Page 79 of A Treacherous Treasure

She might need to accept the fact that he was not in love with her and might never wish to marry her.

That thought sent a pang, like the jab of a knife, through her chest.Do not borrow trouble,she reminded herself. This was a ball and she should enjoy herself, though discreetly and with propriety, as a new widow should.

But deep in her heart, though she would never admit it to anyone, she hoped tonight Thomas would take the opportunity to tell her, in a quiet corner or in the garden, that he loved her and hoped to set a date to marry her, when an appropriate amount of time had passed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The ballroom glowed with the warmth of candlelight.

Rebecca felt strange being there. It was as if her husband’s death was a wound that was still raw, her feelings still connected in a tangible way to that terrible, sudden, life-altering event, which lent a rawness to her feelings. And yet, the beauty and liveliness of the evening healed her, at least a bit.

Gilbert Heywood appeared by her side, startling her as he grabbed her hand.

“I am so pleased you are come,” he said. “Might I beg to dance with you the first two dances?”

Rebecca stared at the man, casting about in her mind for an appropriate refusal. “Forgive me, but may I accept for only one dance? As you know, I am a new widow. I must consider my reputation and how some people might talk. But I thank you, I shall be glad to stand up with you for the first dance. You are my husband’s cousin, after all.”

Gilbert’s expression changed more than once during her hurried speech, and finally he said, “The first dance, then?”

She nodded and hurried away, allowing him to greet the Westbrooks, who were just behind her.

She sighed in relief at her escape. If she’d danced the first two dances with him, people might have thought they had an understanding, or at least that Gilbert Heywood was hoping to form an attachment to her. Indeed, she suspected that very thing.

She greeted some acquaintances, who expressed their condolences on the death of her husband. She thanked them and hurried away before they should ask her about the treasure, which she could almost see their questions on their faces. Would she be avoiding those questions all night?

She joined Mrs. Westbrook and Caroline as they proceeded to the refreshments. Moments later, a young man asked Caroline for the first dance and she accepted.

“Who was that?” Rebecca whispered.

“Nash Golding, who is the Earl of Barrentine, since his father died recently. He’s handsome but rather shy. I suspect his mother urged him to ask me to dance.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I have heard her push him to ask a lady to dance before, and she has always liked me. There she is now.” Caroline smiled and nodded at a lady sitting down with the other dowagers.

“It is a great compliment to you. I wouldn’t imagine there are very many earls here.”

“No, I suspect he is the only one. But the last time I danced with him, he hardly said a word, so I will not be hoping for a second dance.”

“Well, enjoy it as best you can. I shall be dancing with Gilbert Heywood.”

“He didn’t ask you for the first two dances did he?”

“He did, but I convinced him it would endanger my reputation to accept, so I am only dancing the first dance with him.”

“Clever girl.” Caroline smirked and squeezed her arm.

Soon the first dance was announced. Rebecca put on her most sober face as Gilbert led her to the dance floor and they began to dance. She had to look the part of the grieved widow, which was not difficult to do. She’d had many occasions for tears and sad expressions over the course of her two-year marriage.

Gilbert was almost as awkward at dancing as he was at conversation. But he managed to get through the dance without stepping on her toes or bumping into her.

“You are a most elegant dancer, Mrs. Heywood,” he said as he walked her to where Mrs. Westbrook was sitting. “Thank you for the dance, and I hope I may have this pleasure later in the evening, when the gossips have forgotten this one.” He winked at her.

“Perhaps. I thank you.”

Rebecca had thought Caroline faired considerably better with her partner, the handsome Earl of Barrentine.

“You looked quite fetching dancing with Lord Barrentine,” Rebecca greeted her.