Some half an hour later and Andrea found herself to be in the exact state that Lady Landerbelt had suggested. Her dance card was almost entirely full, and she had greeted a good many acquaintances and made one or two more. The sense of being surrounded by good company made her heart sing, although the way she was to go from one dance to the next was sure to make her head spin! Lady Landerbelt was laughing and smiling, conversing and introducing her to anyone she thought might be of interest to Andrea, and Andrea had to admit to herself that to have Lady Landerbelt as a companion was, in fact, quite wonderful. Despite Lady Landerbelt admitting to a slight anxiousness about being present this evening, she made her way through the crowd with ease. It seemed to part before her, welcoming her into the deepest folds of society, and Andrea followed her with all eagerness.
And yet, there was a lingering disappointment in her heart. She had not seen him. She had expected him to be here, had thought that he would have had an invitation and would have accepted it, but as yet, he appeared to be absent from this wonderful social occasion. She knew him to be a quieter sort but knew he did not avoid social occasions altogether.
Last Season, he had been at almost every event that she herself had attended, which had permitted them to increase their acquaintance – to the point that she had hoped he might write to her when her time came to return to her father’s estate. He had not done so, however, and it was this that made Andrea fear that he had no wish to return to that state of intimacy that they had shared before. Perhaps he had forgotten her. Perhaps he had considered her nothing more than one acquaintance out of many whilst he had meant a good deal more to her!
A little disappointed, Andrea made certain to hide all that she felt, keeping her expression bright and her lips curved into a small smile. There would come no good in revealing the truth of her emotions to anyone else!
“Miss Truwin!”
She turned, bobbing a quick curtsy as one Lord Islington bowed before her, his hand stretching out towards her as he lifted his head.
“My dear Miss Truwin, we are to take to the floor, I think!” he exclaimed, as the first few notes from the orchestra drifted across the room. “The cotillion, Miss Truwin, what say you to that?”
Laughing, she accepted his hand, seeing Lady Landerbelt’s smile of approval, and walked out with him to the dance floor.
Lord Islington was, in fact, a very good dancer. He was handsome, with a broad smile and a keen look in his eye that always made Andrea blush whenever he winked at her. He was smooth in his movements, delighting her with his dancing and leaving her without any fear that he might step on her toes! His conversation – when they could have it – was pleasant enough, enquiring as to when she had returned to London and whether or not she was enjoying the ball, but giving her nothing more significant than that.
“An excellent first dance, Miss Truwin!” Lord Islington cried, as he bowed towards her, the dance now at an end. “There is to be a short recess before the second, so might I take you for a short meander through the ballroom? I shall return you to Lady Landerbelt very soon, of course.”
Andrea was about to refuse, knowing full well that Lady Landerbelt would wish for her to return to her side immediately, only for someone to catch her eye.
Her breath caught, her heart thundering so violently she feared Lord Islington might hear it.
“Miss Truwin?” Lord Islington asked, looking at her with a slightly confused smile. “What say you?”
She struggled to speak, her words sticking to her lips as she forced herself to drag her gaze away from that particular gentleman.
“Very briefly,” she managed to say, aware that Lady Landerbelt was drawing close to them and, not wanting to displease her, gesturing towards her so that Lord Islington had opportunity to see her. “If Lady Landerbelt agrees.”
Andrea did not hear Lady Landerbelt and Lord Islington discuss matters, did not see Lady Landerbelt’s warm smile but sharp gaze, insisting that Lord Islington return Andrea within a few minutes and that they were not to step outside into the gardens. She did not see Lord Islington laugh jovially, nor become aware of him shaking his head, bowing over Lady Landerbelt’s hand and giving his vow that he would not do so. No, instead, she kept her eyes on the one gentleman she had thought of repeatedly over the last year, the one gentleman she had never been able to free herself from.
He was standing on the opposite side of the room from her, only briefly obvious to her as people moved in front of him. He was not looking at her but rather letting his gaze drift about the room, his brows low and a tenseness about his jaw that betrayed either an anger or a deep, unsettling tension.
Her stomach fluttered with butterflies as she continued to watch him, desperate for him to look towards her, to see her standing there, ready to greet him again if only he should come to speak to her.
And then Lord Islington put her hand on his arm and led her away, making her jump in surprise and turn back to see Lady Landerbelt giving her a curious look.
“A short walk only, of course,” Lord Islington said again, inclining his head and patting Andrea’s hand for a moment. “I will not be tardy, Lady Landerbelt!”
“Pray, ensure you do as you have said,” Lady Landerbelt replied, with a small smile. “Thank you, Lord Islington.”
Managing to give Lady Landerbelt a smile but betraying nothing more, Andrea let out a small breath of relief as Lord Islington led her away from her companion and, thankfully, by some chance, directly towards where she desperately wanted to go.
“I will have every gentleman’s eye on me,” Lord Islington said grandly, his head held high. “To have such a lovely lady as yourself on my arm, I shall be the envy of every gentleman!”
“You are much too kind,” Andrea said, her heart leaping in her chest as they walked across the room, her eyes fixed on the object of her desires. The gentleman in question continued to let his gaze rove across the room, and, much to Andrea’s delight, he finally saw her.
“Ah!” Lord Islington exclaimed, evidently seeing the very same gentleman as Andrea. “That is Lord Bastien, is it not?”
“It is,” Andrea replied, a little breathlessly. “I was acquainted with him last Season, Lord Islington.”
“Then we shall say good evening to him again so that you may reestablish your acquaintance,” Lord Islington said grandly, moving purposefully towards Lord Bastien. Andrea kept her eyes fixed upon him, seeing how he watched her move forward, clearly aware that they were to greet him. His dark head lowered for a moment, his dark blue eyes dropping to the floor.
Only for him to turn on his heel and walk away, leaving Lord Islington stuttering in utter astonishment at the gentleman’s disrespect, and Andrea utterly dumbfounded over Lord Bastien’s sudden and apparent rejection of her. Her heart sank to her toes, her shame mounting as heat burned in her cheeks.
For whatever reason, it seemed that Lord Bastien had decided to bring their acquaintance to an end.
2
Jasper, the Earl of Bastien, hurried out of the ballroom and into the gardens, not looking to the left or to the right but straight ahead. The cool air of the night wrapped around him, helping him catch his breath and calm his fractious thoughts.
Lord Islington was the last gentleman he wanted to see, even though Jasper was glad to know that he was, at the very least, present in society. The young lady Lord Islington had been with was none other than Miss Truwin, whom Jasper had been introduced to last Season. He had found her to be a very beautiful indeed, with her dark blue eyes and light brown curls brushing her temples with the rest piled up in a most intricate fashion. He had thought she might be rather dull, seeking only to converse about gossip and the like, but to his surprise, she had been intelligent, witty, and well spoken. In fact, he had begun to find himself drawn to her side whenever they were in the same room as each other, and she, it seemed, had been glad of his company whenever he had thought to seek her out.
It was not as though his heart had been engaged,
however, he reminded himself, and certainly his mind had not been fully captured by her either. She had been a mere distraction, giving him something to do whilst he waited for Lord Islington’s return to society. He had enjoyed her company greatly but had never allowed himself to consider her more than an acquaintance.
But to see her now walking with Lord Islington had been like a kick to his gut. He could not explain his reaction to such a sight, horrified by its intensity and yet forcing himself to accept the pain that came with it. Miss Truwin meant nothing to him, he reminded himself, even though he had to fight hard to believe it. Drawing in great lungfuls of air, Jasper began to walk slowly, his hands held tightly behind his back and his head low. There were a few others walking in the gardens also, but he paid them no attention. There was far too much on his mind.
Sighing heavily, Jasper walked further into the gardens, straying from the path and letting his feet take him wherever they wished to go. He had not come to London to enjoy the Season nor take a wife. Rather, he had come here out of necessity, out of a requirement to seek the justice that had never been his. His jaw set firm, as the anger and sense of betrayal shot through him once more, recalling just how Lord Islington had snatched everything from him. He had not only taken it from him but ensured that Jasper could never make amends for what had occurred. Lord Islington himself had cared nothing for Jasper’s feelings on the matter and certainly had shown no indication to care about what he had done. The gentleman had nothing but the same usual arrogance, gentility, and self-assurance that constantly drew young ladies to his side. There was nothing in him that spoke of regret or disappointment or sorrow over what he had done, and, of course, there had been no consequences for the gentleman either. He had simply been able to continue on with his life whilst Jasper had been left to pick up the pieces of his shattered life.
“But not now,” he muttered darkly, as the shadows fell around him and drew him close to himself. “Now, I shall do all that I can to ensure that he feels the very same sorrow as I.” His jaw clenched, his teeth gritting hard together. He would have to keep a close eye on Lord Islington, whilst making himself almost invisible to the gentleman at the same time. The fellow could not know that Jasper was watching, that he was eager to bring about disaster upon him. If Miss Truwin was to capture the attentions of Lord Islington, then Jasper would ensure that Miss Truwin was no longer interested in Lord Islington, just as Lord Islington had done to him.
Jasper swallowed hard, hating his dark intentions but yet unable to step away from them. Almost two years ago, he had fallen desperately in love with one Lady Cecily. She had been utterly enchanting, with a delicate form, a gentle appearance, and a kindness in her words. How he had loved her! Within a few minutes of their introduction, Jasper had felt his heart beating with such an urgency that he had barely been able to continue his conversation with her, for fear of appearing such a fool that she would have nothing but laughter for him! But Lady Cecily had not done so. Instead, she had looked up at him with shining eyes and a warm smile, emboldening him to ask if she might accompany him around the room.
She had gone with him, and their conversation had flowed easily, and he had found her all the more enchanting. Lord Islington, who had, at the time, been one of Jasper’s closest acquaintances, had heard Jasper speak of the lady over and over again, and had encouraged him to further his acquaintance with her. He had laughed in astonishment at the level of Jasper’s fervor and had told him repeatedly that this heightened emotion must be of the greatest importance and should not be ignored.
With Lord Islington’s encouragement, Jasper had called upon her one afternoon, which had then led to walks in the park, carriage rides, and a whispered plea that he might court her, such was the strength of his intentions. Jasper had told Lord Islington quite clearly that it was not Lady Cecily’s large dowry that drew his attention, but rather that of her heart. He had written poems, sent sonnets, and told her, in as many ways as he could, that he loved only her.
However, the moment he had spoken of courtship, his heart had ripped from his chest and plunged to the floor. Lady Cecily, who had been nothing but delight and joy, had turned her head away, her cheeks a little pink. She had told him that she was uncertain as yet about whom she might choose to court her. How astonished he had been! How afraid! He had stumbled over his words, having no knowledge of who this other gentleman might be, only to discover that it was, in fact, his dearest friend, Lord Islington.
It was as though he had been thrown into the deepest, coldest, darkest waters and was now struggling to find air. Lord Islington? He had not been able to believe it, for Lord Islington had been his dearest friend and had known the depths of Jasper’s affections for Lady Cecily! Why had he then gone to seek out Lady Cecily for himself? Why had he not refrained when he knew just how much Jasper loved her?
That confession from Lady Cecily’s lips had brought everything to an end. Jasper had been required to stand aside as Lord Islington had married Lady Cecily, had taken her to his estate, and had, only two months later, wept over her grave. A fall from a horse, apparently, which had turned to fever and led to her death. Lord Islington had stolen Jasper’s only love and, in doing so, had taken her from this world forever.
The agony tore him apart all the more as he struggled to catch his breath. Lord Islington had to bear consequences for what he had done. Lord Islington had been absent from London for most of the Season last year but had turned up for the last few weeks of it, given that his mourning period had come to an end. Jasper had been waiting, wanting to see Lord Islington’s grief, wanting to see his agony and pain, but instead had seen only a zest for life and a happy countenance that had twisted the knife further into his heart. Lord Islington had ignored him entirely, as though he were invisible to him, and it had been this behavior that had drawn Jasper’s ire. He now believed that Lord Islington had cared nothing for Cecily. The man had only wanted her dowry, it seemed, for Jasper knew firsthand that Lord Islington liked to throw his money about. Gambling, parties, and expensive dinners – nothing was too much for Lord Islington. Had his debts become too great? Had that been the only reason he had sought Lady Cecily? Why else had he then been so willing to ruin the friendship between them by chasing after the only lady that Jasper had ever cared for?
Dropping to his haunches suddenly, Jasper shoved both hands into his hair and blew out his breath slowly, feeling the same anger, the same sorrow, and the same despondency filled him that had first come to him some two years ago. Such feelings had never left him. Instead, they only grew with each passing day, only to be satisfied in his seeking his revenge. He had clutched onto them hard, pulling them towards himself and never allowing even the company of Miss Truwin, as he had enjoyed so often last Season, to steal even an ounce from him. They were his to satisfy—and he had every intention of doing so.
Lord Islington would not know happiness again, Jasper was to make certain of it. He would take everything he could from Lord Islington, would pull everything out from beneath him and snatch everything away before he could take a hold of it. Lord Islington would know what it felt like to be bereft, to be left without anything firm to take a hold of. Rising slowly to his feet, he gulped in air, feeling his emotions swirling furiously all through him. He could not lose his composure; he could not lose focus with his intentions. This was to be his only goal this Season—and nothing was going to prevent him from fulfilling it.
“What do you think of Lord Islington, Miss Truwin?”
His head shot up in the darkness as he heard a gentle voice cutting through the trees towards him.
“He did seem very attentive towards you.”
A quiet laugh seemed to suggest that Miss Truwin, did not agree.
“I think him very attentive to a good many young ladies, Lady Landerbelt,” came the reply. “I am not inclined to think that he is being particularly considerate towards me.”
There was a short pause, and Jasper began to walk slowly back in the direction
he had come, wanting to hear the continued conversation. It seemed that, mayhap now, their acquaintance might prove useful. If Lord Islington did, in fact, prove himself to be truly interested in Miss Truwin, then Jasper determined that he would pull her from Lord Islington, just as the fellow had done to him. And, if not, then she might prove a useful ally, telling him of Lord Islington’s behavior so that he could circumvent whatever plans the gentleman put in place.
“You might wish to pursue the connection however,” he heard Lady Landerbelt say. “Lord Islington is a genteel, amiable sort of gentleman, who might make you very happy.”
“And it is not a connection that my father would look down upon,” Miss Truwin replied, with a small sigh. “But I cannot have any hope in that regard, Lady Landerbelt – at the very least, I will not allow myself to feel so, for what good will it do if it comes to naught?”
Lady Landerbelt laughed softly, and Jasper came to a stop, realizing that they had turned around and were now to return to the ballroom. “That is wise indeed, Miss Truwin. However, I must ask – are you quite certain there is no other reason for your hesitation? You do not have someone else in mind for your attentions and, mayhap, even your affections? There is not another gentleman that you have considered?”
Jasper did not wait to hear the answer, moving swiftly through the gardens on silent feet and returning to the path as quickly as he could, ensuring that he was ahead of the two ladies so that he might return to the ballroom first. Clearing his throat gently, he held his head high and stepped inside, trying to look as disinterested as possible. Turning his head, he glanced towards the door, his heart quickening just a little as Lady Landerbelt and Miss Truwin walked inside, still talking animatedly. Miss Truwin, he noted, had a slight flush to her cheeks that betrayed a heightened emotion over whatever it was they had been discussing. His heart slammed against his chest, wondering if her smile came from the fact that Lord Islington had, yet again, been able to affect the heart of a young lady of the ton, simply by smiling and conversing with her. It was all much too easy for Lord Islington and that grated hard against Jasper.
Regency Engagements Box Set Page 38
