Midnight Masquerade (13 page)

Laughing, she always
did
like the man, “Of course you can join,
you
just have to dance with me first!”

Presenting his arm, he bowed, “I accept the terms lovely Amelia, I say, you are in a jovial mood tonight!”

“That I am Henry.” Taking his arm, she smiled brightly at him and tugged him towards the
floor;
the violins were striking a beautiful tune that was making her tap her toes. A little drunk from the quick
drinks she and Hero had shared, she refused to let anything dim her light tonight.

Effortlessly taking her around the ballroom floor, he held her close and asked, “So, do tell, word around London is you gave Porsche a flagrant set down last night. Alas, I missed it but I would have loved to see that spoiled brat knocked down a few rungs.”

Laughing genuinely at his honesty, it was true, most of their circle had little p
atience for the blonde heiress. “We had words. It was…eh,
awkward
, but I had enough of her madness last night. She was jealous of me dancing with Alastair, she said words,
and I
said stronger words.”

“She has a right to be jealous Amelia, you outshine even her. Even an engagement
to
the most sought over man of our town won’t keep her to his side if she doesn’t straighten up.” Henry said, grinning like he understood.

Cocking her head, “What do you mean by that?”

Rolling his eyes, “You are my friend Amelia, I’ve know you for years now it seems. People who pay attention to what matters to you
,
know that you have a
tender
for Alastair, and one only has to watch
him
to know he has eyes only for you.”

“Oh posh, Henry….how many glasses of champagne have you had?” She teased.

“
Not nearly as many as you, deny it all you want Amelia. The entire town is wondering why the Golden Duke is engaged to that simpering brat but refuses to take his eyes off you, care to take an answer?”

His words were teasing, fun and honest. She had known Henry long enough that she could be truthful, and in the same, he was truthful to her.

“I am familiar to him. I’ve known him for years and he’s my brothers’ best friend since Eton. He watches over me out of duty, not desire.”

“Absolute bollocks Amelia, and you know it. You’re going to have to learn to lie better if you want to get anyone to believe a word of that.” Smiling, he teased. Easily seeing through her carefully spoken words.

Shaking her head with a grin as she looked up into his brown eyes, “This shall be an entertaining evening as I plan to avoid the Golden Duke for as long as possible.”

“Oh good show Amelia, I was wondering when you were going to come back to us old girl. Really, this should be a delightful show for the ones who understand.” He chuckled.

“Henry, I shall do my part but I think I’ll need more champagne first.”

“Oh look Amelia, there is Hero waiting for you with another glass, shall we go see her and then find you a new dance partner so your brooding duke doesn’t ruin the show yet?” He nodded in the direction where Alastair stood.

Thankful for his bearing, she enjoyed the last few measures of the waltz and exited the floor towards Hero, who thankfully knew to distance herself from Alastair and Porsche.

Almost to Hero, she saw her friend look behind her and smile, she heard a voice that made her smile. “Lord Henry, if you are done with the breathtaking Amelia, I would love to take over.”

Turning around she saw
Roland Caldwell,
Marquees
of Riverstone standing handsome as the day was long. His dark hair falling artfully to his neck, the man always wore black. He was a woman’s dream come true.

“Roland, you know how to make a lady feel….cared for.” She joked, taking the glass of champagne from Hero who now stood beside her. Sipping the cool liquid she
sighed with relief that Alastair had kept his distance, she actually hadn’t seen him at all tonight. She knew he was here, luckily she had kept herself busy enough that she hadn’t had time to dwell on him dancing with his gorgeous fiancée.

Nudging her, “Are you ready to dance yet woman?” Roland asked as he ran his hand down her arm and entwined his fingers in hers and brought her hand to his lips.

“How can a lady resist such an elaborate request?”

“I know, I do make it hard to say no.” He stated, placing her hand on his arm he took her empty glass and handed it to a passing waiter as he took her to the dance floor.

Looking around the crowded floor, she saw Helena and Gideon dancing together, lost in each other’s eyes. Next to them was Luke and Genevieve, likewise, blind to the world around them.
She had a great appreciate that both of her brothers had found true love, just looking at them she knew that was exactly what she wanted out of life.

She wanted to be married not because of an unexpected pregnancy, she wanted to me married because she was in love. It had to go both
ways;
she co
uldn’t love without being loved. I
t would break her. It was part of her reason to leave for Scotland, her heart couldn’t take this anymore. She knew Alastair would find a way to break his en
gagement
to Porsche, but even when
he did, she couldn’t marry him unless she knew in her heart he wanted her, not just because she carried her child.

“So my dear, now that Alastair is engaged are you going to turn your attentions to eligible gentleman, such as myself?” Roland asked, leaning into her ear. His words velvet smooth.

He was a good man, a damn fine looking man to boot with a title and wealth. Most importantly, he would have made an excellent husband if she hadn’t already fallen in love with Alastair. Knowing she might never marry Alastair, she knew it would most likely mean she would never marry. Men didn’t like to marry women with children out of wedlock, even if they were wealthy.

These conversations were exactly why she wan
ted to flee London for a while, trying to shake off the reality that she couldn’t tell Roland the truth, she reverted back to her flirting skills.

“Oh Roland, I’ve know that man for years, marrying him was never my plans.”

“Is marrying anyone in your plans?” He teased, bringing her closer.

Looking up at him she had to admit, he was good at this, “Marriage is always a possibility, eventually.”

“Ah, eventually….so your heart is not taken?”

Inwardly cringing, she didn’t know how to answer that one, “My heart is a lot of things, taken is not one of them.”

“So I should pretend that the dirty looks I’m getting from Alastair are not because he cares about you, and obviously hates seeing other men dote upon you?”

“He’s here? Hmm, I didn’t know that. Maybe he should pay more attention to his fiancée than worrying about me, my brothers have that under control.”

Laughing heartily at her remark, Roland shook his head and smiled as they danced to the beautiful music. The night was already growing late as they had arrived far into the night, with the few dances she shared with the handsome men she knew it wouldn’t be much longer before Alastair found a way to talk to her. She hadn’t seen him since last night, she wasn’t even sure w
hat time he left this morning.

Falling asleep next to him last night felt right, it also made her heart sick that they couldn’t be together. Planning to tell him tonight about her eminent departure to Scotland in the morning, she knew it wouldn’t be easy but she had planned to do it in public so he couldn’t argue.

There was no doubt he’d try to come over tonight to talk her out of it, she had already planned to stay with Hero tonight at Lady Juliet’s house
just to avoid him
. Helena and Hero’s mother had been like a second mother to her since birth, Hero and her had always had sleepovers since they were little girls, even into their twenties they continued. Yes, she was going to try to intentionally avoid him tonight, but it was a necessity. She
wasn’t sure she could stand her ground with Alastair, his words went straight to her heart, and she was weak when it came to him.

“Well my dear, where would you like me to escort you?” Roland asked as the waltz slowed.

Looking
around, she saw Luke and Genevieve walking towards them, “I think my handsome brother would be a great escort for me, thank you Roland. I’m sure I’ll dance with you again later tonight.”

“Sister, are you ready for our da
nce?” Luke asked, letting go of
Genevieve as she floated away to talk to friends. Holding out his hand, he nodded to Roland, “Thank you for taking care of her Divenroth, I’ll take over now.”

“Evening Luke, always a pleasure.” Roland stated jovially as he handed her over to Luke before looking back at her, “Amelia, until later.” Nodding, he turned away in search of his next dance partner.

Squeezing Luke’s arm, she was so thankful to be on his arm. He was home to her.

“Lia, what in the world are you doing?”
Taking his hand, swinging into the next dance with her brother she shrugged. She knew what he meant, he had seen her past two dances and the drinks, and her careful avoidance of a duke she imagined that was very grumpy.

“Did you tell him I’m leaving for Scotland in the morning?”

“Hell no I’m not telling him, that is all you little one.”

Biting her lip, “He is going to be livid, he thinks I’m running away.” Resting her head on Luke’s shoulder, she let the slow dance calm her nerves as she danced with her brother. The champagne was quickly wearing off, and her heartache was rushing back with vengeance.

“Amelia Elizabeth, you
are
running away. I know you love that man, and I understand that it has to be hard right now. Trust me that he will find a way, Alastair is one of the most intelligent men I have ever known, it’ll be a cold day in hell he lets you go.”

“He has issues he needs to deal with, I do not need to be here while he sorts through them. I am a distraction to him, I am sick of
being his lady of the night while that blonde bitch has him during the day.”

“What the fuck does that mean Lia?”

Realizing she said too much, even Luke had his limits. Alastair was his best friend, but if Luke found out that they had slept together and she carried
Alastair’s
child there would be hell to pay.

“That didn’t come out right Luke, I mean, I can’t sit here in this town and have men try to lure me into marriage when my heart belongs to a man that is engaged to another. I can’t stand in these ballrooms while the man I love is dancing with another woman, no
matter what he says to me, I can’t do this. I can’t be
here, I need to find peace Luke. I
t is just too much
right now
. Please understand Brother, be my champion.”

Giving her a
squeeze
, he sighed, “You are my baby sister, I will do whatever I have to do in this world to see you smile and happy. I will always be your champion Lili, I love you more than life itself. If this is what you need, I will support your decision, and also keep my best friend from running after you the moment you leave.”

Looking up at him with tears in her eyes, her heart burst with love for Luke, for both of her brothers.

“He will come for you, you know that Lili, right?” He questioned quietly.

“Right now Luke, I don’t give a damn what he does. I just need away, I promise, someday it’ll all make sense.”
Looking up at Luke, she saw him smile. Looking past his arm, she saw the eyes she had been wanting to avoid all night. Tensing as she locked eyes with Alastair, she saw the irritation in his eyes as he watched her.

Dressed like a damn god, the man looked finer than she had ever seen him. Porsche it seemed was not glued to his side, he stood alone on the edge of the floor with his hands in his pockets leaned against a tall marble column watching her and Luke.

“Dance with him Lili, after last night with Porsche demanding you shouldn’t is the exact reason you
should
for starters, and lastly, you can find a way to break it to him that the woman he cares about is ready to flee the country in the morning.”

“This won’t be pretty.”

“Love never is my darling, love never is. However, nothing worth a damn is ever easy. Look at Gideon and I, we went through hell securing our wives and years of knowing them before we were lucky enough to marry them. I don’t think it’ll be any different for the last remaining unmarried Somerset child.”

“Take me over to your brooding best friend, we shall see how he takes the news.” She couldn’t avoid the conversation all night, soon she would need to head home with Hero and her mother, this would be the last time she saw Alastair for weeks, if not a month
s
. She knew she wouldn’t return to London until the baby was born, but he didn’t need to know that.

Kissing her forehead, Luke walked her through the crowded floor of dancers towards the blonde duke who kept his eyes upon her like she was his prey.