by Tracy Kay
“Yes, Mother, she will be there.” Madeline adjusted her gown, smoothing out the wrinkles in her flowing skirt.
“Perhaps if you stay near her, one of her many suitors will take an interest in you. It is not as if you don’t have money to draw men. I simply don’t understand,” she expressed absently, turning towards her daughter and looking her up and down with disapproval.
“I have plenty of suitors, Mother.” Madeline slipped on her emerald shoes which matched her gown perfectly.
“Then marry one of them,” Elizabeth instructed harshly.
Madeline picked up her satin, emerald gloves. “If and when I find a man that suits me, then, and only then, will I marry.”
“Madeline, if you do not choose a husband soon, I will have your father choose one for you,” Elizabeth threatened.
Madeline turned to face her mother as she pulled on her gloves. “I don’t think so, Mother. You have no right to tell me whom I am to marry. I will get my approval from Brandon, not you or Father. You gave up that right a long time ago.” Picking up her wrap the same color as her gown, Madeline walked out the door, leaving her mother in a state of stunned silence.
“Madeline, you are beautiful,” Nicholas commented as Madeline descended the stairs and joined him, Joselyn, and a man she vaguely remembered as a friend of Brandon’s.
“Thank you, Nicholas,” she acknowledged as she took the last step of the stairs.
“Madeline, this is Captain Damon Spencer. He is a friend of Brandon’s and he will be your escort for the evening. Under the circumstances, Brandon thought it wise to have someone guard you for the night, and since he has another engagement, Damon agreed to attend,” Nicholas explained.
Madeline smiled at Damon, hiding her irritation that Brandon felt she needed a guard. “Good evening, Captain Spencer. I do believe we have met a few years ago,” she greeted, offering her gloved hand. Although Damon was quite handsome, she couldn’t help but stare at his eyes. They were the color of amber and very intense, as if he could see right through her to her darkest secrets. His American accent had a soft drawl to it that gave his baritone voice a smooth quality that was pleasure to the senses. His hair was dark brown and clubbed at the back of his neck. She was tempted to put her hands through it to see if it felt as rich as it looked. She felt a flutter in her stomach and she had to take a deep breath to steady herself.
“Yes, I believe we have, Lady Madeline. It will be my pleasure to escort you this evening,” he replied, lifting her outstretched hand to his lips for a brief kiss. The last time he had met her, she had only begun blossoming into her own. She had turned into a lovely woman, he noted. “And please, call me Damon. No need for formalities.
“Damon, honestly, you don’t have to escort me this evening. I am sure Nicholas will be able to manage,” she suggested, withdrawing her hand out of his light grasp. She didn’t want this man watching her all night. Damon made her feel self-conscious and uncertain of herself, a very new experience for her. To her consternation, the man left her flustered and unsettled. Not to mention that Damon’s presence might ruin her plans of approaching one of the Farringtons, and that wouldn’t do at all.
“I am sure he could manage. Nevertheless, I will be attending,” Damon stated, ending any further argument she may have had. He smiled charmingly at her to soften the blow. She was truly beautiful, he thought. No wonder Brandon was overly protective. Her blond hair was piled up in the back with soft curls framing her face and her green eyes sparkled. A man could drown in those green eyes. Damon felt the familiar tightening in his groin and repressed the urge. It wouldn’t do for him to desire his friend’s sister. No, it wouldn’t do at all.
“If the introductions are finished, shouldn’t we be going?” Joselyn asked testily. Her gown was a simple, powder blue chiffon with white lace trim that didn’t do her justice, but Joselyn didn’t care. She had no intention of attracting a man’s attention, which is why she chose the ugly gown. She had had enough of men recently. “Are your parents joining us, Maddy?”
“No, they will be arriving later.” Thank goodness, Madeline thought. She didn’t need more of her mother’s criticism. “Gretchen asked us to come early for last minute preparations.”
“Then let us not keep her waiting,” Damon said. “Madeline, shall we?” He offered his elbow to Madeline.
After a brief hesitation, Madeline gazed up at his face and took his elbow. “Thank you, Damon.” He led her out the door with Nicholas and Joselyn following.
As she stood near the doors of the patio, Joselyn fanned herself, letting the fresh, spring air cool her flushed face. “Gretchen, you have outdone yourself. This ball is perfect,” Joselyn absently stated while she observed the occupants of the ballroom twirling around on the dance floor.
“It would not have happened without Madeline’s help,” Gretchen admitted, lightly squeezing Madeline’s arm in gratitude. “Oh, and Maddy, I almost forgot to tell you. Simon gives you his thanks, as do I, for helping me, especially after being shot and all the trouble.”
Madeline smiled at Gretchen. “I was happy to help you, Gretchen, but it took some convincing to get Brandon to let me attend. If Nicholas and Damon, Brandon’s friend, hadn’t escorted Joselyn and me, we would not be here,” Madeline commented as she watched Corinna Collins and Melissa Goodwin approach them. Corinna was a tall, curvaceous, young woman with rich, dark brown hair and soft, golden hazel eyes and a heart shaped face. Where Corinna was beautiful and sweet natured, Melissa was not. She was a thin girl of medium height with brown hair, brown eyes, a too long nose, and a sharp chin with a sharper tongue. Madeline didn’t like her one bit.
“Nice ball, Lady Gretchen,” Melissa greeted snidely. “All the proper people. Although there are a few you should have left off your invitation list,” she simpered meaningfully, sniffing at Madeline. “Some people can ruin a perfectly good ball. They don’t know when they should stay home.”
Corinna frowned at Melissa and tried to smooth things over. “Gretchen, it is a splendid ball. I am very glad Garner insisted I come.” She put a hand to her heart and turned to Madeline with sincerity, placing her other hand on Madeline’s wrist. “Madeline, when Garner and I heard of the shooting, we were very worried for you. We were so relieved you recovered that Garner even decided to attend the ball with me. He wanted to see for himself that you were well. He is over talking with Nicholas.” She lifted her hand from Madeline’s wrist and motioned towards her brother. “Doesn’t Garner look positively dashing this evening?” Corinna glanced at her brother with affection in her eyes before turning her attention back to Madeline. She thought the two of them would make a perfect couple, and she had been trying to get them to notice each other for the past year.
Madeline glanced over at the two men in question and she had to agree with Corinna. Garner was dashing in his black formal wear. He was a classically handsome man with a strong jaw, intense, golden-flecked hazel eyes, and thick, dark brown hair. He was tall and muscular with wide shoulders. He was the type of man that made a woman’s pulse race and her heart skip a beat when he walked into a room. Tearing her eyes away from the beautiful man, Madeline agreed. “Yes, Corinna, Lord Graives is especially handsome this evening.”
“He wanted me to tell you that the . . .” Corinna paused to consider Melissa and chose her words carefully. “The incident with Lady Prudence was a misunderstanding and not at all what Lady Prudence claimed it to be. She has become infatuated with him, which is unfortunate being as she is much too young for him.”
Madeline nodded in understanding. Prudence had set her heart on marrying Lord Graives and had been spreading the rumors of a compromise, trying to force his hand. Lord Reigns had known nothing about it when she had spoken with him, and he believed it to be imprudent to spread gossip involving Lord Graives. “Lady Evelyn will be relieved and pleased. Let Lord Graives know I am grateful to him for handling the matter.”
“I will.” Corinna smiled brightly. “And save a dance for
Garner, Madeline, for I am sure he will want one.”
Madeline grinned at Corinna’s obvious matchmaking. “I will be sure to save him a dance.” She was fond of Corinna and didn’t have the heart to tell her that it was unlikely her brothers would ever agree to a match between her and Lord Graives. Although, it was something to think about, she thought, as she glanced at him again. He was handsome and suitable. It would certainly make her mother happy. The only downside were the rumors. If they were true, well, she didn’t want to marry a womanizer, and if he was a confirmed bachelor, he wasn’t going to marry her or anyone else for that matter.
Not at all pleased that the conversation was focused on Madeline and not her, Melissa interrupted with a sniff, drawing the women’s attention. “Don’t you think wall flowers are quite a nuisance and the men dance with them only out of pity?” She sniffed again. “Why they bother, I will never know?” As the women gave her a strange look, Melissa turned to Madeline and exclaimed spitefully with a sniff, “Putting on more weight, I see, Lady Madeline. You really should try to stay away from those fruit tarts you are fond of eating. At this rate, you will never find a husband. How many years have you been searching?”
“No more than I have, Missy,” Gretchen replied, shortening Melissa’s name to irritate her. Gretchen knew she hated it when anyone called her Missy. Melissa was the second daughter of a minor baron, who was fond of elevating herself by criticizing others, using formal names and titles with her peers, but instead of impressing her peers, she only caused them embarrassment and irritation. “We decided we would have fun before we married. Besides, we made a pact not to marry anyone too boring or stuffy. As you can see, none of us have found anyone we wish to marry.” They hadn’t made any such pact with each other, but Gretchen was feeling a bit impetuous and didn’t think the lie would hurt.
“What a . . . quaint idea. Why your fathers ever permitted such a thing, I will never understand. Oh, that is right,” Melissa smirked with a sniff. “Three of you don’t have fathers, and you, Lady Madeline, your father and mother gave up on you years ago, so I hear. A pity,” she sniffed haughtily as she sauntered away. The women watched her depart with relief. The girl was purposefully cruel and knew Corinna’s father had died only two years ago, and the pain of that loss was still with her.
“Hateful girl,” Corinna stated, relieved that Melissa had left them and hoped she wouldn’t continue following her the rest of the evening. For some reason, the annoying girl had latched onto her when Corinna had arrived at the ball. Probably so she could get her brother’s attention, which was unlikely.
“Cruel hearted,” Joselyn huffed, watching Melissa leave the room. She disliked that mean girl.
“Malicious,” Madeline snipped. Her feelings were a bit bruised from the verbal attack.
“Yes, a complete shrew,” Gretchen snarled. “Don’t take what she says to heart, Madeline.” She put her arm around her friend and gave her a quick hug. “This is only her second season and she is young, trying to make a place for herself. She is jealous of you.”
“Absolutely, she is jealous. You are beautiful, wealthy, and come from a prominent family. All the things she is not, and that sniffing she does, you know she does that on purpose. It is irritating,” Corinna pointed out. “In my opinion, Melissa thinks way too much of herself and making enemies with that superior attitude of hers. If you recall, her father is a minor baron, who is struggling to manage his meager wealth and her mother is desperate to marry Melissa off to a wealthy lord. She has even tried to snag Garner, but he won’t have anything to do with that family.” Corinna’s golden eyes glittered with annoyance. She did not like the gold diggers and young debutants who tried to trap her only brother into an unwanted marriage. She was very protective of him and she wanted the best for her brother, such as her friend Madeline or Gretchen. Garner and Gretchen’s brother, Simon, had been school chums, and when they introduced the girls some years ago, it was only natural they had become fast friends, having similar interests. Once she had met Gretchen and Madeline, Corinna knew she had found her close circle of friends. The only downside to being their friend was Joselyn. Corinna wasn’t fond of her, but she was willing to put up with Joselyn for her friends’ sake. “Don’t let her maliciousness bother you, Madeline,” Corinna comforted. “She is not worth it.”
“Corinna is right. She is not worth it. You could easily destroy her, Maddy, and wipe that smug look off her face for good,” Joselyn added, wanting nothing more than to see Melissa put in her place.
“There is an idea,” Gretchen agreed with a devious grin.
“I need to refill my drink.” Madeline excused herself abruptly and walked away, unsettled by her friends’ comments. Did they actually think she went around destroying people simply because they insulted her? She would never do such a thing. Not that it was beyond her capabilities, but still, not something she did, and definitely not to someone as insignificant as Melissa Goodwin.
Tempted to drink something stronger than the fruit punch still in her cup, Madeline closed her eyes. She felt her headache returning and the ball had only begun an hour or so ago. She was afraid it was going to be a very long night. What should have been a lovely evening for her was turning out to be a disappointment. Madeline opened her eyes and found herself gazing into the amber eyes of Damon Spencer.
“You seem tired, Madeline. How is your head?” He asked with concern. She was looking a bit pale, he noted.
“I am a little tired,” she replied honestly. “But I am fine, thank you.” She smiled briefly. “Why do I get the feeling that your being my escort isn’t just for my protection?”
Damon gave her an easy grin, showing off deep dimples. “Because it isn’t. Yes, I am your escort and guard, but Brandon wants me to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. If you are, I am to take you home. He feels Nicholas will have other things on his mind besides you, being as he is a bit smitten with Joselyn; so, I am left to the task.”
Startled, Madeline looked to where Nicholas was talking with Simon. Nicholas’ eyes were on Joselyn. Why hadn’t she noticed that earlier, she thought. She chuckled. “No, I don’t think I am on his mind at all. Thank you for your concern, Damon, but honestly, I am fine. This must be tedious for you.” He grinned again at her with those dimples and the fluttering in her belly returned. She sipped her drink to hide her blush. She didn’t know what had gotten into her. Honestly, men didn’t have this effect on her.
“Oh, it is not too tedious,” Damon replied, ignoring her blush so as not to make her uncomfortable. He found her adorable when she blushed, and he so wanted to touch her hair, but he resisted the urge. “The music and food are good and I am in the company of a beautiful woman. What more could a man want?” Madeline blushed again at his compliment. “Your friends are waving at you, Madeline. You should go join them. When you are ready to leave, let me know.” He didn’t want her to go, but he needed to get control over his feelings. It wouldn’t do for him to lust after his friend’s sister, and the best way to deal with it was by putting distance between them.
“I will let you know when I am ready to leave,” Madeline responded awkwardly, not wanting to end the conversation, but not knowing how to continue it either. As she turned away from him and walked back to her friends, she could feel his gaze following her, and it made her both nervous and excited.
Madeline sipped her punch as she watched the guests dancing and talking in small groups. Every now and then she would glance over in Damon’s direction and catch him starring at her, and her stomach would flutter again. Trying hard not to think about him, she turned her gaze back to the guests and noticed a tall, slim man with pale blond hair and pale blue eyes that were almost colorless. He was standing off to the side, staring intently at them. His fixed stare on Gretchen gave her goose bumps up and down her arms despite the warmth of the room. “Gretchen?” She said, drawing her friend’s attention away from her discussion with Corinna. “Isn’t that Lord Ruxford over there?”
&nb
sp; Gretchen looked over at the tall man. “Yes, it is.” She shivered, not liking him at all.
“Why did you invite him? He wasn’t on the list.”
“Warren invited him,” Gretchen answered with irritation. What her brother saw in the older man, she would never understand. He made her uneasy and uncomfortable.
Corinna glanced over at Lord Ruxford and grimaced. “He is a horrible man. I met him at a soirée a friend of my mother had given a year ago. It is rumored he has had three wives, all of which have died from some sort of tragic accident. And I hear he is seeking yet another wife. Garner says he is not a nice man and has warned me to stay away from him, unnecessarily I assure you.” She shuddered involuntarily and crossed her arms protectively around herself. “He makes my skin crawl.”
Madeline placed a hand on Gretchen’s arm. “Try to avoid him, Gretchen. I don’t know much about him, but I do agree with Lord Graives. I don’t think he is a nice man.”
“I intend to, and you are right,” she replied, shivering again. “He is not nice at all.”
Madeline nodded towards the two men approaching them. “Here come your persistent beaus, Joselyn.”
“Ugh, I am going to have to dance with them,” Joselyn groaned. Henry always stepped on her toes and Marshall held her too close. She hated dancing with them.
“I am afraid so,” Madeline replied as she watched Henry Cummings and Marshall Nevell draw nearer. She leaned back in the velvet, blue chair she was seated in, resting her weary head. Her feet hurt from all the dancing and her headache had returned full force. She was beginning to think that Brandon had been right. Perhaps it was too soon for her to be out dancing and socializing.
“Why ever did you invite them, Gretchen?” Joselyn whined.
Regarding Madeline with concern, Gretchen answered. “It would have been rude if I had not. They have been spending so much time with you, Joselyn. I assumed you were interested in them.” Gretchen knew full well Joselyn didn’t want their attention, but she simply couldn’t help herself. It was her impetuous side coming out again. She truly was in a mood this evening, although she was becoming worried about Madeline. She was looking awfully pale.
