Cressida bit back her groan. She’d not realize in the passionate outburst she had mentioned him. “The Duke of W. His Grace has been in mourning these last few years and is only now determined to rejoin society. There is much speculation that it is because he desires a new wife. It was mentioned in all of the new sheets today. Now that I am against marrying Lord Linfield…my mama will insist the duke will do. She can be terribly dogged in her matchmaking machinations.”
A hot lump formed in her throat. Cressida realized she’d wanted to speak of it but had thought her sister would agree with their mother.
“I am damn sorry to know of this worry you have,” he said, his tone low and contemplative. “What I have come to realize from observing my siblings is that it is worth marrying for love. My eldest brother is happier than I have ever seen him, and so are a few of my sisters who have recently married.”
The echo of longing in his tone had Cressida stirring, resting her chin on his chest so she could meet his gaze. “Do you have a desire to marry?”
“I have been thinking of it lately. A wife, children. A home in the countryside.”
Her heart squeezed so hard it felt bruised. And suddenly, she saw herself in that role, by his side. They stared at each other, a frightful yearning opening inside of her. Cressida wanted to reach for him without thoughts of consequences. She delicately cleared her throat. “I must go.”
He said nothing, and she slipped from his body, taking the blanket with her as a covering. His gaze hooded as he lounged in the chaise like a sleek jungle cat, lust firing in his eyes. She allowed the blanket to fall to the floor with an inner secret smile before she turned around and padded over to the screen. His stare upon her buttocks felt like a touch, and by the time she reached the screen, a wide smile was on her mouth. Cressida got dressed and bundled up her hair quickly, cramming the wig on her head. Then without bidding him farewell, she slipped from his dwelling.
The carriage tonight was empty, and she was grateful to be spared Leigh’s assessing stare. Cressida leaned her head against the squabs and took a few steady breaths. Why did she enjoy being with Nicholas Fairbanks so much?
CHAPTER11
“Who are you searching for?”
Cressida spun around at her sister’s question. “Oh, Leigh, you startled me!”
Her sister lifted a brow. “You were so intent on searching the receiving line you would not have heard if an elephant trampled behind you.”
She grinned. “Was I so obvious?”
“You were. Do be careful. Mama is already anxious you have been visiting me for almost a week. I told her I needed your help with the planning of tonight’s ball, but I fear you will have little excuse to remain here after tonight.”
The ballroom had been set up like a fairy kingdom, with flowers and greenery and a small waterfall with a fountain in one corner of the room, which tinkled musically as it passed over crystal rocks. Mirrors festooned with more leafy garlands were set behind the waterfall and fountain, so there seemed to be a passage into some secret land. Leigh had continued the conceit into the entrance hall, and the staircase had been garlanded with flowers, ribbons, and foliage. The house smelt delicious, and the floral scents reduced the impression of a horde of people pressed together, spitefully tearing each other apart for the smallest failing.
Cressida nodded, knowing the truth of her sister’s words. “Leigh, you have outdone yourself. Your ball is a wonderful crush, and I swear the entiretonis here. Thank you for warning me how your ballroom would be decorated. It feels just like a fairy grotto.”
“I’m pleased with how it came together, and with that pretty gown, you look like the fairy queen and that it is your bower.”
Leigh admired Cressida’s gown, which was a piece of perfection. A flimsy gown of the palest green over a shift of darker green silk. The hem swirled into leaf shapes with silver lace cutwork to reveal the darker green beneath. While the hem was detailed, the rest of the gown was simple, showing off her curvaceous figure and displaying the ivory of her neck and shoulders without being overtly flamboyant.
Cressida admitted she had taken such care with her appearance because she wanted to see that spark of admiration and tenderness in Nicholas’s gaze.
“You’ll be crowned one of the season’s best hostesses,” she said, smiling at her sister. “I am certain of it.”
Her sister flushed with pleasure, and her gaze sought her husband, who was greeting a few of his cronies. “As for first balls, mama said I exceeded her expectations, and I think Hugh is pleasantly surprised.”
Her earl glanced up at Leigh then, and the tender smile they shared sent a wistful longing through Cressida. Once again, she scanned the crammed space to see if she spied any of the Fairbanks. She was about to slip from the ballroom and head to the library when she felt his stare. A ripple of awareness went down her arms and her mouth dried. Nicholas stood on the landing with two of his sisters. He wore an elegant black tailcoat and silver waistcoat, appearing perfectly at ease in his surroundings.
Astonishingly his gaze arrowed in on her, and she tried her best to suppress the smile his presence created and failed. To her shock, he quickly winked, and she turned away to compose herself, suddenly feeling a riot of nervous energy. Cressida discreetly looked about to see if anyone had noticed their outrageous byplay.
The marquess was watching her with a contemplative stare she did not like. Cressida had been ignoring his overtures and the pressure from her mother to put herself in the path of a certain duke. With a sigh, she turned her regard to the dancefloor. Several guests had taken to the floor, dancing the quadrille, weaving, and turning under the glittering chandeliers. The ladies’ jewels gleamed, their dresses sparkled, and the gentlemen looked elegant and understated in their dark evening attire.
Cressida felt detached from the crowd and almost believed she went unnoticed as society flashed around her, leaving her unmoved. Her thoughts floated s she dreamed of being with Nicholas and leaving all the artificiality of Town and thetonbehind. The floral decorations took her mind to the natural beauties of the countryside and away from the stress of expectations to marry well to anyone with a title, fortune, and consequences. Her mother did not care if she would be unhappy with this marriage. The duke or the marquess would do as well, just so long as her marriage increased her family’s prestige. The ‘Far too bad Fairbanks’ would not settle for less than love matches, and she could think of nothing she wanted more than Nicholas.
He appeared by her side as if she had conjured him with her hopeless dreams.
“Will you dance with me?”
“I have been waiting for you to ask,” she said softly.
He took her hand as the music struck up again for a waltz. And neither of them had said a word because it was where they both wanted to be, in each other’s arms.
* * *