Page 29 of The Earl's Demure Spinster
CHAPTER 14
Wesley, accompanied by his mother and sister, stepped into the grand ballroom of Lord Thomas and Lady Rebecca’s town house. The soirée was already in full swing, with guests mingling and chatting animatedly because they were clearly already very much enjoying themselves.
Wesley only wished that he could get caught up in that same feeling, but he could not. Not with his mother still acting distant and strange around him. He knew that he had upset her, but it was much easier when she just told him what was going on. He did not like the guessing game, because it left him more on edge.
Yet, even knowing that his mother was annoyed at him, as Wesley circulated among the guests, his eyes occasionally scanned the crowd, searching for Lady Sylvia. He could not help himself. He exchanged pleasantries with acquaintances and smiled politely at introductions, but his mind was elsewhere all the time.
It had to be bad because his mother finally snapped at him.
“Wesley, do try to focus,” she admonished quietly as they greeted Lord Thomas. “We must not appear inattentive. It is rude and you will get people talking.”
“Yes, Mother,” Wesley replied, offering a charming smile that did not quite reach his eyes. “I will do better.”
Harriet, more attuned to her brother’s mood, gently nudged him. “Looking for someone?” she whispered teasingly.
Wesley’s smile turned genuine at his sister’s perceptiveness. “Perhaps,” he admitted, his gaze once again sweeping the room.
Harriet’s eyes sparkled with inquisitiveness but she said no more, allowing her brother the privacy of his thoughts. Wesley was sure that she knew what was going on in his mind though.
As they made their way further into the ballroom, Lady Rebecca approached, her face alight with the joy of hosting such a splendid event. It seemed she was clearly in her element. “Lady Victoria, Lord Wesley, Lady Harriet! I am so delighted you could come,” she greeted warmly. “I hope you enjoy the evening.”
“The pleasure is ours, Lady Rebecca,” Lady Victoria replied with a gracious nod. “It appears absolutely delightful. You have executed such a splendid task. Pray, do share more about the embellishments you have…”
Wesley slipped away from his mother as soon as he could, while she was distracted by Lady Rebecaa, and maneuvered through the crowd, his eyes flickering over the room until they landed on a familiar face. Edward. Thank goodness he had someone he could while the hours away with. It might not have been Lady Sylvia, yet it was quite agreeable.
However, just as Wesley was about to make his way to Edward, his path was abruptly blocked by the Duke and Duchess of Ervington, accompanied by their daughter, Lady Arabella, who had a smug smile playing on her lips, as if she had navigated this whole thing.
“Ah, Lord Wesley!” boomed the Duke, his presence commanding the space around him as it always did. “Just the man we were hoping to see.”
Wesley offered a polite smile, inwardly bracing himself for the interaction. “Your Graces, how wonderful it is to see you,” he acknowledged, bowing slightly to both the Duke and Duchess. “Lady Arabella, good evening.”
“Lord Wesley,” Lady Arabella replied with a sweet, practiced smile, fluttering her eye lashes in a manner she undoubtedly hoped was charming. “It is lovely to see you on this fine night.”
“Yes, it is always lovely to see a high standing gentleman as yourself,” the duke said, half teasing. “My daughter has been thoroughly looking forward to this ball.”
Wesley maintained his polite demeanor, though his thoughts remained scattered. “Thank you, Your Grace. Lady Rebecca has outdone herself, has she not?”
Lady Arabella stepped closer, her hand lightly resting on her father’s arm. “Lord Wesley, it would be wonderful if we could share yet another dance tonight,” she suggested, her voice soft and inviting.
Wesley forced a smile, his gaze briefly flickering past her to the other guests. “Of course, Lady Arabella. I would be honoured.”
But before he could really think of an excuse to get himself out of dancing with Lady Arabella right away, the atmosphere in the room shifted completely. At least it did for Wesley. His eyes widened with surprise and happiness as his gaze flickered automatically towards the entrance of the ball.
Oh my! He wanted to gasp.
Lady Grace and Lady Sylvia had arrived.
Lady Sylvia looked utterly breathtaking, dressed in a striking shade of green that complemented her figure and made her stand out in the sea of pastel gowns. Her poise and elegance captured the room’s attention, and for Wesley, everything else faded into the background. Their eyes met across the room, the magnet pulling them together once more, and the connection they shared was palpable, it shot like lightning through Wesley and led to a prolonged gaze that bordered on scandalous in the eyes of the ton.
I have to see her, he thought desperately to himself. I need to escape Lady Arabella so I can see her now…
Just as Wesley was about to cave to temptation and make his way towards Lady Sylvia, the moment was shattered by a sharp comment from his right hand side. The Duchess spoke loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear in a deeply scathing tone. “It is a pity when some people forget their origins and try to mingleabove their station,” she remarked, her eyes coldly fixed on Lady Sylvia. “I find it utterly humiliating…”
The bluntness of the remark, clearly directed at Lady Sylvia, sent a ripple of discomfort through Wesley. His jaw clenched, a surge of anger rising within him. He turned to the Duchess, his voice tight with barely restrained irritation. “Your Grace, I…”
But before he could say anything else to potentially cause a scene, his mother appeared beside him. It was as if she knew that he was about to do something dangerous here. She greeted the Duke and Duchess with a warm but formal smile. “Your Graces, Lady Arabella. How delightful to see you all this evening.”
She rested a warning hand on Wesley’s arm.
