Page 31 of The Captain’s Valentine (The “Other” Trents #3)
Harrison did not think he would ever find a way to Perdita’s side. It was bad enough that he had been delayed by a visit from his brother and feared that all her dances would be claimed by the time he arrived. As it was, she was dancing when he stepped into the ballroom.
When he spotted Lady Felding, Harrison made his way to her, knowing that Perdita would return to her sister’s side only to realize that also standing there was the Duchess of Clare. Were mother and daughter sharing this evening?
It was not something that he had anticipated. However, that would not deter him and he finally made his way to Lady Felding when the dance came to an end. He greeted Perdita’s sister then waited for Perdita to be returned to her.
As the crowd parted and she approached, escorted by a rakish marquess, Harrison’s stomach churned. Now that all of London knew who Perdita truly was, she would be courted by gentlemen who could offer her…well, a title. But he could offer her more. If she wanted an estate, he would purchase one. He was wealthy enough to never need to sail again. Anything Perdita wanted he could grant just as well or better than those in the ballroom. The only thing he lacked was a title.
He studied her face as they approached. She was flushed and likely from the heat in the room and exertion of the dance. What was missing was the smile in her eyes. The one upon her lips was forced. It was only when she looked at him that it became genuine and her eyes warmed.
“Captain Trent. I am happy to see you this evening,”
she greeted him.
“You look absolutely lovely,”
he offered while he bowed. And he appreciated the pale green gown that hugged her breasts in the most delightful manner.
“I fear I was delayed in my arrival, but I do hope that you have at least one dance left.”
“She does not,”
Her Grace answered in a clipped tone.
Perdita smiled almost triumphantly. “You are mistaken. The supper dance remains unclaimed.”
With that, she held out the card to Harrison and he wrote his name, noting that the Duchess of Clare pursed her lips.
No doubt he was not worthy of Perdita, at least as far as the duchess was concerned, but he did not care. Only Perdita’s opinion mattered.
As the strains of a waltz began, her next partner came to claim Perdita and Harrison hated that another rogue would be able to hold her, but it wasn’t as if he could object.
“Captain Trent, I would like a word with you,”
Her Grace announced.
“I apologize, Your Grace, but I was going to dance with Lady Felding if she has not been spoken for.”
“I have not, and I thank you for the opportunity,”
Lady Felding answered as she took his arm.
“I have a very good idea what lecture Her Grace would like to deliver,”
he mumbled as the two reached the dance floor.
“Yes, well, she has done her best to control who Perdita partners and has made certain to introduce her to every eligible lord in attendance.”
“How does Miss Perdita feel about having all the attention on her?”
“She does not like it,”
Lady Felding answered and then the two stepped, but maintained their distance from the other dancers so as not to be overheard while he listened to Lady Felding explain that Perdita had wanted to leave and she was certain that inclination had not changed. She knew Perdita well enough to know that she was miserable and did not like the crush and the only true smile she had seen on her face was when Harrison arrived. Relieved that he was there.
“We do have the supper dance.”
“If I know Perdita, no doubt she will beg you to take her from here.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. But only if she asks.”
“We cannot leave without a chaperone. She would be ruined.”
“Which is why I will be waiting by the entrance. If you come my way, I will know that it is time for all of us to leave.”
“What of your husband?”
“He was unable to join us this evening. Just see that Perdita is rescued before…”
“Before what?”
he asked in alarm.
“I am not certain. I just have never seen her like this, and I do not like it.”
“Like what?”
“Tense and pretending to be happy. It is not in her nature.”
As the waltz ended, Harrison returned Lady Felding to the place where she had stood beside Her Grace and did not leave, despite the arched eyebrow of warning from the duchess.
“When do you sail again, Captain Trent?”
“In two days,”
he answered.
“It is a shame you will miss the ball to introduce my daughter.”
However, there was pleasure in her tone. “I am certain you miss the sea.”
She then opened her fan and fluttered it in a way to indicate that she would now ignore him and that Harrison was beneath her notice.
The fawning and flattery were too much. Worse, the compliments to her hair, eyes and the color of the gown were from gentlemen she had often seen in ballrooms but had never paid her any mind previously. Now they desired to call on her, take her for a drive in the park, or take in the theatre because suddenly she mattered. Did those gentlemen think her so foolish that she’d be flattered by their attention when her eyes, face and hair had meant nothing before she became the sister of the Duke of Clare? She certainly had not changed and she wanted nothing to do with anyone who found her worthy only by her connections.
It was all too much and Perdita counted the dances until she would be in Harrison’s arms.
Not only that, but she would have his company during the light meal and free from everyone else, though Her Grace would probably insist on sitting with them.
As a viscount returned her to Her Grace and Rosalind, Harrison stepped forward. “I believe this is our dance.”
Thank goodness.
She took his arm and allowed him to escort her to the dance floor. She curtseyed and he bowed and then she was in his arms.
Home!
This was where she belonged. This was the only place she wanted to be.
“You are not enjoying yourself this evening,”
he observed.
“I am now,”
she admitted with a smile.
“Not before?”
he asked, his eyebrow arched.
“No. This was the only dance that I looked forward to.”
“You usually enjoy balls.”
“I was never a lady before,”
she reminded him. “I wanted to leave. I tried to leave, but Her Grace stopped me from doing so.”
“Your sister told me,”
he confessed. “If you could leave now, would you?”
Her heartbeat increased. “You would rescue me?”
“Anything for you, Perdita,”
he answered quietly.
“Please, take me from here.”
“Your wish is my command.”
And with those words he swept her to the far end of the ballroom near the entrance then stopped and offered his arm. It was then that she saw Rosalind waiting.
The two had planned this—for her—and she wanted to weep with relief.
“What will Her Grace say when you do not return to her side.”
“I am certain she will not be happy but mother always has a ready excuse.”
She pulled back to realize that it was His Grace who spoke to her.
“I mean no disrespect,”
Perdita quickly tried to explain.
“You wanted to escape as soon as you arrived and no doubt because of the information my mother provided to the papers.”
He grimaced. “I have watched you this evening and you have been miserable. Go, while you have the chance.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“My name is Conor and I am your brother.”
Yes, he was, but Perdita was still getting used to thinking of him with such familiarity.
“You will make my excuses?”
“Of course.”
He bowed. “Enjoy your evening free of this place.
As they stepped outside, Rosalind requested that the carriage be brought around, but Perdita kept looking behind her for fear that Her Grace would follow them and then drag her back inside. She only breathed a sigh of relief when the footman assisted her inside and was further comforted when Rosalind asked Harrison to accompany them back to the manor.
“I had promised myself that I would not think unkindly of Her Grace and give her a chance to come to know me, but I cannot imagine if that will ever happen.”
“Why not?”
Rosalind asked.
“Because she has no intention of doing so. I am her daughter and that is all that matters. I will suffer through what she wants and not my desires, such as tonight when I desperately wanted to leave. I cannot imagine moving into her home and being her daughter when she has so little regard for me.”
“She is not only your mother, but a duchess. She may not be so easily dismissed,”
Rosalind offered.
“Well, when I do not join her for tea, or any other outing maybe she will learn.”
Perdita turned to stare out the window. “Is it possible to learn where someone might be in order to avoid them?”
“I find that servants are the best source for such information, and gossip.”
Rosalind grinned.
“Do any of your servants know those in that household?”
“It is doubtful, but I will see what can be arranged.”
“Good, because the last person I want to encounter at an entertainment is Her Grace.”
“You will not be able to avoid her forever,”
Harrison suggested.
“I am aware but that does not mean that I am not going to try.”
She then addressed her sister. “I know that you wanted your sisters to enjoy the Season and I have done my best to accompany you when you wish. However, with my change in circumstance, I would prefer to be at Westbrook House, or home with you, forgoing all entertainments in the future.”
Rosalind reached over and grasped Perdita’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course. These are circumstances entirely different than the reasons our sisters gave for avoiding balls and I could not, in good conscience, force you to risk the discomfort you suffered tonight.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Thank you, Rosey.”
Rosalind grimaced. “Call me that again, Perdy, and I will force you to every entertainment for which we received an invitation.”
Perdita used her index finger to make a cross on her chest. “I promise never to call you that again.”
“She will not give up and likely seek you out if you do not go to her,”
Harrison warned. “She is your mother and even though she may have thought you dead all these years, it does not change the fact of who you are and therefore, she must control the narrative of her family and how they are viewed in Society, including you.”
“I am aware,”
Perdita blew out a sigh. “But she will simply have to come to terms that I cannot be molded into the person she wants me to be nor is there anything she could do that would force me to live in her home and live as she dictates.”