Page 53 of The Earl Next Door
She wiped her eyes with her fingertips, knowing that saying no to Lyon’s marriage proposal was even more wrenching than threatening the girls with a harsher punishment should they step out of line again.
Chapter 17
No matter whatever else might be going on in London or the world, the elite of Society always made it to the most pretentious ball of the Season. The first one—where all the madness of the ton’s wealth and prestige was on display in the lavish and colorful fashion of those attending. It was only equaled by the glimmering, golden glow of candlelight sparkling off the crystal chandeliers hanging from the painted vaulted ceilings and mounted on the pristine plaster walls. The flower-decorated ballroom hummed with the constant strum of violins and cellos flowing flawlessly in tune with the melodic tinkling of ivory-covered keys, frenetic chatter, and uninhibited laughter.
Expense for the extravagant opening of the Seasonwas never spared. Many members of Society vied for the opportunity to be one of the chosen few who gave generously for the honor of being a host for the spectacular evening of debuting the new bevy of young ladies who were now on display and eligible for the marriage mart. Amidst the glamour of the evening there was also a tremendous amount of rubbing elbows for business and political purposes, kissing of ladies’ hands, and dancing for everyone as the London Season began. Smaller parties would be held at the Great Hall all through the spring, but none would compare to this one.
That’s the way the ton wanted it.
Lyon and his father stood facing the entrance to the ballroom with three other gentlemen, drinking champagne and discussing with, or rather listening to, Marksworth defend the Prince’s continuous pageantry week after week and the outrageous expenditures that were allowed at Carlton House, the Prince’s London residence. Marksworth was on the watch for his intended, Miss Helen Ballingbrand. That was remarkable. The marquis actually seemed eager for her to arrive so he could introduce her.
The room teemed with elegantly gowned ladies and splendidly dressed gentlemen. Some stood in small groups chatting and laughing while others twirled and swept across the dance floor that was a mere stone’s throw away.
Tonight was the first time Lyon had ever been early to a champagne-toasting event and the infectious merriment of the crowd wasn’t the reason. Adeline was. He’d been telling his father that he wanted love beforemarriage almost since the day he entered Society. Now he had that. But it had to be real love both for him and for the lady he chose.
He should have told Adeline that afternoon in her drawing room that he loved her before he asked her to marry him, but he wasn’t sure that would have made a difference. And he wasn’t sure he’d realized it himself until after he left. Love was the reason he wouldn’t agree to the kind of relationship she was asking for. That wasn’t the way to treat the lady he loved. Her feelings for him wasn’t the problem.
It was marriage she was rejecting. Not him.
Lyon had no doubts that Adeline was the lady he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Within moments of seeing her the fateful night they met, he’d known he was attracted to her, to her courage to stand up to him, her boldness in striking him. His attraction to her was fast and hot from the beginning. She’d tempted him, challenged him, and angered him that night. And she continued to do so. She was brave, caring, generous, and so passionate he ached to be with her again. She satisfied him. Completed him. And he believed she felt all those things about him, too.
But she wasn’t willing to marry him.
She had deep hurts that haunted her. He’d seen glimpses of them. But she was so damn good at hiding her emotions most of the time that they weren’t easy to detect. Her husband had obviously limited her freedoms. What else had happened in her marriage that kept her out of Society? An ailment? A fondness for drink that she hadn’t been able to control for a time?Whatever it was, did it now keep her from committing to him?
He couldn’t press her to tell him until he knew she was ready to face her past herself.
It had been almost a week since he’d seen her. That made for a difficult week. It would have been so easy to send over a note and tell her he’d be over after her housekeeper’s light went out. She’d made it clear that was what she wanted. An occasional lover. Lyon had scoffed at the idea. Just the thought of it had made him angry. Yet, he’d lost count of the times he’d written the note, thinking to accept her offer, her affection the way she wanted him to. As a lover. But no. All of the notes had been thrown into the fire and never sent.
He wouldn’t give in to a life he didn’t want for her or himself. He might be an impatient brute but he was a man of honor and he couldn’t bend to her will in a matter as important as this.
There was another reason he’d wanted to be at the ball when Adeline arrived. He had assured her no one would dare say anything to her about her impromptu visit to his home. Regardless of his aunt’s believable fib to Mrs. Feversham, the problem was, Lyon hadn’t completely convinced himself. Society was fickle as a whole, though they prided themselves on being stable and consistent. Because the gentlemen of the ton had reasons of their own for not wanting to besmirch Lady Wake’s reputation, he hoped the ladies of the ton would follow their lead.
However, it was best he be available when she arrived in case a toffee-nosed matron decided to take herto task over one of her assumed transgressions. It wasn’t that Lyon didn’t think Adeline could handle herself if rebuked by one of the formidable ladies of the ton. He had first-hand knowledge of just how strong and capable she was. And he’d have to let her do it alone, just as he’d remained quiet and let her have her say to his gaming club that afternoon in his home. But then, she’d need someone to talk to.
That would be him.
He would have to fight Lady Kitson Fairbright and Mrs. Brina Feld to do it. They had shown him they would take up arms for Adeline the afternoon he took the tarts over to her house. As soon as they saw him, they each rose to stand slightly in front of her so he’d know she wasn’t alone. He didn’t mind. They were true friends, but Lyon was now her protector. They would have to step out of that role.
Adeline was his to defend now.
He wanted to see her. Wanted her to see him watching for her. Letting her be herself at the ball without hindrance from him but all the while reminding her he was there and the only man for her. Pursuing a lady in earnest was a new way of life for him and he was still getting used to it. He’d always assumed that whenever he fell in love, the lady would consequentially fall in love with him. That she didn’t want to marry surprised him, and had angered him for a time. Now he was resolute in making her change her mind. One thing he was certain of, she wasn’t ready for him to go charging over to her door with flowers and another proposal of marriage.
Not yet.
But she would.
That he’d been the first man to touch her since her husband’s death was further evidence they were meant to be together. Two years had been ample time for her to find comfort in the arms of a man. Something had held her back. He felt certain it wasn’t lack of offers, and he had no doubts there would be others who would vie for her favors until he could publicly claim her heart and her hand.
Something had happened in her marriage. Something that disturbed her so greatly she didn’t want to consider marriage again. Maybe it was just her lack of freedom to do the things she wanted. She didn’t know him well enough to know he wouldn’t take that away from her? He wanted her just the way she was. Every self-confident, passionate inch of her.
Lyon scoffed a short laugh to himself. Ah, but it appeared Adeline was demanding of him the one thing that was hardest for him to do. Be patient. So he would wait until she realized she wanted him for a husband—not just as a lover. It was damn difficult for a man who didn’t usually have to work for what he wanted.
For her, he was willing.
There was no reason for Lyon and his father to move from their ideal position near the entrance and mill through the crushing crowd. Other gentlemen were quite willing to make the trek over to them in order to have a moment or two of the marquis’ time.
Lyon and his father had their differences, but Lyon loved him. He was one of the most respected and approachable members of the peerage. Patience and intelligence concerning matters people brought to hisattention encouraged his popularity. He was genuinely fond of most everyone and was always willing to listen to their questions, arguments, stories, or rants no matter how unimportant they seemed to him or others.
