Page 85 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
William shook her off as gently as he could and smiled. “I’m afraid not, Miss Philips. Rest assured, I shall see you through the course of the evening.”
Phoebe’s face fell with a frown, but she nodded. “Of course, My Lord. This is your ball, after all. You have other guests to attend to.”
“I knew you would understand, Miss Philips. You are a reasonable woman.”
William had to extract himself from Phoebe, who still clung to his sleeve, but he finally released himself and walked away, increasing his pace when he saw Agnes and Lavinia head into the garden. It was the perfect opportunity to speak to her and see where he stood with her.
If Agnes preferred Jacob, it was only fitting that William stepped aside. However, if she had not decided yet, William would do all he could to prove he was the better brother. He didn’t want Jacob taking yet another woman from him.
Seeing them had reminded William of the times he had seen Jacob and Charlotte together, but at the time, he had been none the wiser of what was brewing below the surface. William didn’t want to believe that Agnes was the same, but she had come to Cheltenham for him and not for Jacob. Choosing his brother despite knowing this would place her in the same category.
“All is not lost yet,” he muttered to himself as he stepped into the fresh air outside.
Other guests had the same idea and were enjoying the cool autumn evening, but William didn’t see Agnes among them. He recalled how she had appreciated the wildflowers more than the cultivated blooms the duchess had planted, so William redirected his steps and took the path that would lead him to the wildflower bed.
It wasn’t long before he spotted them, surprised to see them both sitting on the grass. William made not a sound as he inched closer to the women, pausing once he was within hearing of their conversation.
“Why do you seem so frazzled?” Lavinia asked. “Has something happened?”
Agnes shook her head. “No, nothing has happened. I simply needed some fresh air. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I am, but I feel torn about accepting any dance requests,” the younger woman revealed. “I do not wish to betray Paul by dancing with another man, but I do so love to dance!”
William heard Agnes chuckle. “Dancing with another man is not a betrayal, Livvy. It is only when you feel affection for the man there could be problems. You do not have any feelings for the men in the ballroom, do you?”
“None at all,” Lavinia replied as though horrified her sister would ever suggest such a thing. “I only have Paul in my heart.”
“Then there is no betrayal. You can enjoy dancing with other men to your heart’s content because it already belongs to Paul.”
William wished to know where Agnes’ heart lay, but he had no right to even think about that when he couldn’t make up his own mind. His failure to decide where Agnes was concerned would likely cost him her interest, but William needed to know if she was the woman for him. That took time, although he had wasted much of it.
“I wish the moon were full tonight,” Agnes said, raising her face to the sky. “I love staring at it and imagining someone looking down at me.”
“That would frighten me,” Lavinia commented.
“Not if the person was kind. I suppose it is enough that the Almighty watches over his children, but a little imagination doesn’t hurt. Mr Moon could be listening to our conversation right now and tsking at your fear.”
“I adore you, Aggie, but you say the strangest things,” said the younger woman, shaking her head.
Agnes laughed and leaned back on her hands, exposing her face to William. The smile on her face seemed beatific, but he had heard a note of sadness in her voice. Agnes intrigued him like no other and kept him on his toes, but he enjoyed it. William found himself approaching them, wincing as he stepped on a twig and startled both women.
“My Lord!” Agnes cried, getting to her knees. “I didn’t realise you were there.”
“I just arrived, Miss Humphries. I wanted to get some fresh air and take a walk through the garden. I see you and Miss Lavinia had the same idea.”
“It’s a lovely evening, and it deserves to be enjoyed,” Agnes replied. “Let us not keep you, My Lord. Livvy and I will tarry longer.”
She was moving him along, but William didn’t want to go anywhere. “I thought we might take a walk, Miss Humphries. As you said, it is a lovely evening. I can see all the stars tonight.”
Agnes frowned and looked at her sister before turning to him. “I do not know, My Lord. You must be busy entertaining your guests. I wouldn’t want you to waste your time with me.”
“It is no waste at all, Miss Humphries,” William insisted, determined to walk with her. “You are my guest as well, are you not? I have an equal responsibility to ensure you enjoy the ball.”
“I do not mind walking, Aggie,” Lavinia told her. “There is much I still want to see.”
Agnes bit her lower lip, evidently resistant to the idea. It seemed that her brief moment with Jacob had been so memorable that she didn’t want to spend her time with anyone. William clenched his jaw and fisted his hands, livid that his brother had brought about this widening space between him and Agnes. She was drawing away when he needed to get closer to her, but he wasn’t going to give up just yet.
“It is just a short walk, Miss Humphries,” he said. “You promised me a walk some days ago. Do not tell me you have gone back on your word.”
