Lady In Distress (The Langley Sisters Book 3) (17 page)

“I shall be here when you are ready to leave.” Luke had moved to her side, his fingers slipping inside the front seam of her evening cloak to touch the bare skin of her arm. The contact made her shiver as she looked up at him.
 

“Stay safe, Isabella.”

“I will, Luke, and thank you.”

He stroked her arm from just beneath the short cap of her sleeve, to where her gloves began, and then he released her and climbed back up onto the driver’s seat.
 

Will urged her forwards then, and after he exchanged a few words to Luke, they were entering the house. Removing their outer clothing, they then greeted the hosts and entered the ballroom. It was very grand, as she’d known it would be. The chandeliers glittered as did the guest who mingled and talked beneath. The noise was loud and the combination of smells an assault on her senses.
 

“This is it, Bella. What we have talked about for so long.”

“I know, Thea,” she whispered back. “But I fear my knees are knocking so hard I will fall face first, and be known as that debutante who created a scene on her first evening.”

“Oh, you could never outdo poor Miss Founders,” Livvy said. “Last year, at the season’s first major event, she tripped on her hem and then fell face first, sliding along the carpet and leaving a horrible mark on her check. But the worst of it was that she collected a waiter with a tray of glasses. There was a terrible crash, and then glasses and champagne were flying everywhere.”

“No!” Thea looked wide eyed at Livvy.

“Poor woman,” Livvy added. “Eventually, she attended another function, but not until the humiliation had subsided.”

Bella shuddered; she could not bear that to happen to her. For so long, she had tried to hide herself away so no one would feel pity for her, and now here she was, in front of society and all its prying eyes. To draw attention to herself now would, she was sure, dispel all her new-found confidence.
 

“You look beautiful, darling. Try and relax.”

Bella nodded at these whispered words from Livvy and tried to breathe easily. She was dressed in one of Phoebe’s creations from Madame Alexander’s. It was pale rose satin, with a darker overskirt. She wore cream slippers and gloves and her hair was piled high with rose satin ribbons.
 

“Now that is a fabulous dress you are wearing, Miss Langley. I simply must know who made it for you?”

Bella smiled as Alexander Hetherington moved to her side, his voice carrying as he questioned her, elegant as always in a severe black tailored jacket and scarlet waistcoat. He looked handsome and dapper.

“We only frequent Madame Alexander’s Boutique, Mr. Hetherington.”

Bella rolled her eyes as Livvy and Alex launched into a loud discussion about the boutique.

“Oh, my,” Bella said softly, making sure no one but Livvy and Alex heard. “Is that a rent in my seam? Perhaps the workmanship is—”

“You are a heartless young lady, Miss Langley,” Alex said, interrupting her.

Phoebe, her friend Hannah Wooller and Alexander Hetherington were the owners of Madame Alexander’s. Of course none of society knew this, as it would be quite the scandal were it ever to get out.
 

“It’s beautiful, as you very well know, Alex,” Bella said, holding the skirts of her dress for him to see.

“It certainly is, Bella, and may I say the color is quite something on you. And now I want to be your first partner, if you brother will allow it?”

“Thank you, Alex. I would be grateful. As you can imagine, it is quite a task being responsible for these two hoydens.”

Thea rolled her eyes as Bella took Alex’s arm and let him lead her onto the dance floor. She watched Benjamin Hetherington then ask for Thea’s hand and soon they were both about to take their first dance steps into society.
 

Bella hoped she remembered the steps as Alex placed her in the line forming. She pushed aside the wish that another was holding her for her first dance, and tried to enjoy herself.
 

“You will do fine, Bella. For any woman who has overcome what you have, this will be simple.”

Grateful for Alex’s words, she nodded. The music started, and thankfully she remembered the steps. She was soon enjoying the dance, and Alex’s company.

“To your right is Major Weller. Try to avoid him if you can, man’s an old windbag, and if he starts on his fighting days I’m afraid you are in for an hour of long and detailed exploits.”

Bella had a quick look at the man who was steering his partner around the floor. He seemed harmless enough, but she would remember his name just the same.

Alex pointed out a few of the guests during the dance and then Bella and Thea were taken back to Livvy.

After that, she was asked to dance by Lord Sheldon, and then another and another until she could not remember the names. Lord Anthony she remembered as the visitor who came the day Livvy went into labor.

“Miss Langley, please allow me to say how beautiful you look this evening.”

“Thank you, my lord”

“And how are your dear sister and nephew?”

She found herself beginning to like him as he asked about her family. Perhaps she had misjudged him when first they had met. Then, she’d felt he was rude to Luke , but he didn’t seem an unpleasant man; in fact, the more Bella thought about that incident, the more she realized it was brought about by the fact that not many people would choose to sit and take tea with their staff. Had Lord Anthony understood the relationship they had with Luke, he would surely not have spoken as he had.
 

“I hope you will allow me to take you driving one day, Miss Langley.”

He had a nice smile, Bella thought. Did she want to go driving with him? She’d known this kind of invitation would arise, after all. What harm would there be in accepting?
 

“Thank you, my lord. I shall give your invitation some thought.”

He seemed happy with her answer and as he returned her to Thea’s side, he said he would like to dance with her again soon.

“Are you enjoying it, Thea?”

They were finally alone for the first time all evening, and that was only due to Thea taking her arm the minute she’d returned from yet another dance, telling her they were going for a walk.

“I think so, but in truth I find it all a trifle false.”

“How so?” Bella’s cheeks were beginning to hurt from all the smiling she had done.

“Well, everyone is being so polite to us, don’t you think? I mean, even the women, and to be honest, we have not been introduced to a great many, but even they are nice…insipidly so.”

“Surely not all?” Bella caught the eye of the man she had danced with and struggled to remember his title.

“Not all, no, and I’m sure some will dislike us due to the fact we are creating something of a stir amongst their ranks, simply because we are new.”
 

“But we both come from families that squabble and talk loudly. Rarely do we refrain from saying what we think nor are we asked to leave the room when talk of consortiums and bills being passed in parliament are discussed,” Bella added, voicing what she knew Bella was thinking. “And all these pleasantries are starting to set your teeth on edge.”
And I miss Luke.

“Yes,” Thea exhaled. “Exactly that, which is possibly not very nice of us to say after longing to be here for as long as we have. Perhaps we shall grow used to it after a few more occasions.”

They walked for awhile, admiring dresses and the sights and sounds around them.
 

“I think I’m different now, Thea, and perhaps you are too. I had always believed that this is where I wanted to be, and built this moment up to be such a wondrous thing. I fear the reality is not exceeding my expectations. Perhaps in a few more weeks I shall find that is true, as you say, but I have to admit it is not exactly filling me with joy. “

“Of course you know that makes us bad people,” Thea added. “As we are having what many could only dream of.”

“You’re selfish,” Bella corrected. “I’m just confused.”

“You’re confused because you already know the man you want; therefore, this is a waste of time,” Thea said dismissing the fact that she had just been labeled selfish.

She absolutely did not want to talk about Luke. Not now, here in the ballroom where he was not and could never possibly be.
 

“I don’t know what the future holds for Luke and I, but whatever it is, we have put it aside until this season is over.”

They stopped as their path was blocked by several guests and Thea looked at her.
 

“I’m sorry. It was not my intention to upset you, Bella, but surely you must speak about it—”

“No, I really don’t wish to. He wants me to do this, and I told him I wanted it, too; therefore, there is nothing further to discuss.” Thankfully, the guests moved to one side then and allowed Thea and Bella to pass. The journey back to Livvy was completed in silence.

They danced again and met new people, both ladies and gentlemen, and then
 
when her leg started to ache, she went to sit beside her sister, who was chatting with a friend.
 

“Tired, Bella?”

“I am, and my leg is a trifle sore, so I shall forgo any further dancing this evening.”

“Miss Langley, will you honor me with this dance?”

Lord Anthony appeared before her.

“I fear I must sit the next one out, Lord Anthony,” Bella said, “as my leg is paining me.”

“Then would you permit me to bring you all some refreshment?”
Bella smiled. “Thank you, I would like that.”

When he had gone, Bella sat and stretched her leg out before her.

“Is it very painful, love?”

“No.” She smiled at Livvy. “Just unused to quite so much dancing.”

“Hello, hello. Apologies for my tardiness, I simply had to finish the seam I was working on.” Hannah Wooller clapped her hands as she looked at Bella. “That dress is simply stunning, as we knew it would be, Isabella.”
 

She was the other partner in the boutique with Alex Hetherington and Phoebe.

“I think the sleeves could have been longer.”

Bella giggled as Hannah spun to scowl at Alex who had also joined their little gathering. It was he who had made the comment.

“Nonsense, Hetherington! They are perfect as they are.”

Alex winked at Bella as he held his hand out to Hannah. “Come, we shall debate this on the dance floor, as I hear a waltz striking up, and it is my wish to dance with the only woman who can ruin it for me.”

Hannah harrumphed, but put her hand in his just the same.

“Livvy,” Bella said watching them as her sister was. “Are they?”

“Phoebe said that it was best not to speculate when it comes to those two, my dear.”

She said nothing further, happy to sit quietly. She did not tell Livvy what Thea and she had discussed on their walk, because her sister had dreamt of the day she could take Bella into society and she would not ruin that joy for her. Perhaps like she had told Thea, over time she would learn to love these gatherings.

“Lord, Livvy, I don’t know if I can keep this up for weeks.” Thea fell into the chair to her left, after her latest dance partner had returned her to them.

“You’ll get used to it,” Livvy said, yawning.
 

“Would you like to go home to Henry now, Livvy?” Bella rubbed her sister’s arm. “I’m sure Will is pining for him, too, and I know my feet would be more than happy to be on the same level as my body,” she added.

“I do miss him, and even though he is likely to be asleep, I find myself longing to see him again.” Livvy accompanied these words with a soft smile that Bella knew was just for her son.

“Then we shall leave soon.”

“I’m going to soak my feet,” Thea sighed. “And if you’re interested, I’m ready to leave too.”

“I’m not and you’ll do as you’re told.” Bella accompanied these words with a smile.

“Ha, I’m too tired to find a suitable retort.”

“First we must drink the refreshments Lord Anthony is bringing us,” Bella whispered as he approached carrying several glasses. “Thank you, my lord. You are most kind.”

He stood before her, sipping his own drink. “And will you both be attending the Hampton musical tomorrow evening?”

Bella looked to Livvy who nodded.

“It seems we are, my lord.”

Bella chatted with him for the next few minutes. He was a man who liked to ride and, like her now, loved to walk, and it was the first genuine conversation she had been a part of all evening.

“I have two dogs who accompany me everywhere.”

“I have a dog. He’s all black, with eyes that melt your heart and floppy ears. He’s still young.”

“And he eats shoes and whatever else is left around the house,” Livvy added.

“His name is Edmond.”

“Seems a serious name for a pup,” Lord Anthony said.
 

“I call him Eddie.”