AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Four
Arabella spent the rest of the day, preparing for the small ball that their neighbors, Lord and Lady Dansbury, were throwing that evening. Annette helped her with the preparations.
Her hair was piled on top of her head, and she was tightly laced. The dress was put on over it. Arabella was dressed in a white crepe gown, which was edged in delicate white French lace. It was lightweight—perfect for a summer ball.
Annette stood behind her, observing her appraisingly. Annette was dark-haired and dark-eyed, with a genteel demeanor. She was Arabella’s right hand.
“Anything else, My Lady?” Annette asked.
“No, thank you, Annette. I am fully prepared to do battle,” she replied.
“How about your pearl necklace, My Lady?” Annette suggested.
“The drop pearl, on the golden chain?” Arabella asked, considering it. Annette nodded.
“The very one,” she replied.
“You’re a genius, Annette,” she said. “Do go and fetch it.”
She stared at herself in the mirror. Prior to her debut, she had been looking forward to the endless string of parties and dancing that it had meant. Arabella had always thought that they would be exciting and full of intrigue.
Now, though, she was beginning to find the combination of posturing and dissembling tedious. The ton was merely an endless masquerade, where one could never show one’s true face. She knew how they all talked about her, their noses raised as they discussed her preferences. She’d even had a feature in one of the gossip magazines.
Annette brought her the necklace.
“Perfect,” she said, the metal chain cool against her neck.
When she arrived downstairs, she found that Mr. Conolly was there, waiting by the door. He was talking to their butler, Mr. Franks, in an amenable tone.
As she walked down toward him, she saw the look on his face. Her heart beat faster, and her skin warmed, as he clearly reacted, his lips curving upward—parted a little. His blue eyes blinked, softening. He collected himself, bowing to her.
“You are the evening star, My Lady,” he said.
“That’s all rather pretty,” she replied warmly, her eyes catching Mr. Franks as he glanced away from them. “Is that your usual compliment for ladies?”
He laughed. “No, My Lady. They pay me no heed at all.”
“I believe you,” she said, as she realized it. She opened her mouth to tell him more, but they were interrupted by her parents as they swept down the staircase in a cloud of rich fabrics and sparkling jewels.
The carriage was brought around for them all. She peered out through the opened window, the wind cooling her face. When she glanced over at him, Mr. Conolly smiled at her.
She held his gaze for a moment, then looked back out of the window. Her pulse was racing, her mind a whirl of thoughts. He was common, yet so much more than that. Even then, in a carriage with her parents, as well as Lord Drysdale, it felt like it was just the two of them.
Her parents had always told her to follow her heart—to fall in love. Would they reconsider? She thought so. They had always done things differently than everyone else.
She gasped as the lights of Dansbury Hall blazed before them. She could see all of the carriages, lining the drive. From where they were, ladies and gentlemen poured out of the carriages, toward the door.
* * *
As was his usual thing to do when at a ton party, Charles stood near the periphery. Lady Arabella was clearly the jewel of Tiverwell County. She seemed to float around the dance floor. While the gentleman that she danced with might be leading, she was clearly the center of attention.
“Mr. Conolly!” Lord Danbury called out, waving to him to join the group around him.
“Lord Danbury,” he said, bowing to the grey-haired gentleman. Lord Danbury was dressed in a black silk coat, which had gold lining, with shiny leather boots, which came to the knee.
“So glad that you made it, sir,” Lord Danbury said, repeating his sentiments at the door. His pale blue eyes reminded Charles of Father Christmas.
“Thank you for inviting me at last minute, My Lord,” Charles said, repeating his own sentiments.
