Yet each time she was disappointed.
She greeted the guests by name, sometimes assisted by Cecily, who was an encyclopedia of theton. Each time she shook a hand or kissed a cheek, she would listen for the sound of hoofbeats, desperately hoping that this time, the carriage that pulled up in front of her would be his.
The clock struck half-past eight, and Vivian looked at Cecily, then at Andrea. Both women shook their heads.
“I am sure he will be here,” Andrea said, biting her lip.
“I cannot keep waiting for him.” Vivian’s voice broke, and she swallowed, forcing the lump in her throat down.He knows this is our last day together, he knows how important this is to me.
He would have been there if she had mattered to him. “I have to start the soiree proper. It is clear Thomas has made his decision.”
‘Who would choose you?’
Her mother was right. She had been a fool to think any differently. She felt as though her chest might explode, like there were several wild beasts within her, tearing her heart to shreds.
“We do not know yet why he is not here. There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for it.” Andrea gave Vivianan encouraging smile. “Perhaps there was an issue with his carriage.”
“I doubt that. He always ensures they are in perfect condition, and I myself have instructed the grooms to be extra thorough this week.” Vivian’s voice sounded cold and harsh to her ears, and from the wince that Andrea and Cecily shared, she suspected they heard it too.
Cecily added. “Accidents do happen. The horse could have come unshod.”
“Perhaps.” Vivian rolled out her shoulders. “I do not think it likely, though. I think that he has made his choice, that his absence is a message, and it is one I have been too optimistic to hear before now.”
“And what is that message?” Andrea frowned.
“I have overstayed my welcome.” Vivian shrugged. “I suppose it is a good thing that I will be leaving in the morning.”
She took a handkerchief from her reticule and dabbed at her eyes. “How does my makeup look?”
“You have a small spot there, yes, that will fix it. I would say you are good to go.” Cecily glanced over her shoulder back toward the door to the main entrance to the palace.
Vivian did not follow her gaze. She knew there would be nothing waiting for her.
Nothing but heartbreak.
“Excellent.” Vivian closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and fixed a smile on her face. “Then it is high time I start playing my part. This is my night after all, and these girls are counting on me.”
And I, at least, can honor my promises.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Thomas did not remember getting to the ball. Everything around him seemed a long way away. It was as if he were looking at the world through frosted glass.
“Where have you been? You were supposed to be here an hour ago.” Cecily grabbed his arm and hissed, then stopped, her brow furrowing. “You look like death warmed up. What on earth has happened?”
Thomas opened his mouth, but he could not make the words come out. How could he tell her that he had failed at the final hurdle?
“Where is Vivian?” Thomas barely recognized his own voice. “I have to talk to her, to explain…”
Cecily nodded her head, and Thomas followed the movement, trailing off. His heart stuttered as he saw her. She was movingbetween the tables, the light of the chandeliers bouncing off the sapphire at her neck.
Her hair glittered with jewels, and her dress.How is it possible for her to be this breathtaking?He took a step toward her and then stopped.
He watched as she gently touched the arm of an old woman, laughing at something the woman said. He saw her chat to two minor nobles, saw the way they looked after her, and immediately went to the silent auction.
Everywhere she went, she seemed to pull people out of their shells.
“She really has come into her own, has she not?” Cecily gestured toward Vivian. “She is truly a marchioness now.”
