Page 59 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
Agnes found it odd that a woman like William’s mother would have anything in common with Lady Frampton and Phoebe, but the duchess would surely change her mind if she were to see a side to them reserved for the Humphries and others who did not meet their standards.
“What will you wear, dear?” the baroness asked. “We can alter one of your dresses to make it look new.”
“I brought my white gown with the gold trimmings along with me, Mama,” Agnes informed her. “It just needs a few more details, and it will be suitable for the ball.”
“You always look so charming in white, my dear,” the baron complimented. “Lord Hampton will be pleasantly surprised when he sees you.”
“Oh, Papa,” said Agnes, her blush returning with full force. “I will not wear it to please him but to please me. ’Tis my opinion that matters the most.”
“Not if he is to be your husband, Agnes,” Mrs Mellors told her. “A man expects to marry a woman who will look good on his arm. Thankfully, you are a beauty and will capture everyone’s attention. We just need to work on a few things for your attire.”
Mrs Mellors had a gleam in her eyes that told Agnes she would make it her mission to have all eyes on her. Agnes didn’t like attracting attention, so she would have to deter the matchmaker somehow.
“I expect we’ll receive an invitation soon,” the baron remarked. “We cannot go there without one.”
“The duchess will send out all the invitations tomorrow,” Mrs Mellors assured. “There is no need to fret on that account, Arthur.”
Excitement for the ball eventually faded in favour of completing the game, but Agnes could no longer concentrate and lost the game. She didn’t regret it and excused herself before heading to the room she was currently sharing with Livvy.
The ball was an opportunity and a hurdle to securing her future with William, and there wasn’t much time left before a decision would have to be made. Everyone expected William to ask for a courtship, but Agnes wasn’t so confident, not with Phoebe coming between them.
The woman had expressed her desire to become the marquess’ wife, and William had not deterred her efforts in the slightest. He was either a polite man or had yet to decide whether Agnes or Phoebe suited him better.
Poor Jacob would be disappointed if his brother selected Phoebe, but if he didn’t try hard enough to win her affections, then he could consider himself a loser. Agnes would also lose if she didn’t put her best foot forward despite telling her family that she would not dress to please anyone but herself. It was no wonder she had once decided to avoid marriage and live her life like a spinster!
***
Agnes couldn’t stop touching her hair and flicking away imaginary lint from her dress as they entered the Sculthorpes’ home. Orchestral music wafted out of the open doors and windows above the chatter of many guests that likely numbered above one hundred. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least.
“This is so exciting!” her sister exclaimed beside her. “I have never been to anything so grand! It was our good luck that Mrs Mellors paired you with Lord Hampton, Aggie. Look where we are now.”
Agnes wanted to tell her that it probably wouldn’t last, but she held her tongue. It was no use lowering the mood tonight and ruining her family’s evening. They didn’t need to know how nervous she was about seeing William again and speaking with him.
There just seemed to be so much at stake tonight as though this ball would prove where William’s interest lay. That sounded rather silly, but Agnes couldn’t shake the feeling off.
“Lord and Lady Trafalgar, with their daughters, Miss Humphries and Miss Lavinia,” a servant announced before nodding his head for them to continue to the ballroom.
The guests didn’t seem interested and continued to speak to each other, which was a relief. Agnes didn’t want all eyes on her, not when she was battling to keep a calm face.
“Lord Hampton is coming our way,” Lavinia whispered. “He seems to come running whenever you’re near. How sweet of him.”
Agnes looked up and quickly lowered her head as a smile spread across her face. William looked happy to see them; more specifically, he seemed excited to see her. She waited for him to stop beside them before raising her head.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, his eyes drifting to Agnes as he spoke to her parents and Mrs Mellors. “My mother has been anxiously awaiting your arrival. I promised I would bring you to her as soon as I knew you were here.”
Lord and Lady Trafalgar greeted him on their behalf and entered the ballroom, but William hung back and asked Agnes for a moment of her time. Surprised, Agnes nodded. Enough people were about to maintain decency, but that didn’t stop the fluttering in her belly.
“I wanted to ask for the first dance before anyone else does,” William confessed. “I didn’t have the opportunity to dance with you at the dinner party.”
That hadn’t been her fault. William had not danced with anyone else after Phoebe and had chosen instead to stand in the corner and brood.
“I shall ensure the first dance on my dance card belongs to you, My Lord,” Agnes promised.
William smiled, his sincerity shining in his eyes. “Thank you, Miss Humphries. I cannot tell you how pleased I am. I have often wondered what sort of dancer you are.”
“I assure you I am nothing special, My Lord,” she said. “Livvy is the better dancer as she is light on her feet. It’s one of her favourite past times, you see. I play the pianoforte, and she dances about the room like a faerie.”
“You never think much of your own abilities, Miss Humphries, but my gut tells me that you are a woman of many talents, both seen and unseen. I look forward to discovering them all.”
