Gentlemen and Brides: Regency Romance Collection by Joyce Alec

Author:Joyce Alec [Alec, Joyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-13T16:00:00+00:00

16

“Are you sure you are all right?”

Lady Ellen pressed his hand and smiled, a peaceful look in her eyes as she turned her gaze toward him.

“You need not worry, George. I am quite at ease.”

The ball had been going on for an hour or so and, as yet, Lord Morton had not said a word—although George had seen him wandering in amongst the guests. George had done his best to relax, but still felt himself filled with tension as the evening progressed.

He could not explain how relieved he had been that Lady Ellen had spoken so openly with him, the happiness he felt swelling his heart with affection for her. Despite their difficult start, George now had confidence that their marriage could be a happy one, which was more than he had ever hoped for. Lady Ellen’s honesty had opened that door for them both. To have her on his arm now gave him such a sense of pride and contentment that he felt as though no one on the face of the earth had ever been as happy as he was.

And yet, despite that, there was still a slowly rising tension over Lord Morton’s presence.

“I think it will be our second dance very soon,” he murmured, as Lady Ellen turned to face him a little more, her eyes bright. “The waltz.”

“The waltz,” she repeated, a small smile spreading across her face. “I believe I am even looking forward to being in your arms, Lord Hartley, if you can believe it.”

He swallowed at the look in her eyes, forgetting all about Lord Morton for the moment. “You are quite wonderful, Ellen,” he said on a breath, his heart and mind reacting to the thought of holding her close against him. “I cannot quite believe we have made it to this point.”

Her smile broadened, and she looked to be ready to say more, only for a loud, overly cheerful voice to break into their quiet conversation.

“Ah look, tis Lord Hartley and his dearly loved betrothed, Lady Ellen.”

George set his shoulders as Lord Morton’s voice rang out from across the ballroom, just as the orchestra’s music came to a close. A great many guests turned their heads to see who it was making such a fool of themselves, and George felt Lady Ellen go rigid, as she took his hand in hers, holding it behind her as she turned to face Lord Morton.

“Lord Morton,” George grated, as the man approached. “I have been looking for you.”

Lord Morton appeared to be rather drunk, which did not come as a surprise to George. His friend had always had a penchant for liquor.

“Looking for me, eh?” Lord Morton replied, eyeing George with one raised eyebrow. “And why is that?”

George felt Lady Ellen’s hand tighten on his but did not stop himself from speaking bluntly.

“Because I have heard from a close and trusted friend that you have been dragging my betrothed’s name through the mud, Morton,” he stated calmly, aware of the small crowd now beginning to form around him.

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