An Earl’s Broken Heart by Ella Edon
Chapter Four
When Mr. Wilson had announced that there was a letter for him, Alexander had not expected that it would be an invitation to a ball. Being an Earl came with so many responsibilities and it also made one known, it appeared. And Alexander did not like the latter. He had always thought that these events were unnecessary, and now that he had been out in service to his country, he could see just how frivolous these occasions were in the grand scheme of things. From what he had gleaned from the experience and accounts of others, the chief concerns of any local ball were firstly to exchange and proliferate the latest gossip and secondly to keep an eye on the lives and livelihood of other members of the noble class. It seemed to him a ridiculous way to spend one’s time.
The charade and frippery of the nobility irked him to no end. He was not in any way intent on being caught dead or alive in any ballroom. If it were left to him, he would never have attended. Alas, it was not entirely up to him. He had an estate to consider now and that meant he had to honor invitations to balls such as this.
He cracked his knuckles in irritation. The ball was a relic and reminder of the truths Michael had impressed upon him; he had to – by one means or the another – find a wife. And not just any wife, but one in possession of a sizeable dowry. It was not a matter of desire but one of duty. A ball, as irritating as it seemed, was the most reliable place to find a wife of fitting stature. Alexander was many things, but he had always thought of himself as dutiful. It was why he was able to represent himself so admirably in service to his country. To him, loyalty was all. He thought of the debt that rested over him and the waiting decimation of his Great Uncle’s legacy and that strong sense of responsibility tugged at him. He would put all sentiments aside in this regard and attending the ball was an act of duty.
Ignorant of Alexander’s firm resolution to do what he needed to do, Michael paid him a visit on the morning before the ball. His intent – which became quickly evident – was to persuade Alexander to attend.
A few minutes after Mr. Wilson had informed Alexander of Michael’s arrival, the man himself appeared before the study door.
With a smile, Michael leaned against the threshold and said, "Something told me that you would be hesitant concerning attending the ball."
"You know me too well, my friend." Alexander said, pushing the paperwork he was tending to aside in order to focus on his friend.
Michael leaned away from the threshold and walked into the study. He eyed the papers before taking a seat directly opposite Alexander. "You must take the opportunity to put yourself out there, make your intentions known."
Alexander nodded, rubbing his temple. "I know."
"Do you really? I know you still have doubts within you and that's alright, but you know that this needs to be done."
"Michael, thank you," Alexander sat up, a small smile lingered. "I have accepted that I must do this. Irrespective of how much I hate society, I shall attend the event and I shall be on the lookout for a wife."
Michael stared at him, pride blossoming in his eyes. Rising, he tugged at the collar of his coat before stretching out his hand to Alexander. "I see you have been going through some paperwork."
Alexander nodded. "Indeed."
Michael shook his head. "Good, so you know why you must do this. Good luck tonight."
A few hours after Michael departed, Alexander began his preparations for the ball. He wore a long, black velvet tailcoat with silver-grey lapels and a white linen shirt beneath a deep burgundy cravat. Staring at himself in the mirror, he had to admit that he looked the part.
In the years since he had been rejected by Isabel and her father, he had fortified his confidence with a strong irrepressible sense of self. He had long since sworn to himself that he would never be subdued to shame, never permitting another man or woman to make him feel less than another. This solemn vow meant that despite his public appearance, he would always maintain a respectful distance from the very center of the ton. The ton was a society which had the bite and bitterness to tear any man down piece by piece and he was not ever to be in the habit of being torn down. Though he had resolved to attend events such as the ball, he would never host such a ball. He would always be a visitor to the ton and not a permanent resident as so many noblemen often are.
Once Alexander was satisfied with the quality of his dressing, he rode in a carriage to the ball. As he rode through the manor gates, Alexander turned his eyes out the window. The landscape and buildings of the estate all needed work. Alexander had given good thought to the restoration of the estate but all he had come with was the selling some of the assets at the manor. Whatever assets he managed sell, he knew would not fetch the very best prices and even if they did the sums recovered would not be anywhere near enough to restore the estate to its former glory. Michael would be proven right it seemed, a quick and advantageous marriage was the fastest and easiest way to begin its restoration.
The carriage arrived at Greyweather Estate soon enough. As it halted before the entrance, Alexander blew out a breath. He did not know what to expect. When the carriage door was pulled open, he found himself face to face with a beautiful grand manor house, much like Carter Manor was not so long ago. It was a marvel of architecture, built with polished stone with four large windows and fronted by a formal lawned parterre. These were the sorts of houses he once had to enter with his head bowed and shoulders hunched. Now he was going in as an Earl. What a wonderful web the world weaves. He alighted and was directed to the ballroom.
Upon his entrance, his presence was announced. "Lord Alexander Steward, the Earl of Carter. "
The number of heads that turned at the mention of his name caught him off guard. As he walked in, however, he kept his head high and pretended that he took no notice of the whispers that went on around him. The ballroom was tastefully decorated to accommodate the very finest ladies and gentlemen of the ton; an open plan with high ceilings, containing a long table set with silver and white linen, a parlor and parquet floor for dancing. Through the arched French doors, Alexander was struck by the burst of color that came from the dresses, along with the flowers that were at each corner. The décor was impressive by any standard, in fact it was almost enough to take his mind away from the stares that followed him as he made his way across the room.
He walked past two ladies who batted their eyes at him while shielding their lips with a fan. Alexander raised both brows. Michael had been right, there were many maidens in London. On the subject of women, Alexander had learnt a few important lessons. He was not the Alex of days past, who was shy when met with a woman’s stare. His time away at war had changed him; he was as accustomed to flirtation as he was with anything else in life.
A servant was walking past, and Alex decided to take a champagne flute. One drink would be just enough to enable him to get rid of any lingering nervousness. Not long after he set the flute down, he was approached by two noblemen.
"Lord Carter." The elder Lord said, sticking out his hand. "I am Lord Anthony Baldwin, Duke of Hastings."
Alexander took his hand in his. "Your Grace."
"Congratulations on your ascension." He grinned.
"It is my honor." Alexander replied.
The second Lord shook with him after Lord Hastings. "I am Lord George Hilton, Earl of Greyweather. Thank you for attending my ball and my sentiments to you and your new position."
Alexander smile and decided to commend the ball. "A wonderful ball this is."
These were circles he was unaccustomed to but learning fast was all that was required of him. These were men in the habit of hearing the very highest courtly manners, and here he was, a duck amongst swans doing his utmost to look the part. Still, he had been amongst men long enough to know the unchanging truths of them. They would accept him, so long as he did not threaten their esteem. He gave his most ingratiating smile and they both responded in kind.
They were interrupted soon by a Lady accompanied by her chaperone. She wore a silver dress embroidered at the bottom with rosettes.
Lord Greyweather’s eyes widened as he took her in. “Lady Hastings,” he said.
The Lady curtsied towards Alexander and Lord Greyweather as she said a quick apology. "I apologize for the intrusion, my Lords."
Lord Greyweather waved it off. “Never a worry, your Grace. Allow me to introduce you to Lord Carter,” he said, gesturing towards Alexander.
Her smile brightened. "My Lord. "
Alexander bowed. "Your Grace."
The Duchess then turned to Lord Hastings. She whispered something to him, and his eyes widened. He turned and smiled at both Alexander and Lord Greyweather. "Pardon me, but I shall have to excuse myself. I have a matter to tend to." He smiled before turning to the Lady again.
Alexander watched as she took him by the hand and led him away, whispering.
He smiled and looked in the direction the Duke and Duchess had taken before turning back to Lord Greyweather.
"It has been so long since I hosted a ball. And tonight, you have made me feel that I have done myself proud," said Lord Greyweather. "Thank you for coming. You will be quite the talking point and add greatly to the success of my event." Lord Greyweather smiled. Then he looked away to his wife in the distance. "I must be on my way now. It seems the Countess needs me. "
“My Lord.” He said as he bowed. Alexander was relieved to end the conversation.
But then the Earl turned back to him. "Perhaps it would be unkind to leave you so abruptly, however. Come with me, I will introduce you to my wife – and it would be my pleasure to introduce to any young ladies you may wish to meet as well.” The Lord winked at him.
Alexander wished that he could decline the offer, but he knew how rude that would seem so he agreed.
Alexander took notice of everyone who inclined their head as he and Lord Greyweather made their way towards Lady Greyweather. And he had not forgotten the reason he decided to attend the ball. Once he was done exchanging pleasantries with Lady Greyweather, he would focus on finding a Lady. Perhaps when he showed interest in the dance to take place, it would be easier for him to do so.
Lord Greyweather slowed and gestured to his wife. “Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lady Margaret Greyweather.”
Lady Greyweather’s face was outwardly placid, yet there was something severe in her concentration. Alexander did not need to know her thoughts to see that she was appraising him. He could tell by the taut line at her jaw that Lady Greyweather was trying to determine if Alexander would sink or swim in his new station.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Greyweather,” Alex began. “This is a most excellent party.”
She smiled, accepting his comment.
Alexander was no stranger to charm when the occasion called for it and this was one such occasion.
“You are very kind, Lord Carter. I must express our congratulations on your appointment my Lord.”
It seemed the secret was well and truly out. Everyone at the ball seemed to know who he was before he introduced himself. Even despite his announcement upon entry to the ball, he would have expected at least one or two persons to have not noticed him enter.
Alexander stretched his hands out in humble acceptance. “Thank you, Lady Greyweather, you are very kind.”
Lady Greyweather seemed to consider him for a moment before she made up her mind about something.
“I must introduce you to my good friends,” she said, gesturing to a cluster of people nearby.
Alexander followed with Lord Greyweather close at hand. There were three of them, two ladies and a gentleman all dressed elaborately in a manner befitting their noble birth.
Lady Greyweather turned to him and smiled. “Allow me to introduce to you, Miss Grace Hopkins, her sister Lady Natalie Hurst, and her brother-in-law Lord George Hurst.”
The two ladies greeted him with perfect curtsies and the gentleman with a respectable bow.
“This is Lord Alexander Steward, Earl of Carter,” said Lady Greyweather.
Alexander bowed and smiled. “A pleasure to meet you all.”
He knew immediately what this was. It was his first encounter tonight with an eligible lady. And a clear example of social engineering by Lady Greyweather - to introduce him to Miss Hopkins, who was the single woman amongst the group. She seemed the older of the two sisters but was to Alexander’s eye also the prettier. She stood with her hands clasped at the navel wearing a dark red dress without a hint of frippery. Alexander could tell by the neckline and the way she had accentuated her ample chest that she was not married, as no husband would surely have his wife dressed in such a way at a public ball. She moved with the easy, languid grace of a woman who had mastered her femininity, every step a practiced performance. She stared with invitation at him, but her lips betrayed no smile.
Lord Greyweather caught the signal and gave Alexander a subtle poke in the ribs. “A most eligible young woman,” he whispered.
Alexander drew in breath and took the cue. He had to make an effort with her, perhaps she might be the key to the restoration of the estate. He stepped forward and her smile widened.
“Are you enjoying the evening, Miss Hopkins?” he asked.
It was a lazy, unimaginative effort at a conversation starter, but he could not muster enough will to truly commit to a more colorful flirtation.
“Indeed, I am, Lord Carter. Lord and Lady Greyweather have quite simply outdone themselves.”
He nodded. “Indeed, they have.”
There was a prolonged, unseemly silence and Alexander found he had nothing to say. He was just about to continue on through the ball when she moved to scupper the silence.
“How delighted you must be to move into Carter Manor after being away from England all these years,” she said.
Alexander’s stomach lurched. While he was not ungrateful for the promotion of his fortunes in regard to the peerage, he was certainly not delighted to have become a nobleman and especially as it came on account of the demise of his Great Uncle. A number of uncharitable responses crossed his mind before he settled on a placid. He only managed a brisk nod in response.
Instead of changing tact, Miss Hopkins saw that as some manner of encouragement and proceeded to embark upon a crusade of perpetual commendations of Alexander in one form of the other.
He was so confused by the compliments that he could only receive them with silence, which only seemed to strengthen her resolve. It quickly became a most unfortunate conversation from which he could make no escape.
“You must be a really brave gentleman to have served your country so well.”
He made no answer.
“You certainly have the bearing of a soldier.”
Alexander frowned. He was not in the habit of making his life the subject of much conversation.
He lowered his chin slightly in a show of modesty. “I am actually rather unremarkable in comparison to some of my fellow soldiers.”
“And modest, too.”
He gave a thin smile.
“I am sure you must be very accomplished at business,” said Miss Hopkins.
“I’m afraid I have neither the experience nor the education to confirm whether that is true or false,” Alexander replied.
At that juncture, Lady Greyweather, seeing that this was going nowhere, made a swift intervention. “Perhaps I should introduce Lord Carter to some of the other guests.”
Alexander breathed out in relief. “That would be very kind, Lady Greyweather.” He turned to Miss Hopkins and nodded. “It has been a pleasure.”
Lord and Lady Greyweather led him towards another cluster of people in good cheer.
Too caught up in his own thoughts and strategy, Alexander was oblivious of when they approached them, and his attention had to be called by the Lord. He turned sharply, a small smile appearing on his lips. The smile froze, however, when his eyes met with the Lady standing by the Countess.
A tremor ran up his spine. It was her. The bounce of her glossy blonde curls, the radiance in her step, the contours of her bodice. The first woman he ever loved: Isabel.