Page 51 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“Unfortunately, I have to act the host for Mama and Elspeth,” Jude told her apologetically. “Save me a special dance. Let’s waltz. I’ll instruct the orchestra to play a waltz, and then I can hold you close in my arms while the stars spin around us. You are like starlight, and my eyes want to gaze at you forever.”
A tear fell down Audrey’s cheek as she nodded, seemingly unable to speak. His gentle finger stroked her face, to wipe away the tear, before he continued. “There’s no need for tears. We’ve found each other. I’ll say goodbye until our dance. Tomorrow we can talk and plan the future.”
He saw Mrs. Weston and his mother returning across the hall and called to them. “Mama, Mrs. Weston, can I entrust you to keep Lady Audrey company until I’ve danced with Elspeth, and several other young ladies who will be devastated if I fail to keep my promise of a dance with them.“
Turning to Audrey he said, “I must go, or I shall be late for Elspeth’s first dance,” before hurrying into the ballroom to find his sister. His spirits light as a feather, joyful, knowing his path to a future with Audrey was clear, lit by the brightest stars.
Chapter 20
The evening passed in a blur for Audrey. She’d taken a step towards happiness, but it felt like a dream. She watched Jude dance with Elspeth, feeling joy at the happiness radiating from her as she enjoyed her first ball. So strange that they were pretty much the same age, but so much had happened to her in the last few months that she felt so much older than Elspeth.
She felt no jealousy watching Jude dance with Lady Caroline. So different from that afternoon when she had felt the stabbing pain of jealousy, seeing Lady Caroline reigning as May Queen. Audrey, secure in knowing Jude loved her, could smile at Lady Caroline, and wish her luck in her quest for a husband.
Waiting with impatience for their waltz together time seemed to slow down. She nodded and smiled as Franny spoke to her, and each of Jude’s sisters came to talk and share their excitement at the ball. She noticed Jane and Grace creeping past the ballroom and out to the terrace, but Audrey, remembering the joy of watching her first ball at Rowton Castle, kept silent. Let them enjoy their escapade.
Then he was there. She sensed his presence before she saw him and raised her eyes to melt again in this deep brown eyes. For a moment she wondered if she’d imagined the scene in the great hall. What if he didn’t love her after all? But then that strong, deep voice calling her, “his love,” and her breathing settled again.
“Shall we dance, dearest, loveliest Audrey,” he asked, holding out his hand. She placed her hand in his, feeling that frisson of connection and smiling in recognition.
The music started with a slow melody, and she looked at Jude in surprise. “No waltz?” she asked.
“Later, dear love. I’ve asked them to play a pavane first. I intend to steal a second dance so we can build up to a waltz.”
The older, stately pavane suited their mood perfectly, unfolding like a conversation. They walked together, turned to gaze at each other, and then twirled gently, each mirroring the other’s movements. Audrey felt she floated on a cloud as the slow-motion movements built in tempo to the music.
This was the only place she wanted to be, close to the man she loved. It had happened slowly. Almost like the dance, at a slow pace, but she knew with certainty that a strong love connected them.
So many wonderful people had entered her life since leaving Rowton Castle, far outweighing the impact of her controlling brother’s evil personality. It became a dance of love and thankfulness, filled with hope of a future with Jude at Clairville.
The tempo then changed into a slow waltz, prompting gasps from those watching as they whirled together. Those around them who knew the steps, joined the waltz, but Audrey was oblivious to everything but Jude. She’d danced a few waltzes before, at balls in London or Bath, but never felt as though her feet were floating in the air. As the music drew to a close, Jude took her hand in his and kissed it. More gasps from those around them at such a public declaration of affection. Only that morning she had been making plans to leave, now she knew she could not leave, and for the first time in many months felt settled and happy in her choice.
She realized suddenly that this meant she would not leave Sasha. The little girl would stay in her life, and she could mother Sasha and love her as a daughter. Suddenly life felt good.
As Jude went back to his duties as host, she stayed close to Franny, glad to be sheltered from curious conversation with other guests.
“You’re happy my friend. I can tell you’ve found true love. I’m delighted and expect to be treated as mother of the bride at your wedding.”
“Who else could take that place?” said Audrey, planting a kiss on Franny’s cheek. “Now let’s find some lemonade. My head is swimming with too much champagne.”
As they walked to the refreshment area, they were intercepted by Beatrice, asking if they had seen Jane and Grace.
“I remember seeing them a while ago,” said Audrey. “Don’t tell your mother, but they were sneaking out to the garden. I suspect they could hear the music and dance there without being seen.”
“I did the same myself at Alice’s ball,” laughed Beatrice. “I won’t tell Mama, not to worry.”
“I could do with some fresh air. I’ll go and check on them,” said Audrey. “Franny, save me a glass of lemonade, I’ll be back soon.”
Her feet almost dancing she walked towards the trees at the edge of the courtyard beyond the terrace, sure that’s where she would find the twins. Something made her stop and look around, a feeling of sudden unease.
There’s nothing to be sacred of she told herself I’m in the garden at Clairville, I can hear the orchestra, there are people taking refreshments on the terrace, and I’m pretty sure I can hear Grace and Jane just in those trees.
A twig snapped under her foot, and she stopped to listen. Sure enough, the girls were chattering and humming to the music, just to her right. If she remembered rightly there was a little clearing there with a stone table, the perfect place for afternoon tea in the shade, or dancing at a ball.
It happened so suddenly she had no chance to scream. Someone grabbed Audrey from behind and placed a hand over her mouth. Fear crept over her as she kept still. Something told her this was not an intruder, but her brother Ethan’s work. A voice hissed sharply from the trees. “Hold her steady.”
Most definitely Ethan.
“Bring her to the carriage,” he continued.
