A Tense Night at the Ball

Grandmama ranted about how rude the Countess was and how presumptuous she was about me the whole way home in the carriage. Willa hugged me tightly and rubbed my arm soothingly.

"So, I will have to entertain Lord Radcliffe as a suitor for a month then?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"Yes, Aurelia, pretenses are unfortunately important, Lady Euphemia is right on that count."

"I just want to marry Max," I cried out. "I hate that vile woman and Evelina for making this so much more difficult than it needs to be."

"It will happen, dear sister," Willa crooned. "Everything will work out, I feel it."

"I am surprised we're allowed to go the ball at the Baron of Eastshire's manor at all after all that has happened," I sniffed.

"It is to show nothing is wrong," Grandmama added.

I sighed, the gentry class was all about keeping up appearances and making a show of power. I was sick of all the formalities and decorum.

The rest of the ride home was silent except for my sniffles from crying so much.

When we got back, Winona was already prepping a bath for me to get ready for tonight.

I trudged up the stairs and was grateful for my maid's thoughtfulness. Baths calmed me down like no other. The lavender and roses in the water smelled heavenly when I sank into the steaming bath. I looked down at my wrist and saw the purple fingerprints left on me from Edward's rough treatment of me. I cried once again at the thought of having to entertain that vile man as a suitor even if it's for show.

"Miss, it will be okay, I know it." Winona stepped around the corner holding a pitcher to wash my hair.

"That's what Willa said," I replied morosely.

Winona gently washed my hair and combed it out then grabbed a towel for me to dry off with. She gave me her hand to help me get out of the bath and noticed the bruise encircling my wrist.

"This wasn't Max was it?" Winona asked with alarm written all over her face.

I shook my head. "Lord Radcliffe grips me tightly every time he touches me, I bruise like a peach."

"Does Max know about this?"

"No, it will stay that way too."

She sighed and nodded her head. Winona was protective over me but Max couldn't know. His jealous nature and love more me would drive him to do something rash.

Winona laid out three dresses I hadn't worn yet this season and I chose a silver dress with pearls embroidered into it. It was sleeveless and I wore white gloves with it that went above my elbows to compensate.

My hair was left down except for a few pieces in the front that were pulled back with diamond pins. I wore pearl drop earrings and the necklace Max gave to me. I wanted him to know that my heart was his in a subtle way.

I was walking down the stairs when I saw Willa sauntering up to me. She was wearing a deep blue dress with sapphires and pearls sewn into the bodice her hair was up with one white feather sticking out. "My, my sister, you look radiant," Willa beamed. "You look like an angel."

"You look amazing as well," I said smiling. We linked arms as we went down the stairs together and Grandmama, Lord Radcliffe, and Ben were waiting for us at the bottom.

"The Brooks sisters are quite beautiful tonight," Lord Radcliffe complimented, a leering look in his eye made my stomach turn.

"Thank you, Lord Radcliffe," Willa and I said almost in unison. We looked at each other and started to laugh. Grandmama nodded at us in approval of our looks, she was in a black dress with a black cap on her head.

We took two carriages, Grandmama, Willa, and I in one and Ben and Edward in the other.

The Baron of Eastshire's manor was about 45 minutes away and was one of the closer estates to us.

"You will be on your best behavior tonight, Aurelia," Grandmama warned. "I will oversee who you dance with and I will be your chaperone."

"I figured, Grandmama," I sighed. "I will do what I need to get to Max."

She nodded, Willa grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"I think that Robert might ask me to marry him soon," Willa said excitedly.

"I'm sorry my mess of a life has been overshadowing this happy news," I said with a small smile. "He would be lucky to have you."

My sister beamed her beautiful smile and squeezed my hand.

When we reached the Baron's manor only about half the guests looked to be in attendance, at the last few balls we had been almost fashionably late. It was interesting to get there earlier than usual.

We got out of our carriages and Lord Radcliffe grabbed my hand firmly to lead me in while Ben was in the middle of Grandmama and Willa.

I knew this was on purpose because of the way the herald would announce their names when they entered. Lord Radcliffe was possessive of me already and I was having none of it.

We walked in the manor house and in the direction of the ballroom. My family was in front of Lord Radcliffe and me when we walked into the room. "Now arriving, Lord Benjamin Brooks Viscount of Carlyle, Lady Agnes Brooks Dowager Viscountess of Carlyle, and his sister Miss Wilhemina Brooks. Along with Lord Edward Radcliffe IV of Chetshire escorting Miss Aurelia Brooks of Carlyle," The herald boomed loudly.

My stomach churned and I wanted to let go of Edward with all of my being. It felt wrong to hear his name mixed with mine. I wanted Max by my side, not this monster. Willa and I grabbed dance cards and Lord Radcliffe grabbed my wrist and marked took two spots on it with his name.

"We shall dance later in the evening?" Edward commanded in the guise of a question. I nodded slightly, not wanting to speak to the man more than I had to.

Willa grabbed my hand and guided me to the small group of young men that were hovering near the dance card table.

"I want to find Robert, hopefully, he is already here," my sister said excitedly.

I grinned at my sister's enthusiasm. The herd of young men gravitated toward us and they started to ask for dances.

I had few spaces left by the time Willa and I separated when she found Robert.

The ball was well underway when I heard the herald again. "Now arriving, the Countess of Westmorland Lady Euphemia St. Clair and her son Mr. Maximilian St. Clair escorting Miss Constance Strauss of Bellway."

My eyes widened and Max looked miserable with the attractive young woman attached to his arm. I wanted to rip that girl away from him, my heart was pounding in my ears. I had never felt this jealous in my life.

Max locked eyes with me and gave me a sad smile. He led Constance to the dance card table and left her there after signing her card once.