Never and Always (Emerson Book 6) Page 5

  “Fear not, Father. I like ladies just as much as the next man. What makes me different is I also respect them.”

  From his expression, Wes’s father thought that was even more inexplicable. But instead of arguing more, he went back to his brandy, enabling Wes to dress for that evening’s ball.

  * * *

  Lynwood House

  Violet Kellington was supposed to be dressing for her come-out ball. While most young ladies looked forward to this day their whole lives, Violet could not muster much enthusiasm for it, other than she would be sharing it with one of her dearest friends. But for now, she simply stared at the white dress laid out on her bed.

  “What is the matter, dearest?” asked Violet’s mother, Jane, as she put her arm around her daughter’s waist. “Do you not like your gown?”

  “Oh, no, you mustn’t think that. It is beautiful. And I very much appreciate what everyone has done for Letty and me tonight. But, I do not care much for London. I mean, I like being here to see my family. However, my heart is in Marston Vale. I know the purpose of a come-out ball is to marry me off, but I cannot bear to think of being stuck in London married to some lord who spends all his time at his clubs or in gaming hells, while I am stuck at home missing all of you.”

  “Goodness!” said Jane. “I wonder how you have such a bad opinion of marriage when you are surrounded by so many happy ones.”

  “But think of what you did, Mama. You were destined for a ton marriage until you snuck off to Belgium and worked as a nurse in the war.”

  “You aren’t sneaking off anywhere, young lady,” said Jane, as she pulled Violet close to her. Then she sighed. “You just made me realize what a scare I must have given my grandfather all those years ago. It was rather foolhardy of me to go.”

  “But that is how you met Papa!”

  “And I will forever be grateful for that. But it was foolhardy, all the same.”

  “It was adventurous.”

  “I would prefer you had your adventures much closer to home. And there are some very nice young gentlemen of the ton. Mayhap you know one or two, already.”

  That was certainly true. Robert and Mark were quite nice. She could not imagine either of them leaving a wife to languish at home while they occupied themselves elsewhere. But Mark had embarked on a career with the Foreign Office and was rarely in England. And Robert had made his aversion to marriage known through the years. He had never said why he did not wish to marry, but Violet suspected he did not wish to pass on his infirmity to a child. It was still unknown how he had contracted his malady, though Violet suspected it had been an agent of disease rather than a family trait. Robert and Mark would both make excellent husbands. But Violet thought of them as brothers and they treated her as a sister. She had not had a single romantical thought about either of them.

  Wes Addington, however, was quite a different story.

  From the first time Violet had met Wes, he had been her idea of the ideal husband. She had only seen him a few times a year since then and almost always in the company of others. But he was always the same in the most important respects. He was a kind man who loved Letty and always had time to play with the children who so admired him. He and Violet had had interesting conversations about astronomy over the years. He listened to her and he never dismissed her interest in any subject, unlike young men in her village or the few lords she had met in London.

  He listened patiently while she complained about the limited options for young ladies and even supported her desire to carry on her mother’s work as a surgeon. Wes was everything Violet wanted in a husband. And he did not think of her as anyone other than his sister’s friend. It was most aggravating.

  Violet knew she would look her best tonight. Her mother and aunts had taken her to their favorite modiste, who had created a gown which was straight out of Violet’s dreams. The white peau de soie bodice was incredibly soft and caressed her shape, while the sweetheart neckline hinted at the underlying curves. The skirts were made up of several layers of moonlight white silk, designed to show her at advantage as she danced. Violet rather doubted even a gown as fine as this one would make her appear to be anything more than a passable dancer, despite having had lessons from some of the best instructors in London. Of course, it hadn’t helped that she had taken lessons with Letty and Anna, and the three of them had spent more time laughing than practicing.

  But she believed she would dance well enough to not be embarrassed. And she did not fear no one would attend the party, since she was making her come-out with Letty and few members of the ton would pass up the opportunity to socialize with their two families. Letty had postponed her own debut so the two of them would go through this together. Violet was perfectly willing to postpone a year herself so that Anna might join them, but their families had said it was time for them to take their place in Society. As Violet’s Uncle Hal had said, the girls had the right to be just as miserable at London events as the older members of the family.

  So Violet had none of the regular fears of a young woman facing her debut. Instead, she knew the one man she loved – for her childhood infatuation had never gone away – still looked at her as only a friend. It was not as if Wes would suddenly notice Violet in the way a man noticed a potential wife. He would smile and ask about her family. He might even talk about something he had learned at the Royal Astronomical Society. There was even the likelihood he would make fun of her gown, saying she should be careful with the punch given the possibility she would spill some on herself – and there was a very good possibility that would happen. But there was virtually no chance he would look into her eyes and declare himself a candidate for her hand. Or any other part of her. For not only was Wes Addington older than she, too handsome by half and unaware of her existence as anything other than a friend, he also had the reputation of being a rake.

  That in itself was not impossible to overcome. Uncle Hal had once been one of the most notorious rakes of the ton, but was now utterly devoted to his wife and children. He was especially protective of his four daughters and had been heard to say he wanted to improve his dueling skills as a preventative measure when it came time for his girls to make their debuts. But Hal had not known his wife Melanie since she had been a gangly girl of twelve years old. He had certainly never thought of her as a sister.

  No. Violet would simply have to make the best of it. She would wear her beautiful gown and spend the evening with her best friend and their families. If she secretly wished her every dance partner was Wes Addington, there was simply nothing to be done about it.

  * * *

  Violet had been in the receiving line for an hour, and as more and more people streamed into the ballroom, she had a feeling she would be there for some time to come. Her Uncle Liam and Aunt Rosalind did not entertain on a large scale often, so people made certain to attend on those rare occasions when they were invited.

  She wished she were standing next to Letty, but the Emersons and Kellingtons were in two separate lines. She was quite glad the two families had decided to have just the one ball. She wasn’t certain she could do another of these any time soon, though she would happily attend Anna’s next year. She looked over at Letty on the opposite side of the room to see that Wes had arrived.

  “I am glad he went against his father’s wishes,” said Robert with a smile, as he leaned in to kiss Violet on the cheek. They had grown as close as brother and sister over the years, and his presence in line beside her had been a great help. “How is your dance card faring?” he asked, even as he picked it up and reviewed it. “As you know, I am not one for dancing, but…Percy Reynolds! I will never allow that to happen.” He reached for her pencil to cross the name off her card.

  “You cannot do that!”

  “I can if you give me your pencil.”

  “It would be unpardonably rude and scandalous of me to refuse him after already agreeing to dance with him. I had never even met the man before tonight. How can I object?”

  “Trust
me when I say he is abominable. Your family would agree with me. I’ll get your father and he will cross off the name.”

  She did not wish to dance with the man, either, but ladies were not given much choice about such things. She had few spaces left on her card, which should make her happy. But now it was imperative to save a dance for Wes.

  If he even asked her.

  It was one thing to not dance with him because he had not attended the ball. It was another thing entirely – and quite lowering – to not dance with him because he did not ask.

  “I am surprised the supper dance is free,” said Robert, continuing to examine her card. “I know any number of men would wish to spend the meal with you.”

  “I must confess that I do not wish for just anyone to take the slot,” she said. “Nothing ruins a good meal faster than a dullard’s conversation.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Was there someone in particular you wished to sit with?”

  Violet’s eyes shot across the room before she could help herself.

  Unfortunately, Robert glanced that way, as well. “You wish to sit with Letty?”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. It would not do for Robert to know just how much she liked his friend. It would make things quite awkward.

  “Yes,” said Violet. “Mayhap we could arrange it so you can sit with Letty and then….” She left the sentence unfinished, hoping Robert would suggest the obvious.

  His face shuttered. “But the only way I could sit with Letty would be if I asked her for that dance.”

  Violet could have kicked herself for not being more sensitive to Robert’s feelings. Despite his ease with her family, he was still self-conscious about his weakened leg. But she knew there was no one Letty would rather spend the meal with than Robert, regardless of whether they danced. Before Violet could suggest as much she realized Wes was standing in front of them.

  He nodded at Robert. “Lorton, I took the liberty of placing your name on Letty’s card for the supper dance.”

  Now Robert looked truly panicked. “I do not dance.”

  “You have made us aware of that on any number of occasions. But I’ll not allow my sister to be importuned by the rakes and rogues who have been filling up her card.”

  “Do you not think she should have some say in this?”

  “She seemed perfectly sanguine to give you the space, though she did say that a girl did not like to be ordered about.”

  “That is true,” said Robert. “Though Violet could certainly use our guidance as well. She even promised Reynolds a dance.”

  “Surely you jest!” said Wes as he looked at Violet’s card, brushing her wrist as he did so.

  Violet felt the touch throughout her body.

  “How was Reynolds even on the invitation list?” asked Wes.

  “My question exactly,” said Robert.

  Wes took Violet’s pencil.

  “You cannot cross his name off the list,” she said.

  “I believe I just did and put myself down for the supper dance while I was at it, lest he try to corner you for that. You can make up an excuse about a fallen hem. Or, even better, I will go relay the message myself, though the fallen hem excuse will involve considerably less bloodletting. Now, I will leave you to your long line of admirers as Lorton and I seek out Lynwood’s brandy. But I will see you for the supper dance.”

  With that, the two men took themselves off and Violet was finally able to breathe. Then his last sentence sank in. She looked at her card to see that Wes had added his name for the supper slot.

  And just like that, she was filled with warmth, though coupled with an alarming inability to breathe.

  The rest of the evening passed interminably slowly. Violet danced every dance, signaling a popularity she attributed more to the appeal of the Kellington name than to her personal allure. Her partners were all that were proper, likely because there was an entire ballroom filled with uncles who would not hesitate to step in if a young man were too forward. Her father seemed particularly protective, which was hardly a surprise. Violet’s mother had been urging him to relax for months, but he had only replied that he was all too familiar with young men’s intentions.

  As if she did not have enough relatives to worry about, Robert was keeping a close eye on her, as well. One of her partners had been subtly tugging her closer to him during the turns of their dance. As soon as he took his leave of her, Violet noticed that both Robert and Wes had pulled him aside for a word. The young man had not been seen since. She hoped he was only gone and not injured.

  Finally, it was time for Violet’s dance with Wes. The orchestra struck up notes for a waltz and she was filled with excitement. Then, when he did not appear right away, she felt a sense of dread. Perhaps he had found a more suitable partner. Mayhap he was on the terrace with a willing widow. For a moment Violet feared he would not come. Worse yet, she was standing on the edge of the dance floor, waiting. It would be humiliating if her partner did not show up. She glanced toward the terrace doors one more time, wondering if she would catch him re-entering the ballroom after his illicit tryst, when she felt the touch of his hand at her waist from behind.

  “I am here to claim my waltz, Violet,” said Wes. Then he led her into the sweeping refrain of the music.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Wes had almost come to blows with one of his best friends. “Just what are your intentions toward Violet?” Robert had asked him once they were alone.

  “You cannot mean to imply I would behave dishonorably toward her.” Wes would never allow his actions to dishonor her. His thoughts, however, were an entirely different matter. For as soon as Wes had spotted her from across the ballroom tonight, he had known she was no longer just his sister’s friend, but a beautiful lady he would have longed to court – had he been in a position to do so.

  “It cannot have escaped your notice that she is a beautiful young woman,” said Robert.

  “I am not blind, so of course I noticed that. I also know her to be extremely kind, clever and interesting.”

  “You are not exactly putting my mind at ease.”

  “I am saying that anyone who only sees Violet’s physical beauty knows just a small portion of her worth. I have known her for years.”

  “Which is why I am particularly concerned, since she is now officially on the marriage mart. She may be old enough to marry, but she is still an innocent girl.”

  “I could say the same for my sister and your intentions.”

  “I have no intentions toward your sister. And you are the one who placed my name on her card, despite the fact I do not dance.”

  Wes shrugged. “I believe little else is required other than holding your partner close, moving just a bit and listening to her opinions on the ball. And since it is my sister we speak of, the conversation would be interesting. I put my name on Violet’s card to prevent Reynolds from coming anywhere near her.”

  “Only because of that?”

  That and Wes wanted to feel what it was like to hold her close. “Do not say you would prefer Reynolds as her partner.”

  “Of course not!” There was a pause, then Robert said, “I have seen how she looks at you. She may be encouraged by this dance, though you have no interest in her.”

  “I assure you there is nothing to worry about,” said Wes, as he adjusted his gloves in anticipation of his dance. “How does she look at me?”

  “Let us just say I hope you are on your best behavior.”

  “I will say the same to you.”

  “I would never act improperly toward your sister. Letty is made for marriage. I would never saddle her with me. She deserves only the best.”

  “She does, which is why she should marry either you or Mark.”

  “Are you saying Mark has been making advances on Letty?” asked Robert, trying – and failing – to rein in his jealousy.

  “I do not believe either he or Letty have shown any partiality toward each other. I only mentioned him because the two of you
are my best friends.”

  “She would be much better off with him than me.” Though Robert looked none too happy to say it.

  “All I am saying is I hope you enjoy your time with Letty, but not too much. Now, I am off to my dance.”

  Without another word, Wes went in search of Violet though his talk with Robert had been most disconcerting. He loved her as a friend. But at some point in the past year, he had realized his love for Violet was turning into something quite different from familial devotion. She was, of course, a beautiful woman. But she was also kind, interesting and kept him on his toes. She interested him and he looked forward to his visits more and more each time.

  He had recently begun having dreams about her, which were anything but innocent in nature. In his favorite, she emerged from the pond on the Lynwood estate wearing nothing but a shift which was see-through when wet. He would go to her and they would slowly wade into the water, where he would bring her into his arms…

  He shook his head, as if to physically push the vision from his brain. Now was not the time for a cockstand, as he was making his way toward the woman of his dreams and she was watched by her entire family. And this was a waltz. If he pulled her too close, she would be shocked. She might even faint, though Violet was not particularly the fainting type.

  She was facing away from him when he found her, turned toward the balcony doors. For one brief moment, he wondered if she had promised to meet a man out there. Just the very thought made him want to charge out to the terrace and pummel whomever was waiting. But he calmed down just enough to know he didn’t want to miss this waltz. He could pummel the rogue later.

  Violet’s hair was pulled up. He wanted to kiss her softly on the neck before turning her and plundering her lips. He wondered how many Kellingtons would shoot him. Probably all of them, including the ladies. Violet was the first-born of the second generation and while every child in the family was dearly loved, Wes knew she was a secret favorite.