“He did stay for a bit. Don’t worry so much. Everything happened as it was supposed to.” He tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “You should consider finding a nice lady and getting leg shackled.”
“Be quiet,” Ezra hissed out. “One of them might hear you.”
“Whom?” He lifted a brow. “The marriage-minded mamas with daughters to spare?” Graystone chuckled. “I hate to tell you this, my friend. What I say doesn’t matter. They already have their greedy eyes set on you. You’re wealthy, titled, and come from what they deem a respectable family. Any one of them would gladly throw their offspring at you in the hopes you’ll take a liking to them and propose on sight.”
Ezra rolled his eyes. “Who are you and what did you do with my friend?”
“I’m the same person I’ve always been. Am I not speaking the truth?”
He hated to admit that Graystone was right. “You are,” he agreed. “They’ll know I’m here for Amelia, but they will still try to corner me at every turn.” He hate society functions for that reasons. “I’ve no desire to marry and nothing is going to change that.”
“Be careful,” Graystone warned. “I used to spout the same rhetoric. Marriage wasn’t for me, until it was. Billie changed everything. You don’t know with any certainty that your mind won’t change too. The right woman, love, and the possibility of a happily ever after makes all the difference.”
Ezra didn’t want to argue with his friend. “Love made you want something different. It won’t for me.” He didn’t believe in romance, and didn’t want anything of that nature for himself…ever.
His parents had married for love…or so he’d been told. They had been happy for a time too. Until they weren’t. He remembered them fighting. A lot. He used to cover his ears with his hands in an attempt to block it all out. Not long after that, his father had imbibed way too much brandy and went riding. He broke his neck when he fell off his horse. His mother had mourned him, but she had almost seemed relieved. As if she were finally free from her obligations to him.
“I’ll let you figure it out for yourself,” Graystone said. “We all have to come to our own realizations. In time, I think you will change your mind.” He shook his head lightly. “I didn’t want to love Billie. I fought it every step of the way. But now…she’s my everything.” He smiled. “I must go find my wife and her sister. Try to enjoy yourself.”
With those words, the duke walked into the crowd. Ezra supposed he should quit lurking on the edge of the crush and go find his sister and mother. He wanted to do none of it. He took a deep breath and stepped forward. No time like the present to enter the lion’s den. Perhaps he’d survive his first foray into society this season. Somehow, he doubted it.
Chapter 2
What was it about a ball that everyone seemed to like so much? Teddy shook her head and sighed. She hated balls. Sometimes she believed she hated people, but that wasn’t entirely true. There were some people she loved, albeit they were all her immediate family, but that didn’t negate the fact they were indeed…people. Perhaps it was the ton she disliked so much. They all seemed so judgmental. Do one little thing wrong and the gossipmongers would start spreading rumors immediately. None of them noticed Teddy though. She was safe from their wagging tongues.
At that very moment she was not exactly hugging the wall of the Windley Ball, but she might as well have. No gentleman had asked her to dance, not one of them had even glanced in her direction. She was all right with that for the most part; however, it also irritated her. Teddy wasn’t so displeasing to look at. She might be a little vain, but she believed she was at least passable. She had her mother’s honey gold hair and cornflower blue eyes. Her figure was acceptable. For some reason though, she was unnoticeable.
Perhaps she could find the library. No one would even realize she’d left. There might be a decent novel she could read to pass the time. Of course, the only problem was her sister. Billie would notice. Not right away, but in time. She danced with her husband and she wasn’t paying any attention to Teddy. After their dance, that would change. Billie would come and search for her and attempt to introduce her to eligible gentleman.
Perhaps she would go to the library after all…
Teddy left the ballroom and went in the direction of the ladies' retiring room. No one would question why she went in that direction. She fully intended to go right past it though and explore the house a little bit. That was perhaps wrong, but she didn’t much care.
Voices echoed behind her. She couldn’t quite make them out. It was enough for her to duck around a corner and behind a large plant though. Hopefully whoever was nearby wouldn’t notice her. She would hate to be found lurking nearby. Someone might think she was on her way to an assignation of some sort. At least she wasn’t hiding with a gentleman in the vicinity. That would be inherently worse.
“Lady Windley,” a man said. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the invitation. My sister, Amelia, is having a lovely evening.”
“The pleasure was all mine,” Lady Windley replied. “I do hope you are finding the entertainment to your liking as well.”
The man cleared his throat. “It’s been…pleasant.” His tone held a hint of horror in it, and yet it was even, almost benign. That was a talent Teddy wished she had. How did one convey a tone in such a manner?
Teddy might be wrong but she didn’t think the man found it pleasant at all.
