Page 13 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Rogue

“I love you, dear,” her mother said softly. “I will be right here with you for as long as you need me.”

Rowena nodded. She didn’t want to admit just how much she needed her mother. But she was glad to know the viscountess would not abandon her.

“Oh, Heavens,” Nancy said, startling Rowena, who hadn’t seen her sister approaching. “Don’t the both of you look ravishing.”

Rowena embraced her sister, blushing.

“It is all thanks to your lovely dresses, Sister,” she said.

Nancy shook her head, kissing her sister’s cheek.

“It is because you are beautiful,” she said.

Rowena could see more people looking at them now, but she knew she had to be brave. She held her head high and pretended that she did not notice any of them staring.

“This certainly is quite a lovely party,” Rowena said to change the subject.

Nancy giggled.

“Isn’t it?” she asked. “And it’s not even started properly yet.” She took her younger sister’s arm and grinned. “And on that note, let me introduce you and Mother and Father to some of the guests.”

Rowena’s heart stopped. She had planned to try to avoid the guests as much as possible. But now that her sister had her mind set on it, she could hardly decline. She looked nervously at her mother, who patted her back gently.

“Very well,” Rowena said quietly.

“That sounds marvelous, dear,” the viscount said, putting a clumsy arm through his wife’s. “Lead the way.”

As Rowena walked through the room with her family, she tried to convince herself that the night wouldn’t be a complete disaster. But as they approached a gentleman who was standing with his back to them, her stomach twisted. What if the evening turned out to be just as bad as she anticipated?

Chapter Five

Andrew stood with one champagne glass visible, clutched to his breast, and another half full behind his back, out of view of the other guests. He did his best to avoid meeting anyone’s eyes as he pretended to gaze with casual interest around the room.

Occasionally, he would pretend to glance at the tall clock on the wall nearby, so that he could sip from his secret glass. A gentleman never made a public display of overindulging in the drink, as Lady Elsbrook would say.

But if it weren’t for being a gentleman, I would not feel such desire to drink,he thought bitterly, taking a small sip of his visible glass. He wished he was back in his country home, in his own study, sipping his brandy and staring at the fireplace. He considered slipping away from London in the middle of the night and returning to the country. He would face the wrath of his mother, but at least he would not have to suffer High Society any longer.

He noticed at once when the attention of thetonshifted toward the entrance of the ballroom. Andrew groaned, bracing himself for the introduction of yet another insufferable noble man or woman. He turned, hurriedly finishing his secret champagne and setting the glass aside. Then, he looked to the doorway. When he saw the cause of the diversion, he relaxed and smiled.

Nancy Cresswall, Dowager Countess of Cresingdale, had entered with what he guessed was her family in tow. He knew her ladyship from his business dealings with her husband, Colin, before he had died. Lady Cresingdale was a very kind and pleasant woman, one of very few of her kind within theton. Which is why, when she approached him, he was happy to greet her and her company warmly.

“Good evening, Lady Cresingdale,” he said, bowing as she curtseyed.

“Good evening, Lord Elsbrook,” she said. “What a pleasure to see you again.”

Andrew smiled, glancing inquisitively behind the dowager countess.

“The pleasure is all mine, my lady,” he said. “How have you been faring?”

Lady Cresingdale smiled sadly.

“As well as can be expected,” she said. “I would like to introduce you to my beloved family, if I may?”

Andrew continued smiling, but his stomach tensed. Hopefully, she would make quick introductions and then take her family off to mingle with the other guests. All he wanted was for the evening to end quietly.

“Of course,” he said politely.

The dowager countess turned and gestured to the people standing just beside her.

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