Jealousy, Jealousy

Grandmama walked up next to me when she saw Max enter the ballroom.

"Lady Agnes, a pleasure as always to see you," Max said politely. "May I sign, Miss Brooks' dance card?"

Grandmama looked pleased with his formal words, "Of course, Mr. St. Clair, you have my blessing."

Max grinned at me and I held my arm out to him with the dance card attached to it, to him to mark. He signed it four times and my eyes widened. "What happened to one dance?" I whispered in a panicked voice.

"My mother agreed to let me dance with you as much as I pleased if I escorted Miss Constance tonight," He said tightly. Max looked so pained and sad, I guessed that my face did not help how he felt when he walked in with her.

"I see," I said quickly. "Is she who would marry if we don't?"

"That's not going to happen," Max thundered. "You belong with me, Aurie, don't you forget it."

I smiled at his words and a light blush spread on my cheeks.

Max's expression darkened when he looked over my shoulder. Lord Radcliffe tapped me on the shoulder and I nodded to the man.

"Who's this?" Edward asked with a mean glint in his eye.

"I am Maximilian St. Clair, soon to be the Earl of Westmorland," Max said in a strained voice extending his hand.

I looked between the two men having a silent battle with their eyes and gulped.

"Lord Edward Radcliffe of Chetshire IV," Edward returned. He didn't shake Max's outstretched hand and Max frowned at him.

Max nodded and turned to me. "I shall see you in a little while," Max said with a grin.

I smiled sadly at him and Lord Radcliffe grabbed my hand and led me onto the dance floor. "I have the first dance," He said possessively.

I stayed silent as he held me tightly to him, the ball opened with a lively quadrille. Edward spun me around quickly and was an adept dancer.

"Is St. Clair the one you were alone with?" Edward asked me in a menacing whisper.

I nodded as a shiver went down my spine. It felt like I was trapped in a deadly snake's arms.

"You have been awfully quiet this evening, cat got your tongue, hmm?" His eyes watched me intensely, my stomach would not stop churning.

"I have nothing to say," I murmured. He chuckled darkly.

"You mean you have nothing to say to me," Edward stated. "You were quite chatty with St. Clair."

My cheeks reddened. "Max doesn't threaten me or hurt me." I felt brave when I thought of Max.

His eyes darkened and grasped my hand and hip tight enough to make me gasp in pain.

"How informal of you to call a man above your rank by a nickname, that is highly inappropriate."

"I am sorry I offended you, Lord Radcliffe," I said stiffly.

He relaxed his hold on me. "You need to watch that mouth of yours."

I nodded and fought back the urge to cry. I never liked to back down from someone telling me

Mercifully, the dance ended and Edward let go of me and bowed slightly.

I walked quickly away from him and found Ben drinking a glass of champagne near the balcony off to the side. The cool night air felt nice after dancing with Lord Radcliffe, I was so nervous around him that I was sweating.

"Aurie, what's wrong?" Ben asked, his eyes growing concerned.

"I detest Lord Radcliffe with a passion," I huffed. "He is very rough and menacing."

His eyes softened. "I'm sorry, sister, it's only a month, think about why you are doing this and be strong."

I nodded and he squeezed my shoulder.

"May I have the next dance?" A familiar voice asked warmly behind me.

I twisted around to find Max smiling at me, his blue eyes sparkling, I can't help but grin as well.

Ben nodded and Max grabbed my wrist to lead me to the dance floor but I cried out softly and pulled back my arm. Max's face dropped and looked at me with distress.

"Have I hurt you, Aurie?" He asked with fear in his eyes.

"My wrist is a bit sore and it hurt when you grabbed it," I said quietly, I didn't want him to know about Lord Radcliffe's roughness.

Ben grabbed my hand and started to pull my glove off and I tried to protest.

"Aurelia Florentina Augusta," Ben warned.

I relented and pulled off my glove to reveal my ugly bruised wrist. Both men glared down at the injury and I sighed.

"Who. Did. This." Max growled out every word slowly and angrily. I had never seen him look so worked up. His blue eyes were enflamed with rage and agitation.

"I-I fell," I lied.

He looked at me with worry and grabbed my shoulder. "Who?" Max asked again this time more demanding.

"Aurelia, speak the truth," Ben urged.

"Lord Radcliffe is rather brutish," I whispered, I feared Max or my brother may go off and so something stupid like demanding a duel with Edward.

Max sighed and had a pained look in his eyes. "Lord Radcliffe has been holding you so tightly that he bruises you?"

I nodded and Ben grabbed me into his arms.

"This will not stand," Max fumed as a dark look settled on his face. "No one hurts you without paying very dearly, Aurelia."

"I agree, St. Clair," Ben said tightly. "Let's go talk to Lord Radcliffe."

My eyes widened in fear. "You will do no such thing," I warned, anxiety danced around my heart. "I want no more scandal or anything to jeopardize our future together, it doesn't hurt that badly."

The men stared at me like I grew a second head and both took off like I hadn't said anything.

I huffed in frustration and followed them as fast as I could in this long dress.