The Virgin and the Viscount by Charis Michaels

Author:Charis Michaels
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-07-04T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It took considerable effort to convene Falcondale and his wife, Elisabeth, and Lady Banning in the arched alcove at the back of the ballroom. Bryson had scouted this dim, secluded corner because it was far enough from the musicians to be heard over the instruments, and far enough from the food and drink to hold little interest to other guests. A few couples, inappropriately secluded in the shadows, hurried away when he led the group to the chosen spot.

“Forgive me for tearing you from the party,” Rainsleigh began when they gathered around him. “I beg just a moment of your time to . . . celebrate.”

“You’ve sold another boat?” guessed Falcondale.

“No. Something more important than the boats.” He stole a look at Elisabeth. She was watching him cautiously, an uncertain smile on her face. He was more nervous than he expected, and he bore on. “I asked you here to celebrate a betrothal.”

Lady Banning let out a muffled shout but then quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.

“A what?” Elisabeth laughed. She looked between Bryson and her aunt and back again.

He swallowed and forced himself to follow through. “Lady Elisabeth Hamilton-Baythes,” he said, dropping to one knee. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” With shaking hand, he held out a ring. Topaz and diamonds glinted on a thin band of gold. He looked up.

She stared back with an expression that fell somewhere between surprise and stone-cold shock. Her eyes were wild and large, her mouth halfway open. She raised her hands but then froze in mid-air, as if she was about to burst into applause.

Rainsleigh watched her, feeling the timpani boom of his pulse in his neck. Beneath his cravat, sweat beaded and rolled down his back. He willed her to say something while everyone watched, while he held his very breath.

She bore on in frozen silence, her eyes fixed on the ring. She seemed incapable of looking him in the eye.

But then her aunt finished the shout she had begun, and Piety joined her with a near-yelp. Lady Banning launched herself at Elisabeth, and her enthusiasm propelled her. Elisabeth blinked—once, twice—and her hands fell to her sides. He could see her taking very quick, shallow breaths. Lady Banning rained down tearful kisses, shaking her back to life. She hustled Elisabeth against him, and he was forced to his feet to catch her. She allowed it, falling against him, and she hid her face against his chest.

He had the fleeting thought, Oh God, what have I done? She is abashed. Or overwhelmed. Or opposed.

The Countess of Banning and Lady Falcondale embraced and cried and exclaimed, while Beau and Falcondale did their best to awkwardly contain them. Other guests drew closer, curious of the commotion. Women leaned to each other, whispering. Necks craned, eyes squinted into their corner of the ballroom. A handful of the couples on the dance floor stopped waltzing altogether to stare in their direction. He caught sight of his cousin Kenneth staggering from the drinks table, as if to join them.

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