Hester had fixed her hair into an elaborate coiffure, using the pearl combs Althea had purchased that afternoon. Thanks to Benedict’s generosity, she could indulge herself every now and then. She’d also purchased a pearl necklace and earbobs. If she was going to face the ghosts of her past, she intended to do it with all the dignity and aplomb she could muster. She had no intention of letting them see how harsh they’d made her life.
She’d deliberately delayed her arrival an hour to ensure a more full ballroom, even though it meant a greater humiliation—more backs turned, more cuts.
But his eventual happiness was paramount, and he couldn’thave it if he was lonely, if he didn’t take a wife. She didn’t want to consider how deeply the lacerations to her heart would be when she read of his betrothal in the newspaper. She would survive it.
The coach slowed, turned down a drive, and slowed even further as other vehicles made their way to the front of the residence where steps led into the massive manor. People were not lingering about, thank goodness, so she might make it inside without too many cuts directed her way.
She did notice one man not heading for the steps but standing only a little bit back from the curb. People were giving him a wide berth, not that she blamed them. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he greeted no one. Simply waited.
The coach finally came to a complete stop. A footman stepped forward, opened the door, and handed her down. Her feet had barely hit the brick when Aiden Trewlove was standing before her, having left the spot that it had appeared he was guarding. He offered his hand.
“Beast wasn’t certain you’d show. He asked me to escort you in if you did.”
She placed her hand in his. “You were waiting for me, not knowing if I’d make an appearance?”
Tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow, he began leading her toward the entrance. “He didn’t want you to have to go in alone, and he’s occupied being introduced to all the toffs. I’m sure he’d have rather been out here. Until tonight, he’s never been to one of these things.”
She hadn’t been able to remember seeing him at a ball, but had thought that perhaps she’d simply overlooked him, although he was impossible not to see. “He’s never been to a ball, ever?”
“No. Avoided them like the plague. No ball, no dinner, no fancy affair.”
An earl and countess she knew were about to go through the doorway. It was obvious the countess caught sight of her. Her eyes widened just before the woman wrinkled her nose as though she’d smelled something foul and hurried into the manor.
As far as cuts direct went, it wasn’t one of the worst. At the moment she was less concerned with how people were treating her and more concerned with how they were treating Benedict. A ball, especially one that it appeared most of London would be attending, could be overwhelming at the best of times. She’d been prepared for her first ball and still had found it unsettling as she’d struggled to find people she knew, to become comfortable with all the strangers she’d yet to meet. Almost everyone in attendance, except for his family, would be strangers.
And here was his brother, someone he truly needed inside that room, showing him a familiar face, a mischievous grin, helping to put him at ease with his surroundings.
Although the evening was cool, she hadn’t bothered with a wrap so had nothing to leave with the waiting footman as they crossed the threshold into the grand and beautiful foyer. Another footman was directing people down a hallway that no doubt led to the ballroom.
But Aiden didn’t follow the others. He directed her toward the sweeping staircase. At the bottom, standing about, was every other Trewlove sibling and their spouses. Benedict was alone in there, facing all these people for the first time. She was horrified by the realization.
Gillie smiled at her. “You came.”
“Why aren’t you all in the ballroom?”
“Because Beast asked us to wait out here for you.”
Idiot man. He truly didn’t understand what it was like to circulate through the aristocracy, how hard it would be if he knew no one else in the room. Although his parents wouldbe with him, the people he truly needed were out here—waiting for her.
“Let’s go, shall we?” Mick asked.
Yes, quickly. She needed to get them into the ballroom, so they could be there for him and demonstrate their support for him.
Selena approached, and Aiden released his hold on Althea in order to tuck his wife in close.
“Lead the way,” Aiden said to Althea, “and know we’re here if you need us.”
Only she didn’t need them watching out for her. She needed them standing at Benedict’s back. She needed him to know he wasn’t alone.
While his siblings had attended balls, even hosted a couple, Beast had managed to avoid them. He’d never felt as though he belonged. His heritage said that he did, yet still he felt out of place, like a sprawling weed in a flower garden. He kept expecting someone to come along, pluck him out, and send him on his way.
He stood beside his parents, greeting the guests who were announced and ambled down the stairs. Fancy had gone through something similar the year before when she’d been introduced into Society and had advised him not to keep count of the introductions because it would only make the night seem longer.
What made it seem longer was the manner in which all the young ladies gazed at him as though he was a newly discovered dessert they were looking forward to sampling. He met pretty ladies, plain ones, short ones, tall ones. Some appeared bolder than others. Some shyer. He was certain many of them were delightful.
But none snagged his attention the way Thea had when he’d first laid eyes on her.
He’d promised himself he wouldn’t think about her tonight. He’d kept the promise for all of two minutes. He wasn’t certain how much longer he could live with the hope that she might show. That her presence would make this night bearable.
