This was the first time he had chosen to attend the night’s festivities with them, and Felicity had yet to decide if his presence would help or hinder her further.
“You know,” her mother hissed, “he is the Earl I have been trying to tell you about.”
A knowing look passed between her parents, and Felicity did not want to think about what that look might have meant.
“You’re in luck, Felicity,” Hannah needled. “Here he is now.”
A cold sweat broke out across Felicity’s back as she watched the Earl stalk towards where she and her family stood. Without the advantage of knowing him, one might think he was handsome. He was tall, standing an inch or two above most of the others in the room. His shoulders were made to seem bigger in his dark set of tails. His dark hair contrasted with his pale skin, but it also made his deep, unfeeling eyes seem that much more cold. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Felicity had grown to know the Earl and was not fooled by his handsome face.
At that moment, a younger gentleman with blonde hair stepped into view, blocking her from seeing anymore of the Earl. He bowed deeply to the group before requesting a dance. Felicity was only too happy to oblige the gentleman as the Earl was now only a few steps away.
The next hour, Felicity spent on the dance floor, one partner trailing in after another. After the fourth waltz, the names and faces of the gentlemen she danced with had begun to blur together. Their conversations were limited to the weather or the state of the room. The only benefit Felicity could see from the endless stream of bachelors vying for her attention was they kept her out of the Earl’s arms and away from the gossipy conversation of the Abbotts. Each twirl around the room sent Felicity’s eyes to the crowds as she searched the faces for the one man she truly wished to dance with.
“I hope it is me you are looking for,” Lord Roberts smiled, pulling her hand out of the last dance partner’s grasp and into his clammy palm.
They both bowed in time with the music before the Earl slid his hand along her waist and to the middle of her back, tugging her closer to him. His breath smelled strongly of whiskey, and his eyes had a red hue to them. Gently placing one hand on his shoulder, Felicity stepped back, putting the appropriate amount of distance between them again as she gathered her skirts in the other hand.
“I was looking for no one in particular, only admiring the room,” Felicity told him, her gaze darting to anywhere but his face.
“I do not enjoy being made to wait, Felicity.”
The sharp anger in his words shocked her, sending her eyes immediately to his.
“Miss Kent, please.” She certainly did not feel as though they were close enough for him to use her given name, not to mention how entirely inappropriate it was for him to do so in such a formal setting.
He sneered at her reproach before saying, “Do not fret; soon we will be on a first name basis. But that cannot happen with you busying yourself entertaining these boys who are a waste of your time.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard me. Do not think I did not notice the way you ran off with one boy after another, allowing them to keep you from me.”
She tensed, fury coursing through her at his entitlement. She owed no one her time and attention, and yet he seemed to think differently.
“It is no matter,” he sighed confidently, putting pressure on her back to inch her closer and closer. “Now, I have you all to myself.”
Felicity suppressed a shudder, finding she had to do that more and more when Lord Roberts was around. Averting her eyes once more, Felicity scanned the room. This time it was less in search of Benjamin’s welcome face and more so in an attempt to stop any conversation with the man she danced with. Lord Roberts continued to drone on, rambling about his success as he did any time the two of them were together. His need to mark himself as a man worth marrying gave her more concern that he was the exact opposite.
She had begun to wonder how long this particular song would last when she stumbled, her eyes connecting with warm brown eyes across the hall. The Earl, not noticing what had caused her misstep, took it as an opportunity to draw her in closer as they continued to spin around the room. Her head whipped to the side, seeking out those eyes again as if she couldn’t believe he was here. But the uptick in whispers that washed over the crowd told her that someone had drawn attention to themselves. She caught only one word, “scar,” and her spirits soared.
“I…” Felicity cleared her throat, “I am in need of a drink.”
Lord Roberts’ eyes narrowed before he begrudgingly removed his arm from around her waist and stepped back.
“Allow me to escort you back to your parents.” He offered his arm, tucking his chin, unwilling to let Felicity out of arm’s reach.
After depositing her back at her mother’s side, Lord Roberts announced, “I will return momentarily with punch for the lady.”
Her mother beamed up at the Earl, watching him go before she turned her gaze to Felicity.
“Isn’t the Earl simply perfect, my dear? He would be the most advantageous match, not to mention what a perfect gentleman he is.”
She looked to her father, hoping to find compassion or rescue in his eyes. Instead, she only saw tiredness etched into his face as he busied himself with the drink in his hand. Defeat laced through her as she realized her father would do nothing to stop her mother’s scheming. Once, he had been the level-headedness needed to balance her mother, but now, he was all too willing to release the reins and take a passive position in everything.
“Excuse me,” a low voice cut in from behind her.
Felicity did not miss the disapproving look that passed over her mother’s face at the interruption.
“Might I have the pleasure of your daughter’s hand for the next dance?”