A Brooding Christmas Promise (Christmas Matches of Worth #2)

Chapter Eighteen

“An excellent evening thus far, I must say!”

Samuel grinned as he shook the gentleman’s hand, well aware that it was Lord Trenton behind the mask. “You have decided not to hide your face, I see.”

Lord Trenton drew back in what Samuel presumed was an attempt to look offended. “I am wearing a mask, am I not?”

Samuel snorted. “The smallest one I have ever seen. It barely covers your eyes!”

“But it is still a mask.”

Conceding this, Samuel chuckled and shrugged. “I suppose that is true.”

Suddenly serious, Lord Trenton set a hand to Samuel's shoulder. “I presume that your betrothed will be here this evening.”

Samuel’s smile fell away. “Yes, she will be.”

“And?”

Closing his eyes, Samuel shook his head. “I have not yet spoken to her about Lady Grifford’s nearness and obvious desire to return to what we once had, though I have every intention of doing so.” Having already told Lord Trenton about what had taken place, he already knew what his friend thought about the matter.

His friend’s hand fell away. “You are hesitant, I understand.”

“I am not hesitant!” Samuel protested, only to see Lord Trenton’s eyebrows lift. Sighing, he shook his head and let out a hiss of breath, unwilling to admit what he knew his friend already understood. “Yes, I suppose that I am. It is because that in telling her about Lady Grifford, I will have to also speak of my own heart.”

“Which you have recognised now holds an affection for the lady, yes?”

Samuel nodded.

“Then I am glad to hear it!” Lord Trenton declared, firmly. “I am sure that she will be glad to hear your words.”

Not having the same certainty, Samuel looked away. “She has still the burden of her father’s demands on her shoulders. The matter has not yet been made clear, not as yet anyway.”

Lord Trenton tilted his head just a little. “You may find that your declaration brings about more than you had ever imagined,” he said, his voice dropping just a little. “Now, if am not mistaken, your betrothed approaches!”

A little confused as to how his friend might know of this, Samuel turned around quickly, only to see Miss Millerton smiling up at him, flanked by both Lord and Lady Hesterway. The flush of pleasure he felt upon seeing her warmed him right through and all he could think about was catching her up in his arms as he had done at the previous ball… and stealing yet another kiss.

“I am afraid that my mask is not very substantial this evening,” Miss Millerton laughed, gesturing to the very simple mask which did hide some of her features, but not enough to make her unrecognizable. “Although I am astonished at some of the masks I have seen this evening. There are so many feathers!”

Samuel laughed aloud at this, relieved that there was no tension between them. After he had kissed her and then taken himself to the card game, he had begun to be concerned that there might be some sort of strain here, only to see now that there was nothing whatsoever. “I think your mask is quite superb,” he said, as Lord and Lady Hesterway melted into the crowd, leaving the two of them together. “I am glad that you were able to find me so easily.”

Miss Millerton’s cheeks lit to a gentle pink. “It was not difficult to recognize you, even with your mask.” There was a softness to her voice now, a tone which he had not expected to hear, and a sudden thrill ran up his frame. “Lord Crestwood, I know that you will be very busy indeed this evening hosting this magnificent Christmas masquerade, but I was hopeful that we might speak together for a short time? There is something that has come to light and I would like very much to share it with you.”

Instantly, all of Samuel’s attention went to her. “This is about your father’s will?” When she nodded, Samuel offered his arm to her and then quickly walked to the side of the ballroom, lowering his head so he might hear her speak. “Tell me whatever you wish. I am eager to support you in this, where I can.”

Miss Millerton’s eyes searched his for a moment though Samuel did not know what it was she was looking for. When she spoke, there was a heaviness there, as though her heart carried a great deal of pain.

“It seems that the will was not lost, as we were told,” she began and Samuel’s heart began to clamor, aware of the possibilities that this statement held. “And the part of the will which stated I was to be companion to my stepmother was not lost with it.”

All of Samuel’s hopes suddenly faded. “You mean to say that there was such a clause?”

It took a moment but Miss Millerton dropped her head, paused and then shook it. “I am unsure on that matter. The solicitor did not know to what I was referring.”

Samuel’s heart jumped up furiously, his eyes widening. “Then it was never there?”

“There is a good deal of confusion, I have to admit,” Miss Millerton told him, a rueful smile on her lips, “and I have felt a great many things as I have considered all that has taken place. I am determined to find the truth and, therefore, hope to hear from my brother very soon as he must give permission to the solicitor to go through the will with my sister and me again.”

Samuel nodded slowly. “And if that part of the will is not there, then…?”

“Then I must find out how it was that I read those words which were then signed by my father before I can determine what to do next,” she answered, quietly. “I do hope that you understand.”

Nodding slowly, Samuel turned so that he faced her rather than standing alongside her and, thereafter, took both of her hands in his. His frame trembled lightly for a moment as he considered his next question, fully aware of what it was he wanted – nay, needed, to ask. “What if you discover that it was not your father’s desire for you to do as you have been?”

Miss Millerton closed her eyes for a few moments, her jaw tightening. “I will have a good many questions for my stepmother, I confess it, for I now believe that my unwed state must benefit her in some way, given what Lady Foster said.”

“Of course!” Samuel’s heart beat furiously, coming a little closer to her. “Lady Foster stated that you had to remain unwed, otherwise your stepmother would lose something.”

“Precisely.”

Hope began to flood through Samuel’s heart and he pressed her hands a little more. “But you would be free to make your own choices, yes?”

She smiled at him, her eyes holding something that he could not quite make out. “Yes, that would be so.”

Samuel opened his mouth to say more, to say that he wanted her to consider what they might be to each other, should that freedom be granted, but he snapped his mouth closed before anything was spoken. She had enough to contend with already. It would not be fair of him to say more.

“I will do whatever I can to help you, I promise.”

“I am grateful for that,” she answered, releasing his hands as her gaze went over his shoulder. “I should also tell you that I believe my stepmother and mayhap Lady Foster also, will be present this evening.”

Surprise caught Samuel’s expression. “How can that be? I did not invite them and I thought your stepmother was at the estate for Christmas.”

“As did I.” Again, that rueful smile tipped her lips. “My sister and I saw them unexpectedly in a shop, and they both purchased masks. Yours is the only masquerade ball for some time, I think.”

“And one can step into a masquerade ball without too much difficulty, I suppose,” Samuel murmured, rubbing one hand over his forehead. “If I find them, then – ”

“Do not feel you must push them away from me for my sake,” she interrupted, astonishing Samuel. “I have some things that I wish to say to her, to ask her… and this evening might be the very best opportunity.”

Samuel held her gaze steadily, seeing her smile but also the glint in her eyes which spoke of determination. “Very well,” he said, slowly. “So long as you are certain.”

She nodded. “I am. Though now I should step away and leave you to the other guests who, I am sure, are looking forward to your company!”

“I would rather spend this entire evening in your company and your company alone.”

The words left his mouth before Samuel could stop them but as he saw the gentle smile spread across Miss Millerton’s face, Samuel did not feel a single ounce of regret in speaking so. He was glad he had spoken of his heart, although it was not entirely all that he had wanted to say as he recognized it was not the right time to do so.

“But alas, I see that the other guests are still looking to you,” she murmured, taking his hand in her own for just a moment, pressing his fingers. “Mayhap we might dance later?”

He nodded fervently. “Yes, indeed.”

“Might I ask if there is a mistletoe bough there?”

Samuel’s heart ricocheted around his chest as she gazed back at him, her color still heightened but his gaze steady. “Yes, there is. Why do you ask?”

She dropped her gaze. “Because I do not want you to feel as though you must dance with me under it. After the last time, I believe… I believe you were a little uncertain and I do not want there to be any strain between us.”

Samuel acted before he could even think about what to do. He closed the distance between them, his arm about her waist, his eyes searching hers. It was a masquerade so they might not easily be recognized but even if they were, he did not care. “I was uncertain,” he admitted, his voice quiet but firm. “But I am no longer. My dear Charlotte, there is much that I wish to say but now is not the time for such things.”

Her eyes flickered but the smile on her lips made his heart sing, an expectation of happiness and joy filling him.

“I understand,” she murmured, quietly. “Then I look forward to speaking with you – and dancing with you – later this evening, Lord Crestwood. More than I can say.”

***

“Lord Crestwood, good evening. What an excellent ball this has been.”

Samuel stiffened instantly, turning to face Lady Grifford. She wore a mask but he recognized her voice at once and, as he looked into her eyes, warning began to ring around his mind. The terrace was practically empty and he did not want to be seen alone here with her, especially not this evening.

“Lady Grifford.” He inclined his head. “I stepped out for a breath of air but I should return to my other guests. Do excuse me.”

“Wait a moment, if you please.” Lady Grifford put one hand to his arm, catching him and pulling him back. “Do you recall the last time we stood on a terrace in this way?”

Samuel flinched visibly. “I do not wish to be reminded of that time, Lady Grifford and, quite frankly, I cannot understand why you would wish to think of it either.”

She smiled but there was a sadness in her eyes which Samuel could not avoid noticing. It etched itself into her expression, into the way that she lowered her head, into her sigh, into the heaviness which dropped into her shoulders. Sympathy began to rise within him but Samuel pushed it away. What she had done had been her own choice and though he was sorry that Lord Grifford had treated her poorly, he did not need to do or express anything further to her.

“I often think of what I did, of what I said and how much I must have injured you,” she answered him, her voice so soft, he had to strain to hear it. “At times, I daydream about the future I might have had, the joy which could have been ours, had I chosen differently.”

“And while that is true, there is no need to consider such things any longer,” Samuel replied, keeping his tone firm. The last thing he wanted was for Lady Grifford to think that he too often thought of such things. “I myself have, after some time in darkness and shadow, chosen to step forward in my life and now, I am certain I shall have happiness again.”

“With Miss Millerton?” Lady Grifford’s eyes flashed with something akin to anger, something which surprised Samuel. “Come now, you cannot believe that you will be happy with someone that you do not care for!”

Samuel’s jaw tightened. “And what makes you think that I do not care for her?”

“Because I overheard you, if you recall. I heard you say – ”

“I was lying.”

The words he spoke broke through Lady Grifford’s words and he saw her tense, color draining from her face, the light in her eyes seeming to dim just a little.

“I was lying,” he said again, though this time a little more gently. “I feigned pretence when I spoke to Lord Trenton, pretending to him that I did not feel anything for the lady and that I could not truly understand what it was he spoke to me about. That, however, was nothing short of a lie and my friend knew it!” With a slightly wry smile, he shook his head and spread out his hands. “I lied to myself also, I confess it. I did not want to admit what I felt, solely because I had promised myself I would never permit myself to do so again.” Seeing the glimmer of tears in her eyes, Samuel pressed his lips together for a moment, thinking of what he wanted to say but in what way it would be best to say it. He did not want to injure her but he also wanted to be entirely clear. “I do not think of what might have been, Lady Grifford. I think of what I now have and how happy I am in that. I hope you understand.”

Lady Grifford pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes but Samuel remained where he was, his eyes going to the door which would free him from her company and from the terrace itself.

“I think I should return to my guests,” he said, as she sniffed. “Forgive me, I –”

“Is there nothing I can say that will bring you back to me?”

Much to Samuel’s astonishment, Lady Grifford rushed forward towards him as he made to move back towards the door, standing in front of him, her hands going to his. Her eyes were wide, her lips gently parted but Samuel felt nothing whatsoever, apart from dread.

“No.” He pulled his hands away, stepping back from her. “Lady Grifford, I –”

“I have always cared for you!” she exclaimed, coming near him again, attempting to put her arms around his neck as Samuel staggered back, overwhelmed and a little stunned by her sudden fierce response. “I should never have stepped away from you, I should never have removed myself from your company. I am sorry that I did so, sorry that I stepped back from you after all you offered me. How foolish I was to turn away from you! How much of a fool I was in accepting the attentions of a scoundrel over someone such as you!”

Samuel reached up, catching Lady Grifford’s arms and attempting to unwind them from around his neck but as he did so, a muffled exclamation caught his attention – and he saw Miss Millerton standing at the door of the terrace.

“Remove yourself from me, Lady Grifford!” he exclaimed, his heart hammering as he tried to make his way towards Miss Millerton. “I have no interest in this! I have no interest in you !” He spoke harshly now, desperate to make his way to Miss Millerton, to explain – but she turned on her heel and rushed back inside. Anger streaked up Samuel’s spine and he flung Lady Grifford back, his breathing ragged as he gazed back at her.

“Enough!” His cry rent the air and Lady Grifford gasped, putting one hand to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears yet again but Samuel had no interest, not even the smallest flicker of sympathy in his heart now. “Have I not made myself clear? I have no desire to rekindle anything between us! I am sorry that your husband treated you ill but that is all that I have to say on that.”

“Then... ” Lady Grifford closed her eyes tightly, tears beginning to drip to her cheeks. “Then you will not save me from my present difficulties? I know that I do not deserve even a moment of your consideration but I had hoped that, with our history, with what we once shared, there might be something in your heart still.”

Samuel shook his head, his hands lifting either side, palms out towards her as though he feared that she might reach for him again. “There is nothing in my heart for you, Maria, not any longer.” He gestured to the door. “The lady I care for, the lady who has my heart is there, somewhere within the ballroom and I must go to find her.”

Lady Grifford broke into sobs, her handkerchief pressed to her eyes but Samuel could not linger, not after all that he had said and all that he had seen of Miss Millerton in not only seeing him converse with Lady Grifford but also in her hasty departure. “Excuse me.”

Stepping away from her, Samuel hurried to the door and then made his way directly back to the ballroom, hoping that she would be nearby, hoping that she would see him and come close to him, perhaps trusting that things would not truly be as she had witnessed them. Instead, all he saw was a sea of faces, all masked, all smiling. His heart began to beat all the faster as he made his way to the edges of the ballroom, looking into all the shadowy places – but still, there was no sign of her. Time and again, he stopped, thinking he had seen her copper curls and gentle smile, but every time, he was mistaken.

Where is she?

A little afraid that she had left the ball, perhaps confused and upset over what she had witnessed, Samuel pushed open the door to the hallway and stepped into the cooler, quieter space. Pressing one hand to his forehead, he closed his eyes tightly, his jaw flexing. If Lady Grifford had not ambushed him in such a way, then Miss Millerton would never have seen what she had done and all would be well! He would be able to confess his affection for her without the requirement for any further conversation, whereas now, there was a good deal he would need to explain first.

“And I wanted to tell her what I feel for her,” he muttered to himself, realizing now just how much he cared for her, how much he wanted to say by way of offering her his heart. It was as though, in pushing Lady Grifford away, he had been hit afresh with the strength of his feelings for her – as well as frustration that he had not said anything to her as yet! Instead of being honest both with Miss Millerton and with himself, he had done nothing but try to pretend that he had no such feelings and that this false engagement would come to an end very soon, just as they had intended. Now, however, the thought of severing their connection and releasing himself from her was so painful, it cut him right to the heart, leaving him breathless and morose.

But is it now a little too late?

“Take your hands from me!”

A sudden shout caught Samuel’s attention, tugging him away from his own thoughts as he frowned.

“Unhand me!”

Samuel began to hurry forward, uncertain as to where the voice was coming from but determined to find it. Clearly whoever was there was in some distress and Samuel had every intention of coming to their aid.

“I will not!” the voice cried again, as a rush of familiarity sent a cold sweat across Samuel’s brow. “I have no intention of leaving!”

“Oh, but you will. Come now, the journey back to the house is long and we – ”

Another cry, another broken, fearful shout made Samuel break into a run, turning to his right at the top of the hallway, only to see three figures a little further along. Two were pulling the third forward, though she was resisting as best she could. Anger poured into every part of Samuel’s body as he recognized Miss Millerton and, striding forward, he let out a roar of rage.

Footmen came running.

“Take your hands from her at once!”

One lady turned, her eyes flaring wide as she quickly dropped her hands and then stepped back, turning her wide eyes to the lady opposite. The second one, Samuel recognized as Lady Foster who, it seemed, was quite determined not to release his betrothed.

“I said, take your hands from her,” Samuel shouted again as he came close, reaching to grasp Lady Foster’s arm and pull her away from Miss Millerton, but Miss Millerton herself escaped from the lady’s grip before he could do so. He looked to the footmen. “You there, open up this parlor and escort these two ladies within. Neither of them are to leave.”

Miss Millerton was beside him in a moment, her chest heaving, one side of her face redder than the other, and fury broke out in Samuel’s heart. She looked up at him wordlessly, tears in her eyes and Samuel slipped one hand around her waist, determined to do all he could to protect her.

“You have no right to demand anything!” the lady Samuel did not recognize said, throwing up her hands before placing them onto her hips, glaring at him. “We are merely –”

“You are in my home and have attempted to not only injure but abscond with my betrothed,” Samuel interrupted, seeing shock wipe away the arrogance from the lady’s expression. “Now, either you will make your way to the parlor alone or I will lead you to it myself… or carry you, if I must.” He took a step closer, making it quite clear that he meant every word but there was no need for him to do anything. Lady Foster let out a yelp of evident fear and thereafter, hurried into the parlor. The other lady, however, simply glared at him for a few moments and it was only when Samuel began to make his way towards her that she finally relented.

“Close the door and do not let either of them step out,” he directed the footmen, who both nodded and then took their place by the door. “If there is any difficulty, then you have my permission to lock the room. Do I make myself clear?” With both the footmen nodding, Samuel then quickly turned to Miss Millerton who, though visibly trembling, appeared to be quite all right aside from the redness to her cheek.

“Charlotte.” Rasping, he took her hands in his, gazing down into her eyes. “Are you all right?”

She closed hers. “I think I am.”

Samuel swallowed tightly, energy still pushing through his veins. “I did not mean – that is to say, what you saw of Lady Grifford and I, that was not my intention. Please, do not think otherwise.” The words came out in a rush, his arms going around her waist. “I know this is not the time for such things but I do not want you to think that there is any connection between Lady Grifford and me. There cannot be again. She was trying to… well, that does not matter.” When Miss Millerton opened her eyes to look up at him again, Samuel’s heart squeezed at the sheer amount of sadness in her eyes. “What happened here? What was Lady Foster and the other lady trying to do?”

Miss Millerton let out a long sigh. “My stepmother.”

Samuel blinked furiously, recalling quickly what it was she had told him earlier in the evening. “They were both attempting to steal you away from the ball?”

“From London,” she said, her voice becoming thin as she blinked away fresh tears. “They intended to return me to the Dower house and, from what I understand, keep me prisoner there.”

“But why?” Samuel pulled her a little closer, feeling her tremble still. “What was it that they wanted from that?”

She shook her head. “I – I do not rightly know.” Taking in a deep breath, she looked up at him again, her gaze becoming steady. “We should find my sister and brother in law.”

Samuel nodded. “Of course.” He did not release her, however, did not let his hands drop from her waist. “Are you sure you are well?”

Much to his relief, Miss Millerton smiled for just a moment before leaning forward and resting her head on his shoulder. “Yes, I am,” she murmured, as Samuel wrapped his arms around her all the more, pulling her as tight to him as he could. “Thank goodness you found me.”

Samuel said nothing though his heart echoed the very same sentiment. If she had gone from him, then might he not have thought that what she had witnessed had been the impetus to drive her away? He might then have chosen not to pursue her, might have left things as they were and refused to do anything that might then bring them back together – and what might they both then have missed out on? With a small sigh, Samuel brushed his lips across her temple and then lifted his head. Now was not the time to begin talking, not when there was much more severe things at hand.

“Let us go and find Lord and Lady Hesterway,” he said, as she lifted her head, no tears in her eyes now. “There is much we must understand.”

“I am sorry this has taken place during your Christmas ball,” she murmured but Samuel quickly shook his head no.

“I would do anything for you, Charlotte,” he promised her, turning her so that they might walk together, arm in arm. “You are worth far more to me than any number of Christmas events. Come, let us get this resolved as quickly as possible before any further damage can be done.”