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“Is that so?” Lord Horenwall seemed unaware of the direction the conversation had nearly gone in. “Then what do you say we all attend Lady Trenchton’s ball? I will be by your side, My Lady, so you do not have to worry about being alone. Not to mention that I am quite sought after by the ladies this Season, so it will certainly make you the subject of envy. Is that not what every lady wants?”
That is quite funny because I want the very opposite. But she didn’t dare to say those words aloud.
“Oh, no, that is quite all right, My Lord,” Elizabeth protested weakly but he was already shaking his head.
“I insist. Lady Trenchton is quite famous for her themed balls, though I do not yet know what the theme will be this year. I encourage you and Lord Gillet to attend for I am sure you will both enjoy yourselves. Perhaps others will see how much better you shine when you are by my side.”
Elizabeth couldn’t tell if he was jesting. Surely, he had to be but…
She knew, without having to look at her father, that he was already considering the invitation. Another protest lay on the tip of her tongue, but what was the use? Ever since he’d announced that she would soon be married, Lord Gillet had been quite stubborn in changing his mind. Like a bull, he was charging in headfirst and Elizabeth didn’t think she had the strength to stop him.
She could hardly blame him, however. For many years he stood by, hoping she would take the initiative. She’d neglected to tell him that she was saving herself for someone else because she knew he would not understand. While he’d known William when they were younger, too many years had passed and Elizabeth was clearly the only one who still clung to the past.
So, Lord Gillet nodded his head, approved loudly, and Elizabeth concentrated on eating. Even though it was in her nature to be kind, and she knew that Lord Horenwall was not to blame for this, she couldn’t bring herself to speak anymore. She let her father take the reins, to make the Earl comfortable while Elizabeth tried not to be rude.
For the rest of the night, she couldn’t stop the sadness and dread that pooled in the pit of her stomach. And she couldn’t stop thinking about William, wishing she could find him at long last.
Chapter 2
The next few days were spent with Elizabeth in a focused state. It came upon her the night of the dinner party, when she’d returned to her bedchamber to retire for the night. She’d laid in bed thinking about the past, about the scars that marred her body, about the ring she’d lost, and the man whom she was meant to marry. Instead of growing sad under the weight of it all, Elizabeth grew more determined to find William.
That was exactly what she set out to do the next day and the day after that. Her father was right in saying that she was reserved but even so, she did not spend much time home. She would travel around London in a carriage, looking out the window in hopes of finally spotting him by a twist of fate.
She knew it was fruitless and foolish. A waste of time. But after last night, Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to sit around while her search remained unfinished. And with no clues as to where to look for him next, she found herself falling into this terribly monotonous and fruitless search.
Of course, it ended with no results. Like every other day for the past few years, Elizabeth failed to find him. But, though despair was beginning to set in, Elizabeth refused to give in to it. Once he was back in her life, she would not be forced into a marriage to a man she did not know, no matter how kind that man appeared to be.
“What do you think, Lady Elizabeth?”
The voice dragged Elizabeth out of her thoughts and she looked up at Lord Horenwall sitting across from her, who had his brows raised in question. Sitting next to her in the rattling carriage was her father, who would serve as her chaperone for the ball, despite them traveling with the Earl.
“What do I think about what?” she asked. She hadn’t been listening to a word either one of them had been saying since she came into the carriage. Since they’d been going on and on about matters regarding business, she didn’t think she needed to.
Lord Horenwall pointed out the window with a small smile. “The sky. There is a full moon tonight. Do you not think it is quite beautiful?”
Indeed, the night was far brighter than it usually was. She nodded, not particularly caring for the conversation but not the type to be rude. “Yes, My Lord, it is a sight to see.”
