Page 84 of A Duchess Bound
Elias furrowed his brow and crossed his arms, his gaze so intense that Dorothy shifted uneasily beneath his inspection. She turned her attention once more to the window, as if the city streets could protect her from Elias’s scrutiny.
At last, the carriage came to a halt before Lord Hargrave’s townhouse. Dorothy straightened her spine, trying to feign some semblance of concern for how she might be perceived. The only man who had ever paid her any mind was Gerard, and he would never look at her again.
Dorothy’s breath shuddered in her chest. Would he be present at Lord Hargrave’s ball, or would he have enough decency to forego social occasions for a sufficiently long enough time for the wounds of her heart to have healed?
The footman opened the door, and Elias stepped from the carriage. He helped Dorothy and Bridget descend, and they all set up the path together.
“Dorothy, you are acting rather strangely tonight,” Elias murmured. “What has happened?”
“Nothing,” Dorothy said, sighing. “I have—we talked about the Season, Elias, and I am letting Bridget have the freedom to do as she wishes.”
Perhaps that would be for the best anyway. What right did Dorothy have to tell her sister who she may and may not pursue? Had she not just made the dreadful decision to engage in an affair with a man who had predictably abandoned her?
“And I appreciate it,” Bridget said. “I shall show good judgment in the gentlemen whom I choose to court. I promise that you shall not be disappointed.”
Elias furrowed his brow but said nothing.
Lord and Lady Hargrave, a distinguished elderly couple, greeted them at the door. “Your Grace,” Lord Hargrave said, bowing stiffly. “I am delighted that you are joining us tonight.”
“It is my great honor,” Elias said.
“And Lady Bridget,” Lady Hargrave said, smiling. “Are you enjoying your first Season?”
“It has been most enjoyable,” Bridget replied. “Far more than I anticipated in even my wildest dreams.”
Dorothy’s gaze wandered over the couple’s head, searching the crowd behind them for Gerard’s familiar face. She did not see him. Her heart sank like a stone for no rational reason.
It was for the best that he was gone for her life! No one would deny that, yet she found herself continuing to hope that maybe—somehow—the events at their last meeting had not occurred.
“And what of you?” Lady Hargrave asked.
Dorothy blinked, startled to realize that the lady looked atherfor an answer. “Y—yes,” Dorothy said. “It has been an enjoyable Season.”
She sensed her brother was looking at her, but did not turn around to face him. Dorothy’s face grew hot, as Lady Hargrave’s delicate brow furrowed. It seemed as though everyone believed that there was something amiss with her!
Dorothy might not have been quite so vexed if the reason behind her distractions was not so ridiculous and detrimental to her own self!
As they entered the townhouse, light music rose from the ballroom. Happy couples laughed and spoke with one another, and seeing such joy was like a knife to Dorothy’s heart. Had she and Gerard ever appeared so happy to be in the presence of one another? If they had continued their affair, would they have eventually become like those other happy couples?
Dorothy would never know.
“I know you must be growing weary of my concerns,” Elias murmured in her ear, “but I know you well enough to realize that something is amiss. What is it? How can I fix it?”
Elias halted. Dorothy did, too.
Bridget continued, hurrying to a group of unmarried misses, who lingered together awaiting the next dance.
“Dorothy,” Elias said gently, imploringly. “Tell me what has happened.”
“Nothing,” she said. “I am only a little tired. You are seeing some great tragedy where there is none.”
Dorothy’s eyes swept over the crowd once again, searching every dancing couple and every person lingering by the wall for the smallest sign of Gerard. She found none.
It should have been a relief, but instead, she experienced the sensation of being crushed. He truly was not here.
“Very well,” Elias said, sounding as though he did not believe her. “I shall leave the matter be, but know that I am here and will support you if somethinghasgone amiss. I will always do that.”
‘I know, but I assure you there is no need.”
