Lady Preston stopped in the middle of the room and faced her. “I won’t be allowing Dorothea to attend your school.”
Not a little shocked by the blunt statement, she forgot to mask her surprise. “Why not? You said it was a wonderous idea.”
“I was wrong.” The woman worried the sapphire necklace that lay on her chest. “I can’t allow it.”
“You said it would help Dorothea choose her future husband wisely. You don’t want that anymore?” Frustration was slowly changing to anger at the absurdity of the woman’s decision.
“I do, but if she goes to your school, she won’t have any choices.” The woman glanced worriedly at the open door before continuing. “Men wish their wives to be biddable, calm, and good hostesses. My Dorothea already has too many ideas. Please don’t tell anyone I ever considered it.”
She pushed her anger aside as she recognized the three qualities from her earlier conversation with Lady Dulac. Something was amiss. “Lady Preston, why do you think those are the qualities that men would prefer in their wives?”
The woman looked away, leaving off fiddling with her necklace to wring her hands, clearly very agitated. “The duke said as much. None of the duke’s friends would ever consider a woman as a wife who attended your school, and too many eligible men take their lead from the duke. I’m very sorry.” With that, she brushed past her and exited the room as if afraid someone would see the two of them conversing.
The duke? James would counsel young men not to marry her students? She stood in shock, her heart so full a moment before, now frozen and numb. The anger she’d pushed aside for clarity now reared its inflamed head. “Of all the devious, cruel, underhanded, malicious actions to take.” Her words came out in a hiss and her hands curled into fists of their own accord. “And I don’t give a bloody damn if my words are out of alphabetical order.”
He’d done it purposefully. He’d lulled her into believing that he agreed with her, even encouraged her, just to undermine her. Why? Because he disagreed with her? Because he wanted to prove something. “Oh.” She sucked in her breath, feeling as if someone had thrown their fist into her belly. He wanted to prove she was like every other woman. No doubt the kiss he stole was to show her she was no different. And she’d thought him enlightened!
Tears stung her eyes as her chest squeezed, barely allowing her to breathe. The treachery was beyond anything she’d ever experienced. Far, far worse than Amelia throwing her favorite book into the fire. She’d respected him. Liked him. Begun to even love him. So foolish!
She’d thought she’d won the debate, but he’d capitulated to win the battle, and he’d struck to wound. His aim had been true. She collapsed into the closest chair, tears running down her cheeks. Why had she let him persuade her so? Was it simply what she wanted to hear? She shook her head. No, it was because the only man who agreed with her was her father, and when she thought she’d convinced James, that logical success connected to her emotions. She’d allowed herself to think kindly of him because he agreed with her and now her heart would pay the penalty. She wrapped her arms about herself, trying to ease the ache in her chest, but it did no good. He’d stolen her feelings and her dreams.
She sat in her misery, vaguely aware of the sounds coming from the other room. The clink of glasses and muted conversation filtered down the corridor into the parlor, everyone enjoying the festivities as if she hadn’t just had her life’s values dispersed like the ashes that littered the fireplace. Now all she needed was for a maid to come sweep them all up and she’d have nothing. He was no doubt enjoying Lady Caroline’s company, confident in the lesson he’d accomplished. A lesson, she had no need of learning.
She swiped at her face, her gloves absorbing her tears. If he thought he’d killed her plans, he was as full of hubris as Achilles. He underestimated her if he thought she’d hand him the victory. Grasping onto the fury within her, she rose and started to pace.
Chapter Seventeen
James noticed themoment Joanna left the ballroom. Though she hadn’t glanced his way, he understood, thankful to Mariel for protecting her sister’s reputation. What had he been thinking to whisk her off the dance floor and straight outside? He smirked. He’d been thinking he needed to hold her close and taste her sweet lips. His body’s reaction to her had been fast and intense, the main reason he’d stayed away from the ballroom so long.
“Your Grace, would you agree that Almack’s is becoming too selective?”
At Lady Holburn’s direct address, he returned his attention to Lady Caroline and her parents. “As I have no plans to enter those hallowed halls, I have not formed an opinion on it.”
Lady Caroline, who stood to his left, raised her brows. “Do you not intend for Lady Elsbeth to go to the assembly rooms? You would then know that the men there are of the highest quality.”
Her words bothered him, and he could only reason it was because in the course of a few hours, his feelings had moved in another direction. He gestured to the room. “Do you think that my aunt and I have not done well in providing Elsbeth with a selection of possible husbands?”
“Oh, I’m sure you have chosen only the best for your cousin based upon your knowledge of London society. But the ladies at Almack’s are much more aware of all that happens among theton.”She preened. “In fact, I have been invited there.”
The young woman obviously had not heard the rebuke in his voice.
Lord Holburn cleared his throat. “I think the duke is smart to avoid such censure.”
Obviously, the man understood the insult his daughter had cast upon them. “Far too many rules there for men. An atmosphere such as this is much more conducive to true conversation.”
As another couple, who had overheard the conversation, engaged the Holburns, Caroline moved to stand before him. She looked lovely in an ivory dress with pure white lace and gold ribbons. An ivory ribbon encircled her throat, and she wore golden dragonflies in her hair. The effects made her shine in a golden light, but he found the rich maroon of Joanna’s dress more to his liking. Despite its color, or because of it, she seemed warm and welcoming, while Lady Caroline appeared like a porcelain doll, cold and breakable.
“Your Grace, I would speak to you privately.”
He hadn’t expected that from a woman who just touted that she was beyond reproach when it came to propriety, and therefore, invited to Almack’s. His aunt’s words just a few nights ago, whispered through his mind.She’s too perfect, I guess. Almost to the point where she seems not quite human. There is no emotion, and if there is, it is hidden. You deserve a woman who would be honest with you about what she’s feeling.
He motioned toward the corner, not comfortable with being out of sight of his guests once again. One faux pas was plenty for the evening. He wanted people to remember his cousin, not him.
Lady Caroline’s lower lip came out and she pouted prettily, but she didn’t say a word. Instead, she glided toward the corner empty of people, but still in full view, especially of her parents. When she stopped, she turned to face him. “This ball for Elsbeth is absolutely lovely. I so wish I had met you at my coming out ball.”
His curiosity was piqued. “Are you saying your affections are with another? If so, I understand.” If that were the way of it, he felt relieved.
She shook her head. “Oh, no. I did not mean to give you that impression. I was just daydreaming how wonderful it would have been to know you all season.”
