Caleb began talking with James about his business abroad and what transactions he had been involved in during his time in the Caribbean. Clara and Hannah exchanged happy expressions, that their husbands were happy conversing and may perhaps grow a friendship. There was also a coy smile of approval from Clara, which lifted Hannah’s heart – it was important to her that her sister should be fond of her husband.
The evening was looking positive and bright as Hannah looked about the room. The intense focus on her from when she had first arrived had now evaporated and she was able to freely look about without attracting too much attention. The air hummed with the gentle strain of a string quartet and the calming swish of expensive fabrics and ladies’ silk gowns. A Butler stopped by with a tray of champagne, from which they each gratefully took a glass. As Hannah delicately sipped at it and felt the light, sweet bubbles dance on her tongue, she considered that this was the happiest and lightest she had felt in a while.
Taking in the room, with its abundance of colour and movement, she saw the Dowager Duchess across the hall, greeting a group of people with convivial energy, which jolted Hannah, so contrasting it was to her usual demeanour.
Intrigued, Hannah craned to see who Anne was so delighted to be meeting with and saw – to her disdain – Lady Lucinda Fairfax, with Lord Edward and Lady Beatrice. Her mother-in-law continued to fawn over the beautiful Lucinda and suddenly Hannah’s joyous moment was crushed.
Caleb noticed Hannah looking intently across the room and his interest was piqued as to whom she could be engrossed with so he, too, looked.
Upon seeing his mother displaying her sycophantic drama over Lucinda, he wanted to roll his eyes but, being in such esteemed company, did not allow his sardonic side to darken the evening. He looked back instead to Hannah, who was still absorbed and there, he witnessed the sadness she felt at her lack of acceptance. He could read on her face the vulnerability she felt that she might always be compared to the seemingly glorious Lucinda.
Caleb reached tentatively around the back of Hannah and placed his hand supportively on the small of her back. It was a small gesture of solidarity and the only thing he was capable of in the moment to show her that he sympathised; that he could see her struggle and that he was on her side.
Hannah jerked slightly as she felt Caleb’s hand appear on the small of her back. She wondered if he had seen her looking at Lucinda and wished to comfort her in her conclusions of inadequacy. The idea of her being caught staring forlornly at the woman heshouldhave married brought a crushing sense of shame upon Hannah and she wondered why Caleb would take that moment to demonstrate his affection. He confused her, but even as she muddled it through, she enjoyed the feeling of his hand there, reassuring her that she was not alone.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It felt wonderful to be standing with Sophia, engaging in their usual happy chatter, and was comforting in the way that it was reminiscent of the life she had involuntarily stepped away from. However, Hannah was finding it difficult to focus on all that Sophia spoke about as they stood at the border of the ballroom. She was so aware of eyes upon her and discussions that would be borne of the conclusions drawn based on her presentation that night. At any one moment, the Dowager herself could be gossiping and spreading malicious rumours about Hannah’s unsuitability.
Though she had asked Sophia about Samuel’s lame foot and how he was being managed at the stables, she barely processed Sophia’s detailed response, for she was so distracted by all the faces and activity around her.
‘I’m hoping we should be able to ride him again by the autumn…oh!’ Sophia cut herself off as the two friends saw the Duke of Montwood striding assertively across the ballroom towards them.
Hannah thought how handsome he looked – his confidence teamed with the warmth he lacked previously set a glow in her. Caleb stopped a couple of steps away, his eyes fixed upon Hannah and offered his arm, with a slight bow and semi-smile. Hannah and Sophia looked at each other – Sophia in excitement and Hannah with a shy reluctance. Presently, Hannah took Caleb’s arm and they walked together to the centre of the dance floor as the opening notes of a waltz began.
As the dance began, Caleb and Hannah fell into perfect synchronization with one another. It was as if they were two different people from the couple who had danced disastrously together on her debut evening. Caleb led with a confidence and finesse that Hannah did not recognise and since they were not talking, Hannah was able to entirely concentrate on getting the steps perfect – which she did. There was a flowing harmony between them and as Caleb guided her on a particularly intricate turn, their faces were close up together and Hannah noticed for the first time that Caleb’s eyes had flecks of gold in them. She felt the urge to stare into them longer, but the dance pulled them away and on the repeated turn, shy to look directly into his eyes again, she dipped her eye-line slightly so she was looking at his strong jawline. She breathed in the subtle scent of his cologne and felt warmth emanating from him that compelled her to stand closer.
As the dance steps parted them once again, Caleb admired the graceful curve of Hannah’s neck and how the candlelight bounced off her shiny hair. He noted fondly how her soft, pink lips slightly parted as she focused on the choreography. Caleb wondered how they could have seemed so mismatched that first evening when they now moved so naturally together that it felt as though they had rehearsed it one hundred times.
Growing in confidence as the dance progressed, Hannah allowed herself to smile and enjoy the experience – looking out at the crowd as she did so. She caught a glimpse of the Dowager Duchess, who was the face she wished not to see, but she was pleasantly surprised to note that Anne looked on seemingly impressed by the dancing Caleb and Hannah demonstrated. This buoyed Hannah and she smiled up at Caleb, who returned the sentiment. He could no longer deny that there was a connection between them that exceeded the limitations of an arranged marriage. There was a spark between them that – had she not already been his wife – he would have pursued ardently. There was such depth to Hannah that Caleb found quite profound and wanted to explore – he suddenly felt excited for what the future may hold learning about this intriguing lady.
Across the room, Albert and Sophia shared a dance. They did not converse as they moved, but their eyes spoke volumes. Albert’s eyes did not leave Sophia’s face and she bit at her lip, repressing a smile. They moved with grace and restraint, as befitting to the dance, but the animation on their faces told of their affections. As they came together in the same intricate turn Caleb and Hannah had shared, Albert leaned to whisper a compliment in Sophia’s ear and Sophia’s mouth curved into a secretive smile.
***
Hannah was still flushed from her dance with Caleb as she stood sipping at her champagne, when Nathaniel crossed the room toward her.
‘Here is my artist friend! Your Grace, how are you this fine evening?’ Nathaniel bowed and kissed her hand.
‘Lord Bryant! How lovely to see you,’ Hannah curtsied.
‘May I have the next dance set with you?’ Nathaniel cocked an eyebrow.
‘Oh! Of course!’ Hannah was pleased – Nathaniel was an old friend and he reminded her so much of his cousin Sophia, that she felt at ease with him.
The music began and he extended his hand ‘Shall we?’
Hannah smiled as she accepted and they made their way to the dance floor to take their places.
Across the ballroom, Caleb broke off from his conversation with Albert as he noticed Hannah making her way to the dance floor. His eyes narrowed as he saw that the man holding her hand was none other than Lord Nathaniel Bryant; her best friend’s cousin, long-time acquaintance, and fellow art enthusiast.
That familiar feeling Caleb had encountered at the exhibition reared up again and he was no longer listening to his friend. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that Lord Bryant posed no imminent threat to him – he had accumulated years where he could have expressed an interest in Hannah in a romantic fashion had he chosen to and he did not shy away from Caleb as if he had something to hide. Even so, Caleb could not control the seething envy that coiled in his belly, watching his wife laughing and holding hands with another man.
He had never imagined this – never envisaged that he would develop feelings for Hannah that meant his eyes would seek her out in a crowded room and that he would experience something akin to rage at the prospect of another man vying for her attention.
‘It was a joy to see you at the exhibition last week,’ Nathaniel told Hannah as they danced.
She panicked a little at the realisation she would need to both dance and talk, yet - feeling quite comfortable in Nathaniel’s presence - this came quite easily to her. The dance was simpler than her waltz with Caleb and so she managed to coordinate her movements and conversation in combination.
