Page 163 of Snowbound Surrender

“Are you finished?” Lady Rockingham asked, an eyebrow raised.

Scarlett actually had much more to say, but when she opened up her mouth to retort, she heard footsteps entering the room.

“Good evening,” her mother said softly from her place in the doorway on Hunter’s arm. “How lovely you all look tonight. Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year, Mother,” Scarlett said, walking over and embracing her before casting a warning look at Lady Rockingham, who frostily ignored her.

“Scarlett, you look…” Hunter’s voice trailed off as his eyes began at her face, leaving a trail of fire as though he were running his hands over her. His perusal continued down to pause at her bosom, then traveled the expanses of her shimmering skirts, before his eyes finally returned to her face. He winked at her, which didn’t go unnoticed by the pair in the corner as Scarlett heard Lady Rockingham snort.

As they were already late as it was, they had no time for a drink but began to make their way outside to the carriage. As they did, Lady Rockingham affixed herself to Scarlett’s side.

“Enjoy the infatuation he currently holds for you,” she whispered. “It does not last long.”

And with that she was striding down the hall ahead of the rest of them, her head held regally high, Scarlett watching her with narrowed eyes all the way.

Lavinia had outdone herself,creating a New Year’s party unlike anything Scarlett had ever seen before. While her home with Baxter was not nearly as large as Wintervale, she had an eye for beauty. And though the Tannon family had never recognized the Christmas season, they had always been sure to attend — or host — a New Year’s celebration. All attendees came in their best, and Lord and Lady Rockingham were never ones to shy away from showcasing their very finest.

And fine everyone was tonight. A couple dozen people were gathered in the ballroom, many having traveled a fair distance to be here tonight. Thankfully, the weather had held, the winds continuing from the south — which spoke of warm tidings for the year ahead, if Hunter recalled the phrase correctly. He could only hope, after the freezing winter they had endured so far.

None in attendance, however, were as lovely nor as fair as his wife. She shone brighter than any star above, and he noted a fair number of heads swinging toward them as they entered the ballroom. Lavinia fairly bounded up to them, welcoming them and urging them into the room. Baxter nodded at them, drink in hand and yet another unlit cheroot dangling from his lip.

It had been some time since Hunter had attended an event in the area, though he had seen many of thetonin London. Apparently, he and Scarlett — particularly together — were a novelty. It didn’t take long for him to be surrounded by men questioning him about the peace signings just prior to theChristmastide recess, and Scarlett excused herself with a smile, nodding to him before going off to join Lavinia, who was thrilled to introduce Scarlett to many of her friends who were not from the area.

Interestingly, Lavinia scarcely acknowledged her parents, who stood looking out over the ballroom, disdain apparent in their turned-up noses and cool glances which they passed around the room. When Lavinia did glance their way, Scarlett could read the hurt in her gaze, and she was determined to be as good of a friend — and sister-in-law — to Lavinia as she could. She also felt that it was time someone told them exactly of the consternation they were causing their children. When Scarlett saw her mother join the two of them, she decided she should join the conversation herself.

“What a lovely home your daughter has,” her mother was saying to the marquess and marchioness.

“It is well enough, I suppose,” said Lady Rockingham. “Why she insisted on marrying Baxter Shaw I will never know. A viscount is well enough but the man?—”

“Loves Lavinia,” finished Scarlett. She didn’t care overly much for Baxter herself, but he did love Lavinia. They should be glad their daughter found herself in a happy marriage.

“Yes, well,” sniffed Lady Rockingham. “Love can only take one so far.”

It was one point Lady Halifax seemed to be in agreement upon, for she slowly nodded her head, a sad smile on her face.

“Hunter and Lavinia are pleased to have you here for the New Year’s celebration,” said Scarlett. “They have missed you.”

Lord Rockingham snorted as though speaking of such emotions was below him, while Lady Rockingham frowned at her. “They both found their place in life,” she said. “They no longer need their parents.”

“One always appreciates his or her parents,” Scarlett said, looking to her own mother, wondering what it would be like to live without her love. Even her father, whom she resented for his treatment of her mother, still loved her in his own way, and she never doubted that he would provide her with anything she might need, were she to only ask for it.

“Oh, don’t be so base,” Lady Rockingham said. “That is what nursemaids and governesses are for — children.”

Sorrow filled Scarlett’s breast at the thought of Hunter and Lavinia as children, ignored by their parents. She pictured them as they waited, every Christmas, for the gift of acknowledgment, with none ever coming. At the very least, they had always had one another.

“Ah, Madeline Lancaster is here,” said Lady Rockingham, changing the subject, a slow smile crossing her face. “Although of course she is, given that she and Lavinia have always been such good friends.”

“Yes, we met them the other night,” Lady Halifax said, offering no further information.

“I had always thought that she and Hunter … ah well, never mind,” said Lady Rockingham, turning an icy smile on Scarlett. “She chose to marry Jeremy Lancaster before Hunter was ready to marry himself, so we should no longer speak of it, should we?”

“She and Hunter are, in fact, on the dance floor at this very moment,” added Lord Rockingham, finally joining the conversation.

“Ah, so they are,” Lady Rockingham said with a smirk and a gleam in her eye when she looked at Scarlett. “They do look well together, do they not?”

Scarlett had tried to make peace with Hunter’s parents — she truly had. But she couldn’t take another moment of conversation with them. She took her mother’s arm in her ownand steered her across the room. She could feel her mother’s eyes on her, but she didn’t want to speak to her of Hunter and the beautiful Lady Raymond. Hunter had told her that he was faithful and always would be, and she believed him. But that didn’t alter how much it hurt to see him laugh and flirt with another woman. Was this what she would be reduced to if she followed him to London? Watching from the sidelines while he lived his life as a treasured member of theton?

She reached up a hand to tug at a curl, winding it around her fingers, as she couldn’t help but watch the two of them go around the ballroom. What was she to do?