Page 27 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

When they stepped into the ballroom, Veronica let out a small sigh of relife.

She was worried the family would try to replicate their old ballroom and it might bring back painful memories for both of them.

Christopher could say he was fine, that none of it mattered any more, but it was hard to believe something like that could be true for either of them.

Fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case at all.

The room was far larger and more open for one. There were also many more doors, most of which opened into the gardens which were also in full splendor for the ball.

As she looked around the room, she couldn’t help but notice it seemed as if they had invited everyone that had attended the night of the fire.

For a moment, she thought there was something morbid in that.

It was almost as if they were daring it to happen again, but then she glanced to Christopher and she couldn't help but smile.

He was staying closer to her than was strictly necessary, but he didn't seem nervous. More like he wanted to protect her. It couldn't help but make her smile.

Not that she would have blamed him if being here caused him some amount of fear or anxiety.

After all, there so much had been lost in that room.

It would be understand if he was worried it would somehow happen again.

He had worked so hard to start building a life with her, the very thought of something potentially ripping that away from him broke Veronica's heart.

But of course none of that was going to happen. There wasn't going to be another fire. Veronica knew she was worrying for nothing.

Shaking her head, she scanned the room in search of her sisters. If she was right and they had been recreating the guest list from that night, then at least Rose was bound to be around here somewhere.

Sure enough, it didn’t take her long to spot her sister.

Rose sat calmly while their mother looked around like a hound scenting its next quarry.

Milly was likely in the nursery with the others, complaining about her young age and how it kept her from the delights of high society.

Even from across the ball room, Veronica could easily make out the discomfort on Rose’s face.

She squeezed christopher’s hand. “Could you please give me a moment? I won't be long.”

He frowned. “Is everything all right? I can go with you if you like.”

“I know you can and everything is fine. I simply saw my sister from across the room. I would like to go see her.”

“Of course. Are you sure you don't want me to join you? I know it's been a while since you saw your parents I would hate for you to be alone and get caught off guard if you see them.”

She shook her head. “You can join us shortly, but I believe it seems I need a moment alone with my family first. As for my parents … well, they are part of why I want to go over there in the first palce.”

For a moment he looked like he was going to argue but the look of pure determination on her face must have talked him out of it because he just let out a sigh then nodded. “Of course. I can understand that. Go on then”

“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand then slipped across the room.

She remained quiet until she was right behind her parents, still pushing poor Rose as some strange man. Milly caught her eye, but Veronica just held a finger to her lips.

“Really, mother,” Rose insisted. I don't feel up to dancing tonight. Quite frankly I wasn't feeling up to coming at all.”

“Oh my sweet Rose, there's no need to be so shy. Why don't you and Lord Gallmore just have one dance then you can sit for a bit if you like, but I just know once the two of you take to the floor you will have an absolutely wonderful time.”

“Mother,” veronica said, her voice cutting through the chatter and causing those involved to fall silent.

The woman spun to look at her, plastering a fake smile across her face. “Veronica, how nice to see you. We hadn’t realized you would be attending as well.”

“I did send you a letter.”

“Yes, well, you know how long it can take getting post in from the country.”

“How odd then that both Milly and Rose seemed to get theirs and had time to write back.”

The woman stuttered.

But Veronica continued without even a second for anyone to cut in or object. “I hadn’t realized Rose was on the market.”

“What?” Her mother let out a nervous laugh. “Of course she is. She's out and unmarried, is she not? Truly Veronica why would you say such a thing?”

“Because, I was under the impression she already had a suitor.”

The gentleman behind them seemed to let out a sigh of relife, taking the opportunity to slip away from her mother.

The woman’s smile tightened. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you mean. Where did you hear that?”

“There is no need to play it so coy. Rose told me all about him last time she visited. I was actually on my way over to see if he was here so I could meet the lucky man fine enough to capture her fancy.”

“Did she? Now why would she do that?” Her mother glanced to where the man had been then turned back to Veronica, shaking her head. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing here.”

“I'm looking out for my sisters.”

“Looking out for them,” she snorted. “Don't be ridiculous. I don't see how you can possibly think your behavior benefits them.”

“And you know what benefits them?”

“Of course I do! I know what’s best for my girls and I won’t have you ruining her prospects.”

“If anyone is at risk of ruining her prospects, it would be you. You are the one pushing her into the arms of men who feel nothing for her just because it can do something to benefit you.”

“How can you say that after all I have done for you?!”

“You sold me off without a second thought. You had no way to know Christopher would treat me well. My welfare didn't enter into your minds at all. And before you say anything else, you might want to bare in mind that I am a duchess now and rank far above you.”

“Are you presuming upon on your own mother!” she gasped in shock.

“I am,” she nodded, narrowing her eyes. “It is only logical, considering how much you depend upon my husband these days.”

“What exactly is that spuppsed to mean?”

“Do you think I don't know how he bank rolls almost all of father’s endeavors?”

The color seemed to drain from her face. “Who told you-”

“My husband. He and I do talk after all. Not that you ever seemed concerned about that. All of this is to say that if you want the money to continue to flow, you had best step back and allow my sisters to make their own choices regarding their husbands.”

Her mother gaped at her, stunned. Rose was grinning from ear to ear, but before any of them could say anything more, Christopher approached Veronica, offering his hand.

“My dear wife, I would be honored if you would have the next dance with me.”

She lit up. “I would love that. Thank you.”

Her mother called out to her, but Veronica didn’t acknowledge it, instead simply letting him lead her to the dance floor.

The music started and the pair began moving through the familiar steps of a waltz.

“I must say, I didn’t expect you would want to dance,” Veronica smiled. “I imaged that if we were to make it onto the floor it would be because I forced your hand.”

“You look far too lovely to spend your night by the wall.”

She flushed. “Still, thank you.”

“No need to thank me, I’’m sure it won’t be long before I step on your toes. Quite frankly I’m surprised I remember even this much.”

“I was about to say, I don’t know what you’re talking about. You seem to be doing wonderfully as far as I can tell.”

“For the moment, but how long can it possibly last?”

“I would also like to remind you that you did just fine in our parlor a few weeks ago.”

“That was different. We didn’t have an audience.”

“Oh, but we did! Did you forget that my sisters were with us that evening?”

“Yes, but I would hardly say that is the same as what we have here tonight,” he said, glancing to where a small group of party goers were clustered together, talking and all but openly staring at them.

“Yes, well, I suppose this is a little but more… attention then we had there. Does it trouble you? We can stop if it does.”

To her surprise, he shook his head.

“Are you sure?”

“Quite sure. After all, why wouldn’t they stare? No doubt they have never seen anyone even half as lovely as you.”

She flushed looking away. “Somehow I doubt it’s me they are staring at. You cleaned up quite nice as well.”

“But I could never hold a candle to the vision you are tonight.”

She flushed looking away. “You are bing far too sweet.”

“Only because you deserve it.”

She flushed, looking away.

The pair danced through another three or four songs, when a sound cut through the ball room.

The main door slammed open and a nervous looking butler stepped in.

In a trembling voice, he siad, “i would liek to annouse His Grace, Alexander Hotchkiss Duke of St. Vail.

Christopher went as white as a sheet.