“Good evening,” Lord Foxborough said. Jamesand his siblings greeted the marquess and marchioness politely then prepared themselves for the inevitable introduction. “I would like to present our daughter, Lady Abigail.” His expression was warm and inviting – the exact opposite of Lady Abigail’s. Indeed, her frozen features made her look more like a painting than a real flesh and blood person. It also gave her a certain aloofness that James didn’t care for.
“A pleasure,” Athena said. “I am Miss Athena and this is my older sister, Miss Townsbridge.”
“Delighted,” Sarah added.
William bowed and murmured a very distinct, “Enchanted,” to which James almost rolled his eyes.
And then it was his turn to speak. Only the moment happened to coincide with another sharp stab to his skull. He gritted his teeth and felt his entire face tighten up in response to the pain. “Ugh,” he grunted, earning a stunned look of surprise from everyone except Lady Abigail, who was now studying the floor. Wincing, he gave a stiff nod in acknowledgement of the introduction while biting back another guttural response to the horrid sensation of having nails driven into his head. If it hadn’t been for his mother insisting he make an appearance, he’d be home in bed.
“Our daughter isn’t acquainted with many young ladies her own age,” Lady Foxborough said. She scowled at James before returning her attention to his sisters. “We tend to favor the country, you see, but since the time has come for her to make her debut, we have no choice but to spend more time here in Town.” She smiled and a brief moment of awkward silence followed.
Until Sarah said, “Perhaps we can take a turn about the room together, Lady Abigail?”
Lady Abigail gave an almost indistinct nod. “Yes,” she whispered in a strained voice that made her lack of enthusiasm clear.
James’s dislike of her doubled. She might be a marquess’s daughter, but he and his sisters were Viscount George Roxley’s children. And while it was true that Charles had caused a bit of a scandal two years ago when he’d stolen his friend’s fiancée, and Society was only now starting to forget Athena’s involvement in this, Lady Abigail ought to be pleased with the prospect of keeping their company. She should at the very least have thanked Sarah for the offer.
But since she hadn’t, James decided right then and there that he would rather be elsewhere. Somewhere far away from Lady Abigail’s upturned nose. Especially since he was barely able to think on account of his headache. Lord, he really should have stayed home tonight.
The very thought of a blissfully silent room shrouded in darkness was almost enough to make him sigh with longing. “Excuse me,” he heard himself say in a tone that sounded far more annoyed than he had intended. And then, taking a step back, he glanced at his siblings and said, “I have to go.” Upon which he simply left, leaving them to apologize on his behalf.
A little surprised by the lack of guilt he felt over being so rude, James quit the ballroom and sought out the nearest sanctuary. Perhaps a brief rest would help ease his suffering. Perhaps, if he felt better later, he’d ask Lady Abigail to dance to make up for his lack of good manners.
Or perhaps he’d simply forget having met her.
Now there was something worth hoping for, he decided as he sneaked inside a dark room and closed the door behind him.
#
WHAT A HORRID MAN.
Abigail still couldn’t fathom how poorly Mr. James Townsbridge had treated not only herself but her parents. By contrast, his sisters were a delight. Even Mr. William Townsbridge, who seemed to be quite a bit younger, had proven far more courteous than his older brother. He’d even signed her dance card, for which she was very grateful, since she’d always enjoyed dancing.
But Mr. James Townsbridge...
She’d seen him for the first time three years ago when she and her parents had spent a brief time in London while Parliament was in session. Her father usually came to Town by himself whenever business required it, but that time, he’d brought his family with him. And during one warm spring day while riding by carriage through Hyde Park, Abigail had spotted him - the most handsome man she’d ever seen in her life.
He’d been walking with his sisters she realized now after having met Miss Townsbridge and Lady Athena. And he’d been smiling in response to something they were saying, which had instantly caused a bubbly sensation in the pit of Abigail’s belly. At fifteen she’d been smitten, and had looked for Mr. Townsbridge again when she’d come to Town last Christmas.
This time, she’d encountered him at the theatre where he’d been seated in a box almost directly opposite her, together with his entire family. Since then, she’d daydreamed about her coming out and him gallantly inviting her to dance. But of course this was just a dream, because when it actually came to meeting the man, her stomach had starting flopping around until she’d feared she might be sick all over him or one of his siblings. And her heart had been pounding too, while a wave of uncomfortable heat crept over her skin. Putting on a smile and pretending she was all right had proven a challenge. Speech had been near impossible.
And her illusion about James Townsbridge himself had shattered.
She'd sensed his dislike of her right from the start. With one singular glance he'd found her lacking. Well, she disliked him as well now, though this acknowledgement didn't make her feel any better.On the contrary it was rather depressing.
“You must excuse our brother's deplorable manners,” Miss Townsbridge said as they made their way along the periphery of the room.
“He was being a twit,” Miss Athena added with such forceful certainty that Abigail had to press her lips together in order not to laugh. She liked the youngest member of the Townsbridge family very much, even though she would never confess to sharing her opinion of her brother.
“It's a pity you had to experience him like this,” Miss Townsbridge remarked. “He's usually agreeable and a great deal of fun to be around. Which probably explains his immense popularity.”
At this, Abigail snorted. It happened involuntarily and caught her by surprise. Like a sneeze. “Sorry,” she said, except the word did not leave her mouth with even the slightest bit of sincerity. Instead, it was mumbled under her breath while heat rushed into her cheeks.
Miss Townsbridge and Miss Athena looked at her with raised eyebrows. And then Miss Athena said, “Do you have any brothers, Lady Abigail?”
Abigail nodded. “Lance is three years older than I,” she said, hoping to leave it at that. But of course the information she’d supplied wasn’t enough for her two new friends. They wanted details. And as Abigail provided the answers to a seemingly endless list of questions, her annoyance with their brother faded and she began to relax.
“So he’s not without flaws, then, is he?” Miss Townsbridge politely inquired when they'd all finished laughing over Abigail's account about Lance’s once swinging a door open so hard it hit their younger sister, Petra, smack in the face.
