The Richardson's ball was one of the most glamorous and elite parties in London. Getting an invite was a thing to be bragged about . Carolyn had been the niece of the king. She had been betrothed to a Duke but had eloped with an untitled man who was the grandson of the fourth son of a Marquees. It had been the largest scandal. After Carolyn had married James , they had returned to London, shunned by many even though James was a wealthy businessman. He had an American mother, he was untitled and there was scandal attached to his name. Three years later, when Carolyn was pregnant with her second child, the Marquees title was inherited by James. Their had been six men between him and the marquisate . Three had died in service . One had been found to be a bastard . One had died in a duel . The other had collected so many gambling debts and other debts , he'd gone to debtors prison and hung.
Overnight, James became a wealthy Marquees . The ton , shameless had turned their love on them. Their first ball had been attended by the prince regent himself . That had been all the incentive anyone needed. The Fensworths had been given an invite for the first time ever with the dowager's influence.
True to the dressmaker's word, Missandrei's Dr was ready on time . Oh and it was the most exquisite thing. Blue lace with small silver beads along the bodice. The neckline was nearly daring. The sleeves were full and ended in a gripping silver line. The skirt hugged her curves before dropping to the ground in a small trail. The skirt was slit in the middle to reveal pale silver underskirt with black feathers sewn into it. Eunice had worked wonders with her hair. Pulling her hair back into a French twist and braiding blue ribbons into it. Curls fell from the sides teasing the curve of her jaw. She had on her mother's simple pearl earrings and the matching pearls clasping her neck. She was wearing one of her new kidskin gloves and silver soft shoes. Eunice had forgone any sort of additions to her face declaring that her facial features should be let to do their wonders. When she'd ascended the stairs to meet her family , her father and Henry had gaped. The countess had looked furious. Her stepsisters eyed her with such open hostility and envy. She was glad she'd have to ride in the smaller carriage with Henry .
"you look - amazing Missy" he said as he handed her up "I've never seen you look like this. Like a princess"
"I knew you had an inner poet somewhere in there. Lady Darren will be conquered tonight"
He simply grinned "I knew it a new dress couldn't kill your spirit "
She laughed.
She was shimmering. That's the only way he could describe her . When he'd stared his full, he noticed that he wasn't the only one who had taken note. Everyone was watching her. How could they not? How could they look away from the magnetism that was her? He'd commend his mother later for her excellent choice of gown. Underneath the chandeliers, her dress looked like a night sky full of shining stars. Her skin was clear . Her smile was the brightest thing in the room . He couldn't wait to have that smile bestowed on him.
Her eyes immediately found his. He felt warm all over. Her smile turned to a look of uncertainty. Why would she be uncertain looking like that? He waited impatiently for her and her family to greet the Richardsons then he cleared through the mass of bodies between them. Alas he was standing before her " Fensworth" he nodded at her brother .
"Your grace" he made a small bow then went off thankfully.
" Missandrei"
" Hello Luke"
"You are beautiful"
Her eyes sparkled in pleasure and the nervous rigidness left her body.
"You look-" she stopped her eyes running down every inch of him so carefully . When her eyes met his again , there was a flicker of desire in it mixed with excitement. She always wore such an open expression, anyone could tell what she was thinking. But at that moment , he didn't care that they were standing in a crowded ballroom scrutinizing each other with obvious interest anyone could see.
"The same" Missandrei finished then grinned. "I thought perhaps you'd curl your hair for such a grand event so we'd match"
"if I curl my hair then you'd have to change the color of yours"
He expected a smile. Instead all the smile that had been there before vanished . What had he said? He was about to ask when she looked over his shoulder and her smile returned "if you'll excuse me your grace" she performed the worst curtsy he'd ever seen then left . He turned to watch her go - go to Belmont. Jonathan Belmont! The man she called Jon . He whispered something to her and she laughed . Luke schooled his features into an indifferent mask. He couldn't let his anger or what he suspected was jealousy show. He was tempted to dance the first waltz with someone else , but it was part of his mother's plan to dance all first waltz with her. He strode over .
" Chadwick" Belmont grinned
"Belmont" he nodded back then turned to Missy "we will have the first waltz together" then he walked away not bothering about her tightened mouth or furious expression. He owed her nothing. Not even courtesy. He'd tried his hand at trying to be her friend. He'd foolishly thought her smiles and teasing were all for him.
Turned out any other man who paid her attention got her smiles and teasing too. He wondered if she and Belmont were lovers . Probably. What else would that rake want with her? She was just a name in the long list of women who thought they could tame Belmont and transform the rake into a husband.
He told himself he didn't care what Missandrei did or who she consorted with. He just needed to know that his heir and spare were his then she could do as she pleased .
" Luke" he turned to face James Richardson. The only man who could call him by his name .
"James. Lovely party"
"oh really? Then why do you have that furrow in your forehead?"
"what furrow?"
"its invincible but I can see it" he said "does it have anything to do with the gorgeous red head?"
"I don't know"
" that's a yes in Chadwick speak" James glanced over at Missandrei "Ah. jealousy. That special brand of venom"
" I'm not jealous"
Missandrei threw her head back and laughed then placed a hand on Belmont's arm . Luke growled low in his throat.
" of course you are not" James chuckled " you are just going through a little hatred for Belmont and you are going to spend the rest of the night of this 'lovely party' glaring at them both. That's definitely not jealousy"
" Definitely not" Luke sighed.
"see what happens when you don't talk to me for over two weeks"
"I don't want to talk about this James"
"you never talk about anything. But don't worry . Look on the bright side , Belmont will only tup her , he won't try to marry her"
Chadwick's eyes narrowed threateningly at James. Then he growled "Don't cross me James"
" I'm not crossing you. I'm preparing you for the inevitable future"
"we are betrothed" Luke said
"thank God that weak constitutioned Miss Rogers is out of the picture" James sighed "I don't think you've ever looked at her in the middle of a ballroom like you wanted to rip her cloth apart"
The damn bastard noticed.
"Carolyn is excited about you and the redhead"
" Missandrei"
"Its obvious you two have physical attraction. Carolyn made me stay on standby in case you two started ripping each other's clothing. You have a tiny bit or rusty charm , more wealth than a large village needs and all your teeth are in place. Winning Missandrei over shouldn't be too hard"
" I'm not sure she wants to be won over"