Page 13 of A Single Obsession

“Darn it. I forgot. Lady Castleford’s ball. And we were having such a pleasant evening.”

Reluctantly, the cousins left their club and went their separate ways. Beau walked up the hill and along the road to his lodgings, trying to ignore the sinking feeling inside.

He could imagine the scathing words on his mother’s lips when they met. Not only had he failed to call on her, but now he was late to Georgie’s ball. Anthony had encouraged him to keep her ladyship happy, and he had fallen at the first hurdle.

Carrick was waiting for him. His evening clothes were already laid out—black pantaloons, a dark blue jacket of Bath coating, and a spotless white shirt, waistcoat and neckcloth.

“I’m late.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The only point of dispute was his cravat. Again.

“I suggest the Cascade, your lordship.”

“No. I’m nervous enough without you making me feel as if I’m being choked.”

“As you wish, my lord, though I believe her ladyship would approve of the style I’ve perfected.”

Beau’s face heated as he foresaw his mother’s disapproval should he present himself with his neckcloth indifferently tied, and submitted to his valet without another word.

It was almost midnight when Beau arrived at the Castlefords’ townhouse. As expected at this late hour, neither Lady Castleford nor her husband were still at the door, which he thought was just as well, as Georgie would only scold him for being so late.

Beau entered the ballroom while a dance was in progress, giving him plenty of time to observe who was there. As his gaze drifted around the room, he spotted his half-sister, Lady Caroline, going down the set. Beside her was the Whitlow girl.

Beau repressed a shudder and looked away, keen not to meet her eye. The last thing he wanted to do was give her any encouragement. She had made it abundantly clear she was on the catch for a husband, and he was her intended victim.

As the dance drew to a close and ladies returned to their chaperons, he was aware of hopeful glances being sent in his direction. The speculative looks on their faces were almost enough to make him turn tail and run.

To his relief, he spotted Anthony on the far side of the ballroom, talking to Georgiana and her sisters. At least he would have a comrade-in-arms in his battle against matchmaking mothers, his own included. With that thought in mind, he made his way toward his best friend.

He’d only taken a few steps when he caught a flash of purple out of the corner of his eye. Without thinking, he turned his head to see what it was.

At once, he realised his mistake. Darn it. He recognised that purple turban.

It belonged to his mother.

Chapter 6

Eliza had given up any hope of Beau attending the ball when she spotted him coming across the room toward her. Her heart beat faster in anticipation, and she eagerly turned to Georgiana to tell her the good news, only to discover her sister was making another introduction.

“Eliza, Charlotte, may I present Lord Beaumont’s cousin, Mr Templecombe,” she said.

“Delighted to meet you,” the man stammered. “May I have the honour of the next, Miss Merry?”

Eliza felt pushed into a corner. If she accepted, as she knew was expected of her, she would have to refuse Beau if he asked. She could not risk it. This might be her only chance to dance with him tonight.

“Forgive me,” she said, smiling sweetly up at Mr Templecombe, “but I am engaged for the next. Perhaps the one after?”

The bewildered man bowed and invited Charlotte to stand up with him instead.

Georgiana scowled at her. “Engaged?”

“He’s here,” Eliza whispered as she nodded her head in the direction she had seen Beau.

But when she looked back, he had disappeared from view. “I thought he was coming over to talk to you…that he would be bound to ask me to dance…” Eliza said, swallowing her disappointment.

“Whatever you thought, it was no reason to claim to be engaged for the next. You have put me in an awkward situation. I can’t introduce you to a different partner without slighting Mr Templecombe.”