AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Please excuse us, Crispin.” Nicholas drew her away to where a group of distinguished guests had gathered, waiting to meet her.
The praise from Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, made Bella feel slightly giddy. The princess commented on how remarkably talented Bella was at such a young age and confided that she had been bold when young and danced the minuet at sixteen.
As she made her way over to Carrie, Bella knew that even at a very young age, she never doubted her ability to play well. And from the moment two years ago when Nicholas ordered his sister’s harp brought down from the attic for Bella to practice, she had worked hard for this moment. But what followed? Could her dreams come true? Or was she to marry and merely hold musical evenings at home? The thought crushed her. It would never be enough. She glanced at Nicholas, hating to disappoint him, but it was his opinion few gentlemen would choose a wife intent on performing.
The orchestra gathered to play the quadrille, and Bella took to the floor with Crispin.
“A very special evening,” he said, gazing down at her earnestly. “Something to one day tell your children.”
It annoyed Bella that he would have a plan for her life. “I doubt I shall ever marry.”
His eyes widened in shock. “Never marry? Why, that’s what every woman hopes for. That and a family.” He shook his head with an indulgent smile. “You will change your mind. It would be unnatural for a woman not to want marriage, surely.”
Bella disliked his unctuous attitude and especially how his words affected her, banishing her earlier euphoria. Unnatural? She loved children, and although she doubted it possible, yearned for a marriage filled with love and laughter like Carrie and Nicholas.
*
From his positionacross the room, Friedrich watched Miss Leeming dance the quadrille. The movements of the dance displayed her graceful, slender body to perfection. When she turned his way, the creases marring her smooth brow surprised him. Did the young lord step on her toes? Or was it something he said to her? Friedrich admired the determined lift of her small, rounded chin. She was talented and determined, remarkable in one so young. He was attracted from the first moment he saw her through the coach window. He debated whether to invite her to dance.
Friedrich had been resigned to a dull affair but flirting with the fascinating young woman was most appealing. His visit to England with his sister and Karl would end in a matter of days, so it was unlikely she’d come to mean more to him. Too much stood in the way. That he would even consider such a thing surprised him. He dealt lightly with flirtations and romantic adventures and walked away unencumbered, but this slip of a girl, her red hair flashing fire beneath the chandeliers, drew him like a hapless moth to the candle flame.
Suddenly, he wasn’t completely sure he was the confident man he always considered himself to be, who treated life with a light hand. His past had taught him it was best to be that way, but perhaps he had not learned the lesson well.
He owed it to Maria to focus on the reason for their visit. They were here as representatives of the Congress of Vienna. What was wrong with him? Was he a man or a mouse? He could dance with a pretty girl and then walk away. And he wasn’t about to spend the evening just thinking about it. With a shrug of an impatient shoulder, he pushed away from the column he’d rested against.
Before he’d gone a few steps, his sister broke off her conversation and called to him. “Where are you off to, Friedrich?”
“Must I tell you everything, Maria?” he grumbled with a half-smile.
She hurried over to him. “I hoped you would invite Lady Elsenburg to dance,” she said in a quiet tone. “She is watching the dancing and tapping her foot.”
Friedrich glanced over to where Miss Leeming was surrounded by gentlemen. “I will, of course.”
He knew Maria’s reason went far beyond the lady’s need to dance. His sister was matchmaking again, but Lady Elsenburg, although sweet and pretty, held no surprises for him. He had been most impressed with English women, especially those who exhibited a sense of adventure. Maria, such a romantic, had decided the loss of his first love several years ago after she married another man still affected him. It was nonsense. He had realized very quickly that what he felt for her was mere infatuation.
When they called the country dance, Friedrich accompanied Lady Elsenburg onto the dance floor. As they negotiated the steps, his gaze drifted to Miss Leeming, partnered by another keen young gentleman.
After the dance ended, he returned her to her chair and brought the lady a glass of champagne and remained to talk. Tragically widowed while still in her early twenties, Lady Elsenburg’s speculative gaze made him uneasy. What had his sister said to her? Was she preparing the way for a betrothal? He felt a flash of annoyance with Maria, which was most unlike him, but surely he could select the woman he wished to spend his life with?
Later, when the master of ceremonies announced the waltz, Fredrich rose without thought and strode across the floor to where Miss Leeming sat with her sister, cutting out any other hopeful gentlemen.
After he issued the invitation, Miss Leeming seemed uncertain and appealed to her sister.
The marchioness smiled. “It is a private ball, and you are a special guest tonight. Go and enjoy the dance.”
When the musicians struck up, Miss Leeming stepped into his arms. He enjoyed how well she fitted, her head of abundant red hair just below his chin scented with lavender. His fingers spanned her slender back, and he clasped her dainty hand in his. Bella lifted her face to observe him, and he saw her eyes were a clear, beautiful green fringed with golden lashes.
“How long is your stay in London?” she asked him.
“A sennight only, regrettably.” He found he meant it when he’d earlier been counting the days. Even the few days spent at soirees and card parties failed to entertain him. He was a homebody, he admitted, preferring his horses at his country estate outside Vienna and the elegant Viennese society.
“Then back to Austria?”
“Yes. Vienna.”
“I should like to hear more about it. I believe it is a beautiful city renowned for its music.”
“Then I must tell you. Shall we take a stroll after the dance?”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded.
Looking forward to the opportunity of spending a little time with her, he swept her into the dance.
