“Ah!” Lord Chesterfield exclaimed, without so much as glancing at Sebastian, “the country dance is upon us, Lady Callander! Shall we go?”
Sebastian gave Lady Callander a smile, inclining his head towards her. “I look forward to our dance, Lady Callander,” he said, hoping that she took some encouragement from his smile.
“I will make sure to return her to you,” Lord Chesterfield laughed, leading Lady Callander away before she could even say a word in reply.
For the entirety of Lord Chesterfield and Lady Callander’s dance, Sebastian felt as though he were being forced to walk over hot coals. He was almost in pain, his heart thumping furiously, sweat trickling down his back, his hands clenching and unclenching as he watched them.
Finally, the music came to an end and Sebastian forced himself to turn away from the dance floor, reaching for a glass of champagne so that Lord Chesterfield would not see him watching and waiting for the return of Lady Callander. Something twisted deep in his gut, something uncomfortable and unsettling. A warning, mayhap? Sweat broke out on Sebastian’s brow as he turned back towards the dance floor, instantly realizing that Lord Chesterfield had not, in fact, brought Lady Callander back to him, where he had intended to go, but rather was now walking with her away from him, towards the other end of the room.
“Lord Millerton?”
He whirled around, panic rising in his throat as he saw Lady Madeline staring at him, her eyes holding nothing but confusion.
“You — you appear distressed,” she said, frowning. “I came to inform you that Lord Lexington has taken his leave and that the note will be delivered to Lord Chesterfield within the hour.”
Sebastian blinked furiously, his heart still in a panicked rhythm. “Lord Chesterfield has taken Lady Callander to the dance floor but has not returned her to me as he said,” he blurted out, his words falling over each other in a rush to leave his mouth. “There is something about his manner tonight that troubles me.”
Lady Madeline’s eyes flared with worry. “I — I shall go to her, of course,” she said, quickly, her voice rising with anxiety. “Where did he go?”
Sebastian gestured to where she had gone, feeling utterly useless as he watched Lady Madeline hurry across the dance floor, her beautiful silver gown making it appear as though she was floating across the floor. Everything in him wanted to charge after her, to make certain that Lady Callander was quite safe, but instead he forced himself to remain precisely where he was, drinking champagne that he did not even taste.
Finally, much to his relief, Lady Madeline and Lady Callander came back across the floor, arm in arm. Lady Madeline said something and Lady Callander laughed, her eyes bright. They did not come directly towards him but rather veered to the left, pushing forward through the crowd until he could not see them any longer.
His heart still hammering, Sebastian went in search of them at once, moving quickly without any regard for those around him. His eyes tore through the guests, looking for the silver and light green gown that brought such a beauty to Lady Callander’s eyes.
Finally, he found them.
“Lady Callander!” he exclaimed, much too loudly, given that everyone near to him turned their heads to see how he chased after the ladies. A little embarrassed, Sebastian quickly added, “It is to be our dance!”
Lady Callander, hearing him, turned her head and smiled brightly, although he noted at once the way that a slight tremor caught the corner of her mouth. “Is it that time already, Lord Millerton?” she asked, teasingly, as he drew near. “Let me just check my dance card.”
He caught her hand, holding it tightly, his eyes searching her face as she slowly lifted her head, her lips no longer curved into a gentle smile but rather tight and angry.
“What happened?” he asked in a low voice as Lady Madeline looked on. “What did he do to you?”
“Nothing,” Lady Callander replied, quietly. “He did not do anything to me, Lord Millerton.” She glanced towards Lady Madeline. “Instead, he wanted to make it quite clear that if I encouraged Lady Madeline away from him in any way, then he would do all he could to make certain that I was no longer welcome in society.”
Sebastian’s mouth dropped open.
“He was quite changed,” Lady Callander continued, softly, although there was a hint of steel in her gaze. “Furious, I believe.”
Lady Madeline shook her head. “Does he not expect me to know of what he has done, then?” she asked, angrily. “Does he expect you to remain silent about it?”
Lady Callander nodded. “Yes, I believe he does,” she said, quietly. “I will not pretend that I was not rather intimidated when he leaned over me in such a fashion and practically demanded that I come with him for a few moments, but I knew I dared not refuse.”
“I was worried when I saw him lead you away,” Sebastian told her as he gently placed his hand on hers. “Lady Madeline found you, at least.”
“I did,” Lady Madeline answered, firmly, her eyes flashing with rage. “He was leaning over Lady Callander, speaking to her in low tones and with one finger shaking in her face.” Her lips twisted and she tossed her head. “I made pleasantries, of course, stating how lovely it had been to watch them dance and telling Lord Chesterfield that I looked forward to dancing with him also.” She let out a mirthless laugh. “Lord Chesterfield’s manner changed in an instant when he thought that I had overheard something of what he had been saying.”
“I am just very relieved indeed that you managed to secure Lady Callander,” Sebastian said, earnestly. “And that you yourself are quite all right, Lady Callander.”
She smiled at him then, her eyes gentle. “Your concern is appreciated, Lord Millerton, but I was not in any real danger. He merely wanted to shout at me and threaten me harshly, but I do not think he would have done anything untoward. His main concern is Lady Madeline. He does not want her to think ill of him and, from what I u
nderstand, fully intends to court, propose to and marry you, Lady Madeline.” Her gaze shifted to her friend. “I will tell you now that I do not believe it comes from a place of affection.”
Lady Madeline did not sigh nor look troubled in any way. Rather, she simply shrugged, her mouth a thin line. “I expect he wants my dowry for his own purposes,” she said, without emotion. “Purposes that we shall soon discover, I am sure.” Her eyes snagged on someone over Sebastian’s shoulder. “Look.”
Sebastian turned his head to see a footman hurrying across the dance floor towards Lord Chesterfield, who was leading another young lady out to dance. He did not allow himself to continue watching, knowing that even a small glance in Sebastian’s direction might warn Lord Chesterfield that something was wrong.