Amanda L.V. Shalaby

by Rhianna

  Could she be dreaming? An invitation back to Ravensleigh?

  “I would be glad to again visit Ravensleigh,” she declared, astonished.

  All of a sudden, Lord Kingsley rose from his seat.

  “My dear Lady Kingsley, would you be so good as to join me in the study? There is something I must communicate to you and it cannot wait.”

  With what appeared to Rhianna shock and annoyance in Lydia’s manner, the lady rose and followed him out of the room so suddenly that Rhianna found herself quite alone with Thayne Brighton.

  What could Lord Kingsley mean by this? Rhianna thought in the moments of silence immediately following his exit from the room.

  Thayne soon started conversation again, however, saying, “I imagine you must have many frightening recollections of the accident, Miss Braden. How are you coping with them?”

  With her thoughts scattered, Rhianna had no choice but to allow herself a moment to consider the question at hand.

  Finally, she said, “I have not been able to recall the accident, so, thankfully, I have been spared any such disturbing thoughts.”

  “You may, indeed, be grateful for that,” he replied. “In this instance, you are doing better than I.”

  Rhianna looked at him in wonder, but overwhelmed by the return of his gaze, quickly lowered her eyes to the floor.

  “I’m … sorry.”

  “No, no,” he hurried. “You must understand it was just very … it was a fearsome moment. I did not foresee, from the appearance of it, that only days later we would be sitting here. You cannot imagine, after beholding you lifeless in the field, how seeing you here, alert, well, it is … it is greatly consoling.”

  This brief recount of what was undoubtedly only a glimpse into his side of the experience brought a flush to Rhianna’s cheeks. The thought of her unconscious person in his care was one she had not dwelt upon; though suddenly she wished desperately that she could remember.

  “I will never forget what you have done for me,” she expressed, expecting him to cut off her thanks at any moment, “and I am well aware that the only reason I am sitting here speaking to you is because you were there to help me. I know not how to thank you.”

  He shook his head. “Seeing you here in good health is enough.”

  Silence followed until, at last, Thayne ventured to address her again. “Miss Braden,” he began, with some eagerness, “this talk has turned far too serious. Besides, I have a confession to make. While your condition was, certainly, of utmost importance to my visit, it was not my only purpose in coming. I have come to request, that is, I am hoping at the upcoming ball I might trouble you for two dances.”

  Thayne Brighton dance with a governess? Rhianna imagined he must still be delirious with fear for her life.

  “I would have applied at the ball,” he concluded, “but I imagine your dance card has already long since been reserved?”

  There is no figuring him out! thought Rhianna. Is he sincere or in jest? She did not know whether she ought to be flattered or insulted.

  “Actually, they have not all been spoken for, Lord Brighton.”

  “Indeed!” he cried, with a very proper amount of surprise. “Then the other gentlemen have shown you far more courtesy than have I by troubling you so promptly after your accident. You must forgive me. Still, I will, however rude, demand those two dances, if you will allow me.”

  Rhianna consented, as Guilford and Lydia reentered the drawing room. The very idea of what had just passed was ridiculous to her on every level. Her only certainty in the matter was that he would certainly spill something on her dress.

  Thayne shortly took leave of Lady Kingsley and Rhianna. He remained only to discuss some business with Lord Kingsley in his study before returning to Ravensleigh. The impression his visit left, however, was a powerful one.

  “Well, that was a very odd sort of call,” said Lady Kingsley. “Lord Brighton rather gives one the impression he did not come at all for his usual sort of visit. In fact, the gentleman seems quite to dote on you.”

  Rhianna had come to expect snide comments from Lydia in her year at Kingsley Manor, but this was more direct than anything she had previously experienced from the lady.

  “Lady Kingsley, forgive me, but I am sure you are utterly mistaken. Lord Brighton may be the gentleman enough, indeed, to offer the most basic of kind expressions, but I am quite certain his main purpose in visiting Kingsley Manor is the same as ever — his business with Lord Kingsley.”

  “Your argument is not nearly convincing enough to sway my opinion, Miss Braden. I have never seen him behave thus. It seems to me you have become quite a favorite of his.”

  “Not at all, my lady! Had I not fallen from my horse, Lord Brighton would never have entertained an audience with me.”

  Lydia gave an indifferent shrug. “Well, I suppose there is no way to test that theory, is there?”

  “I see no need if there were,” Rhianna told her. “I am happy to accept kindness from wherever it comes.”

  “Yes, a good rule of thumb,” she agreed. “My husband, Guilford, is very kind, would you not agree?”

  Rhianna wished not to speculate on her possible meaning. Her next words intended to not only end this peculiar conversation, but end it on a lighter note.

  “I have found everyone here at the manor to be very kind. Now, if you will excuse me, Lady Kingsley, I have much to prepare for Audra’s next lessons.”

  Lydia inclined her head, and Rhianna quickly escaped her company for the quiet of the schoolroom.

  • • •

  Soleil wasted no time in responding to Rhianna’s letter. Great relief was expressed in response to the horse accident, though they were sure it would produce nothing but nightmares for them all for weeks to come. With regard to the ball, knowing it to be another childhood wish come true for Rhianna, Soleil was delighted for her; Philippe, on the other hand, was not quite as thrilled. She had no doubt that his eyes would behold her note, which is why Rhianna had chosen her words carefully. Even still, what she did say of the upcoming ball was enough to put him in doleful spirits.

  “Poor Philippe is rather heartbroken that you should be at a ball without him. He begs you to think of him once before the night is through.”

  Soleil also intimated that they would be soon traveling to see her. Precisely when she could not yet say, but they were looking to visit her in England within the next couple months.

  On the morning that Soleil’s letter arrived, it had been arranged for Rhianna to go with Lady Brighton to her dressmaker and cobbler. Guilford, unreservedly forgoing all convention, continued to insist Rhianna attend the ball. He also expressed his wish that Lydia see to Rhianna’s costume, but Lady Brighton was quite determined to take over, and Lydia was quite willing to allow it. Rhianna, beside herself that she should be doing any such thing, would have been happy to go with either lady, but was very happy to go with Lady Brighton.

  Never, thought Rhianna, was a girl to be more elegantly attired for a dance in all of England. A white-on-white pattern in French silk had been chosen, with Lady Brighton’s guidance, designed with a fashionably wide neckline, small waist, bell-shaped skirt, and beret sleeves. The corsage was to be trimmed in horizontal folds, while knots of ribbon ornamented the shoulders and back of the gown. With Lord Kingsley’s insistence that price be no object, Lady Brighton overlooked no detail in all complimentary accessories.

  If Rhianna’s mind had been torn between Soleil and Philippe’s visit and the ball, the latter overpowered the former. She could only think to herself that all the things she had dared to dream of, but never attempted to wish for, were happening.

  • • •

  One week before the ball, Desmond was determined to request Rhianna’s hand for the first two dances of the evening. It would be well before the majority knew she was a governess; therefore, with nothing known of her other than her beauty, which would paralyze even the most aloof of spectators, she was certain to be in the foregro
und. Not one to shy away from attention, he looked forward to claiming the source of many eager glances and whispers for at least the first hour of the ball. More importantly, however, it would be well before any other gentlemen had an opportunity to recommend themselves to his future paramour, placing Desmond at advantage to lay his groundwork.

  On the week of the ball he approached her. Just as he had hoped, he found her alone in the schoolroom, collecting a French exercise book from Audra’s desk.

  “My dear Miss Braden,” he called her as he entered. “How very glad I am to find you here.”

  • • •

  Rarely did anyone enter the schoolroom besides Audra. A servant occasionally, to be sure, but otherwise it was something of a retreat for Rhianna, particularly when Lord Kingsley was out. In the months since her arrival at Kingsley Manor, she had yet to establish a comfortable rapport with Lydia or her son, the former being frequently ill-humored and the latter arrogant. Desmond’s sudden entrance at once enshrouded the room with a disagreeable air.

  “Lord Kingsley,” she responded, with a start, “what a surprise.”

  She watched the young heir as he stepped animatedly passed Audra’s desk and approached her. If his sudden appearance had not startled her enough, his insistence on standing so very close when speaking to her did little to put her at ease. She did what she could to keep at a distance of an arm’s length, but found it was not in her power to do half as much.

  “Now, really, when it is just us, must we continue to address one another so formally? It would be perfectly proper for you to call me Desmond.”

  To this awkward statement, he left her no time to respond. Likely, she could not have formed a composed reply give a considerable amount of time, so she was not sorry that he continued along. Privately, she resolved to do all in her power never to be alone with him on any future occasion.

  He told her, “I have searched the entire house over and was beginning to wonder that you might be hiding from me. Certainly, you must know why I have come.”

  Rhianna declared she did not and, in a second effort to create some distance between them, moved to her desk by the window and placed down the book she had been carrying.

  He followed her.

  “How very modest you are,” he said, with a twisted grin. “Very well, I shall not make you wait, though you cannot make me believe you are without your suspicions.”

  She had difficulty in meeting his gaze, which, as usual, was fixed intently on her. Frequently, she got the sense he was making advances at her with his eyes and today was no exception. His cocky manner and over confidence were more exaggerated than usual, and she found herself leaning very nearly backwards to gain precious inches worth of space between them.

  “I really can have no idea,” she admitted, hoping he would hurry with saying whatever it was he intended to say and leave.

  And then he said the words that made Rhianna’s heart sink. “I have come to reserve the first two dances from you at the ball Saturday.”

  She really was surprised that she should receive any request from him at all. And that he was given to the delusion she had been waiting for him to ask was unsettling, to say the least. Little did he know that the truth was quite the opposite — his request, although not unpleasant enough to ruin the experience altogether, was quite enough for her to hope the first two dances passed as quickly as possible.

  “You mustn’t be so astonished.” He grinned, her speechlessness seeming to amuse him. “Did you really think I would not seek to secure you for as many dances as society would allow? If only I could request your hand for the whole of the evening!”

  Thankfully, at this moment, Audra entered the schoolroom and Rhianna had never been so happy to see her.

  “I know that you will not disappoint me,” he stated under his breath, knowing his time was up.

  Aware that there could be no declining it, she accepted with what graciousness she could summon.

  “I look forward to it with pleasure,” he concluded, and with his back to Audra he lifted her hand to his lips.

  With this last, Desmond Kingsley left her, smiling as he had since the moment he entered the schoolroom. As the relief of his departure sunk in, Rhianna reflected that her impression of him had not changed; indeed, it was built upon. She already found Desmond Kingsley unpleasant, conceited, and vulgar; now it was very clear that he thought her attracted to him. What presumption! Probably, he thought every woman attracted to him.

  While she pondered these things, Audra approached her with a question about her history lesson. With difficulty, Rhianna attempted to extinguish Desmond from her mind as she opened her copy of the book.

  “Part three,” Audra specified, as Rhianna turned there.

  Fingering through the pages, she noticed some of her own notes were missing.

  “I don’t understand, it’s all so very odd,” she mumbled to herself.

  Checking to see that she did, in fact, have the correct publication, she then resorted to checking the name in the edition, at which point she solved the mystery — or discovered one. A flush came over her as she feverishly examined the inside cover of the book. In that instant, all thoughts of Desmond were erased as she ran her fingers under the faint black ink of the name Hallie.

  “Audra, have you any idea where this book came from?” Her voice was breathless, her composure lost.

  Audra looked at her with a curious gaze. “Is it not yours?”

  “No …” Rhianna could not hide the frenzy of emotions. “Audra, can you tell me who Hallie is?”

  “Hallie?”

  “Yes. Her name is etched in this book. Do you know anything about her?”

  Audra leaned over and looked for herself. It was some time before she finally answered; Rhianna thought that perhaps she never would.

  “I believe that was the name of Desmond’s last governess.”

  Rhianna’s breath froze in her chest. Hallie, a governess at Kingsley Manor?

  “Is there anything else you can tell me about her? Anything at all?” she asked Audra desperately.

  Little Audra shook her head. “I never knew her. Miss Barnesworth was my governess from the beginning.”

  “Do you know why she left?” Rhianna continued, anxious to know anything and everything that Audra could tell.

  “No.” She added, “I do hope you will be here a long time.”

  Realizing that Audra knew nothing else regarding Hallie, Rhianna let the subject drop, but it was quite enough to keep her busily in thought, with Desmond a distant memory. After Audra left, she took care to keep the book with her, resolved to mention it to Mauvreen in hopes her friend would now be willing to provide further detail.

  However, the following week was all bustle and excitement around Kingsley Manor and she could not get away. Fascinated by the preparations that went into a Kingsley ball, Rhianna watched on. Within the month, a guest list was written and invitations sent out, decorations were prepared, professional musicians engaged, and the dance floor was polished. An elaborate supper would soon be prepared by not one, but three chefs. Servants hastened from one room to another, checking to see that no detail was overlooked, so that when the final days before the ball arrived, everything was taken care of and all that was left was anticipation.

  Chapter Four

  A fire blazed in the hearth that evening, its flickering light enveloping Rhianna in a blanket of warmth as she stood before it. The rose room was cozy and brightly lit, assisted by a handful of candles whose glow in the mirror on the opposite wall was reflected to the far corners of the apartment. Arrayed in her white gown and satin slippers, the twenty-year-old Rhianna lingered momentarily before proceeding upstairs to the ballroom.

  It was expected to be an exceedingly good ball. Not a single invitation had been declined, and more than thirty couples from the most respected families would be in attendance. Twenty-five dances would play in the Kingsley ballroom, entertaining some of the most desirable young men and women i
n England. With difficulty Rhianna mustered her courage to face such society, and she was torn between feelings of fear and absolute, perfect happiness.

  Eight o’clock was the set hour. Some concern was made over the condition of the weather, for an early snow had begun to christen the roadways. Fortunately, it was thinly spread and would not prevent the greatly anticipated occasion from proceeding.

  In hopes of getting a view of the approaching coaches, Rhianna decided to leave her chamber in favor of the window at the first floor balcony. On her way out, she stopped briefly to take a final glance at her curls to ensure they were properly in place. She stood in wonder at the bandeaus of pearls carefully woven through her red ringlets and the matching choker necklace with its pear-shaped rhinestone drop that complimented the low neckline of her white, silky gown. She smoothed the skirt of her floor-length dress and marveled at her gloved hands. Hallie’s brooch provided the finishing touch. Smiling to herself, Rhianna knew the girl who left the rose room that night would not be the same girl who returned.

  Through the tall, frost-clouded Venetian window that overlooked Kingsley Manor’s front entrance, she could observe in the moonlight the white-sprinkled trees that guarded the glistening, snow-dusted ground. In the north winds, snowflakes danced through the air blissfully, as if having their own celebration outside. Rhianna stood and watched, a grandfather clock chiming behind her eight times, as a carriage pulled up to the house. Soon after, several more carriages followed, the tread marks left by their wheels quickly hidden in a blanket of yet more snow. The guests were arriving.

  “Miss Braden?”

  She turned with a start to the servant that stood behind her. “Oh! Katie, I didn’t hear you coming.”

  “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to frighten. Lord Kingsley’s good friend, Mr. Weathersby, has arrived from London and he wishes to introduce you.”

  Rhianna drew a deep breath. The time had come.

  “Thank you. I’ll be there directly,” she said. “Will you be spending time with George tonight?”