Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Tricia finished her plate, wiped her lips daintily, and then rose.
“Do you require anything else, my lady?” the older servant who admonished Helene asked.
“No, ma’am. Thank you.” Tricia resisted the urge to curtsy herself.
“Very well, my lady.” The older servant turned away without a smile.
Tricia left the kitchen. Where should she go next? She would not return to the ball, but her garments were so stifling. She required some fresh air.
She stole through the corridors to the front entrance of the estate, where servants guarded the doorway.
“Do you require assistance, my lady?” one of them asked.
“I would like to go outside, if you please.”
“I’m afraid I cannot allow that without an escort,” the servant said.
“I’m the sister of the Earl of Thornton,” she said. “I want only a bit of fresh air. I shan’t go far.”
“Then I must check with the earl first.”
“For goodness’ sake,” Tricia scurried away from the entrance.
If this was what the peerage was like, she’d had quite enough. Having to ask permission to do this or that, needing a chaperone for this or that. Goodness, when she was but fifteen, before she knew her ancestry, she came and went from her rented land by herself, running errands for her mother.
But now, all of a sudden, she was a prisoner?
She hadn’t thought much about it before she came of age. She had been too excited about the riches she had found herself immersed in.
But now she’d had quite enough, thank you very much.
If she wanted fresh air, she had to get Cameron’s permission. So against her better judgment, she returned to the ballroom.
11
Thomas’s feet felt like two lead weights inside his boots.
Dance after dance after dance… Was there any young lady at this ball with whom he hadn’t danced?
Tricia.
He’d nearly taken her virginity on the very fourth floor of this estate, yet he hadn’t danced with her.
She’d retired early, so there was no chance of dancing with her tonight—
He gasped.
She was here.
Back at the ball.
And she was scurrying toward Cameron and Rose.
Good! He could dance with her after all. He adjusted his gloves and walked toward his sister and brother-in-law.
Tricia was already speaking to them when he arrived.
“Good evening, Rose, Thornton,” Thomas said.
“Ashford,” Cameron said. “Perhaps you could do me a favor.”
“If I can, of course.”
“You’ve been dancing nonstop for the last hour and a half. I’m sure you must need a breath of fresh air. My sister would like a walk among the rose garden to get some fresh air as well. Unfortunately, I promised my lovely wife the next dance. Would you mind escorting her?”
Thomas was startled, but he held his expression stoic. If Cameron only knew what had transpired between him and Tricia only a short while ago, he would force him into marriage with his sister instead of asking him to escort her on a stroll.
Or perhaps not. Cameron, though an earl and heir to a marquessate, was not highborn. He might understand.
At any rate, Thomas did not think escorting Tricia would be proper.
“I’m not sure that would be appropriate, Thornton,” Thomas said. “After all, your sister is on the marriage market, and I’m the most eligible bachelor here.”
“Don’t be silly, Thomas,” Rose said, laughing. “You’re my brother. Of course, Cam and I both trust you.”
Tricia’s cheeks were a lovely rosy pink.
Thomas couldn’t risk Rose and Cameron finding out what they had been up to earlier. “Very well, then.” He took Tricia’s hand. “It would be my honor, Lady Patricia, to escort you. Your brother is quite right. I believe I’ve danced with every young lady here in the last hour. I could certainly use some fresh air. Perhaps a refreshment as well. Would you care for a glass of champagne?”
Tricia’s lips trembled. “Of course, my lord. That would be lovely.”
“Shall we, then?” Thomas held out his arm, and Tricia slipped her gloved hand into it.
“Thank you, Ashford,” Cameron said. “I owe you one.”
Oh, he has no idea, Thomas thought as he grabbed two flutes of champagne and then led Tricia out of the ballroom.
“My apologies,” Thomas said once they were out of the guests’ earshot. “I felt it would look worse if I refused your brother’s request.”
Tricia looked away. “It’s all ridiculous, really. I only want a breath of fresh air, but the servant standing at the entrance wouldn’t let me out without my brother’s permission.”
“It’s the way of things, I’m afraid,” Thomas said. “You’re a young lady on the marriage mart this season, and to be walking about unescorted would not look good.”
“But I suppose kissing you upstairs and begging you to take me to your bed would look good?”
“Lower your voice,” Thomas admonished. “If anyone found out…”
“I know very well the consequences, Thomas. For both of us.”
When they reached the entrance of the estate, Thomas simply nodded to the two servants, and they opened the doors, allowing him and Tricia to go through.