Page 16 of A Deal with an Artistic Lady (Marriage Deals #2)

‘How fortunate to have sunshine early this evening!’ Emmeline practically skipped away as the footman helped her down the step of the Barouche Landau.

‘It always seems to shine on the eve of Lady Camden’s annual spring ball!’ Hannah agreed. Whilst still guarded around her mother-in-law, that evening Hannah had a bubble of apprehension in her stomach, excited about the evening ahead. It was well-known in society that the Camden parties were one of the most prestigious and anticipated events in the social calendar.

As they entered the grand hall, Sophia stood in the receiving line with her parents, greeting all the guests as they arrived. She registered Hannah as she stepped into the hall and the two shared a conspiratorial smile. Sophia’s parents greeted the Dowager Duchess with ceremonial solemnity and similarly for Caleb and Emmeline. There was a familiar warmth reserved for Hannah, who was almost a part of their family. They had not seen her since her wedding day the previous week and embraced her fondly, enquiring as to her health.

Moving along the line and on into the ballroom, Hannah felt as though it were her debut all over again – heads turned to look at her, walking alongside the Duke.

Here she was – the new Duchess of Montwood. Everybody in the room was keen to see her, to appraise the new couple together. Also - Hannah felt keenly - to judge whether she met the required standard; if her etiquette was superior and her appearance to the satisfaction of all those evaluating her.

Hannah had chosen a new dress for the occasion and felt every inch a Duchess that evening. Lucy had prepared her hair in the style she wore on her wedding day and applied the same light colour on her cheeks. She had misted herself with jasmine and kept a scented sachet in the pocket of her petticoat. She was as prepared as she could possibly be, yet the weight of the eyes upon her landed heavily, as did the expectations upon her.

The Dowager Duchess turned to look at Hannah almost in warning. Her glare communicated the message ‘ Do not besmirch the Montwood dynasty; do not dishonour the family name.’ The pressure was immense, and Hannah even felt Caleb stiffen beside her. It intrigued her that a Duke so well-practiced in the hierarchal society could also be feeling the strain of expectation.

Hannah summoned her crowd-pleasing smile and almost cast herself as an actress playing a part, simply to accelerate her through the discomfort of scrutiny. She stood tall, chin high, proud smile and emanating a dazzle of confidence so that people could not talk her down.

As she felt it, she began to believe it and Caleb looked across at her in a way that suggested he could see it too.

‘There is my family!’ Hannah enthused as she saw her mother and father standing with Clara and James. She knew it would be inappropriate to run to them as she wanted to and so retained her self-assured stride, carrying her in their direction.

Hannah greeted them all fondly and they, in turn, greeted the Duke with formalities and smiles.

‘You are yet to meet my sister and her husband, Caleb – may I introduce Lord James and Lady Clara Ashworth. Clara, James – please meet my husband, His Grace the Duke of Montwood.’ Hannah proudly announced. It was the first time she had introduced Caleb as her husband to her family and she blushed as she did so, feeling like an interloper. She looked at Caleb’s face as she said the word husband and noticed he reacted to it – a small, hardly perceptible jerk of his face, though she could not determine whether it was surprise or pleasure with which he received the title.

The new acquaintances exchanged greetings and Caleb remembered James.

‘I do believe we met once, Lord Ashworth – a governmental meeting regarding foreign trade. Were we not seated next to one another?’

‘By goodness, but we were!’ James laughed heartily and turned to Hannah ‘you have a sharp man here! Such observation and impressive memory.’

Hannah smiled as though this asset of Caleb’s somehow translated as a compliment to her. It was a strange sensation; to feel gratification for praise aimed at another person. She pondered at it, but did not permit consternation to sit with her, for it was a truly joyful moment and she wanted to revel in it.

Caleb began talking with James about his business abroad and what transactions he had been involved in during his time in the Caribbean. Clara and Hannah exchanged happy expressions, that their husbands were happy conversing and may perhaps grow a friendship. There was also a coy smile of approval from Clara, which lifted Hannah’s heart – it was important to her that her sister should be fond of her husband.

The evening was looking positive and bright as Hannah looked about the room. The intense focus on her from when she had first arrived had now evaporated and she was able to freely look about without attracting too much attention. The air hummed with the gentle strain of a string quartet and the calming swish of expensive fabrics and ladies’ silk gowns. A Butler stopped by with a tray of champagne, from which they each gratefully took a glass. As Hannah delicately sipped at it and felt the light, sweet bubbles dance on her tongue, she considered that this was the happiest and lightest she had felt in a while.

Taking in the room, with its abundance of colour and movement, she saw the Dowager Duchess across the hall, greeting a group of people with convivial energy, which jolted Hannah, so contrasting it was to her usual demeanour.

Intrigued, Hannah craned to see who Anne was so delighted to be meeting with and saw – to her disdain – Lady Lucinda Fairfax, with Lord Edward and Lady Beatrice. Her mother-in-law continued to fawn over the beautiful Lucinda and suddenly Hannah’s joyous moment was crushed.

Caleb noticed Hannah looking intently across the room and his interest was piqued as to whom she could be engrossed with so he, too, looked.

Upon seeing his mother displaying her sycophantic drama over Lucinda, he wanted to roll his eyes but, being in such esteemed company, did not allow his sardonic side to darken the evening. He looked back instead to Hannah, who was still absorbed and there, he witnessed the sadness she felt at her lack of acceptance. He could read on her face the vulnerability she felt that she might always be compared to the seemingly glorious Lucinda.

Caleb reached tentatively around the back of Hannah and placed his hand supportively on the small of her back. It was a small gesture of solidarity and the only thing he was capable of in the moment to show her that he sympathised; that he could see her struggle and that he was on her side.

Hannah jerked slightly as she felt Caleb’s hand appear on the small of her back. She wondered if he had seen her looking at Lucinda and wished to comfort her in her conclusions of inadequacy. The idea of her being caught staring forlornly at the woman he should have married brought a crushing sense of shame upon Hannah and she wondered why Caleb would take that moment to demonstrate his affection. He confused her, but even as she muddled it through, she enjoyed the feeling of his hand there, reassuring her that she was not alone.