Scandal of Love (13 page)

Shaking her head, she forced that thought out of her mind. She cared for him. More than she had expected to, and she knew he felt the same.

He had been worried about her last night, and hadn’t been able to rest until he had seen her for himself. That didn’t seem like a man that didn’t care.

Oh, yes. He cared. But how much? Was it just friendship? Lust? Or was it more?

Reaching out, she plucked a red rose from a tall glass vase. Brushing the petals across her cheek, the smooth soft touch sent shivers down her spine. That was how his kiss had felt. Soft and pliant across her skin, but that’s where the similarities ended. His lips were strong, overwhelming. Fire had scorched up her arm. She hadn’t known a kiss could feel that way.

Her hand had been kissed by many gentlemen, but never like that. No, it had never felt quite like that. Lust was definitely involved.

She wanted to see him again, wanted to know more about him. There had to be a way to know for certain that he hadn’t started the rumor, to find hard proof so that she could trust him.

But did she need proof before giving him her trust?

The thought slammed into her. Wasn’t that the point of trust? Believing someone without proof? She wanted to trust him, wanted to believe him at his word.

“Lydia?” Sera called out, hoping her maid lingered nearby.

“Yes, my lady?” she said, coming into the room.

Handing Lydia the red rose, she asked, “Would you mind gathering several more of these and bringing them into my room? I want to wear them in my hair this evening.”

“Oh, my lady, that would be beautiful. I’ve laid out your cream gown for this evening, and these will set off the lacework on the dress beautifully.”

Sera smiled. She couldn’t wait to see Quinton tonight.

***

She had been right to pair the red roses with the cream lace gown. The splash of color in her hair made her lips look redder, her cheeks more pink. She looked young, fresh, almost as if this were her debut into society. But it wasn’t.

Her entrance into the ball that evening was much like she had experienced before the scandal. People stared at her, but not because they wanted a snippet of gossip. Her dance card filled up quickly, only a few empty spots remained for important gentleman that may ask her later that evening.

It was almost as if the scandal had never happened; yet it had. Gentlemen seemed to fawn over her, complimenting her hair and eyes. While she once enjoyed the attention, she felt it rather tedious now. What had changed? Certainly not herself. But then again, maybe she had. She wasn’t looking for a future husband; she already had one. These men knew she was already taken, but they still danced attendance on her.

Women of the aristocracy often took lovers after an heir was produced, but she would never betray her family in that way. No matter how much attention other men gave her, she would be faithful to Quinton.

Where was Aubrey? Shouldn’t she have arrived by now, she thought, her attention pulled away from her admirers.

Scanning the crowded dance floor, she didn’t see her friend amongst the other dancers. In fact, now that she thought of it, she didn’t see Quinton either. Where were they?

“Good evening, Lady Sera.”

Hearing Lord Bromley’s voice, Sera smiled, giving him a deep curtsy. “Good evening, my lord. I hope you are having an enjoyable time thus far.”

“I am, more so now that you have arrived. You look enchanting this evening.” He grinned at her.

“Thank you.”

“I had hoped to claim you for the next dance if you are not otherwise engaged.”

Sera couldn’t help but smile. It was Lord Bromley’s gentlemanly behavior that had always attracted her. “I would like that. As it happens, I have not promised the next dance to anyone.”

“Excellent.”

Leading her onto the floor, the music began. She moved easily with Lord Bromley, as they had danced many times before. It was interesting to realize she was never in love with him. She had thought the comfortable feeling she had had while in his arms meant that she was beginning to fall in love, but now she knew that it was just a deep friendship she had felt. She thought it odd how she could have been so off on her feelings.

Unable to hold back her affection for him, she smiled. “I hope you know how much I value your friendship.”

He looked down, returning her smile with a quirk of his lips. “I do. As much as I value yours. I want you to know…” he trailed off, trying to find the right words. “I want you to know that you can always come to me. I will always help you in any way I can.”

The gratitude that she felt from his words swelled in her chest. She would hate to ever lose his friendship. “Thank you.”

Gliding through a few intricate steps, they were quiet, both lost in thoughts of what-if.

The music ended on a sweet note, seeming to echo her relationship with Lord Bromley. She had known that after the scandal and her engagement that nothing could come between the two of them, but she hadn’t realized she still harbored the dream.

It was time to let it go. And she did.

He brought her back to where she had been earlier and gave her a deep bow. The smile she gave him was one of regret, but there was no going back to how she had been before Quinton. After an equally deep curtsy from her, he left.

It was interesting that she could feel so differently after one dance. She felt more free, more able to move forward with her life, unhampered by old dreams.

“You really need to move on.”

Hearing Victoria’s voice, Sera closed her eyes. What did she want now?

Turning around to face her arch-nemesis, Sera couldn’t even muster up a polite smile. “What are you talking about, Victoria?”

 
“Come now, Sera. There is no need to pretend.”

Sera gritted her teeth. “Speak plainly. I’m in no mood to fence words with you right now.”

 
“You must know by now.”

“Know what?”

Victoria studied Sera’s face before a smug smile curved her lips. “I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet. You must know that Lord Devericks didn’t start the rumor.” She paused dramatically. “I did.”

Shock coursed through Sera’s veins. No, it wasn’t possible. Victoria started the rumor? Victoria caused the scandal and her engagement? “Why?” Sera asked hoarsely.

One of Victoria’s dainty shoulders shrugged, her deep rose gown swishing with the movement. “Isn’t it obvious? I want Lord Bromley. I saw his intentions toward you were getting serious, and I had to get you out of the way so that he would focus on me.”

Sera’s mouth dropped open. “You did all this in the hopes that Lord Bromley’s attention would turn toward you?” Sera couldn’t believe the woman’s self-centeredness. She had taken away Sera’s free will, her choice of husband, all because of jealousy.

“Yes.” A pout slowly creased her lips. “It isn’t working out exactly how I had planned, but I hope that once you are wed he will move on and turn his attentions to me.”

“What makes you think you are his next choice?”

Laughter flowed melodically through her lips. “Come now, Sera. Besides you, I am the most beautiful debutant and possess one of the largest dowries. If not me, then whom?”

“Perhaps someone less selfish?”

“Don’t be so naïve, it doesn’t flatter you at all.” She looked up before continuing. “Ah, I see Aubrey has arrived. Well, I shall leave you two to be wallflowers. Please relay my best wishes to her.”

Fuming with anger, Sera couldn’t even deign Victoria with a response. She had never felt so moved to violence in her life.

Her dress fisted in her hand. Victoria really deserved a slap. She had changed Sera’s life with one vicious lie. Forced her into a marriage she hadn’t wanted. To a man she didn’t know.

Good Lord, she had forced Quinton as well. The color leeched from her cheeks. This whole time, Quinton had been innocent. He hadn’t started the rumor after all. He had offered for her, weathered a scandal, even though none of it was true.

He needed to marry a wealthy bride, but he could have chosen anyone. He hadn’t needed his choice taken from him.

Stepping up to marry her, he had saved her reputation. The gratitude that flowed through her almost overwhelmed her. But there was something else. Something even more potent that was slowly making its way through her body, wrapping itself around her heart.

Love.

She loved Quinton. For a second time, the breath was knocked from her. After everything that had happened, she had finally found love.

Everything about Quinton filled her soul, causing it to burn with joy. He was just the man she had been looking for: kind, attentive, loyal. She had been a fool. She had wanted to trust him, but had let Victoria’s lie come between them.

What if Victoria had never confessed? The secret would have been between them for the rest of their lives. Would she have ever realized her love for him if that had happened?

While Victoria was a viper who went to any lengths to get what she wanted, a part of Sera had to be grateful to her. Without her, she wouldn’t be with Quinton.

“Sera? Is everything all right?” Aubrey’s voice filled with concern. “You’ve gone deathly pale. Here, sit down. Shall I fetch your father?”

Sera shook her head, still unable to speak.

“Can I get you something to drink? Lemonade, perhaps?”

“Yes,” Sera finally croaked out.

Turning on her heel, Aubrey quickly made her way to the refreshment table. Sera was grateful for the short reprieve. She needed a few more moments to gather herself together.

It was fortunate that Sera had been so close to some potted plants when Victoria had confronted her. It gave her the opportunity to fall apart without gathering any attention. With a few deep breaths, Sera stepped out from the potted palm, a smile tight on her face.

Gasping, Sera stared dumbfounded at the fire shining from the crystals in the chandelier. Was it possible for the room to look so different? Everything was brighter as if thousands of candles had been added to the room. The thick paneled walls shined with a high gloss, enveloping the room with a tart, lemon scent. The music seemed louder, more fluid as the dancers floated across the floor.

Were these the effects of love?

She had heard it described like this, that it heightened the senses, but she had thought it rubbish. It was all true.

“Here, sip this,” Aubrey said, shoving the drink into her friend’s pale hands. Sera took a small drink while Aubrey inspected her face. “There, a little of your color is returning. Would you like to tell me what happened between you and Victoria that caused you to look like a ghost?” Aubrey demanded more than asked.

With a final sip of the drink, Sera began to feel like herself again. “She confessed that she was the one who started the rumor.”

“What!” Aubrey shrieked before lowering her voice. “You mean she’s the one that ruined you? There wasn’t even an ounce of truth to it. Why would she have done something so heartless?”

Sera raised her brow. “This is Victoria we’re talking about.”

Aubrey didn’t laugh.

“Okay. Okay.” Sera chuckled, holding up her hands for peace. She was grateful for her friend’s defense. “She wanted me out of the way so that Lord Bromley would focus on her.”

“She actually said that?”