Priscilla was gratified seeing that he was equally enthralled. “Your Grace, you are absolutely breathtaking,” he said, extending his arm.
“You’re cutting a rather fine figure yourself this evening,” she forced herself to say, distracted by his gray eyes which sparkled at her in merriment.
“Why, thank you. I’ve just hired a new valet. I’ll have to inform him that you approve of his meticulous nature when it comes to preparing me for an evening out.”
As they made their way outside to his carriage, Priscilla blushed recalling their last conversation within the conveyance.
“So, how would you like to play everything off this evening?” he asked once they were safely ensconced inside. “Do you wish to make a grand entrance or simply slip into the crowd together?”
“I was thinking we’d enter without fuss but share the first dance of the evening together,” she supplied.
“An excellent idea. We’ll grab attention without needing to be obvious.” He smiled at her, and she felt a pull low in her abdomen. What on earth was this man doing to her? Everything was all for show after all.
It was mere minutes before they arrived at the Grosvenor Square townhome where the ball was being held. Thankfully, they had arrived at the latter end of the receiving line and were able to get through without drawing much attention as the hosts of the evening were eager to get the nights festivities underway.
Before Priscilla had fully processed what was happening, she found herself being led to the dance floor and swept into Hamptons arms as they waited for the music to commence. Standing secure within his strong frame before the waltz began, she had a moment to appreciate his posture and muscular arms. As the first notes of music filled the room, Priscilla ducked her head out of habit, but found that this evening she was feeling rather overwhelmed by the man in front of her more so than by the swell of the music.
Without a word, Hampton swept her across the floor with ease and she surrendered to his lead, allowing herself to bask in the moment. Priscilla couldn’t even begin to fathom how many men she had danced with over the past five years since she first made her come out into society, but something about dancing with Hampton felt far more intimate than any dance she’d ever had before. The room around her receded into the background as she focused on his sterling-colored eyes. His hand felt warm on her back, his long fingers reaching far enough to press into the flesh just past her shoulder blade, clutching her back in sucha way that she felt like he was claiming her, pulling her body into his.
She was startled to realize that she didn’t mind the idea of being possessed by him even though she was only with him as way to maintain her freedom. Yet the disparate ideas did not seem contradictory—she easily held both within her and felt able to peacefully reconcile them against one another.
The dance came to an end all too quickly. Another feeling Priscilla wasn’t sure she’d ever had before. They hadn’t even spoken to one another, but the connection she felt with him was undeniable.
Hampton was gazing at her intensely when they reached the edge of the room, and she was sure he was feeling something between them too. Their fingers still intertwined, not even Priscilla’s glove could prevent her skin from tingling. The moment only dissipated when someone bumped into Priscilla from behind, forcing her closer to Hampton. He looked down at her, and the most beautiful smile lit up his face before he broke into laughter.
“Well, I certainly think that should get tongues wagging. You dance like a natural, no one would know it was the first time we’ve danced together.” He was in a buoyant mood despite their deception. Maybe the slight risk they were taking excited him. She certainly felt more alive than she had in years.
“We’ll have to plan our next outing,” Hampton continued. “Later in the week, Schubert’s new work is being performed publicly, but I’m not convinced you like music,” he said while looking at her in silent question.
“I love music,” Priscilla said in surprise. “A concert would be a perfect outing, and a rare treat. Why would you question it?”
Hampton opened his mouth to answer when a couple walked up to them, the gentleman interrupting before he could speak.
“Hampton, what is this I’m hearing about you hiring a Black man to serve as your valet? What on earth are you thinking? It’s one thing to get out of morally questionable business practices, but it’s quite another to hire one of them!”
Priscilla watched as Hampton’s expression swiftly turned stormy, his brow furrowing in obvious annoyance. He shifted to stand next to her, allowing him to more easily face the couple who had come up from behind, but didn’t let go of her hand. “I apologize,” he whispered into her ear before addressing the other man.
“Haven, always good to see you. I don’t know if you’ve been introduced to my companion this evening, Lady Priscilla, Dowager Duchess of Stern.” Hampton introduced her smoothly, ignoring the man’s obvious irritation.
“Yes, pleasure to meet you,” he said curtly with a quick, almost nod, of acknowledgment. “Lord Haven?—"
“And, Lady Priscilla,” Hampton interjected before Haven could berate him once more, “I don’t believe you’ve met my sister, Colleen, the Countess of Haven.”
“That’s Lady Haven,” the marquess’ brother-in-law bit out.
Hampton’s sister was lovely and smiled warmly at Priscilla while ignoring her husband’s ire. “It’s wonderful to meet you,” she said before turning to her brother. “Mother mentioned you were seeing a lovely young woman.”
“Yes, we met recently and get along well,” Hampton said, rubbing his eyebrow. Priscilla was familiar with this tic of Hampton’s. Perhaps he was not as comfortable lying to his family as she had supposed him to be.
“Yes, yes,” Haven blustered. “Hampton, what are you on about?”
“I’m not quite sure what the problem is,” he replied through gritted teeth. “I was in need of a valet, and I hired one. Thus far, he seems quite competent.”
“Don’t pretend to be obtuse to my meaning, it’s the appearance of the thing. Your father understood such matters.”
At the mention of Hampton’s father, he turned practically glacial, his shimmering gray eyes now steely daggers. “I know you understand well that I’ll no longer allow appearances to be the driving force in this family. I needed a valet, Roberts was available and more than qualified, so nothing else matters. I’ve hired him, it’s done.”
A tense silence overtook the quartet, and Lady Haven began to look uneasy. “I think Roberts was a wonderful hire,” Priscilla asserted. “I was telling Hampton only earlier how extraordinarily fine he looks this evening.”
