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Two
The night sky was dark, but clear. Stars sparkled against the black canvas like a painting depicted by one of the masters. Jonah wasn’t sure even a talented artist could have created a masterpiece so lifelike, but many would have tried. He was in a maudlin mood and a party, a debut ball no less, was not the ideal place for a man in his particular mood.
He should not have allowed himself to be convinced to attend. Hampstead had meant well but there was no way he could have known how difficult this night would be for him. Jonah also had no desire to explain it to Hampstead or anyone else. This was his burden to bear. His secret. His pain.
Jonah sucked in a harsh breath and then slowly let it out. He had learned to breathe through the pain years ago. When he’d been a small boy at the mercy of the adults around him. He had pushed those years behind him—for the most part, but on nights like this one those memories were hard to keep buried. Somehow, he would keep them down. They would not get the better of him. Not then, and definitely not now….
He squared his shoulders and headed toward Hampstead House. The debut ball for Lady Calliope Andrews had begun hours ago. Jonah did not want to let his friend down and fail to attend this ball. He would just greet Lady Calliope and then keep as much distance as possible between them, then stay the requisite amount of time and leave. A part of him would want to run as fast as possible away, but he’d restrain that urge. Hampstead House was a standard London townhouse. It had been built with sturdy brick and had a flat front. The windows were sashes evenly spaced over the front and a canopy was built over the front door. His favorite spot at Hampstead was the back terrace overlooking the small garden that was expertly curated by the gardeners in charge of the lush foliage. At the first opportunity, Jonah intended to retreat to that place and hide from the expectations of societal events.
He ambled up the steps and rapped his knuckles on the door nonchalantly. His late arrival meant the door wasn’t open allowing a stream of guests to arrive without the need to actually knock. He probably could have walked in, but he liked the additional delay. The door opened and Hampstead’s butler stood there staring at him. He had a look of disapproval that shouldn’t bother Jonah, but it did. His eyelids slitted and he glared at him through those tiny openings. “My lord,” the butler greeted. “Lord Hampstead expected you hours ago. He’ll be waiting for you in the ballroom. The greeting line has already dispersed and the dancing has begun.”
With any luck Lady Calliope’s dance card was already full. “I’ll give him my apologies. The delay couldn’t be helped.” Why was he explaining himself to the butler? That was easy…because damn it…he felt guilty. Jonah had known that Hampstead wanted him there to help support Lady Calliope’s debut. He should not have let his friend down.
“Please come inside,” the butler nodded and stepped to the side.
Jonah didn’t bother saying anything else. The butler wouldn’t expect him to either way. Being part of the nobility gave him certain allowances. Not that Jonah made a habit of taking advantage of his station, but there were times, especially like this particular moment, he was grateful to have been born part of the upper class. He would hate it if he’d had to earn a wage, though he did respect those that had to.
Jonah slipped into the ballroom and stayed to the edges. He scanned the dance floor and spotted Lady Calliope immediately. She was dancing with the Earl of Brookfield. It was a quadrille. The square of each set of four dancers was maintained with exquisite perfection. All Jonah could think was he was glad he wasn’t one of the dancers. He abhorred dancing. Hell, he hated everything about a ball. It made it more difficult to banish those memories at one…
He tore his glance away from Lady Calliope. Her laughter couldn’t be heard over the roar of the crowd, but he could see the joy on her face. That smile…it was infectious. It almost made the dark places inside of him feel…lighter. But there was not enough joy in the world to erase his past. Not even the golden haired beauty that spoke to his soul without trying. She was all that was good in the world, and Jonah was the opposite. He didn’t look back at her. That would be asking for something terrible to happen. Instead he focused his attention on those around him, and searched for Hampstead.
He found the Countess of Hampstead before he found the earl. She was talking with her sister, the Marchioness of Merrifield. Both were beautiful women, and in love with their husbands. They were also married to two of Jonah’s closest friends. He bowed before them. “Good evening,” he said.
“Lord Goodland,” Lady Hampstead greeted him. “I am glad you have finally arrived. My husband was mumbling something under his breath about your tardiness.”
“Where is that endearing husband of yours?” Jonah lifted a brow. He would have to grovel apparently.
“He went to the card room with my husband,” the marchioness said. “Zach had to drag him there so he didn’t frighten all of Lady Calliope’s suitors away. She should dance all night at her debut ball.”
Jonah should stay in the ballroom. Who else would be there to protect Lady Calliope if he scurried away? How could Hampstead have left her there? “I’m surprised Merrifield was successful in convincing Hampstead to leave.”
“Oh, he’ll be back,” Lady Hampstead said in an amused tone. “He’s already peeked through the door twice now. He’s a bit…controlling.” She laughed. “Go join them. Lord Merrifield could use another rational head to assist him.”
Jonah glanced at the dance floor. He should do as the countess suggested, but once he looked at Lady Calliope again, he felt rooted to the spot. The quadrille had ended, and she was heading toward them. His breath felt trapped in is throat. God she was beautiful.
“Lord Goodland,” she greeted. “I thought you were not going to attend. I didn’t see you during the receiving line.”
“Please forgive my tardiness,” he said in a light tone. Jonah didn’t know how he managed to form words let alone a whole sentence. “I trust your night is going well.”
“It is,” she said. “I’ve even filled up most of my dance card.”
“Most?” There were empty spots on it? How was that possible?
“I have one space left.” She beamed at him. “I was saving it for you.” She stood there, blinking, expectantly.
Oh, hell. He was trapped. “It would be my pleasure of course.” He glanced at the card and then quickly penciled his name in the open spot, then bowed. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find your brother and make my apologies to him. I’ll return for our dance.” Then he would depart quickly thereafter…the dance would be the last thing he did at Lady Calliope’s debut ball. It was all he could handle for the evening. He had no desire to even be there at all. Jonah didn’t wait for Lady Calliope’s response. He spun on his heels and left before he did anything foolish.
Callie hopedshe hadn’t done something she’d regret. She had purposely saved one of the waltzes for Lord Goodland. The viscount intrigued her, and she wanted her night to be as special as possible. Daniel had mentioned to Iris that the viscount would be attending, and of course, Callie had overheard their conversation. She had thought perhaps her brother had been mistaken when Lord Goodland failed to go through the receiving line at the start of the ball, but she hadn’t lost hope. Many people arrived late to balls. Since he was the last of the infamous scandalous gentlemen, perhaps he hadn’t wished to draw any attention to himself.
There were bound to be several young ladies hoping that he would fall madly in love with one of them. Callie wasn’t that foolish. She liked him. He intrigued her. Hell, she even found him quite handsome and charming. However, none of those things were enough to make her dream of wedding bells. The viscount was always courteous and attentive toward her. That did not mean he was on the cusp of declaring himself. The man was one of her brother’s closest friends. Of course he was nice to her. Only a ninny would imagine he felt something stronger.
With all that in mind, she couldn’t help being drawn to him. There was something about him… Underneath all that charm lay something yet to be discovered or understood. Callie fully believed he used his innate charm to hide from the world. It was a thin layer that could easily be ripped away to the real viscount if one were determined enough to do so. Callie was. She wanted to know the real man, not the one he showed to the world.
Which was why she had saved a dance. No, she wouldn’t find out all of the viscount’s secrets during their walz. It would take more than one dance or one night for that. He needed to be comfortable enough around her and she intended to ensure he saw her as a safe haven.
He seemed like he desperately needed one…
There was always the chance that Callie was wrong, but she didn’t believe so. Until she was proved otherwise she would continue on this course. Lord Goodland disappeared behind one of the doors on the edge of the ballroom. She sighed. It was her debut ball and she had to let her wonderment about Lord Goodland go for now. She had to find her next dance partner, but she wished she could beg off. Callie was suddenly tired.
