Lady Olivia's Undoing (19 page)

Ariana spotted her mother looking frantic, as
she wound her way through the party. Once at her side, she said,
“Dearest, where is Bella? I declare I have not seen her since we
stepped foot inside this mansion.”

“I’m sure she is with her friends saying
good-bye,” Ariana replied.

“Well, she should have had the care to tell
me. Your father is ready to leave. He has a frightful headache.”
Her mother perched on her tiptoes to search the room. “Would you be
so kind as to find her? I hate to impose, but your father is
agitated and you know that does not bode well for any of us. We
shall be waiting for you in the front parlour. And do hurry,
dearest. You know how your father becomes.”

“Leave it to me, Mama. I shall find her.”
Ariana moved along the wall keeping away from the middle of the
crowd as much as possible. Masses of people frightened her, and she
held her hand outstretched, as if walking through a jungle trying
to stay the foliage.

She spotted Bella in the corner with her
friends. If she weren’t such a lady, Ariana would have rolled her
eyes. For all her twenty years, Bella still behaved like a
chattering magpie. As Ariana moved closer to the group, she took
note of the furtive glances the girls’ cast to the far side of the
door. Ariana swiveled her gaze where it fell upon the handsome
William Astor, son of their host for the evening. Bella had no idea
the man would never look twice in her direction. As heir to the
Astor fortune, William was not interested in giggling girls.

Ariana approached the group. The girls
quieted and one of them had the audacity to cut her directly by
turning her back. Only more reason to despise the Americans.

“Father has a headache and desires to leave,
Bella. Come,” Ariana said. She placed her hand on Bella’s
elbow.

“Oh, so soon?” Bella shook her off. “We have
only just arrived.”

“Dearest, we have been here almost four
hours. Father wishes to leave. We have a busy day ahead of us
tomorrow. Say good-bye to your friends.” Ariana gave a slight but
distinct emphasis on the word friends; saying it was so
unpleasant.

“Good-bye, Bella, we shall all miss you.”

“Perhaps we will come abroad this summer and
we will all meet again.”

“Invite us to your wedding. Daddy will be
sure to allow us to come then.”

Ariana hoped she would be able to negate that
idea. Even though she never voiced it aloud, the girls had no
refinement. They would only embarrass Bella if they ever appeared
in London Society.

Walking across the great room, Bella pouted.
“Why do you always feel the need to be so brusque in front of my
friends? Your manner does nothing to endear you to them.”

“Bella, I have no need for them to be
endeared to me. I find them coarse and socially unattractive. I
suppose you will tell me you did not notice the way Caroline cut
me.” Ariana quickened her pace.

“No, I did not. But is it any wonder? I swear
Ariana, since coming to America you have altered your character so
completely I hardly know you anymore.” Bella formed a hard line
with her lips.

Ariana could also say the same for her
sister. Once happy to remain in each other’s company, they had now
drifted miles apart. However, the journey home took six weeks and
there was no room to escape discord on a ship. Ariana said,
“Forgive me, dearest. It is my leg.”

Bella said nothing, but looped her arm
through Ariana’s.

“Ah, at last,” their mother said as they
approached. “Come girls, get your things. Your father is
waiting.”

Ariana stood with Bella in the anteroom
waiting to retrieve her cloak from the servant.

“Here you are. I have been searching for you
everywhere.”

Ariana turned. Stephen reached for Bella’s
hand.

“Where were you?” Stephen asked. “I thought
we would be able to dance at least once.”

Bella shook her head. “Saying good-bye to my
friends. The orchestra played pitiably and I did not wish to
dance.”

“Bella, it was our last night here in
America. I thought to show you off.” His tone reflected his
unhappiness.

“Well, you should have danced with Ariana
then. I had no wish to be paraded around as your peacock for the
evening.” Bella grabbed her wrap from the footman and left the room
without looking back.

Ariana sucked in a breath at Bella’s cruel
remark. Everyone knew Arian could not dance with her crooked
leg.

“What did I say?” Stephen asked.

Ariana took in his troubled countenance. “I
do not think it was anything you said, Stephen. Bella has
moods
, which I’m sure you’ve probably seen. She has made
friends here and does not wish to leave so soon.” Ariana dared not
tell Stephen Bella wished to remain in America because of her new
friends’ decadent lifestyles. The wicked confession one night
caused Ariana to wonder if Bella loved Stephen at all.

“Well, I hope she does not suffer from her
moods
on the ship. ‘Twill be a dreadful voyage for us all
then.” He took Ariana’s velvet cape from the footman and placed it
on her shoulders.

Ariana’s heart skipped a beat. The thrill
having him touch her sent chills down her spine.

“Shall we find your parents?” He offered his
arm, and Ariana took it gratefully. Standing all evening had pained
her leg and her limp appeared noticeable.

Outside, her family waited for her in the
carriage. Stephen handed her up.

“I shall see you at the shipyard in the
morning, Your Grace.” Stephen nodded to her parents. “Bella,
Ariana.” He closed the door, but remained in the street as the
carriage departed.

Her father rubbed his temples. “Damned
Americans
. I cannot tell you how glad I am to be away from
here.” He looked at his wife. “Remind me never to cross the pond
again, no matter how much I think it is a good idea.”

“Reggie,” her mother said. She reached for
his hand. “There is no reason for us ever to return. You have done
what you set out to do.” She glanced at her daughters. “You will
feel much better on the morrow.” She gave him an encouraging
smile.

The Duke of Hargrave turned to Bella. “And
why did you not dance with Stephen? He looked for you all
evening.”

Bella lifted her chin. “I did not wish to
dance, Father. The orchestra could not keep time. I had no wish to
embarrass myself.”

He snorted. “Not keep time? Bella, the
orchestra hailed from Germany and brought over especially for this
event. They play for the Crowned Heads of Europe. How can you
suggest they cannot keep time?”

“Father, I had no wish to dance.” Bella
turned her face toward the window.

Her father snorted. “For a girl who is
engaged to one of the richest men in America, you certainly have a
strange way of showing your affection. Ariana would never slight
Stephen so indecorously.”

The carriage pulled up in front of their
hotel and Bella jumped out before anyone could set the step. She
leaned into the carriage and hissed, “Well, let Ariana marry him
then.”

Her parents exchanged looks and Ariana kept
her head down lest they see her flushed cheeks. Marry Stephen? He
looked upon her as nothing more than his future invalid
sister-in-law.

Anne Gallagher grew up a voracious reader on
the shores in Rhode Island hoping to be a famous author. Although,
not famous yet, she continues to pen stories about love in the
Regency era, her favorite subject. She lives in the Foothills of
the Piedmont, with her daughter, three dogs, and a cat named Henry
David Thoreau.

Her author website

http://annegallagherwriter.blogspot.com

Her boards on Pinterest where you
can find sneak peeks

into the actors she’d like her
characters to be

http://www.pinterest.com/regencyanne

On Twitter
@gallagher_anne

*****

The Reluctant Grooms Series
from

Shore Road Publishing

NOVELLAS

A WIFE for WINSBARREN -- Rich, titled, and handsome,
Winsbarren wanders through society searching for a wife. He doesn't
understand why he can't find one. When one of his friends takes up
his cause, Winsbarren realizes the woman he was looking for was
right under his nose the whole time.

LOVE FINDS LORD DAVINGDALE – Thomas Merrit, the Earl
of Davingdale, wants nothing to do with Society. Until he meets the
enigmatic “Miss Ophelia Cummings” who is only in Town for three
days. Their paths serendipitously cross twice. On the third day,
the chance to see the delightful Miss Cummings is thwarted by mere
moments. Thomas will do whatever it takes to discover if what he
feels for her is real, but it may be too late.

ROMANCING LADY RYDER – The Earl of Greenleigh lives
a secret life as an undercover operative for the Foreign Office.
Lady Illora Ryder has secrets of her own and when Greenleigh finds
he and Lady Ryder are merely pawns in the game played among the
allies and Bonaparte for control of the Continent, Greenleigh must
expose himself, not only to the enemy, but to Society as well. Can
he save both their lives before it’s too late?

LADY CADORET’S LONGING – Lady Dorcas Cadoret,
secretly engaged these five years to her childhood sweetheart is
overwhelmed with grief when Peter is killed in action two weeks
before his commission is over. His brother, Daniel, is very kind,
and rumors abound there is more to his attention than just being
her guardian angel. Will Peter’s memory haunt Daniel and Dorcas
forever?

NOVELS

THE LADY’S MASQUERADE – Someone is trying to kill
Lady Penelope Leighton and she has no choice but to masquerade as a
traveling companion. When the Earl of Westerly does a favor for his
cousin, he finds himself masquerading as a steward. Will these two
see through their deceptions and find their way to love?

THE CAPTAIN’S COINCIDENCE – Captain Richard Gaines
meets an uncommon woman who steals his heart. Amanda is married to
a man with a dark history. With Richard’s help, she uncovers the
truth. When her daughter is kidnapped, Richard must battle his
tormented past to bring her back. Yet, one night of passion may
keep them apart forever.

THE LADY'S FATE – When Lady Violet Flowers becomes
governess to the Marquess of Haverlane's daughter, her gentle care,
and affection for the little girl turn the curmudgeonly Marquess'
eye in her direction. However, a woman from his past wants
Haverlane and will do anything to get him. Will Fate intervene?

THE DUKE'S DIVORCE – A simple trip to the Scottish
Highlands finds the Duke of Cantin with a bride he does not want.
With her impeccable beauty, and fiery disposition, Fiona takes
society by storm. As their prearranged divorce proceedings draw
near, can Fiona change his mind?

THE EARL’S ENGAGEMENT – Unoccupied in London,
Gregory Scott, Earl of Bailey seeks out an old acquaintance who has
a most unusual daughter. Lady Rosamund wants nothing to do with
Society. The idea to find her a husband goes slightly awry, as Rory
doesn’t bargain for falling in love with her. And when his plan
turns up another beau for Rosamund, can Rory let her go?

Coming Soon

the final installments of

The Reluctant Grooms

LADY OLIVIA’S UNDOING – Lady Olivia, Duchess of
Caymore has been playing a dicey game of cat and mouse when it
comes to her late husbands’ title and wealth. After ten years, she
has finally secured it for future generations. However, a jealous
nephew discovers an heir who could turn her world upside down.
Coming late summer 2014.

THE LADY’S SECRET – Lady Ariana Leighton lives in
the shadow of her younger sister, Bella. When Bella meets the man
of Ariana’s dreams and forms an engagement, can Ariana remain
silent? Coming fall 2014.

THE SEDUCTION OF MR. SUMMERVILLE – American
shipbuilder, Stephen Summerville has a bit of a dilemma when he
meets two very beautiful English sisters. However, when Stephen is
confronted with the aristocratic father he never knew, deciding on
a wife seems like a small task in comparison to what he must decide
for his future. The last book in the Reluctant Grooms series coming
2015.