Page 18 of A Virgin for the Forbidden Duke

It was not a lie.

Matthew looked around. The drawing room was a haven of luxury, where the concerns of the outside world seemed distant—at least for the moment. Yet, beneath the veneer of nobility and opulence, Matthew’s thoughts still dwelled on the uncertainty of their place in this world and the weight of expectations that came with their newfound title.

CHAPTER6

As the carriage came to a stop, Agnes hastily ran her fingers through the folds of her dress, attempting to smooth out any wrinkles. Her heart raced with anticipation, as she knew she would soon be entering the ballroom, the place where she hoped to meet Matthew once again.

Her mother, ever watchful, couldn’t help but notice her eagerness. “My dear, you look positively eager for the ball tonight. That’s a good sign, Agnes.”

Agnes resisted the urge to roll her eyes, for her mother had a tendency to read too much into every situation. It seemed as though her mother was poised to continue her remarks when her father came to her rescue.

With a hint of amusement in his voice, he gently chided Mary. “Now, Mary, let’s not nag our daughter right at the beginning of the ball. We should go in.”

Agnes was grateful for her father’s intervention. She quickly exited the carriage, her heart pounding with anticipation. As the grand doors of the ballroom loomed ahead, she couldn’t help but think of the possibility of meeting Matthew again and the thrill it sent through her.

Agnes entered the ballroom, her eyes scanning the grandeur of the gathering in search of a familiar face. Her heart raced with the hope of spotting Matthew amidst the elegant crowd. Her mother’s voice persisted, offering advice and instruction, but Agnes’s focus was solely on the man she longed to see.

She could hear Mary’s words, a constant stream of nagging and lecturing, but it felt as though they barely registered.

Mary continued her advice and instructions, oblivious to Agnes’s divided attention. “Agnes, remember to maintain your composure at all times. First impressions matter greatly. You need to be the epitome of grace and elegance. And don’t forget to smile and engage in pleasant conversation with the eligible gentlemen. Who knows, you might find a suitable match tonight. You must think about your future, dear.”

Agnes nodded and acknowledged her mother’s words, though her thoughts remained fixed on her own desires and the hope of a rendezvous with the Duke of Huntington.

The weight of her mother’s expectations was something she had grown accustomed to, even if she often found it exasperating. Tonight, her desires and yearning took precedence.

At some point, when her mother’s advice showed no signs of waning, her father took matters into his own hands.

The Viscount turned to his wife, a playful glint in his eyes. “My dear Mary, I believe you have imparted enough wisdom upon Agnes for the evening. How about a dance to celebrate this grand occasion?”

Agnes noticed the brief surprise in her mother’s expression, but Mary soon realized that her husband was not going to back down. With a subtle nod, she accepted his offer, knowing that he could be quite persuasive when he wanted to.

Agnes watched as her parents moved away to the dance floor, her father’s wink at her not going unnoticed. She smiled at the unspoken understanding that existed between them, grateful for the respite from her mother’s constant guidance.

Now, with her parents engaged in the dance, Agnes returned her attention to the crowd, her eagerness to find Matthew undiminished. She couldn’t help but be swept away by the enchanting ambiance of the ballroom, her heart aflutter with anticipation and desire, the echoes of that stolen kiss still fresh in her mind.

As Agnes gracefully navigated the crowd, she was approached by Sir Edward, one of the suitors who had called on her before. He greeted her with an elaborate bow and a smile that revealed a hint of eagerness.

“Miss Agnes, may I say how absolutely enchanting you look this evening,” Sir Edward proclaimed. “The stars themselves must be envious of your radiance.”

Agnes smiled politely, her heart not fully invested in the exchange. She offered a gracious response. “You’re too kind, Sir Edward. The stars have certainly blessed us with a beautiful night.”

Sir Edward, undeterred by her somewhat distant demeanor, continued to shower her with flattery and witty remarks. Agnes maintained her charm and composure, aware that politeness was expected in the intricate dance of social interactions.

While the conversation with Sir Edward was pleasant enough, Agnes was not mentally present at all. Her eyes kept moving around in search ofhim.

As Sir Edward continued to talk and lavish her with compliments, Agnes tactfully noticed an opportunity to make her escape. She maintained her gracious smile and responded, “Sir Edward, I apologize, but it seems someone is calling for my attention. Please do enjoy the rest of the evening, and I shall return shortly.”

With that, Agnes executed a graceful curtsy and gracefully extricated herself from the conversation, leaving the ardent suitor with a courteous farewell. Her mind was still fixated on the hope of encountering the Duke of Huntington. His face in her thoughts was like a beautifully haunting melody.

She continued her quest to find Matthew in the grand ballroom.

In the midst of her search, she heard a familiar voice call her name. Turning toward the sound, she spotted Ewan flanked by two elegantly dressed women. He waved her over, and with a resigned sigh, she made her way to his side. Finding Matthew seemed like a distant dream now, and she suspected that her mother’s watchful gaze was not far away.

As Agnes approached Ewan and the two elegantly dressed women, she curtsied gracefully before addressing him with a polite tone. “Lord Egerton, it’s a pleasure to see you.”

Ewan’s response was a warm smile as he acknowledged her presence. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Agnes.”

Agnes couldn’t help but notice that the young lady and her mother standing beside Ewan had strikingly beautiful brown eyes. Their expressions, however, were another matter. Both of them appeared rather bored, and Agnes couldn’t help but empathize with that feeling. She had experienced similar emotions in the company of the Earl of Egerton. He often had that effect on her.

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