He was an older boy, one who could understand that something was amiss. Spencer did not want to tell the child too much, even though he understood that he was a sensitive boy who would not mock anyone for it.
“I believe my wife is unhappy,” he explained. “I want to make her feel better. Might you have an idea?”
“Well, if I were sad, I would want a party. My papa says that we can have one soon, since I am feeling better.”
“Has he now?” Maria asked. “How lovely. I was not aware of such a thing.”
The little boy bit his bottom lip, grinning.
“He told me not to tell you yet.”
Spencer chuckled at the exchange, at least pleased to know that he was not the only man who kept things from his wife. Granted, they could not have been more different in terms of how big the secrets were, but it made him feel like less of an outcast at least.
But the boy had made him think. He had been trying to convince himself that he did not know what had hurt Anna, but it was not working. He knew the truth, and he knew that it was his own fault entirely. For too long, he had been trying to push away how he felt, as though ignoring it would make it all stop.
As he looked at his wife across the table at dinner that night, however, he knew that he could no longer deny it. He was in love with her, and he had to fix everything. Fortunately, he had the means to do what he wanted to, and he had the perfect reason for her to disappear while he arranged it.
The invitations were sent the following morning, and he took Sophia into his study and explained his plans. He wondered if she would be against the idea, but when he finished, she simply smiled brightly, enthusiastic about it all.
“I shall take her to the village for the day,” she offered. “If I tell her I wish to take Gilbert for some air, that should give you enough time, yes?”
“That would be perfect. Will you be able to keep it from her?”
“I believe so, but if she thinks that we are hiding something, you may not have time to arrange an event. You shall be found buried before you can do it.”
It was a risk, he knew that, but it was what he wanted for her. After everything that had happened, the gesture had to measure up to it, and so he planned a grand ball and nothing less.
It was short notice, with only two days for everyone to prepare, but as it was their first ball since his funeral, he knew that people would want to be there, and that they would do anything necessary to attend. It killed him to keep it from Anna, but the day came, and Sophia took her away as planned, giving him time to ensure that all was as it had to be.
“What has brought all of this on?” Mrs. Phillips asked. “I am not saying that I am displeased by all of this, but it is rather sudden.”
“On the contrary, it is a long time coming,” he replied as he surveyed the ballroom.
A platform had been built in the center of the room, and that was the most important part of it all. He had never done what he had planned before, but he felt a strong sense of confidence about it. If it was a declaration that his wife wanted, undeniable proof that she was his, he would give it to her.
Sophia knew what was required of her. She was to take Anna to the seamstress, where a gown would be waiting for each of them, and then they could return home. There, she would suggest that they try their gowns on to show him, and then a maid would fix her hair, apply her rouge, and prepare her for the night. Spencer trusted that his sister would do what was required of her.
And he would do what was expected of him with ease.
The time came for his guests to arrive, and as he greeted each one, he asked that they remain quiet until his wife made her entrance. They all seemed intrigued by what was to happen, but they listened nonetheless. As the time for Anna to appear approached, he felt his nerves increase. He only had one chance to make things right, and he had every intention to do it.
Suddenly, the music changed, which meant that she was there. A gentle piece was played as she entered, a vision in her silvery gown. Spencer felt his breath leave him at the sight of her; the way it did every time he saw her. She was the most beautiful lady that he had ever seen, and it was not even close.
“Spencer,” she hissed, scarlet. “What are you doing?”
“You will know soon enough. Your arrival is my cue.”
With that, he turned on his heel and stepped onto the platform. All eyes turned to him, and he cleared his throat.
“My apologies to you all,” he began. “I know that moments ago you were all looking at my wife, and now you must look upon me instead, but I shall not take up too much of your time.”
His guests laughed, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Corset Chronicle Club members huddled as they watched on. He knew that he would be the topic of their next meeting, and he was pleased to be.
“I have been away for a long time,” he admitted. “I have been doing what was expected of me, and for the longest time, I thought that it was all I was good for. I did what was considered my duty, and I took a wife while undertaking my role in society. In the time that I have been here, however, I have come to a few conclusions. The first of these is that, if I am honest, I no longer wish to follow what is expected of me.”
He saw the look in Anna’s eye, as though she was afraid of what he was going to say. He had been the one to remind her of how precarious their situation was, and yet here he was standing before members of thetonmaking ridiculous statements.
But he simply gave her a wink, for he was only doing what he learned from her.
