand gently in his. "Your Grace," he said with a charming smile, "Frederick Rupert, Earl of Rutterdam, at your service. I've heard tales of your beauty from my friend here, but I must say, they do not do you justice."
"Thank you," she replied, "You are far too kind, My Lord." The compliment seemed genuine and it helped put her at some ease.
The gentleman leaned in closer, his voice low, "I would be honored to share a dance with you tonight, Your Grace. If Allerton would permit it, that is.”
Meredith hesitated for a moment, feeling unsure at the request. She was not quite ready to be the center of attention on the dance floor just yet... Her one goal this evening was to summon up the courage to dance with Ethan to strike an item off her list, and that would be enough to satiate her appetite for the rest of the night.
Before she could reply, Ethan inched closer to her side, a stern expression on his face. "I'm afraid we won’t be staying for long enough to warrant such a thing, Rutterdam," he said, his voice carrying a note of warning.
“I must decline your offer, My Lord,” Meredith quickly added to defuse the situation.
The Earl raised his hands in mock surrender, his charming smile never faltering. “As you wish, Lady Meredith,” he said as he bowed. “A rare but valued appearance, Allerton. This one will go down in the history books, I’m sure.”
Meredith watched as he camouflaged into the crowd effortlessly, another reminder of how little she felt she belonged. Soft music started playing, the elegant strains of a string quartet, and couples began flooding the dance floor in waves. Meredith watched with envy and wonder, clasping her hands together.
Ethan does not seem like one to dance. He hardly makes appearances at societal events. But I may not get a better opportunity.
It struck her then that she should have perhaps had this conversation beforehand with him. He may have been more inclined to acquiesce if she had.
“Meredith,” he said, and Meredith turned to face him, hope rising in her chest.
“Yes?” she replied with a hopeful expression.
“Excuse me for a moment, I have a matter to attend to. I won’t be long,” he finally said, his face distracted and focused on something else entirely. “We will be out of here soon, don’t worry.”
In want of something better to say, she nodded her head slowly. He didn’t seem to realize her desires written plain across her face and seemed as emotionally distant as she expected him to be. He took a last good look at her and she flashed him a smile of reassurance. And then she watched as he walked away.
She was left alone, swept up in the tides of passing strangers. A strange but uncomfortable familiarity drifted through her, a reminder of her coming out and her loneliness then. Her back touched the cold, solid outer wall of the ballroom and she scoured over the sea of people, searching for a familiar face. Perhaps her cousin would be in attendance if she were lucky enough, or a friend or even a passing acquaintance.
Over the next half an hour, Meredith did her best to avoid the judgemental glances of strangers, as an uneasiness cavorted in her stomach. It took a few more minutes before her eyes finally found a familiar figure approaching her. It was Lady Harriet. Her wish was coming true in an unwanted way.
Harriet made her way towards her, her golden hair cascading down her face like a waterfall of silk. Her lips were turned upwards into a sly smile, and she had a satisfied air about her. Next to her, a man with perfectly slicked-back hair walked with his back straight, his face unnerved and unfocused. As they approached Meredith, she braced herself.
“Ah, Lady Meredith,” Harriet said. “Or should I say, Your Grace? It is quite the pleasure to see you here under such auspicious circumstances.”
“The pleasure is all mine, My Lady,” Meredith replied, trying to appear as kind as one could be. Then she curtsied for the gentleman. “Your Lordship.”
The man simply bowed in acknowledgment, not introducing himself.
Lady Harriet continued. “I must say, you stand out well against the crowd. You always knew how to be the cynosure of all eyes.”
“I am sure I do not know what you mean, My Lady,” Meredith said, searching around for any means of rescue.
“But your gown, Your Grace. It is exquisite.” Harriet’s voice pitched higher with an unusual excitement. “Do you not agree, Geoffrey?”
The man next to Harriet watched her, his gaze traveling from her face down to her feet. Meredith forced a fake smile, trying not to reveal her uncomfortableness at being examined in such a way by any man who wasn’t Ethan. The last thing she wanted was to show any vulnerability in front of Harriet; it would only serve as a disadvantage, something she wouldn’t hesitate to use against her.
