He ripped a flower off at the bloom and crushed the soft fragrant petals in his fist. She must die. It was the only way. He smiled then in the dim garden. Yes, killing the Black Raven was going to be so very, very satisfying. After all, he’d been the one to name her so he should be the one to snuff her out. He would enjoy seeing the life fade from her eyes. Only then would he be safe. Only then would he feel justice had finally been served.
*
Lisbeth was happyto be left at the refreshment table while Oliver danced with Anna. It gave her time to sort through her rolling emotions. Tonight had felt a bit like an out of control carriage ride, exciting and thrilling but also dangerous and scary. Was bringing Ashton into this a good thing?
Her eyes found Bellamy and Anna as they danced. She liked Anna a great deal. She was kind and she looked Lisbeth in the eye when she talked to her. She seemed as if she genuinely was interested in what Lisbeth might want to say. She liked the feeling and wanted more, but she had to be realistic. She may never find out who killed Nathaniel before the end of the season. Lisbeth knew better than to get her hopes up. She must be happy with having Marie and her grandmother back in her life, for now. However, she also knew she would never give up trying to clear her name with or without Bellamy.
She looked to her right and saw that Gabrielle was leaving. She waved to Lisbeth from across the room. Lisbeth waved back and she felt oddly happy about the whole gesture. Such a normal thing to do, but not for her, and certainly not lately. It was only now she was realizing how much she had missed the normal, everyday things one did without even thinking.
Lisbeth had avoided looking at Gabrielle’s baby belly all night, looking only at her face when they had talked earlier and asking her no questions about the baby. In the wake of last night’s confession to Oliver she missed her son Daniel even more. A deep ache that had taken residence in her heart after his death was now throbbing and squeezing, the pain increasing whenever she even thought of him. How can she hold this grief inside her and yet be so happy and contemplating love wheneverBellamy was around? It didn’t make sense, and she didn’t know how to un-jumble her feelings.
It wasn’t that she was jealous of Gabrielle, but she was envious of her relationship with her husband Harlow and his obvious angst for both her and the baby.
Would she ever have the chance to hold another of her own babies in her arms? To have someone who loved her and her baby? Who would worry about her swollen feet and whether or not she was tired, as Harlow did for his wife?
It was no use dreaming of things that would never happen. She would never want to bring a child into the world while her reputation as the Black Raven hung around her neck like shackles.
Finding a seat, she sat to watch the festivities around her. She watched Lady Marianne giggling with a bunch of other girls and sighed.
“Such a pretty picture, wouldn’t you agree, Lady Blackhurst?”
Lord Dalmere came and sat next to her. His golden curls, his light blue eyes, and the endearing and easy smile he gave her completed the picture of a very handsome man. He was reserved and quietly spoken, his manners impeccable. Everything about him was gentlemanly. Women adored him but he took little notice of them. He was Oliver’s friend and had been Henry’s too, so for them she would try to push away her concerns of their first meeting. He had been nothing but nice to her; she must at least give him the courtesy of the same.
“Yes, the first season is a very big moment in a young lady’s life,” Lisbeth replied. “Being presented at court, making sure you remember all the rules of polite society, remembering everyone’s names and titles. It can be all a bit much for some.”
He looked at her and smiled. “Ah, the first blush of youth with all its perils. I remember you at your first ball, you know.”
This startled her. She looked over at him. His eyes told her he was not lying. “You were at my coming out ball?”
“Indeed, I was. You were the picture of perfection. Every man was in love with you.” He laughed. “Even me.”
She smiled back. “Really, Lord Dalmere, you are determined to see me blush.”
“Of course, you only had eyes for Blackhurst, even then. None of us stood a chance.” He looked at her then, his expression one of regret. “Such a terrible thing that happened to you. I’m afraid people will believe anything, if they hear it often enough.” He looked contrite. Was he apologizing for believing the rumors? It could not be.
“Thank you, Lord Dalmere. That means a lot to me.”
“I do want to make it up to you. I have heard they are having a balloon ascension at Vauxhall Gardens tomorrow afternoon and later there will be fireworks. I would be honored if you and Bellamy would join me. His brother, Henry, and I had planned to watch one but unfortunately… we never got the chance.” He shrugged. “It would mean a lot tomeif you would.”
She had always wanted to see a balloon ascension. “Well, I would have to talk to Bellamy first, but I am sure he would be… pleased.”
“Excellent. I will send a note around in the morning with the details. Until tomorrow, have a wonderful evening, Lady Blackhurst.”
With that he stood, bowed over her hand, and left her sitting with her plate in her lap and her mind in confusion. Perhaps she had misjudged Dalmere after all. Maybe he had simply been as wary of her as she had been of him. Perhaps she had let her own feelings of unease rule her judgment.
She danced a quadrille with Bellamy when he returned, managing this time to make it through the whole dance. She told him of Dalmere’s invitation.
“I think that would be wonderful. He has been a good friend to me. Declining would hurt his feelings. Besides, I have never seen a balloon ascension before, have you?”
“No, I haven’t. I think it will be quite spectacular.”
“Then it’s decided.”
“Anna, I mean, Lady Forsham, said she would call on me tomorrow morning. And mid-day tomorrow is Grandmother’s luncheon. She said she has sent an invitation to your aunt.”
Oliver raised a brow and smiled. “There, you see? I told you that Lord Anthony and his lot were of the good sort. Well, my girl, you will be busy tomorrow. I had better take you home before your social diary fills up completely.”
“I doubt that will ever happen, but Lady Forsham is very kind to think of me. Do you think your aunt will come to the luncheon?”
