To Love A Lord of London (Wardington Park; Raptures of Royalty) (4 page)

T
he soirée was much bigger
than Amy had expected. During the week, she’d thought the guest list would only consist of her family and the Croftmans, but she’d been wrong. There were almost a hundred people inside Wardington Park. Some were obviously peers, while others were simply wealthy individuals from around Bedfordshire. Land gentry, like the Croftmans.

W
ardington Park was beautiful
. Golden chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, their candles causing all the marble floors and papered walls of the ballroom to shimmer.

Christa saw someone she knew across the room and excused herself before anyone could stop her. Amy watched as she began to whisper with a group of other young women—all of them fair in beauty. Unlike Amy.

“Amy!”

Turning, Amy smiled as Jane approached and slipped her arm into crook of hers. After formally addressing her uncle and his wife, Jane asked if the girls could be excused, and the request was granted.

O
ver her shoulder
, Amy looked at her aunt and uncle. Hensman and Sally Eaton’s faces held that of the dignified disdain of the peerage, but the duke’s eyes twinkled with the mischief of the night ahead. Known as a rogue of the worst kind, the Duke of Hensman was never discreet about his affairs outside of his home—and sadly, everyone seemed to take very little pity for Sally because after all, they hadn’t been a love match and she’d failed in her one duty—to birth an heir. Their only child was Christa, which meant that after four generations of Eaton men, their line had come to an end.

Jane looked in the direction that held Amy’s attention and frowned, “Sad, is it not? Unless they can marry Christa to a man willing to take on the Eaton name, they’re done for.”

Amy shook her head and turned back around as they moved toward the tea table. “Can’t imagine a man willing to take on another man’s name.”

Jane smiled, “Can’t imagine a man willing to take on the mean-spirited Christa.”

T
he girls smiled
at one another.

Once they reached the lemonade, a gentleman Amy didn’t know offered to get their drinks. He smiled warmly, his face young, round as his belly, and as red as his ginger hair. His suit didn’t quite fit him either. His black breeches looked to have been painted onto him. His coat was no better, and the cravat that he wore around his neck was red and did nothing except make him look like a tomato.

“Lady Jane.” He handed her a cup. He turned to give Amy her glass but looked to Jane for the introduction.

“Mr. Nelson James, this is Miss Amy Ott.”

Nelson bowed and then smiled again, showing each one of his white teeth. Because of his added weight, he looked very young, nothing like the rest of the gentlemen present. “I hope that once we are in London, I might have your first dance.”

Amy’s eyes went wide. She surely did not want her first dance to be with Nelson. He seemed like a good person, but… not her first dance. Not her very first dance.

Jane interrupted, “Oh, Mr. James, what a wonderful idea. Amy looks forward to it.” Then she grabbed Amy’s wrist and began to pull Amy away.

Amy hissed, “I don’t want him to have my first dance.” It was obvious that if that were to happen, she’d be ruined by society.

Jane smiled, “No fear, it will not happen, for your card will have at least one good name before Nelson approaches.”

Amy didn’t believe her. “How do you know?”

Jane’s eyes moved to the other side of the room. “Because it seems you’ve caught the attention of a certain lord.”

A
my’s heart
raced as she followed Jane’s eyes, and there across the room was the very man she’d wanted to see. Lord Nathaniel Dawnton. Their eyes connected, and Amy felt her throat close. There was no way that he was looking at her, she thought. Not her. She was plain. Had no title and was the daughter of a woman who’d run off to marry a mason out of a silly thing called love. Amy quickly looked away. “Perhaps, he is looking at you.”

Jane scoffed, “Nonsense. He is clearly looking at you.” Then she turned to face Amy. “If he asks you to dance in London, make sure it is not a waltz and once the dance is over, find your chaperone immediately.”

Amy didn’t have to ask why. “Don’t worry. I don’t believe he wishes to… compromise someone such as I.”

J
ane frowned
, “Why do you say that?”

Amy turned away from her eyes. “You know why… I’m not… like you.”

“Like me?”

“Pretty.”

Jane smiled, “You’re pretty in your own way. You simply need to… show it more.”

Amy hung her head, and her eyes fell to her dress. It was a plain yellow creation that had once been owned by Christa. It dragged a little, as Christa was taller than Amy, and didn’t quite fit her well. But, Sally had told Amy that she looked good in Christa’s old clothing, so there was no need to buy more. Amy shook her head, “That’s sweet of you to say even though it is not true.”

Jane was just about to say more when dinner was announced. Amy headed over to her uncle and waited to find her place amongst those who had assembled. For dinner, everyone sat in order of status and then wealth. Amy found herself at the end of the table along with some gentry daughters. A few seats away, Jane caught her eye before being pulled into a conversation with the girl next to her.

Amy looked around herself and found that the two girls on her sides had turned away to speak with the people on their other sides, leaving her out. To her right, she couldn’t help but listen to the conversation taking place about the Dawntons.

T
he blonde girl
closest to her whispered, “I’d take them all if I could.”

This caused her companion, a red-haired girl, to giggle. “I’ve got my heart set on Lord Clariant. He’s so good looking, even with all the brooding.”

The blonde laughed, “What do you think of Mark, though?”

The red-haired girl made a humming sound of thought before saying, “He’ll do, I suppose. Though, I’d find myself bored of his presence as soon as he opens his mouth. Every time I’ve engaged in conversation with him, I find myself completely lost in a matter of minutes.”

Amy thought about the girl’s assessment of the eldest and youngest Dawntons. Lord Clariant did seem to brood often, but she had no idea as to the accuracy of Mark’s depiction. He’d only said a single word in Amy’s presence. Twenty-five.

T
he blonde girl
laughed and then said, “Did you see the way he looked at me tonight?”

Amy’s heart raced as she found she hadn’t kept track of the conversation and hoped the woman was not talking about Lord Nathaniel.

The ginger girl spoke then, ”I did. I also noticed that he tried to pull you out to the balcony.”

They laughed again.

The blonde quieted before lowering her voice, “And I would have followed him had they not called for dinner.”

Her friend gasped, “I could only imagine the trouble you’d have found yourself in had you gone.”

The blonde laughed, “With Lord Nathaniel, I hear he’s worth it.”

The girls giggled again, unaware that Amy’s heart was breaking. She’d been a fool to think herself special in Nathaniel’s eyes. Her hands shook as she reached for her wine glass, but before she could put her lips to the glass, it fell from her hands, crashed against the edge of her plate, and fell into her gown. A few drops hit the blonde next to her.

The girl quickly turned to Amy with wide eyes, and if the table hadn’t heard the crash, their attention was surely gathered by the woman’s loud voice. “You fool! You ruined my dress!”

All conversation ceased as everyone looked to where the commotion was coming from.

A
my stood
. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I—”

The other girl stood as well. Her dress was fine, but it didn’t stop her rage as she used a napkin to wipe the moisture from her arm. “Do you know how much this dress cost?” She scanned Amy then. “Obviously, more than your entire clothes combined!”

A few snickers caused heat to flood Amy’s face. She was ruined. “I’m so…” She didn’t even try to say anymore as she rushed from the room, not even looking where she was heading. Not even excusing herself, which she knew would only cause her more trouble. She faintly remembered hearing Jane call her name, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t go back. She didn’t want to go to London. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing any of their faces again.

Amy found herself outside on a balcony. Her hands tightened on the cool metal bar as she tried to slow her breathing. This life… it wasn’t for her. None of it. All she wanted to do was go back to her former life where she’d been almost invisible. Here, shame came easy. She was the odd one in the room, and everyone who hadn’t known it before, knew it now.

S
he wrapped
her arms around herself, warding off the cool night’s air. She jumped when she felt something touch her. Turning around, she found Nathaniel standing behind her, his black coat in his hands, opened, waiting for her to slip into it. Shocked by his sudden appearance, Amy simply stared at him. Half of his pale handsome face was cast in shadows, making him appear all the more dangerous… and alluring.

He grinned, “I thought you might be cold.”

Amy’s eyes moved from the jacket back to the illuminated green eyes, which seemed to settle on her face. “Why are you here?”

The question surprised them both; Amy had never been described as courageous, and she was sure that no woman had ever spoken to Lord Nathaniel in this manner. Especially one who found herself on a balcony alone with him. Realizing where she was brought back the words that the blonde girl at dinner had spoken. Trouble.

S
he took
a step back and found herself against the rail.

As if possible, Nathaniel’s grin seemed to grow and take on a darker gleam. He still held the coat out, but didn’t move toward Amy. “Are you or are you not cold?”

“My dress is ruined. I would hate to ruin your coat.”

He laughed. “I’ll take the chance.” A dark blonde brow rose, as if challenging her to step forward. Would she take a chance?

Knowing it was a bad idea, but willing to see where this moment led, Amy took the step that would bring them closer and then turned, allowing him to place the coat on her shoulders. Once the material touched her, she felt herself engulfed in warmth and his heavy masculine scent. His hands didn’t leave her. Instead, they seemed to stop at the tops of her arms and rest. Amy could hear her heart beating in her ears and wondered what his presence meant.

When Nathaniel spoke, his breath was warm against her ear. “Don’t mind Miss Haywood’s senseless words. She more embarrassed herself than you. Everyone knows she can’t keep quiet about anything. Your little accident only confirmed it.

M
iss Haywood
. So the blonde finally had a name.

Amy felt a warmth settle inside her at his words. Turning around, she immediately wished she hadn’t. Nathaniel was so close. Too close. His full lips set into a tempting grin. She looked down and whispered, “Thank you.” Then added, “For the coat and your words.”

“They are the truth.”

Amy shook her head, but a smile touched her lips, “You are a very bold man.”

“Boldness, be my friend. Arm me, audacity.” His hands travelled down her arms, stopping at her elbows. The embrace was very intimate.

Amy’s mind went blank and then she remembered his words...“
Cymbeline
,” she called, letting him know that she recognized which play his quote came from.

A small smile came to his lips as he held her eyes. His look spoke to wonder and confusion. “How?”

“How?” she pressed, becoming more bold herself. It seemed a contagious trait when he was around.

“
C
ymbeline
is
one of Shakespeare's less popular plays. Not many know its lines, much less have seen the play.”

She shrugged and looked away, “It’s not
Macbeth
, but I enjoy the theatre nonetheless.”

“What’s your favorite play?”

“
Don
Carlos.
”

He frowned, “By Friedrich Schiller?”

She nodded.

He smiled, “We’ll have to go together some day.”

Her head came up, surprised he’d make such a suggestion. Then she smiled and looked away again, realizing that he’d only been polite. It was his way to charm.

H
is hands came
up to her chin and lifted her, forcing her to meet his eyes. And then he spoke as if hearing her negative thoughts, “I would love nothing more than to take you to a play.”

At that moment, she realized that she’d love nothing more herself… except maybe a kiss.

She backed away as warmth spread to her face. She shouldn’t be here with him. This was wrong.

Looking around him into the empty but well lit ballroom, she decided that it was time for her to rejoin the party. She seriously doubted anyone was looking for her, sure that no one cared enough to do it, but unlike Miss Haywood, Amy wouldn’t risk her—

Before she could complete her next thought, Nathaniel lifted her face again and kissed her. Passionately. Amy felt her entire being become raptured in the feel of his soft lips and the strong arms that came around her.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered across her lips before his lips slid to her cheek, placing light kisses against her jaw and ear.

A
my sighed
. She’d never felt this level of warmth before. Neither had she ever been called beautiful. So surprised by the confession, she pulled back to look into his eyes, green eyes that had taken on a darker tint. Choked by her feelings, she took a few deep breaths and then asked while she stared into his eyes, “Do you really find me beautiful?”