Timeless Passion: 10 Historical Romances To Savor (61 page)

If Rhianna’s mind had been torn between Soleil and Philippe’s visit and the ball, the latter overpowered the former. She could only think to herself that all the things she had dared to dream of, but never attempted to wish for, were happening.

• • •

One week before the ball, Desmond was determined to request Rhianna’s hand for the first two dances of the evening. It would be well before the majority knew she was a governess; therefore, with nothing known of her other than her beauty, which would paralyze even the most aloof of spectators, she was certain to be in the foreground. Not one to shy away from attention, he looked forward to claiming the source of many eager glances and whispers for at least the first hour of the ball. More importantly, however, it would be well before any other gentlemen had an opportunity to recommend themselves to
his
future paramour, placing Desmond at advantage to lay his groundwork.

On the week of the ball he approached her. Just as he had hoped, he found her alone in the schoolroom, collecting a French exercise book from Audra’s desk.

“My dear Miss Braden,” he called her as he entered. “How very glad I am to find you here.”

• • •

Rarely did anyone enter the schoolroom besides Audra. A servant occasionally, to be sure, but otherwise it was something of a retreat for Rhianna, particularly when Lord Kingsley was out. In the months since her arrival at Kingsley Manor, she had yet to establish a comfortable rapport with Lydia or her son, the former being frequently ill-humored and the latter arrogant. Desmond’s sudden entrance at once enshrouded the room with a disagreeable air.

“Lord Kingsley,” she responded, with a start, “what a surprise.”

She watched the young heir as he stepped animatedly passed Audra’s desk and approached her. If his sudden appearance had not startled her enough, his insistence on standing so very close when speaking to her did little to put her at ease. She did what she could to keep at a distance of an arm’s length, but found it was not in her power to do half as much.

“Now, really, when it is just us, must we continue to address one another so formally? It would be perfectly proper for you to call me Desmond.”

To this awkward statement, he left her no time to respond. Likely, she could not have formed a composed reply give a considerable amount of time, so she was not sorry that he continued along. Privately, she resolved to do all in her power never to be alone with him on any future occasion.

He told her, “I have searched the entire house over and was beginning to wonder that you might be hiding from me. Certainly, you must know why I have come.”

Rhianna declared she did not and, in a second effort to create some distance between them, moved to her desk by the window and placed down the book she had been carrying.

He followed her.

“How very modest you are,” he said, with a twisted grin. “Very well, I shall not make you wait, though you cannot make me believe you are without your suspicions.”

She had difficulty in meeting his gaze, which, as usual, was fixed intently on her. Frequently, she got the sense he was making advances at her with his eyes and today was no exception. His cocky manner and over confidence were more exaggerated than usual, and she found herself leaning very nearly backwards to gain precious inches worth of space between them.

“I really can have no idea,” she admitted, hoping he would hurry with saying whatever it was he intended to say and leave.

And then he said the words that made Rhianna’s heart sink. “I have come to reserve the first two dances from you at the ball Saturday.”

She really was surprised that she should receive any request from him at all. And that he was given to the delusion she had been waiting for him to ask was unsettling, to say the least. Little did he know that the truth was quite the opposite — his request, although not unpleasant enough to ruin the experience altogether, was quite enough for her to hope the first two dances passed as quickly as possible.

“You mustn’t be so astonished.” He grinned, her speechlessness seeming to amuse him. “Did you really think I would
not
seek to secure you for as many dances as society would allow? If only I could request your hand for the whole of the evening!”

Thankfully, at this moment, Audra entered the schoolroom and Rhianna had never been so happy to see her.

“I know that you will not disappoint me,” he stated under his breath, knowing his time was up.

Aware that there could be no declining it, she accepted with what graciousness she could summon.

“I look forward to it with pleasure,” he concluded, and with his back to Audra he lifted her hand to his lips.

With this last, Desmond Kingsley left her, smiling as he had since the moment he entered the schoolroom. As the relief of his departure sunk in, Rhianna reflected that her impression of him had not changed; indeed, it was built upon. She already found Desmond Kingsley unpleasant, conceited, and vulgar; now it was very clear that he thought her attracted to him. What presumption! Probably, he thought
every
woman attracted to him.

While she pondered these things, Audra approached her with a question about her history lesson. With difficulty, Rhianna attempted to extinguish Desmond from her mind as she opened her copy of the book.

“Part three,” Audra specified, as Rhianna turned there.

Fingering through the pages, she noticed some of her own notes were missing.

“I don’t understand, it’s all so very odd,” she mumbled to herself.

Checking to see that she did, in fact, have the correct publication, she then resorted to checking the name in the edition, at which point she solved the mystery — or discovered one. A flush came over her as she feverishly examined the inside cover of the book. In that instant, all thoughts of Desmond were erased as she ran her fingers under the faint black ink of the name
Hallie
.

“Audra, have you any idea where this book came from?” Her voice was breathless, her composure lost.

Audra looked at her with a curious gaze. “Is it not yours?”

“No …” Rhianna could not hide the frenzy of emotions. “Audra, can you tell me who Hallie is?”

“Hallie?”

“Yes. Her name is etched in this book. Do you know anything about her?”

Audra leaned over and looked for herself. It was some time before she finally answered; Rhianna thought that perhaps she never would.

“I believe that was the name of Desmond’s last governess.”

Rhianna’s breath froze in her chest.
Hallie, a governess at Kingsley Manor?

“Is there anything else you can tell me about her? Anything at all?” she asked Audra desperately.

Little Audra shook her head. “I never knew her. Miss Barnesworth was my governess from the beginning.”

“Do you know why she left?” Rhianna continued, anxious to know anything and everything that Audra could tell.

“No.” She added, “I do hope
you
will be here a long time.”

Realizing that Audra knew nothing else regarding Hallie, Rhianna let the subject drop, but it was quite enough to keep her busily in thought, with Desmond a distant memory. After Audra left, she took care to keep the book with her, resolved to mention it to Mauvreen in hopes her friend would now be willing to provide further detail.

However, the following week was all bustle and excitement around Kingsley Manor and she could not get away. Fascinated by the preparations that went into a Kingsley ball, Rhianna watched on. Within the month, a guest list was written and invitations sent out, decorations were prepared, professional musicians engaged, and the dance floor was polished. An elaborate supper would soon be prepared by not one, but three chefs. Servants hastened from one room to another, checking to see that no detail was overlooked, so that when the final days before the ball arrived, everything was taken care of and all that was left was anticipation.

Chapter Four

A fire blazed in the hearth that evening, its flickering light enveloping Rhianna in a blanket of warmth as she stood before it. The rose room was cozy and brightly lit, assisted by a handful of candles whose glow in the mirror on the opposite wall was reflected to the far corners of the apartment. Arrayed in her white gown and satin slippers, the twenty-year-old Rhianna lingered momentarily before proceeding upstairs to the ballroom.

It was expected to be an exceedingly good ball. Not a single invitation had been declined, and more than thirty couples from the most respected families would be in attendance. Twenty-five dances would play in the Kingsley ballroom, entertaining some of the most desirable young men and women in England. With difficulty Rhianna mustered her courage to face such society, and she was torn between feelings of fear and absolute, perfect happiness.

Eight o’clock was the set hour. Some concern was made over the condition of the weather, for an early snow had begun to christen the roadways. Fortunately, it was thinly spread and would not prevent the greatly anticipated occasion from proceeding.

In hopes of getting a view of the approaching coaches, Rhianna decided to leave her chamber in favor of the window at the first floor balcony. On her way out, she stopped briefly to take a final glance at her curls to ensure they were properly in place. She stood in wonder at the bandeaus of pearls carefully woven through her red ringlets and the matching choker necklace with its pear-shaped rhinestone drop that complimented the low neckline of her white, silky gown. She smoothed the skirt of her floor-length dress and marveled at her gloved hands. Hallie’s brooch provided the finishing touch. Smiling to herself, Rhianna knew the girl who left the rose room that night would not be the same girl who returned.

Through the tall, frost-clouded Venetian window that overlooked Kingsley Manor’s front entrance, she could observe in the moonlight the white-sprinkled trees that guarded the glistening, snow-dusted ground. In the north winds, snowflakes danced through the air blissfully, as if having their own celebration outside. Rhianna stood and watched, a grandfather clock chiming behind her eight times, as a carriage pulled up to the house. Soon after, several more carriages followed, the tread marks left by their wheels quickly hidden in a blanket of yet more snow. The guests were arriving.

“Miss Braden?”

She turned with a start to the servant that stood behind her. “Oh! Katie, I didn’t hear you coming.”

“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to frighten. Lord Kingsley’s good friend, Mr. Weathersby, has arrived from London and he wishes to introduce you.”

Rhianna drew a deep breath. The time had come.

“Thank you. I’ll be there directly,” she said. “Will you be spending time with George tonight?”

Katie blushed. “The servants are having their own ball, of sorts. From the attic rooms, you can hear the music clearly. If you sneak away at all, come find us.”

“I shall,” Rhianna smiled.

With that, Katie disappeared as silently as she had come. Not wishing to keep Lord Kingsley waiting, Rhianna allowed only a parting glance out the window before leaving hastily for the ballroom.

• • •

The ballroom was all splendor and elegance. The chandeliers were lit, the decorations were opulent, paintings and priceless art were uncovered, and the orchestra was in position. Everything seemed full of liveliness and joy. In a short period of time, the room was a sea of ribbons and gloves, bonnets and feathers. Girls arrived whom Rhianna thought herself privileged to look upon. How lovely they were, in their satin, gauze, and crepe dresses! Broad lace outlined many of their small figures, and voluminous petticoats were not wanting. Many wore gold combs or coronets of silver filigree in their hair, and tiaras and wreaths of flowers were in abundance.

Rhianna observed one girl in particular, Miss Austine Leighart, daughter of Lord Leighart of Norwich, whom with both fairness and fortune on her side had the power to capture everyone’s attention. With soft features, blond hair, and wearing a string of expensive Italian pearls, Miss Leighart complimented her physical appearance with social accomplishment and grace. Rhianna imagined she made women envious and men wild, but that all in the assembly could not but admire her above the other girls.

Rhianna made her way through the room to Guilford Kingsley, who upon seeing the gown Lady Brighton had chosen, appeared very much pleased with its effect. She admitted to herself she was flattered to hear him describe her as “highly becoming,” though Rhianna noticed his eyes frequently and unsettlingly seemed to be cast upon her brooch. Lady Brighton was quick to find them both and voice her own satisfaction in the most indulging expressions, contributing to the warm flush in Rhianna’s cheeks long after leaving to make her rounds of the room.

Black jackets and white cravats were plentiful among the gentlemen. Yet, though all wore their best formalwear and top hats, there was no man present who could match Thayne Brighton in his vest and dress coat. Rhianna first caught sight of him speaking with Miss Leighart and even she could not but admit he was looking his best. His sartorial splendor was second only to his statuesque frame and symmetrical features. His expression seemed inviting as he conversed with Miss Leighart, and Rhianna wondered what his opinion was of her.

Although vaguely aware her glance was lingering, she was not caught out of it until Lydia Kingsley took notice. “They are intended for each other, you know,” Lydia told her.

Swiftly did Rhianna lower her eyes, the words themselves hitting her with surprising unpleasantness, but eclipsed by her being found thus absorbed.

“They would make an excellent couple,” she returned, mildly humiliated, before finding Lydia already conversing with a nearby acquaintance, her back turned.

Resultantly, Rhianna was unable to allow herself another look in Thayne’s direction for some time. Meanwhile, Guilford Kingsley, oblivious to this exchange, provided her with a program and dance card, while busily introducing her to various arrivals. Several gentlemen wrote their names on her card at once. As they did so, Rhianna was shocked to overhear a few gossipy, older women considering her own best potential matches and forming wild speculations regarding her upbringing and education. It seemed because of her they would have plenty to entertain themselves for the whole of the evening.