Chapter Ten
The first person Mary Jane looked for after entering the ballroom in the Duke of Thornton’s home was Adam. Failing to find him, she searched for Charlotte. She hadn’t arrived yet, either. Mary Jane had been in such a hurry to arrive, she’d beat most of the guests, who were likely waiting until a fashionable time to enter to a deluge of attention.
A curl broke free of its hairpin, falling down her forehead and dangling in front of her eyes. Her maid had complained about being rushed…perhaps a few more minutes spent on her hair would have been wise. She discretely tucked the curl back in place and adjusted the pin.
In her distraction, she didn’t see Adam enter. When he spoke in her ear, she jumped, then her smile grew. “Hello, Lord Adam.”
“Miss Watson. The bronze of your gown flatters your hazel eyes.”
He remembered her complaint about mistaken eye color. The simple remark warmed her. “Thank you. May I introduce my father?”
“Lord Adam, we are honored,” her father said. “Mary Jane has told us so much about you.”
She’d done nothing of the sort. If she had, Father wouldn’t have come, trusting Mother to snare the young man.
“Let’s take a walk around the room,” Adam said.
Taking his arm with a sigh of relief, Mary Jane didn’t look to her parents for permission. The fine wool of his coat sleeve brushed the bare skin of her upper arm, heightening her awareness of his nearness.
“Has your father said anything more about his ultimatum regarding your marrying?”
“No, once Mother mentioned meeting you, and having the invitation for tonight, they both decided the problem had resolved.”
“You haven’t corrected them?”
She looked away, feeling guilty. “I don’t want to accept the truth, myself. I don’t plan to force you into an agreement, but for a moment longer, I’d like to believe we will spend the rest of our lives together.”
“You know I’d speak to your father if I had any idea when I could marry you.”
“Why must there be a date in mind? We simply tell my parents we haven’t agreed on when, that you have some business that must be seen to first. Father’s a businessman, he’ll understand.”
“I wish it was that simple. This morning when I spoke to my aunt, the pain in her eyes was still obvious. She might never get over the loss of her husband.”
“But at least she was allowed to enjoy some happiness with him beforehand. Many years of it.”
“And what if I’m killed before we even have a wedding? What do you have then?”
She was growing tired of arguing. She’d seen nothing that threatened danger severe enough to fear him being killed. If she couldn’t see his affection in his eyes, she might think he didn’t want to marry her ever.
“Adam, I’ve been with you while you follow Mr. Tilney. It can’t be as dangerous as you make it sound.”
“As of now, he has no reason to suspect I’m following him. Anywhere where I’d stand out, I let someone else take the watch.”
His answer held little weight. She was tired of arguing, however. All she wanted was to enjoy the time she had with him.
If he were serious about wanting nothing more than friendship between them, he did a poor job of showing it. He should ask for a dance, then mingle with his brother’s guests until the time came for them to join the other dancers. Later, if he’d danced with a good number of young ladies, he might offer to stand up with her again. Spending time alone with her, as alone as they could be walking in the ballroom, hinted at something more. The only thing more obvious would be to claim the supper dance, which meant he’d sit with her while they enjoyed their meal.
Just before they reached her parents, he asked, “May I reserve the supper dance?”
Her point proven, she maintained a polite smile and nodded.
Charlotte and her mother had joined Mary Jane’s parents, and the girls quickly moved far enough away to not be overheard.
“Has he said anything more about an engagement?” Charlotte asked.
“No. The closest he’s come is asking to share supper together.”
“Hmm, and man could do that. Do you think he’s serious about not marrying? What can you do to change his mind?”
“Nothing. Father has calmed ever so slightly since Mother mentioned Lord Adam, so he might be willing to wait a bit longer, but not indefinitely.”
“We’ll find a way for Lord Adam to realize he can’t live without you. And next year, perhaps I can please my parents for finding a husband of my own.”
The girls laughed at the unlikelihood of Charlotte searching for a gentleman who’d suit.
“Lord Adam has a brother, remember? We’ll have to introduce you.”
“Why yes, I think I might be willing to tolerate a duke for a husband.”
“Don’t brush aside the idea of a duke marrying someone of our station. Perhaps when he sees his brother so happy, he’ll realize love has no limitations.”
~~~
Adam came back when the musicians announced the first dance, leading Mary Jane onto the floor. She noticed his cousin standing at the front of the line of ladies. “Is Susan enjoying her birthday?”
“She is. This is her first since my uncle died, so it must be difficult for her, but she hides it well.” He also mentioned the heirloom necklace she received.
“I’m glad. She seemed quite sweet when I met her.”
“She is. She’ll make some man a perfect wife.”
“Not a handful like I would be?”
He had to wait until they met again to reply. “Shall we say marriage with Susan won’t be as entertaining as marrying you?”
“Not all gentlemen want a dutiful wife.”
He grinned. “Indeed not.”
By midnight, when the supper dance began, Mary Jane was glowing with happiness. While she hadn’t spent much time with Adam—nowhere near as much as she’d prefer—she’d caught his smiling glances on the dance floor when they performed with other partners. Those brief moments filled her heart.
The other gentlemen guests must have noticed her joyous expression, for she danced almost every dance, an unusual occurrence. Mother and Father also smiled more than normal. She hated the thought of letting them down, if she was unable to convince Adam to change his mind.
She and Adam spoke little during their final dance together, and during supper, but they didn’t take their eyes off each other. So much could be said without a word, Mary Jane realized. She and Charlotte often knew what the other was thinking, but she’d never experienced it with a man. She’d never allowed a man close enough to have that connection.
After they finished their light supper, Adam led her onto the balcony. “We’ll remain close to the house. I’m certain your father is watching from just inside the French doors.”
“Yes, and glancing at his pocket watch as if there’s a certain amount of time we might spend together before he’s able to demand you repair my reputation.”
Adam glanced at the other couples around them. “Yes, this is such a compromising place to take you.”
She wished he’d stop talking and kiss her. A true kiss, with passion and all the emotion they could express without words. Yet she was certain she’d receive no kiss tonight. Everyone would imagine it to be a promise, and he still refused to promise anything.
That truth made her sigh in disappointment.
“I wish things were different in your life,” she said.
“I do, too.” He squeezed her hand, then let it fall to her side before anyone could see. “Maybe I can talk to your father. Not tonight, but in a day or two when I know more about my future. Would that be all right?”
Her heart raced. “Yes. Please do.”
Rather than kiss her, which she still longed for, he led her back inside and said goodbye to her and her parents. She didn’t see him for the rest of the night.