An Inconvenient Trilogy Part 4

They arrived at the party and almost immediately Elizabeth was introduced to Lord Halkyn. He was slightly younger than Michael, probably three or four years. He had blonde hair that fell in waves around his ears; his eyes were a deep blue and seemed to sparkle in the candle light. His lips were almost like a rosebud, more suited to a woman really, but gave the appearance of being angelic, although Elizabeth was not so easily taken in. He was dressed in the height of fashion, but there was colour in his clothing. Most men opted for cream silk waistcoats for evening wear, but Lord Halkyn wore a deep blue waistcoat. It seemed to reflect his eye colour and Elizabeth was sure that it had been chosen for that reason.

She was surprised by, but accepted, the request for the first two dances, only raising her eyebrow in question at Michael when Halkyn had turned away. Michael did not respond with his usual smile which increased Elizabeth's wariness about the introduction.

As the first dance started Elizabeth was aware that her dance partner was causing quite a stir in the crowd and the fact that he was dancing with her seemed to increase the whispers. She was speculating as to why she had been chosen when Lord Halkyn spoke.

"I am glad to have made your acquaintance so early on my return to London, I hope to see a lot more of you over the coming weeks," he smiled down at her.

Elizabeth was convinced by his words that there had been some sort of matchmaking done behind the scenes after such a comment, and decided not to act like the simpering women she despised. "I would suggest you reserve judgement until the end of our dance Lord Halkyn, before making such a comment. I could prove to be a tedious bore."

Halkyn smiled, "I very much doubt that and even if you were, at least I could gaze at you while ignoring your tedious conversation."

Elizabeth smiled despite herself, "I can see why you are a friend of Lord Dunham."

"Ah yes, the King of the direct comments. Yes we are acquaintances, although no-one is really close to Dunham. I admit that he was the first person I looked up on my return to see what had been happening in this den of iniquity."

"Ah that explains it," Elizabeth replied cryptically.

"That explains what?" Halkyn responded.

"Why you asked me for the first two dances. A bribe from my guardian. I am grateful, but there was really no need. From the stir around us, I gather you would not have been short of a partner." Elizabeth was a little harsher than she intended, mainly because she did not want Michael to feel he needed to beg for a partner on her behalf. She presumed he had arranged things as they were because of the wager, and it still made her cheeks burn with embarra.s.sment that she had been the victim of such a scheme.

"I cannot give your guardian the credit for my actions," came the smooth reply. "I am my own man enough to make my own choices, and Dunham barely mentioned your existence in pa.s.sing. After all, he did not realise he had a ward when I left London. I found the whole situation hilarious, but wanted to get to know you for myself, so asked for the first two with you for that reason alone."

Elizabeth took a moment to reply, looking at Lord Halkyn as if to weigh whether he spoke the truth. She smiled after a moment. "I am sorry, the last few days have been a little trying, and I am guilty of judging everyone by the same standards that guide the more shallow members of society."

"Your apology is accepted and I beg you let us start again. Just in case of further misunderstandings, I am rich, therefore not looking for a rich wife, I have no madness in my family and I do not have to marry until I find a wife who has a similar outlook on marriage as myself," Halkyn smiled down at Elizabeth his eyes dancing with laughter.

Elizabeth returned his smile, but hers had the impish quality about it. "And yet you are unmarried. What deep dark secret prevents you from marrying, my Lord, especially with you having so many qualities to offer any single lady?"

Halkyn laughed out loud, "You really are an impertinent chit aren't you? I can see this Season is going to be far better than I antic.i.p.ated. I am not married because I have not found someone who is in agreement with my view of family life."

"And yet we are surrounded by eligible young ladies," Elizabeth said drily. She knew that it was inappropriate to have such a conversation so short into an acquaintance, but there were too few people she could spar with. She had guessed correctly that Lord Halkyn was no fool and had responded to him, enjoying being able to banter with another member of society.

"Have you looked about you, Miss Rufford? Your opinion of eligible and mine obviously differ greatly," Halkyn responded with feeling.

The couple continued to banter throughout both dances. Most people looked on with curiosity and speculation. One person watched with a feeling he had never experienced before in his life,- extreme jealousy. This was jealousy beyond that which he had experienced when she was surrounded by men her own age. This was the type that made him want to be rid of Halkyn in any way possible. It was ironic that the one woman that he thought about all day every day, was the woman he was encouraging to form attachments with other men. The contradiction and idiocy of his behaviour was not wasted on him.

Lord Halkyn secured escorting Elizabeth into supper. She had faltered at first explaining that her guardian usually escorted her. "He will not mind my taking over tonight." Lord Halkyn a.s.sured her.

"You are very sure of yourself, my Lord," Elizabeth said, trying to dismiss the disappointment at not having the time with Michael.

"I understand the role of a guardian, as does he. The more time we spend together, everyone will suddenly notice that there is a delight within their mix and you will become even more popular than you already are."

Elizabeth snorted, "That wouldn't be difficult. I have definitely not been the hit of the season!"

"Did you just snort Miss Rufford?" Lord Halkyn laughed loudly, "You are my favourite woman in this room. I may have to whisk you away to Gretna Green immediately."

"I'm nearly shocked," Elizabeth smiled; taking the jest in the spirit it was given. "I think it is time we returned to my guardian."

Lord Halkyn did not remain with Elizabeth for more time than was appropriate. He was attracted to her. In fact he was delighted that he had found such a diversion for the remainder of the Season, but he was not going to increase speculation any more than it had been already. If anything was to develop it would be on his terms.

Elizabeth was sought by partners for each dance after the first two with Lord Halkyn. He was correct when he had speculated that she would immediately become more popular, something which she was not entirely happy about. She had never wanted to be popular, especially after the incident with the betting scheme. She mistrusted most of the people in the room, and in fact missed the company of Michael and Violet whom she had hardly spoken to all night. After the sixth dance she was flagging visibly and almost sank into a chair when her partner left her to fetch some refreshments.

"Do not tell me you are struggling to keep up?" came the familiar voice of Lord Dunham.

Elizabeth smiled at him without pausing in using her fan. "I am a sorry specimen, my Lord. Are you very disappointed in your ward?" She always reverted to formal address when they were in company.

Michael smiled the smile that was reserved for her alone, "I am constantly disappointed. I hope you have kept the next waltz free?"

"If it improves your opinion of me how can I refuse?" Elizabeth smiled, suddenly feeling more energetic at the thought of being in Michael's arms for the next half hour. She sent up a prayer of thanks that the next dance had not been claimed by anyone else. She could not have insulted anyone by refusing to dance with them in preference to her guardian, but she would have been tempted to, her need to be in his arms was so great.

Elizabeth accepted her drink from her partner, but soon left him when the music started and she was guided onto the dance floor by Michael. Neither spoke for a while, each enjoying the other's touch. Finally, duty forced Michael to pull himself out of his reverie and try to at least start a conversation.

"You seem to have made an impression with Halkyn," he said, trying to sound light hearted.

"I wouldn't say two dances could decide whether I had made much of an impression or not, but he is quite pleasant," Elizabeth said dismissively.

"He is considered to be quite a catch, and has enough family wealth to exclude him from being a fortune hunter, so you need not have any worries on that count."

"I have no worries at all. I am not planning my future with Lord Halkyn after two dances," Elizabeth was annoyed that Michael seemed so keen to arrange a match for her.

"I was just mentioning that there are worse men," Michael said a little defensively.

"And I was just mentioning that I was not planning a wedding." Elizabeth snapped.

"Oh," Michael could not help the feelings of relief, but he was not happy with the way they were speaking to each other. Until this point they had been on the same side and he did not want that to change. "You do know I have your best interest at heart, don't you?" He had the overwhelming desire to make the peace with her. It was a feeling he did not usually experience when dealing with people, especially ladies.

Elizabeth smiled, "Not even a little bit is for selfish reasons? To get rid of your ward that little earlier?"

Michael laughed relieved to find she did not sulk, "Well maybe a little selfishness, but your welfare was the overriding motivation."

"Thank you Michael, but please let me make my own choices. I promise to come to you if I need advice. I have learned enough since meeting you to know that you have some wisdom to offer at times."

"Your flattery overwhelms me Elizabeth." he responded drily, but his eyes were filled with warmth.

Lord Halkyn interrupted the pair at the end of the dance. He had come to collect Elizabeth to go in to supper. Michael bowed and moved away, all the pleasure of the last half hour receding. Lord Halkyn ignored or failed to notice any stiffness on Michael's part and escorted Elizabeth into the supper room, sitting them at a table for two. It was in the centre of the large room so there was no impropriety about it, but Elizabeth would have preferred to be on a table with Violet for a number of reasons, with the main one being that it was the table where Michael sat.

"I should like to call on you tomorrow if you will permit me? Perhaps you would accompany me for a drive around the park in my phaeton?" Lord Halkyn asked as they ate.

"I usually ride out with my guardian and Mr. Dawson in the morning; I enjoy the exercise more than being paraded around. You are welcome to join us if you wish," Elizabeth countered. She was not giving up her morning out with Michael so easily; sometimes it was the only time of the day she could relax.

"I didn't think you were one of the usual ladies of the ton, obsessed with how you are best seated in a phaeton. It will be a pleasure to accompany you," came the smooth reply.

Elizabeth wondered if he was always so smooth. It struck her that he seemed a little unemotional in some ways. She decided to prod a little to see if she could provoke some emotion that was hidden beneath that still surface. "I am presuming it is a compliment to be different from the other ladies my Lord? I would hate to think I was the oddity of the season."

"Miss Rufford, being different is a distinct advantage, believe me." Halkyn responded, seeming unruffled at her slight challenge.

"I shall take it as a compliment then." Elizabeth replied with a small smile, suddenly aching to be back home.

Lord Halkyn joined the morning ride as planned. They rode out with Violet, which was an unusual occurrence. Violet had insisted that they needed another female to even the numbers slightly and to avoid causing something of a stir, even though one of the men was Elizabeth's guardian. The party rode through Hyde Park, taking the well trodden pathways that the original group of three had found they preferred. Elizabeth started out riding next to Violet, but all too soon the shift occurred and Lord Halkyn joined Elizabeth while the others rode together.

"Lord Dunham has certainly been seen more in society since your introduction, it seems." Lord Halkyn said, opening the conversation.

"Yes, I believe he has been a reluctant partic.i.p.ant until now. I appreciate his efforts." Elizabeth replied.

"He must think highly of you to exert himself." Lord Halkyn said amiably.

"He has a strong sense of duty." Elizabeth shrugged. She wished that Michael was exerting himself because he enjoyed spending time with her. She was realistic enough though to acknowledge that he was probably just doing what would be expected of any guardian. The thought of being a burden to him saddened her; she had realised a while ago that she wanted to be more than that, far more than that.

"He does, but enough about your guardian, tell me more about you."

Elizabeth sighed; she was no good at this game. "I don't paint or play the piano very well, but I can dance and I've been told I have quite a good singing voice."

Lord Halkyn laughed, "You sound as if you are describing a horse! I have to say you aren't doing a very good job of wooing me, Miss Rufford."

Elizabeth smiled a little, "You are obviously presuming I want to woo you, my Lord."

"The more time I spend with you Miss Rufford, the more I am coming to think I would like to get to know you better," Lord Halkyn said in a quiet voice. "Perhaps we could spend some time without your entourage?"

Elizabeth did not really know what to say. She did not want his attentions, but did not want to appear rude either. "I'm not sure."

Lord Halkyn turned his most persuasive smile on her, "Come now, I am a friend of Dunham's, a drive out with me cannot be so dangerous can it?"

"No I suppose not," Elizabeth replied.

The following day Elizabeth and Lord Halkyn drove out in his phaeton. Elizabeth had found Michael unresponsive when she had asked whether she should have agreed to the outing, and out of frustration had told Michael that she was going to encourage Halkyn's attentions. She had failed to notice the firm set of Michael's lips, or the raised eyebrows of his sister.

Violet decided that she had to speak to her brother whatever his response, before he completely lost Elizabeth. So while Elizabeth was being entertained by a man who could make her smile, but not make her laugh or her heart pound, Violet sat down next to Michael and took his hand.

"I think you should declare yourself to Elizabeth," she said quietly.

"What?" Michael exclaimed, pulling his hand away from his sister.

"Michael you cannot hide from me. I see the way you look at her. I see the way you smile when she is in the room." Violet persisted.

"She is my ward and I like her!" Michael explained, cursing himself for not being more circ.u.mspect when Violet was near. It was typical that she would see what he strove to hide from everyone else.

"We all like her, but I think it is more than mere like with you. I have never seen you respond to anyone in the way you do to her." Violet persisted.

"This is nonsense," Michael maintained his defensive position.

"I will tell you what is nonsense! The way you are encouraging Halkyn to chase after her. Have you thought how you will feel if she agrees to marry him?"

"I will feel that I have done my duty." Michael muttered, trying to ignore the feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.

"Yes, you will have done your duty, in finding her a husband. But you will have pushed her towards a man who won't love her the way you would." Violet said quietly.

"Why won't he?" Michael asked genuinely puzzled.

Violet realised she was making some progress; Michael had not denied that he did not love Elizabeth. "He is interested now because she is a novelty; but do you not think he would tire of her eventually, no matter how charming we all know she is?"

"He would be a fool if he did." Michael said with feeling.

"I agree, but have you not noticed how cold Halkyn is? Elizabeth has sensed it, even on such a short acquaintance."

"Why what has she said? Has he behaved inappropriately?" Michael demanded. He would kill Halkyn if he harmed a hair on Elizabeth's head.

Violet smiled at her protective brother. "No he has done nothing wrong, but she has said that he seems cold somehow. He has given her the impression that any marriage he entered into would be a business transaction, nothing more."

"It is in many instances." Michael acknowledged. The number of arranged marriages that occurred throughout society to achieve the joining of estates could be seen as nothing but a business transaction. Feelings rarely were considered in such situations.

"I agree in some cases, but have you not seen that Elizabeth could never marry on such terms? She is a girl that is pa.s.sionate about life; she needs to be loved by someone who would not try to stifle her because of the need to fit into society. She does not openly show it, but she yearns to be loved Michael. Halkyn is not the man for her." Violet insisted.

"Shouldn't Elizabeth be the one to decide that?" Michael asked, stubbornly sticking to his sense of duty, wanting to let Elizabeth make her own decisions.

"Oh for goodness sake!" Violet said exasperated. "Have you not got to know her over these last weeks? She is insecure about her ability to receive love; she could make the wrong decision quite easily."

"Don't be silly, she's beautiful and very loveable." Michael said, dismissing Violet's comments with a wave of his hands.

"Oh yes, she is beautiful, but she has never been told that. Her father wanted a boy and made it clear throughout her life that she was a disappointment. It did not matter how good she was at running his estate, she would always be lacking in his eyes. Then to top it all, along came her cousin and his wife, and added to her feelings of worthlessness. Has she told you what that woman said?" Violet said, her voice rising at the injustice of the situation.

"Yes she told me." Michael said, remembering his first encounter with Elizabeth.

"And did you notice the look on her face? She has believed every bad thing ever said about her. I am amazed she still has any fire in her after those setbacks. It was all confirmed even more because of that bet. If Halkyn realises how vulnerable she is underneath that tough exterior, he will use it to his own advantage, and you will have helped her make a marriage that will not suit her. She will be married and the envy of most of the ton, but she will be unhappy." Violet insisted.

"What can I do?" Michael asked. He had to admit his sister's words rang true.

"You can declare yourself." Violet said simply.

Michael jumped up from his seat. "If you think I am going to take advantage of my position you are sadly mistaken Violet. I am her guardian!" He could not acknowledge to his sister his real fear. If he developed the madness that his father had suffered from, Elizabeth would suffer a far worse fate by being married to him. A marriage to Halkyn might not be perfect, but it would be preferable to a marriage to a madman.

"She loves you Michael." Violet replied.

"Has she said that?" Michael asked, a little stirring of hope in his chest.

"No," Violet said honestly, "but I see the way she looks at you, just the same as I see the way you look at her."

Michael fought against the disappointment he felt. He might not be able to have Elizabeth, but it did not prevent his feelings being any less real. "I will not force her into any marriage she does not want to enter into, but I am not going to force her into a position where she feels obliged to, either." He could not explain to Violet his fears. After all, she could suffer from the same fate, so he clung to the excuse that Elizabeth was his ward. It was a poor excuse even to his own ears, as many wards married their guardians, but he would not acknowledge any other reason out loud.

"I don't understand." Violet said, with a feeling that she did.

"I am not going to put Elizabeth in a situation that she feels obliged to accept any proposal I may have for her. I want her to make her own choices." Michael tried to sound reasonable.

"And yet, by not declaring yourself, you are preventing her from making an informed choice." Violet insisted.