Always a Maiden (The Belles of Beak Street #5)(31)

“Not good for the health of his wives, is he?” said Hull. “I suppose I can partner one milk and water miss through a dance. Joining us in the set, are you?”

Hull was brighter than he acted.

Now, Evan just had to find a suitable dance partner.



*

Over the last week and a half, Susanah had been looking for Evan at every ball, but he never made an appearance. It was as though he’d left her. After she’d allowed him to see more of her than she allowed anyone to see, he was gone. Of course, he likely wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Except the kisses confused her. Oh heavens, his kisses. She would think of them at the oddest times, and it was everything she could do to keep from flushing. His kisses and the odd offer to escort her inside.

Then, as if she knew exactly when to look, she saw him cross behind the dancers and take up a position on the far side of the room. Her chest grew tight. He was here. She was trapped between her mother and Lord Farringate. Everywhere they went Lord Farringate showed up, making it impossible for her to encourage other suitors. Not that a great many suitable candidates were vying for the position. But how could she put into practice what Evan was teaching her if Lord Farringate was pinned to her side?

He’d said something and was waiting for a response.

“That is so very interesting,” she said, hoping he hadn’t asked a question.

The only good thing she could say was that Lord Farringate seemed to like to hear himself talk. He’d been droning on about his castle and the first holdfast being built when William the Conqueror granted his ancestor the lands. There had been significant damage in some war or other and it had nearly been razed during Cromwell’s reign.

She was aware of Evan across the room. Every fiber of her being was at attention. Although there were dancers between them, she caught glimpses of him between the movements. She tried very hard not to look in his direction, but she couldn’t help herself.

“Do you enjoy watching the dancers?” asked Lord Farringate.

“I am finding it enjoyable to watch,” she answered. She concentrated her gaze on movement far away from where Evan was standing. If her mother caught her looking in his direction, she’d be put back on bread and water. “I’ve seldom had this perspective.”

But his eyes were narrowed when she looked back at him.

“I am also finding the history of your castle quite fascinating,” Susanah said with as much of a smile as she could manage. “Living in a bona fide castle must be lovely.”

“Not always,” said Lord Farringate. “History isn’t always comfortable.”

Something her mother said distracted him and relieved Susanah of needing to converse with the man she wished would leave her side. How could she hope to encourage anyone else if Lord Farringate had all but stuck a flag in her marking her as his territory? How would she ever get word to Evan about meeting again, when she had not only her parents fulfilling the role of guard dogs, but now Lord Farringate was too?

They were keeping a close watch, although she didn’t think they knew about her late night excursions. If they did, why would they let her punishment end as scheduled? Then again, they seemed to have decided her time to find her own suitor was done. Lord Farringate would be her husband whether she wanted to marry him or not.

Her thoughts returned to that moment when she’d thought she was as good as dead when the housekeeper had bent and scooped up her orange. She’d stepped forward. Susanah had stood there quaking not knowing what to do.

The older woman handed the orange to Susanah, pulled up her ring of keys, inserted one in the lock, and opened the door. Susanah had nearly dropped the orange again. It had crossed her mind to beg the housekeeper to not tattle on her, but that wouldn’t be dignified. It wouldn’t be at all proper to plead with the staff. So she said nothing.

As soon as Susanah had crossed the threshold, the housekeeper’d said, “I imagine you are quite famished.”

Susanah had been trying to puzzle out what that meant when the door was shut and locked. Not knowing what else to do, she washed, changed into a morning gown, arranged her hair, and then sat waiting for her mother to appear. She waited all day. And nothing happened.

Nothing beyond the usual delivery of her slice of bread and jug of water. Nothing except a nightmare where she’d been summoned to the drawing room only to find a guillotine. The strange thing was in her dream, she kept telling everyone that there was no point in chopping off her head, as she was already dead. She’d woken in terror just as she was being laid on the platform.

Lord Hull was approaching and Susanah stiffened. What would he say? Had he finally decided it had been her he’d seen at the masquerade?

Worse, Evan had moved to talk to a young lady with dark hair. Her emotions knotted, and she didn’t want him talking to anyone else. She concentrated on keeping her expression neutral. She couldn’t betray her fear and anger. It wasn’t as though she could stop Evan from speaking to other women.

Lord Hull bowed in front of her. “Lady Susanah, may I have the pleasure of the next dance?”

Relief almost made her dizzy. She hadn’t realized how much she relied on dancing to give her a break from her mother. “I would—”

“Sir, can you not see that Lady Susanah is engaged in conversation at the present?” said Lord Farringate.

Lord Hull’s face screwed up. He leaned back, then rocked forward as if he couldn’t decide what to do. “My apologies, my lord. But it did look as though you were speaking with Lady Weatdon. What are we talking about that is so engrossing?”