by Bree Wolf
Derek sucked in a stuttering breath, shocked by the sudden inner turmoil that assaulted him. What on earth was going on?
Unable to avert his eyes, he watched her laugh and smile, exchange a few words here and there as she continued her rounds through the large ballroom, and he wondered what it was that drew him to her. Was it her beauty? She certainly was a vision, a sight to behold, almost without compare. And yet, Derek doubted that mere beauty would have touched his heart the way she had.
“I’d advise against her.”
Derek almost flinched at the sound of his friend’s voice. “What?” he croaked, then cleared his throat, reluctantly turning his gaze to Tristan.
Once more, an amused grin decorated his friend’s features. “That is Lady Madeline, daughter of the Earl of Carlton. She certainly is a vision,” he echoed Derek’s thoughts, “however, unfortunately, her expectations with regard to her future husband are not easily met.”
Although he knew he ought not to ask for it would only encourage more teasing from his friend, Derek could not remain silent. “Expectations?” he asked, momentarily ignoring his long-standing decision not to marry…
…or at least not for years to come…
…or not to a woman considered a peer.
As expected, Tristan chuckled, his eyes aglow with delight as he watched Derek. “She’s already quite famous for refusing marriage proposals. As the daughter of an earl, she has vowed not to marry below her station, meaning anyone below the rank of an earl need not bother to ask for her hand.” Shaking his head, he laughed. “There are a number of bets held at White’s about whether or not she will marry at all, and if so, who will be the lucky…or maybe unlucky…sod.”
Drawing in another deep breath, Derek’s gaze narrowed as it returned to the dark-haired beauty, who now stood up for a cotillion with yet another gentleman he barely looked at.
He ought to have known. She was one of them. One of the few privileged people who considered themselves superior, who could not be bothered to think twice about anything that did not contribute to their own happiness, who had no interest beyond title and reputation, fortune and lineage. No doubt, all she cared for was finding a husband of rank and fortune to ensure her own standing in society and protect said privilege from passing to those less fortunate. It was a small circle, and those in it were determined to keep it that way.
As he watched her, Derek barely noticed that the space next to him was now empty. He was hardly aware of his friend striding toward the other side of the room. He failed to see the crowd that had bothered him not too long ago.
All he saw was her.
And for a long time, he allowed himself to watch her as he could not deny that that was precisely what his heart wanted. Why, he could not say, and he didn’t dare dwell on it for fear knowing the answer would make it all the more hard to walk away.
And walk away, he must.
And yet, Derek could not help the disappointment that seized his heart, and he realised that it bothered him to think of Lady Madeline that way. Strangely enough, he wanted her to be different, to see beyond a person’s superficial attributes and judge them for who they truly were.
Him, namely.
Still, as he looked at her he knew that the barely notable strain that seemed to rest on her features as she smiled and laughed was only conjured by his own desire for it to be exactly as he wished. It was not real, not true. Nor was the dull gleam in her eyes that spoke of annoyance rather than amusement, exhaustion rather than enthusiasm.
Forcing his gaze to abandon her, Derek turned away, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. He caught sight of Tristan, dancing with a golden-haired beauty, both gazing at each other with such devotion that a touch of jealousy pinched Derek’s heart. He barely noticed that his hands were balled into fists, the sinews standing out white as he tried to fight off the sense of disappointment and loss that swept over him.
And then he saw him.
Townsend.
The Earl of Townsend.
At the sight of him, every muscle in Derek’s body tensed to the point of breaking. His teeth gritted together painfully, and his heartbeat pounded in his ears, drowning out the music and laughter echoing around him.
How dare he attend a ball and act as though nothing had happened? How dare he continue as though he hadn’t−?
Closing his eyes, Derek forced the bile that rose back down his throat, trying to reason with the rage that had seized him so unexpectedly. Nothing he did would make the slightest difference. He could storm over and beat the man to a pulp, and yet, it would not help. It would not change anything. Townsend was untouchable. After all, he was a peer.
A bloody peer!
Renewed anger and indignation heated his veins, sending fire through his body. And yet, he remained calm for he knew that those who acted without thought, without reason, without control would not survive long.
And he had a family to think of.
He would not abandon them by doing something foolish.
“Ask her to dance.”
Blinking, Derek stopped, for a moment unable to comprehend the words echoing to his ears. Then he turned to look at his friend, who had reappeared beside him. “Who?” Derek frowned, his eyes inevitably drifting to the lady with the raven-black hair.
“Not her,” Tristan hissed as he jerked his chin to the side, indicating the golden-haired lady he had danced with only moments before. “Her.”
Only now, she was standing up with another man, and although Derek did not know him, he could tell from the predatory gleam in his eyes that he was a hunter, a rake. “Why?” he asked nonetheless, needing to buy time in order to force his emotions back into the box he usually kept them locked away in.
“So that Cullingwood will leave her alone,” Tristan snapped, clearly agitated.
“Then you dance with her,” Derek huffed, in no mood to humour his friend. However, the strained look on Tristan’s face told him how deeply the golden-haired lady had affected him.
“I can’t,” Tristan grumbled. “I already danced with her once, and the evening is barely half over. I cannot lay claim to her for the rest of the night or people will talk.”
“So?” Derek prompted, remembering how his friend had teased him before, determined to return the favour.
As expected, Tristan rolled his eyes. “So I need you to intercept her before Cullingwood can lead her off the dance floor. Besides it would be a good opportunity for you to mingle. Since you have no interest in her, this should not be too difficult for you.”
Ignoring the ache in his own heart, Derek allowed the touch of a smirk to show on his face. “What makes you think I’m not interested in her?” he asked, watching his friend’s face closely out of the corner of his eye.
Once more, as expected, Tristan’s head jerked up, shock evident in his narrowed eyes, as his hands involuntarily balled into fists.
Delighted to have hit his mark, Derek chuckled. “She truly made an impression on you, didn’t she?”
“Yes, she did,” Tristan snapped, impatience only too visible in his blue eyes. “Now, go.”
Derek drew in a deep breath, unable to deny his friend such a heart-felt request. “Fine,” he grumbled, equally unable to keep the annoyance he felt out of his voice as he strode forward, waiting until the dance ended before he stepped up to the lady who so obviously had stolen Tristan’s heart. He could only hope she was worth it.
As they stood up together, Derek breathed a sigh of relief when she showed no interest in conversing with him. Instead, her gaze drifted around the room, allowing him to return to his own observations. Torn between his seething rage toward Townsend and utter disappointment as well as fascination with regard to Lady Madeline, Derek thought his heart would give out when the last notes of the music finally drifted away and Townsend approached Lady Madeline, bowing to her and asking for the next dance.
Staring at them for the better part of a minute as though waiting for the hallucination to disappea
r, Derek finally cleared his throat, reminding himself that whatever happened next was none of his concern. And so with a last regretful look, he turned around and walked away, wishing he could believe his own words to be true.
After all, was it not the utmost duty of a gentleman−peer or not−to protect those in peril?
Coming April 24, 2018
Pre-order your own copy!
Are you new to the “Love’s Second Chance Series”?
Start with
#1 Forgotten & Remembered -
The Duke’s Late Wife
For FREE
One night, they found themselves under some mistletoe.
Now, he owes her a kiss. And she is determined to claim it.
His Heart torn in two, GRAHAM ASTOR, Duke of Kensington, mourns his wife. As he distances himself from everything that reminds him of happier days lost forever, he comes to realise that there is one thing he cannot run from.
Graham needs a new wife, if only for the sake of his daughter.
Disillusioned with love, ROSABEL only wishes not to remain a burden to her uncle’s family much longer. After seeing her parents’ love turn against them, Rosabel dreams of an independent life as a governess.
Then a stranger asks for her hand in marriage, and to her utter shock, her uncle instantly agrees.
Will Rosabel find love after all? Or will the memory of Graham’s late wife keep him from finding happiness?
Overview
A Forbidden Love Novella Series
#1
The Wrong Brother
Just as ISABELLA CARRINGTON gives her hand to CHARLES DASHWOOD, her heart is stolen by none other than her husband's notorious twin, ROBERT.
When mind and heart do not go hand in hand, can there be a happily ever after?
Click here to claim your free copy!
#2
A Brilliant Rose
When ROSE LAWSON meets a handsome man, she quickly fancies herself in love. Upon learning his name, she recognizes his reputation and her opinion of him can not be lower.
Will CHARLES DASHWOOD be able to win Rose's heart and overcome his.. or rather his twin brother‘s past?
Click here to order your own copy!
#3
The Forgotten Wife
Because of an accident WILLIAM EVERETT cannot remember the past few years of his life, including his loving wife CATHERINE.
Will Catherine find a way to reclaim her husband’s heart? Or is a love once lost gone forever?
Click here to order your own copy!
#4
An Unwelcome Proposal
When WESLEY EVERETT proposes to the women he loves, CHRISTINE DANSBY says no, because she does not believe in marriage.
Will Wesley take 'no' for an answer? Or will he be able to convince Christine that marriage is far from boring?
Click here to order your own copy!
#5
Rules to Be Broken
After a minor faux-pas, DIANA LAWSON finds herself the centre of whispers and stares of society. When Diana finally decides to live by her own rules alone, she meets ARTHUR ABBOTT who is a stickler for propriety.
For Diana to uphold society’s rules, Arthur must break them. Can scandalous and virtuous ever walk hand in hand?
Click here to get your own copy!
#6
Hearts to Be Mended
LADY ELEANOR ABBOTT is in love with HENRY WALTHAM, a man her mother does not approve of. While Eleanor finds herself faced with an endless stream of appropriate suitors, Henry is torn between simply whisking her off to Gretna Green - and let propriety be damned! - and the deep desire to prove himself an honourable man.
Is their future doomed or will they find their happily ever after?
Click here to get your own copy!
Overview
Love’s Second Chance Series
#1
Forgotten & Remembered
GRAHAM ASTOR, Duke of Kensington, is done with love, and ROSABEL LANDER never believed in it. But when Graham needs help raising his daughter and Rosabel cannot burden her family any longer, can they find a new, happy life together?
Click here to claim your free copy!
#2
Cursed & Cherished
EDMOND DUNSWORTH, Duke of Cromwell, is bankrupt and therefore he marries ANNA HANDFORD for her sizable dowry. Anna is determined to hate him. Can Edmond change her mind with his oh so charming self or will there never be a happily ever after?
Click here to get your own copy!
#3
Despised & Desired
War hero FREDERICK LANCASTER never intended to become the Marquess of Elmridge. When his mother picks spinster ELLIE MUNFORD as his bride, he doesn’t expect romance — but together they might find love and healing in each other’s arms.
Click here to get your own copy!
#4
Abandoned & Protected
When HENRIETTA is married off to CONNOR BRUNWOOD, Marquis of Rodridge, she’s determined to hate the Scotsman. Can she learn to look past her prejudices and find love?
Click here to get your own copy!
#5
Ruined & Redeemed
When Lady CHARLOTTE’s life is ruined, she buries her past and reinvents herself as Lotte, a lady’s companion. SEBASTIAN, the future Earl of Weston, thinks marrying unsuitable Lotte is just the thing to aggravate his father — only to later learn who his bride really is…
Click here to get your own copy!
#6
Betrayed & Blessed
TRISTAN TURNER, Viscount Elton, is haunted by his past and tries every day ineffectively to live up to his family’s expectations. When he meets ELIZABETH „BETH“ WALKER he thinks his dreams of finding unconditional love have finally come true. But Beth has a secret which threatens to tear them apart. Can Tristan and Beth find love after all?
Click here to get your own copy!
#7
Deceived & Honoured
LADY MADELEINE, daughter to the Earl of Carlton, has vowed not to marry below the rank of an earl. But her plans go horribly wrong when she is compromised by the wrong man. A man named DEREK MCNIGHT, a farmer’s son who was given a run-down barony for his service to the crown. Will Madeline ever be able to see past his title?
Coming April 24, 2018
Click here to pre-order your own copy!
#7.5
Sacrificed & Reclaimed
MEAGAN DUNNING thought she'd lost her husband EDWARD to the war. Until he−presumed dead for over two years−shows up on her doorstep unexpectedly. However, although he returns from the war after all, the battle for his soul is only just beginning.
Will Meagan be able to reclaim his heart? Or has Edward given up hope long ago?
Coming May 29, 2018
Join my exclusive facebook reader group!
As I love discussing all things books, I felt it was about time to offer my devoted readers the opportunity to get together and chat away about love and loss, heartbreak and happily-ever-after’s!
I’m certain it’ll be lots of fun to discuss the ups and downs of arranged marriages, answer trivia questions (who on earth was Mr. Lloyd again?), enter contests for exclusive “swag”, get your hands on not-yet-published-peeks of future novels and much more.
Join Bree’s Belles of the Ball!
