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“Well, if this isn’t an unexpected surprise. Might I have the pleasure of the next dance, Miss Crestwood?”
She was about to respond, but Lord Vance spoke first.
“I beg your pardon, my lord.” He spat out the last two words in distaste. “The lady and I were having a private conversation.”
“I don’t see how you could have a private conversation in the middle of a ballroom. Besides, this is a dance, which is what I have asked Miss Crestwood to do. So, I will ask again.” Lord Claridge bowed at Tabitha. “Would you care to dance?”
Without a word, she removed her arm from Lord Vance’s grip and nodded in acceptance. That was all he needed and led her away. The first notes of the song sprang to life, and the gentleman placed one arm around Tabitha’s waist and held her other hand in preparation. During the first few strains of the music, they said nothing.
Tabitha took a few moments to compose herself before she spoke. “Thank you, my lord, for coming to my rescue again. I don’t know what I would have done if you had not arrived.”
“What did Vance say to you? You looked half scared to death.” He finished with a slight lilt to his voice, trying to sound uninterested.
“I may pray for death if I marry him. He spoke of me like I was a piece of property, purchased only to satisfy his... pleasures. I would rather die than marry him.” Her stomach churned when she recalled the odious man’s words.
Lord Claridge gave her hand a gentle squeeze, bringing her attention back to the handsome lord who had saved her not once, but twice tonight. And he would do it once more before the night was out when he helped her flee.
Suddenly, she noticed he had pulled her closer. His large hand was splayed across the small of the back, warm and comforting. Tabitha wanted to put her head against his chest and breathe in his scent. The gentleman’s mesmerizing gaze had not left her since they’d started their dance.
I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him.
Who knows where that thought came from, but it wasn’t an unpleasant prospect. She’d never truly kissed a man before. Up to this point, Tabitha hadn’t minded, but being with Lord Claridge made her want to experience the feeling of his lips against hers.
“I still stand by my promise to help you.”
His words brought a smile to her face. They continued without further conversation, just holding each other until the dance ended.
Before Tabitha parted ways with Lord Claridge, she whispered, “Midnight, in front of the house,” then hurried away.
Tabitha glanced at the clock on the way back to her mother. It was ten o’clock—only two more hours. By that time, she wouldn’t be missed. Until then, Tabitha had to pretend she was having a good time, else her mother would harp on her. So, for the next two hours, Tabitha laughed, drank, and danced with other partners—but not with Lord Vance. She avoided him at all costs.
As it neared midnight, Tabitha walked over to the refreshment table, as if to inspect it, then went over to her mother.
“Mama, some refreshments are running low. I don’t see Stiles, so I’ll run to the kitchen to let them know.”
“Oh, very well, but be quick. I don’t want you absent too long,” Lady Bedford replied.
Tabitha hurried off in the kitchen's direction, but just after passing through the doorway, she made a left up the back stairway to her room. She changed out of her dancing shoes and replaced them with traveling boots, but stayed in her ball gown in case anyone stopped her. Earlier in the week, Tabitha had taken some belongings to Fiona’s house, and would change there. After making sure the hallway was empty, Tabitha cautiously walked to the main staircase. When she came to the landing at the bottom of the stairs, Tabitha ran into one of her mother’s decorative vases, which went crashing to the floor.
The butler, who was stationed near the front door, heard the commotion, as she had planned, and came running.
“Oh, Carl, look what I’ve done. Mama is going to be furious, and she wanted me back right away.” She made at an attempt to pick up the pieces when the old butler shooed her away.
“Now miss, don’t worry yourself. I’ll get some help and have this cleaned up before you know it.”
After the butler left, Tabitha leapt into action and crossed the front entrance hall. Seeing no one about, she opened the front door and hurried down the steps. There was no coach waiting. Tabitha’s heart nearly beat out of her chest. Was Lord Claridge going to leave her stranded, to be found by her mother—or worse, by Lord Vance—in the middle of her escape? What should she do? The longer she tarried, the greater the risk of discovery. Tabitha looked both ways again, then suddenly heard the distinct sound of hooves. Around the corner appeared a carriage. Tabitha waited, not realizing she was holding her breath.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the house, and out came Lord Claridge. A feeling of relief swept over Tabitha as she put her hand out to be helped into the carriage. As soon as she was settled and the address for her friend’s home was given, the carriage sprang into motion.
“I thought for a moment, sir, that you were not coming,” Tabitha explained.
“I gave my word, and I never break it.”
CHAPTER5
They rode together in silence as Andrew studied the young lady sitting across from him. She had strength and fortitude of character which were rare in ladies of her class. Most would have kicked and screamed all the way to the altar, but in the end would have conceded to their parents’ wishes. Miss Crestwood stood by her principles and was willing to go against her parents. A rare breed indeed.
Andrew smirked. Pity. If he didn’t have his own plans for the future, it might be interesting to get better acquainted with her. His destiny lay away from England, for a while anyway, to work on business connections overseas. With any luck, the next time he put foot on English soil, he would be a rich man.
