The truth dawned on him. He didn’t stay away from her because she was a half witch. She was off limits for any casual dalliance making marriage the only way to sate his lust, but that would mean doing the one thing he could never do: trust her. No, he wasn’t giving that much power to any woman again.
The waltz finally stopped, and the other couples around them released each other. He followed suit, then led her back to his grandmother.
“Thank you for the dance, Miss Henney.” He bowed to her. “Goodnight.”
Turning on his heel, he walked across the ballroom and straight out the front door. His wolf growled in protest. It didn’t understand what was happening with its human side. All it knew was that they were walking away from their mate, a fact that angered it. It wanted to take control of their body and turn back. Wrestling with his inner animal, he pushed it deep inside him.
He could feel the eyes on his back, hear the murmur of the crowd as he passed by, but he didn’t care. If he didn’t get out of here now, he couldn’t be responsible for his or his wolf’s actions.
Chapter Thirteen
As she watched Reed’s retreating back, Elise told herself that this was for the best. Allowing herself to feel for Reed would only end up with her getting hurt once she lost him. It was better this way, wasn’t it?
She really didn’t expect him to show up at all. All the excitement of going to the ball actually distracted her, and she found herself actually looking forward to the evening. They did cause a stir when they arrived, and many of the single men had begged to be introduced to them. Elise remembered her lessons, accepting invitations to dance as etiquette required. Not that she had to worry, because the dowager duchess’s attentions were all on Julianna, as it seemed she couldn’t do anything right in the eyes of the elderly woman. During her first dance with Baron Redmond, she nearly tripped over and then bumped into another couple. The look the dowager gave her when she came back could have frozen a volcano. Elise had to physically hold on to Julianna before the younger woman did something scandalous.
Overall though, she was having a great time, distracted by the dancing and just the idea of being at the ball. Then, Reed showed and asked her to dance.
“What in the world happened?” Eleanor looked despondent as Elise approached them. “Why did he leave? Oh, my Lord, this is a disaster.”
“He had an emergency,” Elise said. “He said something about securing the perimeter of the house, in case the mage came back.” Hopefully that lie wouldn’t come to bite her in the ass, but what was she supposed to do?
The dowager duchess looked at her strangely, like she was trying to peer into her thoughts. And then she said something really odd. “Do not fret. All is not lost, and I believe we can still salvage the situation.”
Elise didn’t think there was anything to salvage, but she remained quiet. A few more men asked her to dance, which elated Eleanor, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. We’re going home soon, she told herself. It didn’t matter what these people thought.
“Just let me at her,” Julianna said through gritted teeth. “I swear, I can make it look like an accident.”
“Julianna!” Bridget covered her mouth, but her smile lit up her eyes. “Her Grace means well.”
“I don’t see you excited with all your prospects,” Julianna shot back.
The other woman’s smile seemed to die. “It’s just … well, we’ve been here for hours and I still haven’t felt it. I don’t think my mate is in England.”
Elise wanted to comfort her, so she reached out a hand. “Don’t worry, this is only the first night.” She really did hope Bridget would find her True Mate. She made a mental note to check up on the Caelkirk clan history when she got home.
A knot in her stomach formed. Pretty soon, they would be home.
She should be happy that she would be able to go back to her house, her job, her own life. At least that’s what she told herself.
The next day at breakfast, the dowager duchess and Eleanor were already receiving requests to call upon the three women.
“Which do we accept?” Eleanor asked. “I think Viscount Aster’s really interested in you, Julianna.”
Julianna choked on her tea, sputtering liquid all over the fine white linen and earning her a reproachful look from the duchess. “I, er …”
“I’ve made a decision,” the duchess said.
“Of course you have,” Julianna muttered as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
The dowager continued, as if she didn’t hear Julianna. “Reed has informed me that the Caelkirk clan is arriving tomorrow, and so the ascension ceremony will proceed tomorrow evening. That said, we need to suspend any visits from gentlemen callers for now.”
Julianna and Bridget both seemed to sigh in relief.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t hold a soiree of our own,” the duchess said. “So, I’ve taken it upon myself to arrange an impromptu musical concert here at Hunter House tonight.”
“Is that wise, Grandmama?” Eleanor asked, concern marring her face. “Perhaps the timing isn’t right.”
“Seeing as what we are about to face tomorrow, I think the timing is splendid. A relaxing evening of music is what we need to prepare us for the coming storm.”
And because she was the Lupa and dowager duchess, no one questioned her. Nor did they ask how she was able to organize a quartet at such a short notice or send out invitations, all the while still preparing for tomorrow’s ascension ball and
