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Mrs.Callis was in charge of tables, chairs, silver, dishwashing and the general miasma of a ball.I seem to have misplaced my reticule.Is there more of that delicious Stilton for the buffet?Oh, dear.I have ripped a seam on my skirt.
Matthew poked his nose in every once in a while.“There is a Mrs.Trimble who will be available to assist in the women’s retiring room.”To which, Mrs.Callis shook her head, evidently used to Matthew’s penchant for adding to the confusion of a grand gala.
Foodstuffs filled the pantry and two rooms beside the kitchen, along with the hanging meats in the cooler which would be cooked, glazed, grilled and stewed in the morning.In the ballroom, the carpet was rolled up, chalk outlines of heather and thistle decorated the floor, and the illuminations and festoons were hanging properly.The chandeliers and candelabra were waiting to be lit, all with new candles.
The sunroom would have been an excellent room for private conversations, but it ended up being the storage spot for extra everything.And Rose was hurrying about the house in one of her new dresses from Mrs.Bell, giving last-minute instructions.Several rooms were complete: the gaming tables and accessories; all the retiring rooms were ready; Matthew’s whisky room had over thirty brands, including malts, single malts, grain whisky and blends.
Why, oh, why had Matthew thought they needed to intrude upon the Crestview Ball, then want a gala of Highwood’s own the night after?Other thanthat he couldthrow a gala the night after.If it weren’therball too, she would have laughed at the audacity.
Rose heard the jingle of the carriage and the horses’ chains and straps and latches and lifted her skirts to hurry up the stairs.She had to change her everyday boots for her dancing slippers, add some jewelry to her ensemble and stand at the mirror doubting herself.
“Eunice, how do I look?I haven’t been to a ball in weeks.Maybe I should wear the yellow satin.”Eunice was one of her new lady’s maids and the two of them were still learning the dance of familiarity, though Rose heartily approved of Eunice’s abilities with hairstyling.
“No, it is beautiful, and you look so elegant.”
The sleeves were of French gauze with ribbons the color of the sky at dusk tied at her wrist, elbow and upper arm making the most charming puffs without being overdone.The lace at the collar was starched so that it framed her neck but then came down where it was tied between her breasts in an innocent, full bow.The same lace was built into the hem of her skirt in three layers, the same sky-blue ribbon ran through the lace.Both the bodice and skirt were a blue tulle that shimmered when she moved.
“Let’s set your turban and you will be ready to dazzle everyone at the ball.”Eunice finished up, adjusted the purple plumb so that it swept forward then pulled a few strands of hair near Rose’s ear that they’d curled earlier.The final accoutrement involved the placement of the Isis Diamonds, which matched the dress color beautifully.
Matthew was right.She would be the belle of the ball.She prayed he didn’t have something up his sleeve that would reveal he was the bastard of the ball.
* * * * *
“Are you nervous?”sheasked, the only words she’d spoken since they’d left Highwood.
Matthew, decorated like atonpeacock, stared up at Crestview with its welcoming lights.None would find fault, especially not his duchess.He almost looked as if he went totonballs regularly.Or that Isaac had.“You are with me.I will be fine.I am even going to let you do all the talking.Pretend I am like that necklace you are wearing.Everyone will be looking at the jewels and no one will notice the setting that is holding the jewels together.”
Often, he’d been to the homes of the aristocracy, only he came in through the back entrance, reserved for tradesmen and servants.
They were announced, the butler holding their invitation.“May I present Rose, the Duchess of Sandhurst, and Mr.Matthew Hardy.”
A lump formed in Matthew’s chest, making it hard to breath.Since he was a boy, he’d dreamt and schemed about how he could attain the position in society to which he should have been entitled.
The orchestra was already playing, some couples were dancing, the setting intimate and exclusive.And Matthew wished he was twelve and cleaning chimneys.Or emptying chamber pots for Madame DuPuis.
Rose was warmly received.Women pressed kisses to her cheek, marveled at her dress and were dazzled by her diamonds.The men shook his hand or nodded, unwilling to engage in a discussion of commerce or anything else that Matthew would know about.The price of beef in North London?The costs of iron for the Union Chain Bridge?
Or who was really responsible for the Cato Street Conspiracy?That actually might turn heads, considering those responsible were interested in assassinating some lords of theton.
Easterling did ask Matthew if he was enjoying himself—Easterling’s words veiled his contempt.Then he pressed a kiss to the back of Rose’s gloved hand.
Matthew escorted her around the room.Rose’s expression was one of frozen cheerfulness.They stopped to have a few words with every couple.Though Matthew was introduced, the men he knew all silently implored him to be discreet.Of course he would be.All this was nothing more than a door cracking for his entrance into polite society.It didn’t help his cause to have used force to make it happen.
Well, he’d use force and coercion before.
“Would you care to dance, Rose?”Matthew asked.
She glanced up at him, and said, “If you say you know how to dance, I believe you.But do you think our first dance together ought to be at the Crestview Ball?”
“Should we wait until the Highwood Gala instead?”he asked.
“The right answer is that we should have a least taken a whirl around the room at least once before tonight,” she said.
He led Rose to the floor, her hand held high and swept her into the first turn.He whirled with her, competently and beautifully.“I was wrong to —”
“Matthew, not here.I do not want to hear a shallow apology when, in fact, very deep discussions must be had.Now, about your dancing.You do seem skilled enough to be trusted with other women in the Beau Monde.”
“It’s a waltz and I am quite proficient, if one counts dancing with my fair mother and her lady’s maid.”
