David’s breath caught in his throat. All this time he’d been wanting to return to the army, to the battlefield, to the place he knew best, where life made sense to him, but that would be selfish. If he put himself in harm’s way, Marianne might end up completely alone. She would have Bell, of course, but her family, the family who’d raised her, would be entirely gone. Marianne had saved his life once…with a book. He would never purposely cause his beloved sister that sort of pain.
He twirled her around and around in three-step count, as a wide smile spread across his face. “For the first time, I can honestly say, I’m glad I’m here, too, Marianne.”
His sister returned the smile. “Good, because while I may have been quite preoccupied today, I didn’t fail to notice you’ve looked as if something has been troubling you.”
He sighed. “Nothing I don’t deserve.”
“I doubt that,” Marianne replied. “But after this, do ask Lady Elspeth to dance. She’s been watching you like a dog watches its meal all evening.”
David chuckled. “I will.”
When the dance with Marianne came to an end, David did exactly that. He didn’t have far to look to find Lady Elspeth, who was only too pleased to accept his invitation to dance.
He escorted her to the floor as the musicians struck up another waltz. She began to prattle about the details of the wedding and David did his best to follow along until Murdock and Annabelle twirled past them on the dance floor.
He immediately fell silent, and Lady Elspeth did not fail to notice.
“Are you quite all right, my lord?” she asked, tipping her head to the side to look at him.
“Yes. Yes, of course.” But he couldn’t even manage a fake smile. It drove him mad that Annabelle was dancing with Murdock. She’d told him last night she didn’t evenlikethe man. She’d called him an ass. What was her game now? The woman was maddening.
“It’s Lady Annabelle, isn’t it, my lord?” Lady Elspeth asked next in a resigned voice.
David expelled his breath. It was time to admit the truth. Lady Elspeth deserved better than a man who was in love with another woman. He had no hope of winning Annabelle any longer, but he had no intention of courting Lady Elspeth, either, and he needed to be honest with the young woman. “Yes, Lady Elspeth. ItisLady Annabelle.”
“You fancy her?” Lady Elspeth said, a resigned though disappointed look on her face.
“I’m sorry, Lady Elspeth. I don’t want to give you false hope.”
Lady Elspeth lifted her chin and stared past his shoulder. “I see,” was all she said, her face a mask.
When the music stopped, David escorted Lady Elspeth back to her mother. He thanked her for the dance, and she curtsied to him prettily, while he executed his most formal bow. Then he took his leave, a feeling of relief rushing through him. At least he’d managed to do one thing right at this house party. Set Lady Elspeth free. It was the right thing to do when all he could seem to think about was Annabelle. Inconvenient and fruitless as it was.
Two hours and five more glasses of champagne later, David was propped against a wall in the ballroom standing next to a potted palm. The palm was some of the best company he’d enjoyed all evening. It didn’t speak and it didn’t seem to mind that he didn’t either. He’d made the rounds earlier for Marianne’s sake, but he was quickly wishing he could sneak off to his bedchamber and fall into a blissful, forgetful slumber.
Downing the last bit of champagne in his glass, he pushed away from the wall, intent on doing exactly that.
Chapter Thirty-One
Annabelle couldn’t sleep. She was slumped against the pillows in her bed at Worthington Manor staring into the darkness. She’d watched the most beautiful weddings today. All three couples had declared their undying love for one another. The gowns had been gorgeous. The flowers had been lovely. The grooms had been handsome. The meal had been splendid, and the ball divine. Weddings themselves were always beautiful. It’s what came after that was ugly.
Lord Murdock had sat at her side, his knuckles turning white as he clenched the arms of his chair when Lady Julianna declared herself to Lord Worthington. Lord Murdock obviously didn’t care for Lady Julianna herself. He was simply unhappy because he’d lost her to Worthington. He couldn’t stand to be defeated in the biggest game of the Season. And now Annabelle was his new prey. He didn’t give a whit about her, either. It was obvious in the way he never asked her about herself. All his comments were about himself, his title, his money, and his social standing. None of which impressed Annabelle one whit. And they never would.
She probably shouldn’t have gone to bed with David last night, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to regret it. The man was incredibly handsome, and she’d wanted him fiercely. Only at the end, she’d remembered why men were much safer at arm’s distance. He hadn’t tried to strike her, but for one panic-filled moment, she’d somehow been convinced he was about to. He’d been drinking and he was angry. She hadn’t been able to stop her body’s instinctive response when he’d flung up his arm so near her.
Of course he didn’t understand why she’d been so frightened. She didn’t understand it herself. How could she possibly explain it tohim?
She regretted that he’d misunderstood what she’d wanted from him last night. She certainly hadn’t meant to mislead him. She’d assumed he’d be nothing but pleased with the arrangement. No promises made. No future implied. What man wouldn’t be interested in such a convenient proposal? But apparently, she’d grossly underestimated David. She had felt bad about it, of course. Only, the regret was short lived after he’d accused her of being afraid. Her regret had been instantly replaced with white-hot anger.
And now that she’d had all day to think about it, she knew why his comment had bothered her so much.
Because shewasafraid.
She was a coward, and always had been. She’d never been able to muster the courage to stand up to her father the way Beau had. And now not only did she not have the courage to take a husband, she didn’t even have the courage to tell the manwhy. David deserved better than that. He deserved a woman he could love and who would love him back. Precisely as he’d said during their first lesson. Annabelle had no right to take such happiness away from him.
The rap at her bedchamber door made her sit up straight. Was she imagining it or had someone truly just knocked? She scrambled out of bed and wrapped her dressing gown around her before hurrying to the door and opening it a crack.
David was standing there looking so handsome she wanted to sigh. Tall, dark, fashionable. He was still wearing the fine black evening attire he’d worn to the ball tonight. He’d looked so dashing, she had barely been able to keep her eyes off him. When he didn’t know she was looking, of course. Now his hair was slightly mussed, and he had a drink in his hand.
