He smiled absently. “Oh, I’m sure I shall. I hope so, at the very least.”
The man withdrew, leaving William staring at his reflection, gathering his thoughts.
I must tell her tonight. She deserves to know the truth.
No, it was too soon. William’s apology was still raw, and he still flinched over his own curtness to her.
I’ll dance with her tonight.
The thought of seeing Lavinia again filled his chest with warmth and anticipation, with a fair dollop of anxiety in the mix, too.
He could already hear the chatter and laughter drifting up from downstairs, with some guests already prepared to go, calling their carriages and making plans to meet up with each other once they reached the Assembly rooms. He closed his eyes.
Time to go.
***
William travelled with his two brothers and their respective wives, crammed in between poor Abigail and Eleanor, Alexander and Henry arguing about something in the opposite carriage seat. He smiled to himself, watching the dark landscape flit past.
Am I… am I excited over this outing? If I am, it’s only because of her.
The ride, it seemed, had changed everything. It seemed ludicrous that he had ever seriously considered Miss Bainbridge. She was perfect for the role of duchess, indeed, but somehow the idea of marrying her was hollow.
“William?” Abigail said, her gentle voice cutting into his thoughts. “You seem preoccupied. Is everything well?”
“Hm? Oh, yes, I’m quite well. I think I’m just looking forward to the party.”
Abigail smiled, and Henry gave a splutter of laughter across the carriage.
“You? Looking forward to something social? That can’t possibly be right.”
“Don’t be cruel, you silly man,” Eleanor responded, nudging her husband’s knee with her foot. “I wonder who William is more eager to see – Miss Bainbridge, or Miss Brookford?”
The two brothers gave a whoop of laughter at that, and William allowed himself a small smile. He was with family, after all. One had to endure a little teasing.
“You’re all wretched,” he remarked, “and none of you deserve to know.”
There was more hooting and laughter at that, and they kept jesting with each other all the way to the Assembly Rooms.
The grand building was all lit up from the inside-out, lights glowing from the windows. Carriages lined up outside, with finely dressed ladies and gentlemen climbing out, hats and bonnets crammed onto their heads to fend off the light, misting rain. The heavy showers of earlier had faded away, leaving only the promise of a clear night, fresh air, and a fine day tomorrow.
The Willenshires’ carriage rumbled up next, and the five of them untangled themselves from each other and went hurrying up the steps. The heat hit William before they reached the door, and he felt a powerful wave of anxiety.
Shewould be here. He hadn’t seen Lavinia since that morning, and nerves twanged at his gut. He hadn’t even decided what he would say to her, only that it was time to come clean. He would tell her about the locket, about all of it. He would tell her about his feelings, about his father’s will, about his own fears. Perhaps she didn’t want to be a duchess. Sensible women generally didn’t – it was a great deal of work and a lot of scrutiny, for surprisingly little reward.
Stop thinking of her. Miss Bainbridge is your betrothed, not Miss Brookford.
He stepped into the Assembly rooms proper, blinking in the glare of countless candelabras.
The place was packed full of ladies and gentlemen, all of them talking at once, loud enough to drown out the music.
And then he saw her.
Lavinia was wearing a deep blue dress, the same dress she’d worn all those months ago when they first met. It seemed like an eternity ago now.
His brothers and sisters-in-law filtered away, spotting acquaintances in the crowd, leaving William to stand alone. He felt oddly breathless.
Lavinia’s gaze met him and stayed fixed on him.
