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“Why do you appear so forlorn?” Iris asked.
Callie turned toward her sister-in-law and lifted her lips into a façade of a happy smile. “I’m anything but that,” she said in her most reassuring smile. There was no reason for her to feel so weary. The room was all aglow with hundreds of lit candles. Musicians played in the far corner and dancers swirled around the floor. Laughter floated on the air as many guests enjoyed the revelry of the ball.
It was beautiful and heart warming.
Callie felt none of it.
Iris frowned. It didn’t detract from her beauty. Her blonde hair was twisted into an intricate knot at her nape. Diamonds sparkled in her ears and around her neck—a wedding present from her husband, Callie’s brother, the Earl of Hampstead. Her dress was a dark blue silk with sliver details threaded through the bodice and hemline. She tilted her head to the side. “I won’t press you right now but we will talk later. For now you should attempt to enjoy tonight. Everything here is for you after all.”
She nodded. Iris was right of course. This was Callie’s debut ball and it was meant to celebrate her launch into society. She had been waiting for this night for some time now. It just didn’t feel right anymore. She mentally shook those thoughts away and blew out a breath. “I plan on remembering this night for all my days.” She pasted that happy smile on her face and willed herself to feel the emotion. “Do not fret,” she told Iris. “It was but a moment. It has passed.” She lifted her dance card to see who was to lead her to the floor next. The Duke of Carrington… She had not paid much attention when he’d signed her card. The duke was handsome enough with brown hair and green eyes, but he didn’t compare to the man who held her attention.
If she remembered correctly, the duke wasn’t the original heir. His older brother had held the title, but died in some sort of accident a year earlier. Apparently, the new duke was out of mourning, and in search of a wife. Why such haste? Was he worried that he would die young like his brother and there were no more spare heirs to pass the title too?
Truthfully, none of that mattered. It should. The possibility of becoming a duchess wasn’t anything a young debutante should scoff at. It would concern her more if she was interested in the man himself. Callie never cared as much for titles as some did. She wanted to fall in love. Maybe shecouldlove the duke… Shouldn’t she at leasttryto love him?
Callie sighed. He would find her soon and when he did, she would smile and make polite conversation. Nothing had to be decided right then. She wasn’t even near the point of giving her heart to a man. Not the duke, not Lord Goodland, and definitely not any gentlemen at her debut ball. Tonight was meant to be enjoyed, and she planned to at least attempt to savor every second of it.
She glanced up at the duke’s approach. He was indeed a handsome man. Tall, broad shoulders, and elegantly attired—and a gorgeous face to go with it all. Callie could definitely do worse than an appealing man with a large fortune and a lofty title. When he reached her she placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the floor. She’d think about a certain viscount later. The duke deserved all of her attention right then.
