Regardless of what he wanted, any further encounter with Seth was dangerous. Tonight had already proven that her heart had not fully mended, and she could not risk it being broken again.
She glanced back to find him standing where she had left him, watching her and anger rose. How dare he ask to call on her after he had turned his back on her five years ago! How dare he want to speak with her now!
Tessa and His Grace were also returning from the dance floor, their masks removed, and beside Bethany stood Seth’s sister, Lady Blythe. She had been the woman who had wanted to remain anonymous.
Lady Blythe was three years younger than her and they had not been friends, but everyone in Laswell knew who the Claxtons were. “Lady Blythe.” She dipped into a quick curtsey.
The woman smiled. “It is good to see you again, Miss Hawthorn. I hope you have been well.”
“Yes…I have…and you?” If Seth’s sister was standing here, no doubt he would be along soon since no other gentleman had been near Lady Blythe and she certainly would not have attended the masquerade ball on her own, unless she had come with her cousin, Tessa.
“I have,” Lady Blythe answered.
It was then that Frances turned to Bethany. “We should go. The hour grows late.”
Bethany frowned. “It is only midnight, Frances.”
“I have developed a headache. I can return home and send the carriage back for you.”
“If Miss Hawthorn is unwell, I can see her home,” Seth offered as he came up from behind.
Frances turned. “That will not be necessary, Lord Seth.” She then leaned in close. “I do have a reputation to consider despite my advanced years and spinster status.”
He pulled back though humor danced in his blue eyes.
Blast him. He was still a handsome charmer and she must keep distance between them.
“Tessa also grows tired and we were about to leave,” His Grace announced. “We will be happy to see you home, Miss Hawthorn.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Frances said her goodbyes to Bethany and Lady Blythe and then looked at Seth. “Good evening, Lord Seth.” Her tone was brisk, lacking any warmth, so that he did not mistake a courtesy for a friendly departure. She then turned on her heel and marched away, hoping to put him from her mind, which Frances knew would be impossible.
She should have made an excuse to end the waltz as soon as she had realized it was him, but she had selfishly wanted to remain in his arms and to be near him. Now, once again, her heart began to ache with the loss as it had done so many years ago when he had rejected her.
Why hadn’t the pain lessened after all this time? She should have recovered, and believed that she had, but clearly remnants remained.
Ha! Remnants! The moment she had looked into his eyes last night, every single emotion she had experienced the day he rejected her had returned and was felt as deeply as if it had only happened the day before.
Why did he have to appear now, when everything was about to work out perfectly for her?
She was finally independent and no longer living with her family. She had an opportunity to earn a good income and fully enjoy her life regardless of whether anyone approved of her or not. She’d been liberated from her sad wallflower status and pitied for being the poor spinster sister of the Earl of Albany and was finally forging her own path. Now Seth had to appear, which threatened her happiness.
Frances could only hope that his request to call on her had only been polite and she would likely not see him again. At least she hoped that was the case because she was clearly still vulnerable and any moment spent with Seth was dangerous to her heart.
Chapter Six
Seth spent a good portion of the night tossing and turning.
She’d rejected him last night. He had asked to call on her and she declined his request.
Frances hadn’t even offered a polite excuse, simply told him no. Yet, all he could think about was seeing her again.
To what purpose, he wasn’t certain, but the need was nearly overpowering.
Frances, however, wanted nothing to do with him. She’d not only rejected him once last night, but the second was when he offered to see her home.
It was his own fault, of course. He knew his reasons for ending their relationship, and they were sound at the time, if not selfish. He also hadn’t counted on that the moment he saw Frances again that every memory and emotion would rush to the surface.
Ending what he had shared with Frances may have been the biggest mistake of his life.
