Enticing the Earl (23 page)

“I will find her.”

Except, he didn’t. He asked almost every footman where she was and no one knew for certain. He even knocked on her bedchamber door but no one answered. There was one person who would know where she had hidden herself.

He found Richard in his study perusing his papers. Richard glanced up with a questioning look on his face. “What is it, Hart?”

“I need to speak with Caroline but I can’t seem to find her.”

Richard laughed. “I apologize but I cannot give away her position.”

“Why not? I am her brother.”

“Yes, and she is my wife. A woman who is with child and exhausted. She is currently resting and I will not allow her to be disturbed under any circumstances.” Richard took off his spectacles and stared at Simon.

Simon almost laughed. He knew how much Richard loved Caroline but had never seen him so forceful about it. There was little doubt Simon would have acted the same way with Mia. “I understand. I will speak with her later.”

And yet, he wasn’t able to do that either. He could never catch her alone. At dinner, he sat too far away and would never dream of bringing up Charlie’s whereabouts in front of others. Later, she had retired by the time the men returned to the salon after their brandies.

But Simon knew her routine and would be up early waiting for her.

O
n Simon’s advice, Mia spent the morning and early afternoon before the ball resting. He promised the night would be full of excitement but very tiring. As Mia lay in bed trying to listen to her husband’s generous words of wisdom, her mind raced. Tonight, a small portion of the
ton
would meet her and most likely find her lacking. There was no way of hiding her trepidation.

She was terrified.

Her only solace was many eyes would be on Selina too. Selina hadn’t been introduced to very many members of the
ton
yet either. The duke had thought it best to go slowly with her presentation to Society. At least, Selina had been related some way to a squire. Mia had no such family connections.

Finally, the time came to dress for the ball. Lucy laid out the beautiful sapphire silk gown. Mia stared at the fabric as Lucy tightened her stays. The dressmaker had embellished the gown with silver embroidery at the hem.

“Here we go,” Lucy said, gathering the gown in her arms.

The silk slipped over her skin like a whispered voice, drawing Mia to stare in the mirror as Lucy buttoned up the back. Mia couldn’t take her gaze off the cheval mirror in front of her. The blue silk had a V neckline that emphasized the curve of her breasts and opened wide at the shoulders. The short sleeves were also embroidered in silver thread.

“Oh my,” she said, once completely buttoned.

“My lady, this is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen,” Lucy whispered in awe.

“Me too,” she admitted. “I feel like this is a dream where I’m just about to get rudely awakened.”

“You are a countess, my lady. It’s not a dream.”

Mia inhaled deeply before opening the door to the bedroom. Simon turned and stared hungrily at her. She did the same at him. He was dressed in his formal breeches. His jacket spread across his wide shoulders in a deep blue hue that matched her dress. His silk waistcoat was striped in blue, black, and silver. The silver in his waistcoat almost matched his eyes.

“We are not going downstairs tonight,” he said, strolling toward her with a lopsided grin.

“Oh?”

“I am not about to let another man see you in that dress.”

Mia giggled. “I believe your sister is expecting us.”

“I don’t care. We will order a tray up here and dine by ourselves.” He was so close his breath fanned her cheek. “When this ball is over, I am going to make love to you until you can’t move for days.”

“Promise?” she asked coquettishly.

“Indeed.” He held out his arm for her. “If we don’t leave now, we won’t.”

Mia smiled and hoped she would not embarrass herself or him tonight. They walked to the ballroom arm in arm with smiles on their faces. A nervous tingle flowed through her body, but she tried to ignore it and focus on the beauty of the experience. Simon had already told her that since it was a country party, Caroline didn’t stand on formalities and have everyone announced. This would allow them to slip into the room without as much notice. Mia would have to thank Caroline for that.

A slight gasp escaped her lips as she entered the room. The candles flickered from chandeliers above their heads. Women dressed in their jeweled tones mingled in the room with men in their formal attire. She had never seen so many people at any function other than Christmas service at church. Her tinge of nerves spread.

“You will be fine, Mia.” Simon squeezed her forearm slightly.

“I am not as certain as you on that.”

“Everyone will love you.” He led her toward his brother. “James, how are you tonight?”

Mia smiled at James. She had never seen him dressed so formally. “Good evening, James.”

“Mia, you look beautiful.”

Her cheeks heated at the compliment. “Thank you.”

While James and Simon chatted, she scanned the room for Selina. Finally, she found her friend across the crowded room. From Mia’s position, it looked as if Selina was being introduced to many people who hadn’t met her yet.

Once Simon finished speaking with James, he looked at her. “Are you ready for the introductions?”

“I suppose I am. Not that I’ll remember anyone’s name.”

“No, but they will remember you,” Simon commented.

For the next hour, Simon introduced her to so many people she lost count. Most people were polite but not terribly friendly. A few younger women eyed her in such an odd manner, she finally questioned Simon on it.

“Why are some of the women giving me such strange looks?”

He shrugged. “Most likely because they haven’t heard of you before now. You did marry an eligible earl too. Could be jealousy.”

Mia tried not to smile. A part of her liked the idea of snaring a very eligible bachelor from the highborn ladies. Although, she doubted what she saw in those women’s eyes was envy. She could have sworn there was pity there.

“I do believe the dancing is about to begin.”

“Dancing?” It hadn’t occurred to her before now but she had no idea how to dance. And she was at a ball! Of course, there would be dancing. Her hands started to tremble. “Simon,” she whispered, “I have no idea how to dance.”

“Indeed?” Simon’s chestnut brows furrowed. “This is all my fault. I should have thought about it and brought in a dance instructor before the ball.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “If you had married a real lady, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Mia, I never wanted a ‘real’ lady.” He stared down at her with love in his eyes. “I wanted you.”

“You did?” Was that really love she saw in his eyes? Tonight when they were alone, she would tell him how she felt about him. It was time to be honest with him. Even if he didn’t love her, at least he would know that he was loved.

“Of course, I did.” He kissed her gloved hand. “The dancing does not matter. When we return home, I will find you an instructor.”

“Thank you, Simon.” The man was so generous when he really shouldn’t be spending any money. “I don’t need an instructor. You can teach me.”

“Well, that might be very interesting,” he replied with a smile. He tilted his head. “Here comes the duchess.”

Mia turned just as Selina and the duke arrived. There was still something about the duke that made her nervous. Hopefully, in time, she would come to know him better. “Good evening, Your Graces,” she said with a quick curtsy.

“Please tell me you are jesting with that curtsy, Mia,” Selina said with a laugh. “I never want to see you do that again.”

“Why? Did I do that wrong?”

“No, the execution was perfect. But you are my dearest friend and should never bow down before me again.” Selina shook her head as she smiled. “Now come along. Let us show these people that the new Duchess of Northrop and the Countess of Hartsfield are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Why do I feel this could be trouble,” Simon said to the duke.

“Because they are nothing but trouble,” the duke replied.

Selina turned and stuck out her tongue at her husband as she and Mia walked away. “Come along, Mia.”

Mia laughed at her friend’s antics. But as they walked away, she noticed many people staring and whispering. She was certain the people were gossiping about them. Hopefully, they were noticing that Mia had the ear of a duchess.

They walked the room and as they did, Selina introduced her to a few people who Selina had already met. One or two of the women seemed genuinely pleasant, while others remained cold and aloof toward her. Mia didn’t care. She was at her first ball with her dearest friend in the world. The only thing that could make this night better was if her sister was with them.

Mia glanced around to see where Simon was, only to find him sneaking out the terrace door. The poor man really had an issue with crowds. She wanted to run outside and join him but Selina had to introduce her to a few more people.

“Mia, this is Miss Layton. We met the last time North and I went to London. Miss Layton, this is—”

“Oh, we have met,” Evelyn Layton said with one eyebrow raised.

“You have?” Selina asked.

Mia attempted to keep herself from scowling at the younger woman. “Yes, we met. Miss Layton and her family arrived a few days ago.”

“I see,” Selina said. “Since you two have met, we should continue around the room.” Selina led Mia away quickly. “What was that about? I could feel the ice forming around you both.”

“She’s the one I was talking to the other night when she mentioned some incident in London with Simon.”

Selina moved her to a secluded section of the room. “Didn’t you say anything to Hart about it?”

“No,” she admitted slowly. “We got off topic.” Her cheeks flamed as she remembered exactly how off topic they got.

“Ah,” Selina said with a smile. She introduced Mia to a few other people.

Mia pulled her aside. “How do you know so many of these people? You’ve only been the duchess for two months!”

“North insists I try to learn everyone’s name. He also assists me as we greet people. He will pretend to lean down and whisper something sweet when he is actually reminding me of their names.”

Mia giggled. “How sweet.” She never imagined the duke to be such a nice man.

“And necessary. I have no idea how people do it without some tutoring.”

“That’s easy. Most have been around these people all of their lives. We don’t have that advantage so we must do our best to learn people’s names.” Mia smiled. “After all, if we don’t, how will we ever know who the gossips are discussing?”

“Oh, we both know they are discussing us tonight.” Selina walked with her to the refreshment table where they picked up glasses of lemonade. She nudged Mia. “See the old biddies in the corner? They both keep nodding our way.”

Mia stole a glance toward the corner, then laughed. “That’s Hart’s grandmother. Come along, I shall introduce you to someone for a change.”

Selina grimaced. “I vaguely remember her. A bit of a dragon, isn’t she?”

“Only a bit.”

They approached Lady Hartsfield slowly and stopped a few feet away until the older woman beckoned them with one crooked finger. “Come along, girls. We are old women who don’t have much time left.”

Mia rolled her eyes. That woman would live to be a hundred. Mia introduced the dowager countess to Selina and the countess introduced them both to one of her old friends.

Simon’s grandmother scrutinized them both and then a slow smile lifted her lips. “For two girls of no consequence, you clean up nicely. I believe you shall do well in Society.”

“Thank you, my lady,” they said together.

“Now, why aren’t you young ladies dancing?”

“I am waiting for the duke. He wanted to lead me out for my first dance here,” Selina replied.

“And you?” Lady Hartsfield asked of Mia.

Mia glanced away and shrugged.

“Oh dear,” the older woman whispered. “Why didn’t you tell me that you couldn’t dance when you arrived? I could have arranged for an instructor.”

“Honestly, I didn’t think of it,” Mia admitted. “I feel terribly foolish.”

“Nonsense,” Lady Hartsfield said. “Your inability to dance is your husband’s fault.”

“That’s hardly fair,” Mia said. “He didn’t think of it either.”

Lady Hartsfield shook her head. “The boy should have known better. Your Grace,” she said, turning her gray eyes on Selina, “Did your husband make sure you could dance before attending this ball?”

“Actually, his mother and sister brought in a dance instructor before I attended my first ball.”

“Ahh,” Lady Hartsfield waved her hand. “I stand by my statement.”

“I don’t believe we had planned to attend until Charlie insisted we come down,” Mia said. “Speaking of which, where is he? I thought he would attend the party.”

“Charlie?” Lady Hartsfield laughed. “We can’t pull him away from the gaming hells to come out to the country for a few days.”

That was odd. Mia was certain Simon had told her that Charlie would be here. Perhaps he was held up in London and couldn’t get away. She and Selina moved on until they ran into the duke.

“I do believe this is our dance,” he said with a smile to his wife.

“I think you are correct.” Selina took the duke’s outstretched arm and then they walked to the dance floor.

Envy filled Mia as she watched her dearest friend. The duke was so in love with Selina. Mia wanted that. She wanted Simon to look at her with love in his eyes all the time, not just in the bedroom.

“They make a lovely couple, don’t they?”

Mia turned to stare at a beautiful young woman no more than twenty. “Yes, they do.”

“I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced.” The woman blushed. “I am Miss Anna Stone.”

“Mia Feather—Lady Hartsfield.” Mia would never get used to calling herself that name.

“Lady Hartsfield,” she exclaimed. “Please excuse my manners. I should have waited to be introduced to you.”

“Why?”

Miss Stone tilted her head with a slight grin. “Because that is how it is done.”

Mia supposed she should know that fact. “Well, I don’t stand on such stringent formalities, Miss Stone. I am a woman of the country where things are less rigid.”

“How wonderful. I’m also from the country,” Miss Stone said wistfully. “I wish more people were like you.”

Mia giggled. “I am quite certain you are in the minority there. Most people seem to love these strict social structures.”

“I don’t,” Miss Stone whispered. “I hate these balls.”

“Then why are you here?”

Miss Stone’s eyes widened. “I have to marry.”

“Of course,” Mia said, reminded again of how different her life was as a wise woman. No one cared if she married or not as long as she had a daughter to learn the practices she’d been taught by her mother.

“And I made a promise to Caroline to come,” she said. “Your new sister-in-law. She wanted to introduce me to one of her brothers. I can assume it is not the earl since you seem to have captured his heart.”