“I’m sorry, my lord, but I am promised to Lord Calvary.”
“He’s taken ill,” Simon said, placing a hand on her spine and propelling her forward.
“You’re lying. He was perfectly well not ten minutes ago.” She tried to look over her shoulder to see if Lord Calvary was about. He turned her in his arms as the waltz started, and they were soon moving together with the music.
“Miss Belmont, I never lie. Mr. Calvary is suffering from digestion issues. It seems his coat and breeches are too tight and restricting the airways.” Simon looked down at her and tried to keep his eyes on her face instead of the lush swells above the bodice of her dress.
She didn’t smile as he’d intended her to; in fact, the expression in her brown eyes was identical to her brother’s–one of infinite sadness.
“Yes, you do lie regularly, especially if it is to strengthen your claim.”
“You wound me,” he said, pulling her closer as they navigated their way around several couples. He had not danced often with Claire, usually because she was never short of partners and avoided Simon whenever she could. “How is your headache?”
“What headache?”
“The one you told Eva you had, when you sent a note around to her house explaining you would not be attending the Miller ball two nights ago.” Interesting, she had lied to her best friend, but why? All this intrigue was making his head hurt.
“Oh yes, that headache. Much better, thank you, my lord.” She avoided his eyes, and instead, looked over his shoulder.
“I understand you are going with Daniel and Eva to Stratton tomorrow.”
She nodded, still not looking at him.
“I was just talking with your brother, Claire. He appeared worried about something. Do you know what it is?”
Simon caught her as she tripped on his foot. He held her briefly before standing her back on her feet. Leaning forward so his mouth was against her ear, he then whispered, “What the hell is going on with you?”
Instead of censuring him for using coarse language in her presence, she simply pulled herself out of his arms. “Thank you for the dance, Lord Kelkirk, but I fear my headache has returned. Thus I will find my mother at once and leave.”
“Claire, I want to help you, please. Tell me what is wrong.”
She tried to evade him as he reached for her arm, but with so many prying eyes upon them, she could not, so he simply grabbed her hand and rested it on his sleeve.
“There is nothing wrong with me, my lord, other than a headache. Please take me to my mother at once.”
“And your brother? Why did he look so sad when you walked away from him?”
Simon wasn’t sure, as the room was filled with noise, but he thought she made a sound. However when he looked down at her, she had her usual calm smile in place. She wasn’t calm, though. He could feel how tightly her fingers clenched his arm.
“My brother has much on his mind, my lord. I cannot furnish you with the reasons for his mood.”
He wasn’t going to get anything else out of her this evening, but he would tomorrow. He would make sure to get to Daniel’s house before they left and see Claire then, make her talk to him.
When they found Lady Belmont, the woman would not look at her daughter. Instead, she offered Simon a tight smile that resembled her children’s. Whatever this was, it clearly involved the entire Belmont family.
“Excuse me. I shall find Lord Belmont now, Lady Belmont, as your daughter has a headache and wishes to leave at once.” The older lady gave him a curt nod but still did not make a move towards her daughter.
Mathew Belmont was standing, looking out some windows into the darkness. In one hand, he held a glass of champagne, which appeared untouched.
“Belmont, your sister is unwell and wishes to return home at once.”
“Where is she?” His skin paled instantly, and his eyes started searching for Claire.
“I will take you to her.”
They quickly made their way back through the throng to Claire and Lady Belmont. Claire was standing silently beside her mother. Her hands were clenched, and she looked uncomfortable. Her mother looked much the same. Anyone watching them would have thought they were strangers, as they neither touched nor conversed.
“Are you unwell, Claire?”
Simon stayed back as Mathew reached for his sister. She stepped away from the hand Belmont was holding out, and it fell to his side.
“I wish to go home please, my lord, at once.”
Not brother or Mathew but my lord. Claire’s words sounded cold and detached.
“Of course we shall leave at once,” Mathew said.
Simon then watched as Claire reluctantly took one of her brother’s arms and Lady Belmont the other, and soon they had disappeared from his sight.