Heart Burn (13 page)

Jack glanced at me then Samuel then back at me. "What's happened?"

"Nothing! At least, nothing that I know of. Well, have you?"

"Christ, Gladstone. If I had and it concerned you, then I would tell you. Otherwise, mind your own business." He stood and stalked off to the door. "I'm going for a swim."

"But it's lunch time!" Sylvia cried.

"Eat without me." 

I almost went after him, but decided against it. If he'd wanted my company, he would have invited me to join him. It was most disturbing. Not knowing what had upset him was upsetting me.

"Well," Sylvia said. "You're right, Samuel. He's in a foul temper this morning. Hannah, you must ask him what's wrong. If he's going to tell anybody, it will be you."

"Later," I said. "Give him a chance to calm down first."

***

Jack didn't calm down. Not that day, or the next. On the third day, I confronted him in the training room. He sat on the window seat, staring out at the frost-covered lawn and the misty lake beyond. I stood beside him and rested my forehead on the wall of the window embrasure.

"What's wrong, Jack?" I asked gently.

He took a few moments to answer, then he turned to me and smiled. "Nothing, Hannah. Sorry if I've been a bear lately, but…" He shrugged. "I'm worried about you."

I knew he was worried, but his anger was due to something else. Why lie? Why didn't he confide in me? "You can tell me anything, Jack. Anything at all."

His smile turned sad. "I know. I just miss you. I miss swimming with you and walking with you." We had tried not to be seen alone together too much, and it seemed we'd been successful. While Langley still urged Samuel to attend to my needs, he didn't berate Jack or me anymore for being together.

"One day I'm going to tell August exactly what I think," he said. "I won't stand being apart from you for a moment longer than necessary."

"Be sure to wait until after he finds a cure. He mustn't be distracted." I still hadn't told Jack what Langley had said to Samuel, and nor would I. He was troubled enough. Angry enough too. Telling him would only raise his ire further. "Until then, let him think we're friends, nothing more."

A crease connected his brows. The lines bracketing his mouth deepened. "I'll try, if that's what you want."

"It is." I rested my hand on the wall near where his shoulder leaned. My fingers warmed, but there were no sparks. "Are you sure there isn't something else troubling you? You've not been yourself these last few days."

He shifted away from me. "Quite sure. Stop worrying. It's not good for you. Focus all your energies inward, on healing."

"I'll try."

I just hoped that my curiosity could stand not knowing what bothered him. My jealousy too.

***

Despite Sylvia's protestations, Tommy ended up accompanying us to London. He rode most of the way with the driver, but it mustn't have been a pleasant journey for either of them out in the icy cold. I offered to swap, but nobody would let me. Jack did a few times, but Tommy wouldn't ride with us, preferring to sit at the back out of the freezing wind.

We arrived at Claridges the day before the ball. On the day of the ball, I rested while Jack took Sylvia shopping. Samuel left us to stay with Myer. It was strange without him. Even though we would see him again at the ball, I felt like I'd lost a friend. It was silly really. He was coming back to Frakingham one day, and I… Well, I hoped I would be there to see him.

In the afternoon, Sylvia and I helped each other dress and did our hair together with the aid of one of the hotel maids. It was a tiring exercise in itself, but I was immensely pleased with the results. My hair was piled in soft curls, with a string of Sylvia's pearls threaded through it. The color of the pearls matched the lace sleeves and the frill at my bust line. The rest of the gown was as blue as a summer sky with an elaborate pattern of twisted rose strands in a darker blue through it.

"Oh, Hannah," Sylvia said, her eyes growing misty. "You're breathtakingly beautiful. I am so pleased you're in love with my cousin, or I'd have a terrible time competing with you for the available gentlemen."

I giggled and complimented her on her dress too. She wore a daringly low-cut pale pink ensemble festooned with swathes of fabric. With her pretty looks and luscious figure, there was no way I would win the hand of any gentleman when in her presence. Being the belle of the ball was the least of my concerns, however. I was excited to be attending and somewhat worried about getting through the night without fainting.

"Now for our jewelry," Sylvia said, but she did not fetch the box with the earrings and necklaces that we'd packed. She left the room entirely and returned a moment later with Jack. He cut a very handsome figure in formalwear of tailcoat and waistcoat as densely black as midnight.

He stopped inside the door and stared at me. His mouth flopped open and his breath quickened.

"I told you so," Sylvia sang. "Isn't she lovely?"

"She's beyond lovely," he murmured. "She's the vision of my dreams."

"I'll leave you two alone, shall I?" She departed through the door that led to our small private parlor, a pleased smile on her face.

I raised my brows at Jack. "What have you two concocted?"

He shyly handed me a rectangular silver box. "I had these made for you. I picked them up yesterday. Sylvia advised me on the current fashion."

I opened the box and gasped. Lying on a bed of black velvet was a necklace with a large blue pendant surrounded by smaller, clear stones that sparkled in the light. A pair of matching drop earrings nestled beside it.

"Jack," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Are these diamonds?"

"Yes. And the blue stones are sapphires."

"They match the roses on my dress."

"They match your eyes," he said softly. His own eyes glistened back at me, full of emotion.

"Oh," I murmured. "Thank you, Jack. They're exquisite. I'm almost too afraid to wear them. What if I lose them?"

He laughed. "Then I'll have others made."

I picked up the earrings and clipped one on. "I'm not sure I deserve to wear such fine things as these," I said to my reflection in the mirror.

"Hannah," he scolded. "You deserve those and much more. Besides, a lady cannot attend her first ball without diamonds and sapphires."

"Did Sylvia tell you that?"

He laughed again, and I could have kissed him, not for the gifts but just because it was wonderful to see his happiness.

It didn't last long. His smile slipped as I draped the necklace around my throat. "I wish I could put it on you myself, but I'm afraid I might accidentally brush you."

"One day," I said, fighting the tears that hovered on my eyelids. "Soon."

We called Sylvia back in, and she fixed the necklace in place. "There. Now we're ready."

Our coach was waiting for us downstairs. Tommy looked very formal and a little cold as he opened the door for us. He helped me up the step into the cabin then held his hand out for Sylvia. She hesitated before placing her gloved fingers inside his. He touched her elbow to steady her, although she appeared steady enough to me. She settled herself opposite me, pulling her fur-lined coat tighter at her throat. Her gaze drifted to Tommy then snapped back to focus straight ahead. It was curious behavior for them both, and had me wondering what it all meant.

"If the ladies would permit me to tell them how beautiful they look this evening," Tommy said. Although he spoke to us both, he couldn't take his eyes off Sylvia.

She continued to stare at nothing in particular.

"Thank you, Tommy," I said, since she didn't speak. "I hope you find somewhere warm to pass the time tonight."

Sylvia sniffed. Tommy bowed and stepped aside for Jack to climb in.

We drove to the Beauforts' house, the brightest star among a street of stars. Light streamed from every window and extra lamps lining the front steps welcomed guests. Sylvia and I shed our coats in the ladies' dressing room, then Jack escorted us up to Emily and Jacob Beaufort, and Cara Moreau. The three stood side by side, greeting a steady stream of ladies and gentlemen outside the ballroom.

"The house is a picture," Sylvia gushed. "Hannah, we
must
decorate Frakingham when we return."

The decorations were indeed marvelous. Holly and laurel wound up the balustrade of the grand staircase and around chandeliers. Ribbons, garlands and glass ornaments brightened the greenery in festive colors. A tall Christmas tree stood by the ballroom entrance like a guard. A little doll perched on top, her hat brushing the ceiling. Other small toys hung from the branches, and paper chains that looked to have been shaped and colored by children filled the gaps. It made the grand house so joyful and friendly.

"Your first ball," Mrs. Beaufort said to us on a sigh. She wore a grown of crimson and cream and looked positively radiant. "How thrilling. You both look lovely, don't they, Jacob?"

Mr. Beaufort bowed. "They do indeed. I hope you'll both reserve a dance for me later."

"You may be out of luck," his wife said, eyes shining. "Their cards will fill up very quickly."

Miss Moreau greeted us, then Jack moved a little ahead to speak to a gentleman he knew. Miss Moreau took my hand. "Are you excited?" she asked, looking rather excited herself. I'd almost forgotten that this was a new experience for her too. She'd spent the last few years at the bottom of the world in a place called Melbourne with her brother and his wife, Mrs. Beaufort's parents. London balls were as foreign to her as they were to me.

"Oh yes," Sylvia said on a breath. "Everything is perfect. Just perfect. And you look lovely, Miss Moreau. I adore that shade of peach." She did indeed look very pretty. The dress would have looked awful on me with my complexion, but it complimented her warm skin wonderfully.

"Call me Cara," she said. "May I call you by your first names?"

We nodded and couldn't help smiling. I'd been so worried about attending the ball, yet now I'd just acquired another female friend. My second. Or third if I counted Violet. I still wasn't sure whether I would ever see her again, or if I wanted to.

"Are there many eligible gentlemen here?" Sylvia asked, craning her neck to see into the ballroom.

"I believe so," Cara said. "Emily invited all the ones she and Jacob knew, but…" She sighed and surveyed the throng outside the ballroom. "I can't say that the ones I've met are particularly promising. Compared to the men I knew in the Colonies, they're rather dull."

I don't think Sylvia heard her. She was too busy standing on her tiptoes to see past the crowd into the ballroom itself. "Just
look
at all these people! Oh, Hannah, everybody is
so
elegant. I feel quite drab."

I rolled my eyes at Cara. She smiled then focused her attention on the couple coming up behind me. "I must fulfill my duties, but I'll search you out later," she whispered.

"This is my aunt, Miss Cara Moreau," I heard Mrs. Beaufort say to the newcomers. "Cara, meet Lord and Lady Wade and their daughter, Miss Violet Jamieson."

CHAPTER 8

My heart slammed against my ribs. Violet. Here. Lord Wade too.

I kept my back to them and tried to calm my nerves. How had this happened? Why did Mrs. Beaufort invite
them
? But of course she would. Lord Wade was a nobleman, and Mr. Beaufort was the heir to a viscountcy. They must have known each other, and I'd not told them my history of being kept in his attic. 

I grabbed Sylvia's arm and dragged her away. We sailed past Jack and wended our way through the crowd and into the ballroom. Despite my anxiety, I was entranced by the room and the people in it. The jewels draped around the slender throats of the ladies sparkled beneath the glittering chandeliers. Tulle and muslin gowns floated like clouds as dancers met and parted, twirled and swirled to the music.

"Hannah!" Sylvia said, pulling herself free. "Hannah, why are you rushing off?"

I didn't stop until I reached the high arched window on the other side of the room. I kept my back to the double doors leading out to the landing where the Beauforts welcomed their guests. I concentrated on breathing and calming my nerves.

Jack joined us, frowning. "Hannah? Are you all right?"

I nodded.

"You left so suddenly. I grew worried."

"What is it, Hannah?" Sylvia asked, peering at my face. "You look paler than usual. Your freckles are standing out rather frightfully."

I pressed my fingers against my breast where my heart skipped at an alarming rate. "Lord Wade is here," I said, breathless.

"Oh my!" She pulled a face. "I dislike that man intensely."

Jack glanced back to the doors. A muscle tensed high in his jaw. "Bloody hell."

"It's not just him," I said. "Vi is here too."

"The other girl from the attic?" Sylvia said.

They had once thought I was Violet. Indeed, that's why Jack had abducted me from Windamere. Although I was glad of the mistake now, at the time I was both angry and terrified. I'd wanted desperately to see my friend Violet again…until I'd learned of her duplicity. She, along with our governess, had conspired to have Jack kidnap me. I had never learned why.

"She was introduced as his daughter," I said. Yet I still had my doubts. If she were his daughter, why had Lord Wade kept her locked in the attic when there was nothing wrong with her? Well, it would seem she too was out now, and openly acknowledged.

"They're coming this way." Sylvia touched her brow to hide her eyes as she spied them. "She's a very pretty girl. Such lovely dark hair and fair complexion. She's clinging to Lord Wade's arm as if he were saving her from drowning. What a nervous looking thing she is. Her gaze darts about the room, and every time someone gets too close she shrinks away."

"She's unused to so many people," I said. I knew how she felt. The crush of the ball wasn't a place for the faint of heart. Now that my initial instinct to flee had lessened, other nerves had taken their place. The ballroom was large, but it was already full and everybody seemed to know everybody else. Many watched us surreptitiously from behind fans or out of the corner of their eyes, while others openly stared. We were the oddities in the room. The freaks from Frakingham, unknown in London society. The guests would be ogling Vi with similar thoughts on their minds.