One True Love (24 page)

"Dear God in heaven," he breathed.

"Do you like it?" she turned for his inspection.

"Do I like it?" he laughed. "I have never seen anyone more lovely, more enticing. In fact, I am quite tempted to forgo the ball and lock myself in here with you for eternity." William pulled a wood carved box out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I have something for you."

"What is it?"

"A gift for my bride."

She opened the box and sucked in a breath, "Oh my." A diamond necklace, bracelet, and earrings glittered inside.

"Here, let me help you put them on."

"I do not know what to say. I never dreamed of owning anything so beautiful or of such value."

"Say nothing, just let me look at you."

William helped her with the bracelet and necklace, and she completed the ensemble by placing the earbobs on her lobes. He came behind her and put his arms around her waist, and rested his hands on her stomach. Their gazes met in the mirror, and she realized how handsome they looked together. She placed her hands on top of his strong lean ones, and settled against his chest. He kissed her ear and her cheek before turning her around.

"You will sweep Society away tonight."

His mouth tenderly took hers in a sweet kiss of adoring reverence. Her bones melted so that she was forced to lay her hands on his chest in order to keep her knees from buckling to the floor.

"Shall we, my lady?"

The crush at a ball thrown in her honor amazed her. Carriages lined the Prescott's drive as ladies in silk gowns and glittering jewels were escorted into the house by finely dressed gentlemen of the
ton
. Liveried footmen dressed in navy and silver, rushed about attending to every need. Camberley House stood tall, awash in the glow of hundreds of candles and the sounds of Mozart.

Cassie stood in the receiving line with the Prescott family, and was introduced to each guest by Lady Camberley. She would never learn all of the names and titles: viscounts, earls, marquis', and dukes, but the most surprising guest was Prinny.

The moment the Prince Regent entered the ballroom, the
ton
stopped and lowered into a bow. The future king made his way down the receiving line and stopped in front of her. She never before imagined she would have the opportunity to mix with such a crowd, much less meet a royal at a ball in her honor. She trembled as she tried to remember the proper protocol.

The prince took her hand and kissed her knuckles –lingering a brief second longer than necessary. She felt William stiffen at her side as the prince gazed at her, raking all of her in, and even letting his eyes rest on her breasts. His blatant perusal of her being shocked her.

"A vision of loveliness. Wherever did you find her?" asked Prinny.

"Tucked away in the English countryside, Your Highness," answered William.

"Perhaps I should plan a trip to the country. I hear breathing good English country air is good for the constitution, and no doubt finding an English rose is even better." The crowd laughed, but she failed to understand the joke. She decided the Prince was rather odd, and wondered about the future of her country in the hands of this man. Of course, she would never say such a thing aloud.

"If you get tired of your new husband, you only have to send a message around and I will be happy to keep your company." Prinny leered at her, as William's muscles appeared to jump from his chest.

William took her hand and kissed it. "You do not need to worry that I will keep my wife entertained, Your Highness."

Prinny threw back his head and laughed. "Of course not. What man would not abandon all else to keep the most beautiful woman in England happy. My felicitations on your marriage." He nodded then moved on. A collective sigh of relief sputtered down the line of Prescotts as the
ton
turned to visit with one another, and the orchestra struck a new chord.

William whispered in her ear, "Do not worry, dear. Prinny is a consummate flirt. His attention on you will elevate your success in Society, especially since he called you the most beautiful woman in England, by which I happen to agree."

"I feel as if I have been raked from head to toe in front of the entire
ton
."

William's hand squeezed hers as the next lord and lady strolled down the receiving line. The end finally came, and not a moment too soon. The first strands of the waltz played, and William whisked her onto the dance floor to open the first set.

Her experience was limited to country dances. Judgmental eyes waited for her to tumble like a country bumpkin, but fortunately, she was blessed with coordination and grace. As her husband swept her into his arms, the strands of music reached her toes, and together they moved about the ballroom as if dancing on clouds.

"You did great, my dear. I expect you will be a smashing success among Society."

The only success she cared about was the success of her marriage. By the way her husband looked at her, she sensed they were well on their way. She relaxed and enjoyed the dance as the rest of Society fell away, and they glided across the room.

"I was surprised the Prince Regent," said Cassie.

"The Prescotts are powerful and wealthy. Wealthy enough to lend Prinny money without pinching our pockets."

"Why would the Prince Regent need to borrow money?"

"He is a terrible wastrel and gambler. He spends more than his allowance and is forever mounting up his debts."

They spun to the last strands of music before the waltz ended. She was dizzy from the heat and excitement. "I suppose it is naive of me to feel shocked, but I am. I cannot begin to understand it all. There are starving children on the streets of London who could live a year off of the price of one gown, and yet I indulged in several new gowns per day."

William lifted her chin, and forced her to look into his eyes. "Your gown tonight gave work to more than one seamstress. Your contributions to the home for orphans will put food into the bellies of homeless children, give them a warm bed at night, and a chance at survival. Do not forget that."

She pressed her lips together in dismay. Even though his words made sense to her ears, she was still bothered by the extravagance of the
ton
.

"Lord William, do you plan to keep your lovely wife all to yourself, or will you at least allow a mere prince a turn about the dance floor?" Prinny stood with his hand out to her, and of course, she accepted. After all, what could either of them do?

"One dance is not too much to ask." William ground out as he handed her over to the Prince Regent.

"My lady."

She placed her hand on Prinny's arm as he led her out onto the dance floor. She was honored and privileged to dance with the prince, but truthfully, the only prince she wanted to dance with was her husband. Prinny kept a respectable distance, but she wished he would keep his eyes somewhere besides her bosom. They moved about the dance floor with the eyes of Society on them. Their scrutiny made her uncomfortable.

They turned and she caught sight of William partnered with a lovely young lady with auburn hair. Cassie watched the two swirl about the room. She expected her husband to partner with other ladies tonight, just as she would partner with other gentlemen, such as the Prince Regent, so why was there a knot in her stomach?

"Her name is Lady Guinevere, but have no fear, she turned down Lord William's proposal just last Season. Her parents named her after King Arthur's Lady Guinevere, but the
ton
calls her the Ice Princess."

"Why do they call her the Ice Princess?"

"Because her heart is as cold as ice, my dear. Do not worry your pretty little head over the frozen wanton. It is that one there you need to keep an eye on." Prinny nodded towards a lady with raven hair pulled into a coiffure of ringlet curls. She wore an emerald green silk dress adorned with a low cut bodice, and it clung to her body as if she wet it down. Cassie had heard of this fashion, but never imagined a lady would do such a thing in polite society.

"Who is she?" asked Cassie.

"Lady Quartermane. Your husband's mistress."

Cassie struggled for breath.
A mistress?
William had a mistress?
Her knees buckled beneath her, but the prince held her tightly and kept her moving across the dance floor. "If you ever find yourself feeling lonely, I will be more than happy to keep you entertained."

How was she to answer such a question? Cassie was certain he saw her discomfiture. "I thank you for your kind offer, but I do believe loneliness is a state of mind."

Prinny laughed.
Loud.
She sensed the sneers of the Society matrons as they turned towards them. Her face burned like a hot flame.

Just when she thought she might perish of utter mortification the music came to an end. The Prince Regent escorted her back into the arms of her husband and went in search of another lady to victimize.

Cassie whispered to William, "Did you not see that your wife was a damsel in distress? Could you not charge in and rescue me?"

He chuckled. "He is harmless, my dear. He would never force himself upon you, but I imagine he made uncomfortable overtures?"

"Oh yes. Prince or not, he is a rake and a rouge, and, and...oh...I am so glad the dance is done!" She grabbed William's arm and held on for dear life, because the night was far from over.

She danced with powerful lords, polished dandies, and elderly gentlemen with fat bodies and smelly breath. Her feet were stepped upon, and her body ran out of steam after dozens of dances with numerous partners.

Sometime in the evening she lost track of time, lost track of her dance card, and lost track of her husband. After an excruciating dance with the Duke of Avalon's third son, she was ready to collapse. As they started to leave the dance floor, a familiar face stepped up and bowed.

Mr. Parker.

No, she must remember now.

Lord Winnington.

His orange coat and purple breeches nearly threw her into a fit of hysterics as she covered her mouth to suppress bubbling giggles. Regardless of his ridiculous, dandified outfit, he looked every inch the noble, and like a golden Adonis. His smile knocked her giggles away and sent shivers down her spine. This time, she did not experience the tingles she associated with his presence. Despite his brilliant white smile, and the sparkle of his blue eyes, she saw something different.

"Lord Winnington."

"Lady William, may I have the honor of the next dance?"

Cassie stumbled. The room and hundreds of guests became smaller. She struggled to get her next breath, then searched the ballroom for William. Where was her husband?

She needed to answer him. Yes.
No.
Maybe. Should she turn him down and risk the appearance of giving him the cut? Should she say yes and risk the squeeze of pain looming within her chest? What would William want her to do? Would he care? Did it matter if she danced with her former betrothed? She could not think. The people, the noise, and the heat whirled around her until she became dizzy.

"Are you quite alright? Here, I think you need some air, Cassandra. Let me escort you onto the veranda." He grasped her hand and placed it on his arm. Her feet moved, but did not recall going across the ballroom and out into the gardens.

"You are not used to such crowds. So many people, so much pressure. Lord William should not have thrust you into Society without a trial run. He should have eased you into all of this."

She heard his familiar, soothing voice echo through the clouds in her mind. Then her husband's name broke through. William.
Where was William?

"Thank you, Lord Winnington, but I do believe I should return and find my husband now." She started to walk back towards the French doors that lead to the ballroom. They were so far away. How did she get this far? She wanted to go home and lie down.

Lord Winnington grabbed her arm and spun her towards him. He crushed her against his chest. He gripped her tightly as his blue eyes darkened, changed into something far more sinister than she ever imagined.