Page 2 of The Duchess and the Beast
Yet, as things stood, Lady Virtue Hartleigh was as unspoken for as they came.
But that was also the point.
The evening was designed specifically for young women of Virtue’s ilk. And indeed, as she stood, her arm gracefully linked with Prudence’s, her eyes swept across the hall, noting the scores of young women dressed in their very best as they filtered from group to group, suitor to suitor; some on their own, some led by their fathers, and a fortunate few lucky enough to have found a gentleman to occupy themselves with tonight. A rainbow of reds and yellows and greens and oranges and purples and every color imaginable washed over Virtue, an intense feast for the senses that was as overwhelming as it was breathtaking.
To be among them, Virtue would have loved nothing more. She was, after all, dressed in a similar fashion. Her gown was emerald green, wreathed with a darker green floral pattern, hemmed with golden stitching, flowing from the waist like a cascading waterfall while cinching about her hips and hooping low across her neckline. She was petite in stature but curvy in frame, hair as red as a roaring hearth in a cold winter, skin as white as freshly poured milk. A true beauty – according to many. Yet, none of these attributes were the crux of her plight.
Again, she wanted desperately to spread her wings and walk through the crowds that gathered in the hall. Sip some wine, maybe share a dance, or partake in a few lively conversations. Perhaps even ask her father if he had identified any suitable suitors. Yet, such aspirations seemed just beyond her reach—or so she believed.
“Come on then.” Prudence straightened up her posture and fixed a smile on her face. “Let’s go.”
“Wait!” Virtue’s hand shot out, grasping her friend’s arm as her face grew paler still. “What in heavens do you mean bylet’s go? Where? Who are we—"
Prudence rolled her eyes, her patience waning thin. “If only you would listen, V. I just listed six – six eligible gentlemen for us, Virtue. All of whom are likely present tonight. All of whom we should be introducing ourselves to, instead of skulking in the corner like petty thieves.”
“And we just… approach them?” She could feel her face begin to flush red with embarrassment.
“Why ever not?” Prudence countered with a nonchalant shrug. “Times are not what they used to be. Men appreciate a woman who asserts herself. Takes initiative…” She pumped her eyebrows.
That wasn’t true at all, but Prudence seemed set on this little task of hers, willing to say whatever she needed to, to force some action in Virtue.
“Wait… perhaps I should consult my father first.” Virtue feigned a scan of the room, seeking her father among the clusters of gentlemen. She knew all too well that he would disapprove of her making such bold overtures unbidden.
“And squander precious time? I’d wager his list contains Lord Ambrose, and our neighbor, old baron Grimsby.” She took a firmer grip of Virtue’s arm. “No. We ought to take fate into our own hands, lest we end up like Lady Phillipa. Now, come.”
“But Lady Phillipa is wealthy and rather happy, don’t you think?” Virtue tried for a final time.
“Pah! She detests that Rochester Lordling. He ought to have been her half-brother with how he followed around her father like a lost puppy before the marriage. TheRochesters…” she shuddered, “an odd family.” With that, she pulled Virtue forward and, with little real choice, Virtue followed.
Beside her, Prudence beamed as she swept through the crowd. Oh, she was confident, as she had every right to be. Dark hair. Darker features. Undeniably pretty. And the daughter of a marquess! Men’s heads turned as they passed, and a few smirked in her direction, no doubt already planning their approach.
There had been a time—not so long ago, at the dawn of the previous Season—when Virtue herself had embodied that same boldness. She had been the one to lead, eyes keenly searching for a promising suitor. That was, after all, how she had first encountered Lord Prescott…
“There!” Prudence’s sudden halt drew Virtue’s attention. “Do you see?”
“See what?” Virtue swallowed and dared to follow her friend’s gaze.
“Lord Tarrow!” she whispered excitedly. “Leaving Annabelle’s side right now. See!” Her eyes flashed. “Oh, isn’t he just handsome! And I don’t see his mother about either.”
Virtue saw immediately who Prudence was speaking of. A dashingly handsome lord with golden blonde hair and a cleft chin which he held high as he stalked. A smirk on his lips, which spoke to his confidence. A way of walking that had his chest puffed out, an air to his gait that told the world he knew what tonight entailed to the t. Virtue eyed him with a sense of desire she didn’t know she was capable of feeling anymore, wantingdesperately to cross the room to him, but not able to force herself to make the move.
And then, as she stared, Lord Tarrow looked up suddenly and met her eyes. Time seemed to stand still as they gazed at one another, that feeling as if they were the only two in the room and nothing else mattered. Virtue licked her lips, daring to dream for the first time in months…
“Somebody is interested,” Prudence giggled. “Now, you better do something about it.”
“Wh – what?” Virtue felt her stomach lurch. “I am not so sure I can.”
“Of course you can. Go to him.” She stepped back and pushed Virtue forward.
Virtue stumbled. “And say what?”
“I don’t know,” Prudence groaned. “Anything! Honestly, Virtue, how you were engaged before is beyond me. Have you ever spoken with a man before?”
“Of course!”
“Then prove it!”
She thought to argue, the only thing stopping her being a keen awareness that Lord Tarrow was still watching. He, and several others who were in the vicinity and seemed to understand what Virtue was doing, deciding to stop and watch. Oh, maybe she was imagining the last part, but she didn’t think so. She had been the talk of the ton for months now, so why should tonight be any different?