His valet entered the room just then. “I’ve pressed your formal evening attire, my lord. I thought perhaps the sapphire waistcoat.”
“That’s fine,” Owen replied, still trying to shake Alex from his thoughts.
“You’ll be attending the Rutherfords’ ball this evening, correct?” the valet asked.
“Yes.” Owen pulled his shirttails over his head to change into the fresh ones. “That’s right. I’m about to make a wallflower the most sought-after young lady in London.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Alex was going to cast up her accounts tonight. She was certain of it. Hannah had dressed her with painstaking care. She wore a shell pink gown of satin with tiny embroidered flowers around the high waist, capped sleeves, and embedded pearls along the bodice. Her hair was caught up in a chignon with a few tendrils curled around her cheeks. A pearl necklace and a delicate matching bracelet completed the ensemble. The young woman who stared back at her in the looking glass, however, appeared more anxious than beautiful, as far as she was concerned.
She took a deep breath. She could do this. She could. She could dance with Owen Monroe tonight and become the belle of the ball. They’d been practicing, hadn’t they? She was prepared. So why did she feel ill?
A knock sounded at the door. Alex whirled toward it. “It’s me, Thomas,” her brother’s voice rang out. She pressed a hand against her pounding chest. Good heavens, she needed to calm her nerves. She hurried to the door and opened it.
“Thomas?”
Her handsome brother grinned at her and bowed. “I’ve come to escort you to the ball.”
“What are you doing here? I thought you were at school.”
“I came back for a bit. With Father’s permission, of course. Lord Owen wrote to me. He said tonight would be special for you. He sent the note to Windsor via private messenger.”
Owen had written to her brother? Alex swallowed. How absolutely lovely of him. And private messenger? Why, that must have cost a fortune.
Alex eyed her brother up and down. He was dressed in formal black evening attire and looked altogether debonair. Her brother was already good-looking and dashing at the age of sixteen with his dark brown hair that was slicked back and bright blue eyes that sparkled with mischief.
“You look beautiful, Al.”
She curtsied to him. “Thank you, my lord,” she added with a giggle.
He tucked her arm under his and led her downstairs to the foyer, where she gathered her wrap. Mother and Father and Lavinia were already waiting in the coach. Thank heavens Father’s coach was large enough to accommodate all five of them.
“I’m still not entirely certain why you wanted to come to the ball this evening,” Mother said to Thomas as the coach took off into the night toward the Rutherfords’ house.
“The lad is growing up, Lillian,” Father said.
“I’ve come to escort my sisters. Need I explain myself any further?” Thomas replied. He turned to wink at Alex where only she could see. They both knew no good could come of it if Lavinia thought for a moment that Alex was getting preferential treatment from their brother.
“Besides, school’s quite dull this time of year. It’s hardly off to a start yet.”
“The little Season is dull as well,” Lavinia said in a huff. “I daresay it’s even more dull than the spring Season, and that is a complete bore.”
“Lavinia, please,” their mother said.
Thankfully, the Rutherfords’ house was nearby and the ride was not long. The footman helped Father and Mother out of the coach, Father assisted Lavinia, and then Thomas sprang forward to help Alex. She took his hand eagerly and alighted.
Thomas offered his arm again and escorted her through the receiving line, the corridor, and finally down the sweeping staircase to the Rutherfords’ elegant ballroom.
When the butler announced them, Alex was again certain she would cast up her accounts. It felt as if all eyes in the ballroom turned to stare at her. Why?
She concentrated on looking above all the feathers in the ladies’ hair and allowed her brother to lead her about the room. Alex glanced around. Why was everyone watching her?
“I should very much like a glass of champagne,” she whispered to her brother.
“I’ll get you one,” he replied, squeezing her hand.
Thomas was off in a flash, and Alex was left alone. She scanned the ballroom for a glimpse of either Owen or Lavinia. She turned in a wide circle and caught her breath when Owen materialized from the crowd. He wore his finest black evening attire with a sapphire waistcoat and blinding white cravat and shirttails. He was so handsome, her chest felt tight.