Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #3)(46)

"You look extraordinarily pretty tonight," Adelaide said as I moved toward her mother. "I'm sure your dance card will fill quickly."

I wasn't in the mood to dance, but I smiled anyway. "And you look lovely," I told her. She did indeed. The pink gown set off her creamy complexion and she seemed to glow from within. I hoped her night would not be ruined.

From the reception I received from Lord Preston, standing beside his wife, I wasn't so sure the night would go off without a hitch. I got the distinct impression he didn't want me there. I curtseyed to him as was required, but he barely acknowledged my presence, or Celia's. We both moved into the ballroom as quickly as possible.

"Odious man," my sister muttered. She stopped short at the entrance to the grand ballroom. "Oh my. Emily, look at all these people!"

Hundreds of men and women dressed in beautiful gowns and suits amassed around the edges of the room. Beyond them, I caught glimpses of dancers swirling to the music. Laughter and chatter created its own throbbing beat that pulsed through my limbs, my temples. The room itself seemed like a living, breathing thing, and I suddenly felt like a small creature in its path, a morsel to be devoured. I did not belong there. These fine people were not part of my world, nor I theirs.

I edged closer to Celia, but she didn't seem to notice my sudden timidity. "All these gentlemen," she said, tugging the rosette on my sleeve down another inch. My shoulders were already bared, but she seemed to think that not enough. "There, better."

"Celia, we don't know any gentlemen here," I protested. "It's all for no use." A lady and gentleman could not introduce themselves, not even at a ball. They had to wait until a mutual acquaintance performed the introduction. The only people we knew there were Adelaide and her parents and they were busy greeting guests.

"We shall have to wait for Lady Preston," Celia said. "In the meantime, I see no reason for you to go unnoticed."

I saw every reason to go unnoticed among all those people. All those normal, high society people.

We moved further into the room, the guests parting for us like a warm knife slicing through butter. Then the whispers began. Some turned away as I passed but others stared openly. One or two pointed.

"...a fraud," said a plump woman.

"An odd creature," said her friend.

"No lady has hair like that."

"Lady Preston must have lost her mind..." said another.

"...cannot summon a sneeze let alone a spirit." That comment elicited a series of tinkling laughs from the listeners.

"...malicious ghosts..."

"Evil follows her."

"Are you surprised? Her kind are bad luck."

Celia's arm tightened on mine as she steered me through the crowd. I felt their words as sharply as an elbow to the ribs or a blow to the head. Indeed, I suddenly felt as though I had been struck. The lights in the chandeliers above blurred, the room swum, and the overwhelming scent of perfume made me dizzy.

"Air," I gasped. "Celia..." My knees buckled and I swooned.

"Here, Miss Chambers, follow me." A man took firm hold of my other arm and I was half-marched, half-carried between he and Celia into another room. They settled me on a chair in the corner and I realized I was in the refreshment room. Being early, it was mercifully empty except for a handful of unfortunate girls who felt as uncomfortable in the ballroom as I did. Yet even they turned their backs and began whispering to each other behind their hands. I suppose it is always a happy event to see someone less fortunate that yourself.

"Emily, are you all right?" asked Celia, sitting beside me. She held my hand so hard it was beginning to tingle.

I nodded and squinted at the back of my rescuer as he stood at the refreshment table. He was large with thinning blond hair. I recognized him immediately.

"Thank you, Mr. Arbuthnot," I said when he approached with two glasses of lemonade. I accepted one and Celia took the other.

"That was very kind of you to help us," she said. "Emily isn't used to balls, you see. Perhaps the lights, the people..." Her excuses were unnecessary. We all knew the real reason for my shock. I hated being the center of attention, but to have so many people staring and talking about me at once was like drowning in mud. I felt the weight of their opinions pressing down on me, suffocating.

"Do you feel better, Miss Chambers?" he asked, all politeness. He didn't mention the whispers and stares. He was a true gentleman.

"Much better. Thank you." I felt a little sheepish. I'd forgotten he would be at the ball. I hadn't seen Theo's cousin for two weeks, not since the spirit of Mortlock had possessed him then exited his body to enter George's. We'd never told Wallace Arbuthnot what had happened, but I'd often wondered if he remembered any of it, or if he guessed. George had eventually recalled some events and I thought Wallace might too, but then George was aware of the supernatural whereas Wallace was still in the dark. Or so we assumed.

"You look better already," he said, cheerfully. "I would offer to dance with you, but I've two left feet. I'm afraid dancing with me is a fate most young ladies wish to avoid."

The door to the balcony opened and a young woman in an exquisite pale blue dress entered the refreshment room. She checked her red curls were still pinned securely and adjusted the gown at her breast so that it didn't reveal quite so much of her luscious figure. With her head dipped, she hurried past us and out of the room, but not before I saw her secretive smile. Celia clicked her tongue and Wallace pretended he hadn't noticed, but I was glad someone was enjoying themselves with their lover on the balcony. Perhaps I could escape out there later.