AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was as if, in a matter of minutes, the room had turned into a full-fledged party. I looked around to see everyone drinking, laughing, and talking. There were at least a dozen people there, with still a few more trickling in.
I had been to balls and other soirees with the Radcliffes, of course. But I had never been at a party quite likethis. Those events had been large and carefully curated, and the attendees were always on their best – or almost best – behavior.
In contrast, the party I now found myself at was casual and reckless. It was a gathering of close friends, many of whom had no proclivity for the rules of society. They were members of the ton, but also opera singers and dancers, and even a painter. It was a mixing of people I had never encountered before.
One moment I had been sitting here, fretting over the morning’s events, and attempting embroidery. The next, I was surrounded by the beginnings of debauchery – my embroidery tossed to the side.
It was ridiculous, exhilarating, and terrifying… all at the same time.
As I tried my best to engage in small talk, glasses full of bubbly liquids clinking around me, I couldn’t help but watch Will out of the corner of my eye. He was a consummate host, pouring drinks and laughing at jokes, his bright smile flashing as he grinned cockily.
But I could also tell he was getting increasingly drunk.
I had seen him drunk before, of course – perhaps most of the times we had spent together, actually. But I hadn’t seemed seen himreallydrunk… and surrounded by the scoundrels of London society.
I wasn’t sure that I liked it.
“He’s quite the charmer, isn’t he?” A sultry, feminine voice said in a low tone.
I turned to the source and discovered that a girl had sat down next to me. The arches of her eyebrows were raised conspiratorially, and I followed her gaze to Will across the room. I immediately blushed, realizing I had been caught in the act of watching him.
“No one is immune to the charms of Will Thorne, that’s a certainty.” She continued, taking a sip from a delicate glass of champagne.
I felt jolted by her casual use of his Christian name. How did she know Will so well? Before I had a chance to say anything, she introduced herself.
“I’m Genevieve.”
I took in her appearance quickly: chestnut colored hair, pale skin, and velvety eyes. She was beautiful, that much was immediately obvious, and her dress was expensive looking. A large diamond hung from a chain of pearls around her neck, and it sparkled in the candlelight. Something about the way she held herself implied to me that she wasn’t of the ton – perhaps she was an opera singer, or something of the sort.
“Amelia.” I responded slowly, turning to face her.
I was no stickler for decorum myself, of course, so I wasn’t sure why it made me so nervous to talk to someone like her. Perhaps it was because we seemed so different.
“Do you know Lord Marsden?” I asked hesitantly. I was afraid of the answer.
Genevieve smiled.
“Of course! I mean, how do you think I came here tonight?”
I blanched. She meant… Will had expressly invited her? Did that mean that they were… involved?
I couldn’t entertain the thought.
She saw my expression change and laughed. Her laugh was a beautiful sound, even I had to admit.
“Oh goodness, Will and I aren’t likethat. I came here with Lord Grainger.” She nodded towards a tall brown-haired man who appeared to be in deep conversation with Arlington.
Lord Grainger was wearing spectacles and looked like he belonged in an Oxford library, not a party. I didn’t recognize the name, but I was not a prodigious expert on the ton, of course.
“I’ve been friends with Will for a few years. We met before he went off to the continent, of course. We’ve always run in the same circles.”
I just nodded, unsure of what to say. I was completely unaware of any such circles, though I could of course imagine them to exist. I supposed I was experiencing one right then.
“You know,” she continued, cocking her head towards me. “You’re not his usual type. I’m a bit surprised, if I’m being honest. Though I mean no offense.”
I felt my cheeks color. His…usual type?What did she mean?
Beautiful, rich, and scandalous?
