by Aria Norton
With hope,
Your loving sister, Abigail
Abigail folded and sealed the letter after she blotted it, hoping that he would not read too much into the part about her not letting him go off alone. She did not want him to take offense, thinking that she thought him incapable of traveling and successfully working on his own. She pressed the seal into the hot red wax, disappointment washing over her. At once afraid that Joshua would refuse her request, and afraid he would welcome her at his side, she sat in a state of waring emotions.
She felt the need to get out of London and away from Lord Brampton. However, she also felt her heart breaking at the idea of never seeing him again. What if he found a way to win Sarah back on his own? Visions of running into him, Sarah on his arm, and him introducing her as his wife was almost unbearable. She felt the bile rise in her throat and she stood, doing her best to keep the nausea at bay. It was not her problem or concern what Lord Brampton chose to do with his life in the future. She would have to find a way to move on.
It was for the best, she tried to tell herself. Even if he did have feelings for her, he would never allow himself to marry a young woman without title or fortune. Sure, her father had been a wealthy doctor. He was gone now, and her brother's poor luck in politics would most likely land them in the poor house. It would do him well to sever ties with her as soon as he could.
A knock sounded at the door, pulling her from her tortured thoughts. Mazzie stuck her head around the door, apologising for the intrusion.
"Yes, what is it, Mazzie?" Abigail asked without feeling.
"Miss Mary Voss is downstairs. Shall I tell her you are unable to receive visitors this evening?" Mazzie must have discerned her dark mood, watching her warily from the doorway.
"No, I will come down. Please tell her that I am changing for dinner and will be down shortly. The come back up and help me. Here," she pointed at the heap of her brother's clothes in the corner. "Take these down to the laundry before you go."
Mazzie did as she was told and left the room. Abigail sat down at the small vanity and started brushing out her long curls. Mazzie soon reappeared, telling Abigail that she had asked Miss Voss to wait in the parlor. "No doubt she has been worried about me these last few weeks. I have barely had time to see her, let alone invite her over here for a visit."
Mazzie tied her hair back with a ribbon and then helped her dress in a simple yellow cotton gown. She looked at herself in the mirror, wishing there was something she could do about the red puffiness under her eyes. No matter. Mary would have been able to tell that all was not well with her, even if she had tried to cover it up. She smiled at her reflection in the full-length mirror. There was no light in her eyes, however. Sighing, she let her shoulders sag. "It will have to do. Please tell Betsy to set another place for dinner, Mazzie. Thank you."
Mazzie followed her down the stairs and went down to the kitchen to let Betsy know that there would be an extra serving required for dinner. Abigail bit her lip. Hopefully, there would be enough to stretch the light meal. She had opted for simple meals of mutton and bread with her brother gone, with an occasional green vegetable thrown in. She would not blame Mary if she didn't want to stay.
"Mary, how good of you to come," Abigail said, pasting a fake smile on her face. Mary stood and came to her side immediately, seeing through her ruse.
"I have been worried sick, Abigail! Positively sick! You would not believe the rumours I have been hearing about you and Lord Brampton." Mary took her hand and pulled her down onto the sofa. She clutched her hands and would not let go. "What has been happening with you and the gentleman?"
Abigail's heart started pounding. How much should she reveal to her friend? Surely the rumours were centered around Lord Brampton coming to the house often when her brother was still in town? "What rumours have been circulating, Mary? Please tell me so that I may put your mind at ease."
"It is said that you visit the gentleman's house at odd hours of the night. One of my servants told me of an incredibly salacious rumour that you have been seen calling at his home and talking with him in private in his study. Tell me that this is not true, Abigail." Abigail could almost feel her eyes boring into her soul. She stood, letting go of her hands and pacing to the fireplace.
"It is not true. Someone is trying to besmirch my honor," she lied. Mary would be sure to squash any further rumours she heard to that effect. What Abigail could not figure out was how the rumours had been started in the first place. Obviously, one of Lord Brampton's servants had seen through her disguise and was now spreading gossip about her. Who else would know that she and Lord Brampton had been alone in the study? Fulton, she thought to herself. Would he have the nerve to betray his master like this?
"How dreadful! I am glad to hear that it is not true." Mary gave her a concerned look. "How has it been with your brother gone?"
Abigail could tell she was skirting the subject of Lord Brampton. She wanted to stall talking about him for as long as possible. "I have been managing. I miss him, though. The house is much too quiet for my taste with Joshua gone."
"Well, I'm sure we will all be glad when he returns home." Abigail noticed a slight blush creep over her friend’s cheeks. Was Mary in love with her brother? Abigail had been too distracted of late to witness any attachment forming between them. Perhaps Joshua was also oblivious to it. When it came to women, Joshua was utterly blind.
"Yes," Abigail said slowly. "It will be nice to have him home for the end of summer. I have written to him to ask if I might join him."
Mary's face fell. "Do not tell me that I will be deprived of both your company then? My dear, I do not think I can bear it. What has brought this on?"
"I fancy a change of scenery; that is all. It is much too lonely in the house without Joshua, as you can imagine. I want to get out of the hustle and bustle of London for a few weeks."
Mary raised an eyebrow. Abigail was never one to want to run away from the noise of London. On the contrary, she relished it. "What is truly bothering you, my friend? You have never been one to keep secrets from me. Has your wish to leave London to do with Lord Brampton? I know he was spending quite a bit of time here with your brother over the last few weeks."
Abigail bit her lip and came to sit back down next to her. She did not want to share anything that might get Lord Brampton in trouble, either at the House of Lords or with his friends. "There is nothing. I assure you, you need not worry about me. I suppose I am worried about Joshua's career. If he cannot gain some support on this trip, we may not be in London for very much longer as it is."
Mary's face crumpled with disappointment. "Well, we cannot allow that to happen. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
Abigail took her friend’s hands again. "That is most kind. Will you stay for dinner? I've asked Cook to lay one more place. We are eating quite plainly these days. You would be more than welcome, though."
"I will stay, thank you. It has been quite some time since we had dinner together." Mary stood and followed Abigail into the dining room. Per her instructions, another place had been set for Mary.
"I've not seen you at any of the season's balls as of late. I hope you will be attending The Duke's Midsummer Night Ball in a few weeks. Will Joshua be back in London by then?"
Abigail could hear the hope in her voice. Perhaps Abigail would hint that he should ask Mary to the festivities. "I believe so. There are several MPs in attendance that Joshua will want to meet."
"And you? Will your brother act as your escort, or will another gentleman have the honor?" Mary had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Abigail had not fooled her one iota with her lies about Lord Brampton.
"Not as of yet," Abigail said, rolling her eyes slightly. "You shall be the first to know if that changes."
Mazzie appeared at the door of the dining room carrying a tray. She placed the main course in front of the ladies and was about to pour the wine when a knock sounded at the front door. "Excuse me, Miss. I'll retu
rn directly."
"Who could be calling at this hour?" Mary asked, straining her neck to see if she could spot who it was.
Mazzie returned, wringing her hands.
"Well, who is it, Mazzie?" Abigail asked impatiently. "Why are you acting so strangely?"
Mazzie glanced at Mary and then back at Abigail. "Lord Brampton is here to see you, Miss."
Chapter 24
Thomas waited in the foyer to see Abigail, pacing the floor. What if she refused to see him? It had taken all his self-control not to chase after Abigail through the crowd. Deciding that it would probably be best to give her some space for at least a little while, he had paced back and forth in his study like a caged animal.
Finally, Abigail came out of the dining room. Still, to his surprise and chagrin, she was accompanied by another young lady.
"Good evening, Lord Brampton. This is my good friend, Miss Mary Voss." Abigail was guarded in her stance, stopping a good few feet away from him. Did she think he was a monster? That he would lurch out and grab her, dragging her from her home against her will? It hurt to see their normal familiarity broken.
"I came to make sure you were alright. You left so suddenly, and I thought you might be accosted on the street when you started mingling with the crowd."
Miss Voss lifted her eyebrows at this revelation. Abigail glanced at her and then turned a scowl on him. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, sir. Is that all?" Her coldness hurt.
He let out a heavy sigh, taking a tentative step towards her. "May we speak in private?"
Miss Voss stepped in then. "That would be most improper, Lord Brampton."
He ignored her, never taking his eyes from Abigail's. "Please, Abigail. I mean you no harm. Surely you must see that. Have I ever given you reason not to trust me in that regard?"
Abigail's lips were set in a hard line, her hands clenching into tight fists at her side. "Shall we talk in the parlor?" She turned to Miss Voss and whispered something only she could hear. Miss Voss turned, giving him an interested perusal - not cold like Abigail's, but guarded nonetheless.
"I'll wait out here for you," Miss Voss replied, standing near the door to keep casual watch over her friend. It was not what Thomas would have hoped, but at least they would have some semblance of privacy.
He sighed as she led him into the parlor, stopping near the hearth. She kept her back turned to him, waiting for him to start. "Abigail, I'm so sorry. I know I hurt you by concealing my connection with Sarah." He hated that she wouldn't look at him. He touched her arm and tried to turn her around. Miss Voss cleared her throat in warning. Shooting her a cold glare, he took his hand away. Abigail turned to face him on her own but still kept her gaze to the floorboards.
"Abigail, I've come to apologise for my behavior in the study, as well. I had no right... You have no reason to believe me, but I've grown to care for you immensely over the last few weeks. I want to put the whole revenge scheme behind us. And I also came to invite you to accompany me to a ball on Friday next, as another way of apology."
Abigail's eyes shot up, searching his face. "You want me to go to a ball with you? Why?"
He took her hands and again Miss Voss issued a warning by clearing her throat, louder this time. He shot her an annoyed glance.
"It's alright, Mary," Abigail laughed softly. Miss Voss held up her hands and smiled, turning away from the couple as she could see that Abigail was in no danger.
"I'm sorry," he said, letting go of her hands. "I want to make a fresh start with you. That is why I want to escort you to the ball."
Abigail shook her head. "I have nothing suitable to wear to a fancy ball like that. I'm nothing like the debutants that will be in attendance. I haven't even been presented at court."
"You will be perfect, just the way you are. Besides, the debutants could learn from you. I detest their silly games." Thomas took her hands once again, pressing a kiss into the soft skin on her left hand. "Say you'll go with me. Please?"
Her cheeks immediately coloured. "I have written to my brother to see if I might join him on his campaign..."
His face fell. "It will take at least a week for your letter to find him, and another for you to receive an answer. That gives you plenty of time to attend the ball with me."
She thought for a moment, and he could see the very moment she gave in. "Very well, then, yes. I would be glad to go with you."
"Good," he smiled and released her hands. "May I call on you tomorrow?"
Abigail looked around nervously. "My brother is not due home for many weeks. Perhaps we could meet for a walk in the park instead?"
"I'll take whatever I can get."
They rejoined Miss Voss in the hall, and he bowed to them both. "I apologise for interrupting your dinner. I will leave you."
"No, wait. Won't you join us, Lord Brampton? I'm sure there is plenty for all of us." Abigail invited, hoping that Betsy had made extra.
"Actually. I wonder if I might tempt you away from your dinner to come to my home? I had a whole feast prepared, and most of it will go to waste if I am the only one dining. Would you like to come to dinner at the Brampton House?"
Abigail glanced at Miss Voss to ask for approval of the plan. "Well, Mary. What do you say?"
"I think it sounds delightful. Thank you, Lord Brampton."
***
The night of the ball arrived, and Thomas was floating on air. He and Abigail had been able to patch things up between them. He had spent every afternoon with her, accompanied by her maid, of course. Miss Mary Voss had accompanied them on their walks several times as well. After her initial protectiveness for Abigail was surmounted, he had found Mary to be a delightful addition to their company.
Abigail nearly took his breath away when she appeared at the top of the stairs when he went to pick her up. Even though she was dressed in a simple blue cotton gown, her commanding presence would turn heads all over the ballroom. She came down the steps slowly, smiling at him as she came.
"You look beautiful, Abigail," Mary said. She, too, was dressed simply in a white cotton gown. Abigail thanked her and turned to Thomas.
"Will I do?"
"You will outshine every other woman in the room," he whispered as Mary went to retrieve her shawl from Mazzie.
"Thank you." He wasn't sure if she actually believed him. In his eyes, she really was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
She joined Mary at the front door and let Mazzie situate a white shawl over her shoulders. They walked out of the front door, and he helped them climb into his carriage.
When they arrived at the grand house where the ball was being held, he allowed Mary to walk ahead of them. He offered Abigail his arm, and she took it. He could tell she was nervous and he placed a hand over hers, trying to reassure her. "You will be the envy of every lady here," he whispered.
"I don't care about that. It's just been quite a while since I attended a ball. My dancing is a little rusty," she whispered back with a smile. Her unpretentious nature drew him to her even more. She was confident in who she was, without needing outward approval from other ladies.
"Don't worry about that. Just follow my lead."
The room was alight with music and chatter. Thomas led Abigail straight to the dancefloor, and they joined in with the waltz.
"You're a marvelous dancer," he said, seeing her face beaming. He loved the feel of holding her close in his arms. He would like nothing more than to go on dancing like this forever if it meant he could be close to her.
