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“Though, I must say it pales in comparison to your radiance, My Lady.”
Elizabeth smiled because she knew she was supposed to. “I must thank you, though I am undeserving of such compliments,” she said modestly.
“Oh, come now, Elizabeth,” said her father. His usual grin was out in full tonight as he said to the Earl, “She has always been very modest.”
“I find it to be a charming quality,” Lord Horenwall said. “Or perhaps it shows that she is not easily wooed by sweet words.”
Elizabeth didn’t see any reason to respond with anything other than a smile. Lord Horenwall regarded her curiously after that, his own smile playing around his lips. Thankfully, he said nothing else as they pulled up to the line of carriages leading to Trenchton House. She’d learned that the theme for tonight’s ball had been A Midnight’s Garden and so Elizabeth had opted to wear a rose-colored gown, complemented by a fichu that effectively covered the scar on her collarbone. Her sleeves were puffed and so she wore a pair of long gloves.
Her father picked up the conversation once again, engaging Lord Horenwall and relieving Elizabeth of the need to do so herself. It pained her to see her father taking her into consideration through such actions, while simultaneously subjecting her to something she did not want to do. He was an understanding man, but she’d pushed him far past his limits.
Within a few minutes, they arrived at the house and were helped out of the carriage by footmen. Lord Horenwall gave Elizabeth a smile as they set out towards the door and she just barely managed to return it. She didn’t want to be here. Surely, when she stepped into the ballroom, the gossiping would begin.
But she held her chin high as she, Lord Gillet, and Lord Horenwall were led through the front doors towards the ballroom. When they were announced, Elizabeth kept her head straight, not letting her gaze rest on any one person. But she noticed curious eyes watching as she went by. She imagined whispers going up about the seven-and-twenty-year-old lady who had not been seen at a Season’s ball in years. Elizabeth liked to convince herself sometimes that the whispering didn’t bother her, especially since she didn’t know if what they were saying was good or bad, but tonight it was difficult to.
“There is no need to tarry, My Lady,” Lord Horenwall said the moment they came to a stop amongst the masses. “Let us join the dance that is about to begin.”
“A-already?” she blurted out.
Lord Horenwall tilted his head to the side, smiling. “There is no greater time than the present, do you not think?”
He did not wait for her to respond. He took her by the hand and began leading her out towards the other dancing couples. This time, she was most certainly being watched and Elizabeth tried not to lower her eyes to the floor.
Lord Horenwall gathered her close. For a few moments, they moved to the rhythm of the music drifting through the ballroom before he spoke again. “So, My Lady. What, may I ask, changed your mind about tonight’s ball?”
Elizabeth’s mind was far away, wishing that she could return home. It took her a moment to realize he’d spoken. She raised her brows in surprise. “Pardon me?”
“It had appeared to me when last we spoke that you did not fancy the idea of attending. Do not tell me you are smitten with me already?”
Elizabeth blinked.
Does he jest or does he truly believe that I fancy him?
A moment passed by and Lord Horenwall chuckled, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. The movement sent a shudder through her body “I am afraid my teasing cannot hit its mark tonight.”
“Oh,” she murmured, her tone slightly disinterested. “Forgive me.”
That made Lord Horenwall chuckle. “The moment has long since passed and now I must recover my pride. But I do hope for a response to my question.”
“As to why I suddenly wished to attend?” Elizabeth was scanning the guests. It was an instinctive reaction. If she was near a group of people, she always had to look to see if William was present. The disappointment she felt seeing that he was not, hardly bothered her anymore. “It is simple, My Lord. I did not have much of a choice.”
“Oh? Pray tell why.”
She lifted a single shoulder. “My father grew enamored with the idea and I did not want to disappoint him.”
It was partly the truth, the other part holding on to the hope that she would find a clue as to William’s whereabouts, as impossible a feat it might be.
“You are a kind daughter, Lady Elizabeth,” Lord Horenwall responded. “It is always heartwarming to see a close relationship between a lady and her father.”
Elizabeth didn’t care to talk about herself any longer. “And you, My Lord? Is the relationship between you and your parents a good one?”
