Page 45 of The Wise Daughter

Aaron’s head swelled as if it were full of water. Every time his valet took the comb to his rebellious hair, Aaron thought his head would burst.

“Easy, Garner, you aren’t scrubbing the linens.”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but if you’ll hold still for one minute, I’ll be able to more artfully cover this bruise with a few of your locks. Then I’ll be done.”

“I hope you mean it this time.”

Garner gave him a wry smile. He had retied Aaron’s cravat five times before he was satisfied with his work.

Aaron clenched a fist and waited. At least the pounding in his head kept him awake.

If he blinked for too long or reclined in the slightest, he was sure to drift off again.

The hit Gaines had given him last night before they restrained him was more forceful than any Aaron could remember ever receiving.

When the knife appeared… Aaron shuddered to remember its aim for Ruthers, then its glint in his flesh.

If Nora hadn’t been in his thoughts, motivating him to succeed regardless of what those men attempted, he might not have survived the ordeal.

The doctor told him he would be all right, but in the moment, he hadn’t felt like it.

He had not only slept the night away but the entire day as well.

He had awoken to Garner knocking on his door, echoing the throb in his head.

It was time for the ball, and apparently, he was late.

Garner was already immaculately groomed as were many of the other servants who, Garner reported, were at that moment gathering in the ballroom.

Aaron might not have been able to muster the strength to get out of bed were it not for the promise of dancing with Nora.

Together, they would open the ball. Despite all his aches and bruises and his stitched-up arm, he wanted to find her and apologize for arguing with her about the foal, but he especially yearned to tell her in no uncertain terms how much he loved her.

Dreams of her declaring feelings for him had filled his hours of sleep, which was perhaps why he had wanted to stay in them.

As soon as Garner relinquished his hold over Aaron’s toilette and declared him ready, Aaron went in search of Nora.

He bounded through the corridors, ignoring his pain and groggy head, watching for her, but she was nowhere to be found. When he entered the ballroom, both Mrs. Manning and Nora’s maid assured him she was somewhere nearby waiting for him, he still didn’t see her. Where was she?

Aaron took a long draught of the punch laid out for refreshment and slowly paced, searching the faces of those who entered the ballroom. The ball was Nora’s idea, he reminded himself. She wouldn’t miss it.

With nothing to do but wait for her, Aaron watched the good, honest people of Holmrook Castle trickle into the ballroom, dressed in their finest. Here, there were no airs, no scheming mamas, or fortune-hunters.

Fortunes didn’t exist among those in attendance.

As he greeted each person, sometimes causing a young maid to blush or giggle, he was struck with their open, honest faces.

With four thieves now captured, he couldn’t imagine anyone he greeted being among those stealing from him.

These were hard-working individuals, people who served him every day from morning to evening, maintaining his castle, helping where needed.

Nora was absolutely right. They deserved to be celebrated like this. They deserved more recognition and more of his appreciation.

Soon, the ballroom was filled. Aaron had made it known throughout Ravenglass that former servants were also invited, but he had no idea they would equal so many.

Even his solicitor, Mr. Cornell, appeared among the crowd.

As soon as he saw Aaron, he rushed over, pushing shoulders and arms out of his way.

“Welcome, Cornell.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Grace.” Cornell looked around, the words rushing out. “I don’t mean to bother you on such a happy occasion, but I came in person to discuss with you a few urgent concerns I have–”

Chuff stepped in, his features lighter than usual. “Your Grace, the musicians have informed me they’re ready. Everyone is waiting for you to open the ball.” Chuff must have been excited to have forgotten himself and interrupted like that.

With the first tenuous strums from musicians tuning their instruments, chatter rose among the people.

Young men Aaron recognized as his footmen sidled closer to blushing young maids in anticipation of the first dance.

Older women waved fans and nudged the young maids in encouragement, and soon the entire room trembled with eagerness.

Aaron looked between Cornell and Chuff. He nodded to Chuff and straightened his cravat. “Very well. Give us just a moment.”

With an uncommonly broad smile, Chuff bowed and left.

Cornell tugged on his coat sleeves. “I apologize for my abruptness, Your Grace. There are matters I must bring to your attention. I wrote a letter in case we would not have time tonight. It’s sitting in your study.

Please review it as soon as you are able.

I’ll be here when you are ready to discuss the matters I enclosed. ”

“Yes, all right. Thank you, Cornell.”

His solicitor, always so attentive to detail, probably remembered some small phrase or sentence to add to the marriage settlement. Right now, all Aaron cared about was finding Nora. Where was she? Everyone’s eyes expectantly turned to him, waiting for him to start the ball, but none were Nora’s.

He couldn’t keep everyone waiting forever.

With a quick clap, he raised his arms wide and lifted his voice.

“Welcome, friends of Holmrook Castle!” The chatter fell to a hush.

“I welcome each one of you to tonight’s ball.

I’m so pleased you’re here.” Aaron continued to scour the faces.

No Nora. He needed to keep talking. “Until recently, most of you have known me only by name. I’ve kept to myself in my mourning and in my responsibilities, but I wish I hadn’t.

It’s denied me the chance to know you, which is a mistake I am eager to correct.

In the past few weeks since the arrival of the Lacys, I’ve left the privacy of my apartments to be among you.

I’ve learned your faces and names. I’ve seen how tirelessly you work, and I’m impressed with the skills and talents you possess.

So tonight, I am happy to step aside and serve you, to act as your host and express my gratitude for the service you render.

But I could not do it without also expressing my gratitude to my beautiful bride-to-be, Miss Honora Lacy, who I also celebrate tonight. ”

This earned a great cheer, and Nora was nowhere to hear it.

“I would also like to share with you one more reason we have to celebrate. Last night, four men were apprehended who were among the thieves who have been stealing from the castle.”

This was met with a roll of murmurs.

“This castle is my home. I intend to see that it is a safe and desirable place for everyone who comes here. And so tonight, let us recognize that we are among friends. While we continue to mourn the loss of my father, we celebrate a new beginning and find joy in each other.”

Another round of applause spread. The musicians took this as their signal and struck up a beckoning tune.

Couples heeded the call and lined up on the dance floor, their eyes still eagerly trained on Aaron, their feet restless to begin.

What was he to do? Opening the ball with anyone other than Nora felt wrong.

He tugged at his cravat, which now seemed too tight.

His face grew hot, and his fingertips began to tingle.

A new wave of chatter spread from the other end of the ballroom, and there he saw her.

Finally.

The space between couples opened to form a path for her that led to him. In the soft candlelight, in a simple white gown with her pale hair spun in a crown of curls, she glowed with a timeless beauty that emanated from deep within.

Her eyes briefly flitted to his as she made her way to him.

Servants waved and bowed and smiled as she passed, vying for the honor of her attention in return.

Before he realized he had moved at all, he had met her halfway.

Her face bloomed with light, and her eyes glittered with a depth of intelligence he could only admire.

To think this woman had once thought she could live the life of a maid!

Even if he had hired her to work among his staff, he was certain such an arrangement would never have lasted.

She was made to be a duchess. He would have discovered her, noticed her, and been helpless to do anything but adore her.

She took the arm he offered, and he led her to their place at the head of the set. Her touch was light, hesitant even, and though she wore a smile, she hardly met his eyes. Together, they led out on the first dance, the couples following their footsteps like baby ducklings.

They danced the first moments without speaking, letting the music fill the space, but he didn’t mind.

He needed the time to adjust to the way his movements rubbed at the bandages wrapped beneath his sleeve and the awkward way his head swelled with each spin, but as he grew accustomed to the pain and gained confidence in his ability to hide his grimaces, he wondered at Nora’s reserve.

The next time the dance brought them close, he remarked, “You are a vision tonight, Nora. What kept you so long?”

“I’m so sorry, Aaron. It isn’t like me. I’ve been lost in my thoughts all day. Janie actually had to find me to tell me it was time to start the ball.”

He waited for more, but when she said nothing else, he asked, “Any thoughts you care to unburden to me?”