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Richard is betrothed.
“No. I’m well,” Jo answered under her breath although her vision was blurring and her knees had trouble holding her upright.
Richard was betrothed. And he had been betrothed this entire time.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, her palms perspired, and her entire body felt clammy.
She did not know how long she stood in the retiring room, just breathing in and out, and trying to rein in her emotions. But when she entered the ballroom once more, Richard stood in the middle of it, Beatrice’s hand in his.
The Marquess of Vane announced something loudly, probably the betrothal, and the entire ballroom exploded into applause and delighted exclamations.
Jo watched Richard’s stony features, her breathing the only sound she could make out from the noise.
Then he turned toward her, and his features shattered. She was not certain if it was pain or remorse, but it didn’t matter.
Jo whirled around and left the ballroom.
* * *
Richard could see the pain in Jo’s eyes even across the length of the ballroom.
Betrayal, anger, and agony all played out on that expressive face of hers.
Richard turned to run after her, but a strong hand grabbed him by the arm and held him in place. “Don’t,” Adam growled. “You’ll invite scandal.”
“I don’t care.” Richard shook off his brother’s arm and smoothed his coat sleeve.
“You might not care, but at least care for the lady whom you offered the protection of your name.”
Richard’s gaze traveled to the bespectacled, shy lady who stood a few paces away.
What have I done?
There was nothing he could do at the moment, however. Adam was right. If he rushed off after Jo, the whispers would just hurt Miss Fowley.
He didn’t want to do that. She didn’t deserve it. But neither did he want to leave Jo angry with him.
“It is best if you let her go, brother,” Adam said.
Richard nodded mutely.
The bars of a waltz sounded, and Richard cursed. He was supposed to invite his bride for their first dance. “I can’t marry her,” he whispered instead.
“What?” Adam roared, before stepping closer to Richard so they wouldn’t be overheard.
“I can’t marry her,” Richard repeated.
“You couldn’t have decided that before you announced to the world that you were betrothed?” Adam gritted between his teeth.
“Adam….” Richard looked at Adam, his gaze imploring. “I feel like I am suffocating. I can’t do it now,” he whispered.
“You have to. This is your first dance as a couple.”
Richard shook his head. “I can’t.” He stepped away.
Adam cursed under his breath then looked from Miss Fowley to Richard and finally stepped toward the lady. “Would you give your future brother-in-law the honor of this dance?”
She smiled timidly and placed her hand on Adam’s arm. Adam threw a dark gaze toward Richard.
