Regency - Chapter 10

Alec watched carefully for Beth's entrance to the Montgomerys' ball the next evening. She had, as promised, sent him a list of her family's evening plans. While Alec had asked for the list in part to keep an eye on Tufton, he also had to admit to a great desire to be wherever Beth was.

The season he had been dreading only a week prior was no longer an ordeal. It was now an opportunity.

Speaking of opportunities. . . he watched as Beth swept gracefully into the ballroom alongside her mother, who looked much like he expected Arella to look in twenty or thirty years, and Arella herself. Alec was surprised when the Marquess joined them. He was a tall, thin man. Beth took after his slim figure and his darker coloring. Alec had met the Marquess at his club the evening before and found him to be an intelligent, quiet man with an inherent air of authority.

The Marquess remained near his wife and daughters as they found a place to stand amongst the crush. Alec soon found himself one of many young men making their way slowly towards the family.

When he arrived, there was already a small gathering around Arella. Thankfully, her court had her occupied and she didn't seem to notice his presence. He headed straight for Beth and gave her a courtly bow.

"Lady Beth," he said softly. "May I have the pleasure of your first waltz tonight?"

Her cheeks took on a slightly rosier hue and she smiled as she curtsied. "I would be honored, my lord."

"Would it be terribly presumptuous of me to invite you to take a turn about the room with me while we wait?" Alec asked, offering his arm.

He couldn't keep a happy smile off his face when Beth took his arm and answered in a teasing voice, "Perhaps it would, but I shall deign to accept your kind offer regardless."

They walked aimlessly through the crowd for a bit. Their course changed when Beth gently began leading Alec towards the walls. He wasn't sure where they were going until they reached a small redhead leaning back against the wall with a shuttered expression.

"Amelia," Beth said when they reached the girl. She let go of Alec's arm and quickly introduced him to the lovely third daughter of the Duke of Halliford. "We came out together," Beth explained, then returned her attention to the young woman. Lady Amelia was quiet and unassuming, but under Beth's careful, gentle prodding, she soon opened up and began telling them of her studies.

Alec found her discourse on the different species of birds in London surprisingly fascinating. He found Beth's ability to draw out this very shy young bluestocking even more so.

Eventually Beth ended her chat with Lady Amelia after making plans to go to her home the next morning for a visit. She then led Alec away and began looking discreetly around the ballroom.

"Have you a specific target for your next friend?" Alec whispered teasingly in her ear.

Beth looked at him in surprise which quickly turned to amusement. "I see you have found me out," she said. "Indeed, I was hoping to see Miss Jennings here, but it appears her family has chosen not to attend." Lowering her voice further, she added, "Her father is not well. They were hoping to have her married off this season so she won't have to live with her cousin when he inherits or remain with her mother in the dower house. Or at least, that is what everyone is saying." She shrugged. "I am sure she could use a friendly smile and a listening ear that is not attached to a gossiping mouth."

Her kindness, her consideration for others, and her words drew his attention to that mouth. He had to clench his fist to restrain himself from kissing her right there, in the midst of a crowded ballroom.

Unaware of Alec's turmoil and the temptation she already provided, Beth licked her sweet lips and looked up at him with an open, happy smile. "I am so glad I'm finally going to get to dance again. Thank you for agreeing to stand up with me."

Alec shook his head to clear it. "You are the one who agreed to stand up with me, if I recall. I am honored to have the pleasure of your first dance of the season."

She blushed and looked away, but quickly met his gaze again. "You are a good friend, Alec. Thank you for convincing me to accept your friendship, for breaking through my walls. I know I am not an easy person to befriend."

"You WEREN'T," he corrected her. "I have a feeling that will change."

She smiled again. "Yes, I believe you are correct." She sighed. "I feel so free. I haven't felt so much like myself for years."

Alec smiled and moved the conversation to other topics. When the first strains of the waltz began, he led her to the floor and held her as close as was permissible. His mind immediately flashed back to their kiss- had it only been two nights ago?

While he was glad that Beth had accepted his friendship, he was finding it harder than he had expected to remain a friend. He knew her well enough now to know that he wanted more than just friendship with her. He wanted rides in the park and long walks, the first pick of all her dances and the right to escort her into supper at every ball, the opportunity to kiss her again. . . He wanted to court her, and he rather suspected that he wanted even more than that.

As he looked down into her lovely, ice-blue eyes, he wondered if she could ever feel the same about him.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" she asked, meeting his soft smile with one of her own.

He knew she wasn't ready to hear his thoughts on the subject. She may have reclaimed some of her heart, but she still needed time before she was ready to let someone else in, especially after the way her first love had hurt her.

"About you," he answered with partial honesty. "It is good to see you looking happier."

"It is good to feel happier."

"And what are you thinking about?" Alec asked, returning his full attention to her.

"I'm thinking about us."