Page 89 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
What on earth does Mr. Booth mean by this?Ewan thought, as he looked at his wife.What ghosts are rising?
He fixed a bright smile on his face. “Yes, My Lady. All the preparations are in place. We are to take Lord Averson’s carriage tonight—it will arrive for us at seven o’clock.”
No, everything was definitely not all right.
Chapter 33
Henrietta peered nervously out of the carriage window as it rattled towards the imposing estate of Scampston Hall. They had departed Scarborough at seven o’clock, just as Ewan had said, dissipating any suspicions she’d had about the letter. His manner had changed instantly, as soon as the note had arrived, which had piqued her concern. Indeed, she had believed it to be another note from Seth, but now she felt satisfied that it had merely been a message from Lord Averson. After all, his carriage had collected them at the given time.
The gardens and grounds were all aglow with Chinese lanterns and orange-tinted lamps, which cast a reddish, autumnal hue upon everything it graced. Torches flickered to light the paths between the main house and the garden ballroom, which reminded Henrietta of a fairy glen. In truth, it was exquisitely beautiful. She only wished she could enjoy it.
“You look particularly beautiful tonight, My Lady,” Ewan said softly, as he reached for her hand. He squeezed it, giving her courage.
“It becomes you very well,” Lord Averson agreed. “Purple is a tremendous shade against your complexion.”
Ewan laughed. “Anyone would think that she was your wife, Averson.”
“If I see beauty, I must remark upon it,” Lord Averson protested, with an amused smile.
Again, Henrietta wished she could enjoy the striking gown that had been made especially for her. She had espied herself in the looking glass before leaving the Old Bell and had felt almost regal in her attire. Truly, she had not looked like herself, but a wiser, more elegant version of who she was. The amethyst gown of satin was tailored to perfection, with a modest yet daring neckline and capped sleeves that showed off her slender arms. A bevy of small jewels had been embroidered into the satin itself, making her sparkle if she turned this way or that. A silver necklace hung at her throat, with a large amethyst in the center. Ewan had purchased it for her as a surprise—a most-treasured gift.
“I have not met the Darbys,” she said, hoping to turn the conversation away from herself. It made her feel rather self-conscious to be so admired. “Are they a pleasant family?”
Ewan nodded. “For the most part. There is a slight history of madness in their family, but they are kind souls. Although, I do not expect you shall meet a single one tonight. They like to show off their wealth with these parties, but they rarely attend in person.”
“How very peculiar,” Henrietta mused.
“Yes, I suppose it is somewhat strange.”
“What lovely gardens they have,” she commented, as they rattled up the driveway towards one of the flickering pathways, designed to guide the guests to the ballroom itself.
“I must bring you here in the daylight, so you may truly admire their beauty,” Ewan said, squeezing her hand once more.
She smiled. “I should like that very much.”
“What a handsome couple the pair of you make,” Lord Averson remarked. “Indeed, it has been many years since I have seen such a pair. Not since—no, never mind. I have quite forgotten.”
Henrietta’s heart stopped for a moment, as the ghost of Patricia—Ewan’s deceased wife—came back to haunt her. It had been so long since she had thought of her, that she had almost forgotten that Ewan had once belonged to another. She knew precisely what Lord Averson had been about to say, and it stung her. He had been about to mention how handsome Patricia and Ewan had once been. She did not know why it had affected her so, in that moment, for it seemed foolish to be envious of a former relationship.
Ewan, on the other hand, had stilled at Henrietta’s side. A pained expression moved across his features, though his hand stayed in hers. Even now, with the memory of his dead wife in his mind, he refused to let Henrietta go. There was comfort to be found in that. At least, Henrietta hoped there was, for she admired him so.
“Shall we, My Lady?” he asked, as the carriage rolled to a halt.
“Yes, I suppose we must,” Henrietta replied anxiously.
A small smile graced Ewan’s lips as he lowered his voice to a whisper. “I will not leave you. I will not abandon you. I will keep you safe.”
I pray that you are able to, my dear Ewan.Her heart thumped in her chest, pounding like a stampede. They were here now, and there was no backing away from what they had come here to do. Seth would not make it out these grounds a free man.
Speaking of the devil, Seth was nowhere to be seen. It was not customary for servants to attend events such as this, and so the cretin had remained behind at Lord Averson’s residence. However, Henrietta did not think it would be long before they saw one another again. Indeed, it was almost as if she sensed his ominous presence, lurking somewhere in the dark of the gardens.
She pulled her cloak tighter about herself and took Ewan’s hand as he helped her out of the carriage. Walking close together, they made their way along the beautifully-lit path towards the garden ballroom. Music spilled out of the open doors, and the laughter of revelers could be heard at a distance. It warmed Henrietta’s heart for she did love to dance and be merry. It was just a shame that she would not be permitted such pleasures that evening. Not when she had to remain on her guard at all times.
However, as soon as they entered the ballroom, the music and the lights and the dancers, in all their finery, quite took her away from the trepidation she ought to have felt. The orchestra was lively, and the coupled dancers moved with a swan-like elegance. She watched them in awe, clinging tighter to her husband’s arm.
“Might we dance, my Lord Marquess?” she asked.
“My Lady, I do not see any reason why we may not,” he replied, with an encouraging smile.
