“What on earth happened?” came Georgiana’s question as the group pulled up to the stables, and disembarked from each of their horses, clearly done with their ride. Georgiana pulled away from her freshly saddled horse to meet Alaina, Evelina, and Christopher, a furrow marking her brow.
Christopher answered, “Evelina and Alaina got separated on their ride and Lady Barbara made an appearance. I was thankful that Graham and I found her in time before something worse happened.”
“Worse than what? What was she doing in the woods on my brother’s estate?” Georgiana questioned, but a shake of Christopher’s head stalled any further inquiries.
Alaina and Evelina did not say anything and looked a bit shocked at the turn of the afternoon. Georgiana quickly intervened. “Well, then, I say we retire to one of the private family parlors and rest while things get sorted.”
Georgiana ushered the ladies inside through the side door of the stables, and Christopher followed quickly behind, but took his leave almost immediately. He would not be joining them, as he had more important matters to attend. Christopher first went in search of Graham’s steward, Mr. Locke. Knowing this was one of the few times Christopher could question the man alone, he made sure to search the whole house to find him, but had no luck. Christopher then checked in with the butler to find Graham still out on the estate, probably visiting his neighbors to warn them of the afternoon’s events and the suspicion of who was to blame.
Frustrated, Christopher returned to his guest room, placed along with the other guests in the east wing, opposite from the wing with the stables. Georgiana had given Alaina and her family lodgings in the other wing, since they were more than merely guests. He expected it was not just Alaina’s planning assistance, but the fact that she may soon be family that had prompted the decision. At the moment, Christopher was both relieved and perturbed by their physical separation. If their rooms had been closer, he would be more apt to run into Alaina and would have an excuse to talk to her. His worries about displaying emotion were eclipsed entirely by the panic he had felt to learn that Alaina and Evelina were out exploring the property alone.
He could not shake the urge to find himself in their wing for one reason or another, just for the chance to see her. It was madness. Was it just lust and their proximity? Deep down he was coming to admit to himself that was false. His body wanted hers, to be sure. When Alaina was near, his belly clenched and his manhood seemed to have a mind of its own, but he also yearned to know all her thoughts, her plans, desires in life, and to laugh at life’s inanities together. Christopher sighed and moved absently to stand at the window in his room, knowing in his heart what he wanted, but feeling as if he may have missed his chance.
From the first, Christopher had found himself forcing Alaina away, only to be pulled back into her orbit. He could never expect her to entertain him as a suitor now, not with his behavior and his proclamations against any proper form of attachment. Not to mention the fact that his friend, his charming friend, was courting the young lady. They seemed to get along well, and Christopher was perturbed to find himself jealous that her smiles were reserved for Graham. No, there was certainly no chance for Christopher to convince Alaina of his worthiness.
Chapter 12
“Is this not the most exciting thing?” Evelina said, barely able to contain her excitement as she and Alaina made their way to the courtyard for the final ball with their mother, Charlotte.
Evelina was so excited to be attending her first ball, more than happy to take advantage of the looser social strictures in the country, and seemed unperturbed by Alaina’s silence. Luckily, Alaina did not need to speak much as Evelina bubbled over with excitement and anticipation of the evening’s activities.
Alaina harbored many worries in her mind, not the least of which was Lady Barbara and Percy out and about on the Ashford Estate, the wake of their destruction exposing their desperation. Truly, Alaina had no idea what would have happened if no one had been close by to rescue her today. But Alaina was resolved to enjoy the last evening of the party, and she had forced herself to focus on her preparations, which brought another concern to the forefront: her dress.
Madam Benoit had assured her that it was the fashion all ladies in society wore. Unlike her dress on the first evening of the country gathering, her frock on this occasion was high-backed, even going so far as to having a mock collar at the base of the neck. However, it was the front of the dress that was cause for concern. The neckline was low, revealing ample parts of her pert breasts, and even more of the cleft between them, where the neckline dipped even lower. Most of the dress was made from the velvet that had interested her in the dressmaker’s shop. The skirt was pleated with a chiffon of pale pink, almost giving the illusion of an entire skirt underneath, or even glimpses of her shift. It was an enchanting illusion, one that had raised her mother’s eyebrows, but had not caused an outright protest.
Alaina had tried to convince herself internally that her scrutiny of her appearance had nothing to do with Christopher’s comments, but standing in her room alone and studying her reflection in the mirror, she knew it had everything to do with Christopher. Since this afternoon, Alaina could no longer hide from herself that it was Christopher that her heart beat for, even if he refused to act on his feelings. When the duke and Christopher had appeared on the trail, Alaina’s eyes had only been for Christopher, and she had been surprised by the relief she felt due to his presence alone. In that moment, she knew that to continue with the courtship with the duke would only serve to hurt. But Alaina did not want to ruin the party and planned to speak with Graham on the morrow, after the guests had left. Her decision did not make her heart leap with joy, as it was clear that Christopher was not in want of a wife.Even if he was,she could scarcely hope that he would be interested in her.
Georgiana had enlisted Alaina’s help in planning the events for the past few days, but had been adamant that the decorations for the final ball be left to her. Apparently, Georgiana had been envisioning this type of party for quite some time and wanted it to be a surprise, even from her mother and Graham. Alaina and Evelina had absolutely no idea what was in store for them. Alaina forced a smile, determined to enjoy the evening; she was certainly curious what was in store.
“Well, I guess we are almost there. I do hear some music up ahead,” Charlotte leaned in to add to the conversation, hoping to reassure both her daughters before joining the other guests.
Alaina sighed as they rounded what she assumed was the last corner, seeing wide glass doors ahead and a glow from the outside. Evelina almost squealed in excitement as they approached the open doors. Stopping just past the opening, Alaina, Evelina, and Charlotte stood in awe for a few moments, taking in the wonderland before them. Just to their left was a small refreshment table with sweet treats and what looked to be a warm mulled wine. As this was a sizable manor, the courtyard was quite large, and a path wound its way lazily toward a well-lit dance floor, where a soft minuet was being played by a small contingent of musicians. A small group of benches was placed almost directly ahead, not too far from the refreshment table and far enough away from the music to allow conversation. It seemed at every turn was a tower with a good-sized flame, making the courtyard warmer than Alaina had expected. Their breath was visible in the air, but the glow of torches and candles scattered throughout the garden made it almost feel like an indoor ball from a bygone era. Some of the plants in the garden showed a layer of frost or had hanging icicles, twinkling in the light of the courtyard, giving a feeling of magic.
A click of heels on the stone pathway leading to the dance floor caught Alaina’s attention and she looked up to see Georgiana coming to greet them, looking dazzling in an amethyst brocade, with a high back reaching up to her ears as the neckline flared under her chin. A keyhole neckline teased a glimpse of her pale skin, shining radiantly in the soft light. Where the fabric of the dress was complex, the cut of the skirt was simple, falling almost straight to the floor. Alaina thought that Georgiana really did look like the queen of the ball.
“Georgiana, you are a vision. We must thank Madam Benoit for her handiwork. And just think what your husband would think to see you. He would most assuredly be agog,” Charlotte said graciously, motioning to Alaina and Evelina as well. Even Evelina, who was garbed in a more youthful cut with a higher neckline and fuller skirt, looked enchanting in her ice-blue silk dress. The fuller sleeves and skirt allowed for heavier undergarments to keep her warm where the lighter fabric could not.
“I thank you for the compliment, Lady Charlotte, and I would agree that Madam Benoit outdid herself. I would like to welcome you all to my winter garden party!” Georgiana said cheerily, wrinkling her nose ever so slightly as she smiled broadly at her newfound friends. A slightly different look, something more forlorn, passed along Georgiana’s face before she smiled once again. “I imagine my husband would be as you say. I am hoping you will all meet him at some point in the future.”
Georgiana’s smile faded ever so slightly. Choosing to ignore that subject for now, Alaina spoke first. “Well, as the queen of the ball, maybe you can show us your creation. From what I see, it is quite enchanting.”
“Of course. Most of it is self-explanatory,” Georgiana said, motioning to their immediate surroundings. “But I must say the dance floor is my favorite part. Come with me.”
Georgiana turned and led the pair of sisters and their mother along a winding stone path toward the music. From the entrance of the courtyard, only a small part of the dance floor could be seen, but as they followed the path and made it past the dense collection of frosted and dormant plants, the full floor came into view.
“Wow,” was all that came from Evelina’s lips. Alaina looked over at her sister’s face and smiled at the wonder she saw there.
Alaina was the next to pay a compliment. “I am truly impressed by your imagination, Georgiana. Everything is breathtaking.”
“Indeed,” remarked Charlotte. “I fear this party will outshine any I may attend in the future.”
A parquet floor had been set up in the garden, large enough for ten or so couples, plenty for the number of guests at the country party. The quartet of musicians, two violins, one cello, and a viola, were at the far end of the dance floor, and a handful of couples were taking part in a waltz. Georgiana craned her neck to see over the couples, finding Graham deep in conversation with Christopher. Both men looked quite stern, but a glance toward the entrance to the dance floor brought a smile to Graham’s face and something slightly different to Christopher’s. Catching Georgiana’s motion to join them, both of them made their way around the edge of the dance floor, avoiding the fray, joining the group in a few moments. Graham sank into a deep bow. “Ladies, with what beauty and grace I see before me, the party can now officially begin.”
Evelina giggled as they all sunk into curtsies to match Graham’s bow. Christopher bowed as well, murmuring his welcome.
“Alaina, may I have the honor of this dance?” Graham asked, offering his arm.
“You may, sir,” Alaina smiled, taking his arm and letting him lead her a few steps as they set up for the next dance.
