Belonging To The Earl

7.

From his position at one side of the orchestra rostrum, Jason swung his gaze over the crowded ballroom and brought it to rest on his brother and Alyssa. They were all wearing masks. And while he had decided to use one less flashy, less noticeable, Jordon didn't. He wore a flashy white mask, while Alyssa wore a red flashy mask with peacock feathers sticking out from the sides. Her lips were painted in deep red, and though Jason knew not everyone would recognize her as their Stepmother with the way she was clinging onto Jordon, he still didn't like the idea of having her around the ball.

"Jason," Jordon called out, touching his brother's hand slightly. "Why don't you mingle with other people before she arrives? Perhaps you might find something interesting before I introduce you to Lady Thorton as soon as I see her."

There was a tingly feeling behind Jason's ear. A feeling of guilt for what he was about to do? Possibly. He nodded his head carefully, avoiding his brother's gaze and continued to survey the room under his lidded gaze. So far, he had seen women dressed in a different shade of ball gowns, paired with hand gloves and hand fans, some even went to the extent of putting on a hat too.

He had seen some of the gentlemen flirting with the young ladies without their chaperones and wondered if the mysterious lady he was equally supposed to meet was with one or not.

"I'll just go get some air in the garden. This feels entirely suffocating to me. I suppose you won't mind, right?" Jason asked.

"Of course not. I'll come to find you when she arrives, or when I supposedly see her," Jordon replied, tightening his hold on Alyssa's hand that was tucked under his.

Jason eyed them carefully and scoffed as he walked away from them. He was getting himself tangled in a mess that entirely had nothing to do with him, and he had no idea how exactly he was going to get away from this, or how to help his brother.

He strolled lazily across the ballroom. Vases of flowers were arranged beautifully by the far side of the ballroom, and they stretch accordingly to the entrance. He stepped out, a cool whip of fresh air bathing his face, and he closed his eyes to savour the new feeling. Fresh scents of flowers filled the spacious garden, with the dozens of twinkling stars illuminating the radiant night sky.

Their so-called stepmother was proving to be a thorn at his side. There was just something rather unsettling about seeing their father’s widow in the arms of his twin brother that caused him to fly off the handle.

All of that didn’t matter right now, however. For tonight, he was meant to be merry, and drink to his satisfaction while he awaited this mystery woman that his dear old brother was so unfortunately betrothed to. In the meantime, however, there wasn’t a rule stating that he couldn’t interact with the women around him. Many of them were debutantes, freshly thrown into the wonderful world of English aristocracy, as Jordon had pointed out earlier.

Surely it wouldn’t hurt to spend a few minutes in the company of a nice young lady to take his mind off the lack of proper scotch at the ball.

He settled for a petite young lady who was standing in front of a low hedge. In the soft moonlight, her hair shone so beautifully that for some inexplicable reason he felt drawn towards her.

“Enjoying the evening, my lady?” he said as he stopped beside her, a brilliant smile on his otherwise stoic face. The lady turned to face him, an almost identical smile on her masked face. Hers was a red piece, with short pieces of feather sticking up all around it so that most of her face was covered.

“It most certainly is, kind sir,” she said in a singsong voice, curtsying before him. Jason was intrigued by her smooth elegance and the way she looked up at him with her big, round eyes which made her seem so vulnerable before him.

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he said, bowing stiffly. “I’m...,”

“Don’t,” the lady said, placing her hand quickly on his elbow. “I’d rather not know the kind gentleman whom I’m talking to, my lord. After all, that is the whole point of the masks we’re wearing, is it not?”

“A most excellent suggestion,” he replied, nodding slowly. “Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, my lord,” she said sweetly.

They fell silent then, staring at the steady flow of guests trickling out into the garden for some fresh air. The ballroom was filling up rather quickly, and Jason guessed that sooner or later, the guests would have to move to the garden if there was any hope of accommodating all of them.

He turned to look at the mysterious woman beside him. The light in the garden was dim, but even so, he could tell that her hair was somewhat auburn. It was long and thick, dressed in a loosely upswept fashion that flattered her face. He guessed she’d rubbed something into it which seemed to bring out the red highlights. Her dress was lengthy, sage green whenever the light caught it and a dark shade of grey when it didn’t.

She was beautiful, he decided.

And to think he’d been standing around worrying about the availability of scotch at a ball.

“You seem troubled, my lady,” he said, leaning ever so slightly towards her. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“It’s nothing, my lord,” she said, shaking her head. “I was just thinking.”

“What about?”

“I’d rather not say. It’s a bit embarrassing actually.”

“Ah, but that’s where I believe I can help. Who better to do so than a stranger whose face or name you don’t even know?”

She pursed her lips, debating whether to trust him or not.

“You have my word,” Jason said, placing his right hand over his heart. “I shall take your secret to the grave.”

“Well,” she sighed, “I’m afraid I’ve been to the snack table two times already for a taste of those marvellous eclairs. I’m trying to deduce a logical way of strolling there a third time without appearing to be a glutton.”

Jason blinked at her for three straight seconds before he burst out laughing. “It’s not funny,” the woman proceeded to say before she began to laugh as well.

“You’re right,” he said finally, straightening up. “This is a very serious matter we have on our hands. This is a mission that will require stealth. We are about to infiltrate enemy lines, with scarce a chance of returning.”

“It’s a mission worth dying for, I’m afraid,” she said, still unable to control her laughter. “There is every possibility that neither of us will make it back alive.”

“I live for the danger,” Jason said, narrowing his eyes.

“The ton will be merciless should we be captured,” she said.

“I have already devised an escape plan. But I’m afraid this mission is far too risky. I shall take it upon myself to complete this mission on your behalf, my lady.”

“A most courageous feat, my lord,” she said, curtsying once more. “Before you go, please accept this as a token of my gratitude.”

Jason accepted her handkerchief with another bow, stuffing it into the inner pocket of his coat. “Wish me luck, my lady,” he said before venturing off. Less than five minutes later, he returned with a handful of eclairs conspicuously hidden beneath his coat which he deposited in her hands.

“Good God! How did you manage it?”

“The battle was tough, my lady,” Jason said, pretending to pant heavily. “We lost countless men on the line. But I am happy to report that the mission was a success.”

“You are my hero,” she said, smiling up at him. They both laughed once more, so heartily that they drew the attention of the women walking past.

“How will I ever repay you, kind sir?” she asked, staring down at the bounty. “You risked your life for me.”

“I only ask that you grant me the honour of gazing upon the face of the beautiful lady for whom I’ve risked my life,” he said.

She pursed her lips then, thinking.

“It would only be right,” she said finally. “But not here. I wouldn’t want to compromise my identity at a ball like this.”

“Quite understandable,” he said. “Perhaps I will be granted the opportunity to call at your residence on the morrow?”

A sudden, deliberate cough from behind drew their attention. Jason swung around, coming face to face with his blasted twin brother.

“Excuse me, my lady,” Jordon said, bowing in her direction. “Might I steal him for a moment?”

“I guess so,” she said, turning to look at Jason. Something about her eyes caught his attention. They were beautiful, twinkling in the moonlight as they gazed at him affectionately. It wasn’t their beauty that caught his attention, however. It was the familiarity he saw in them.

Jordon dragged him a few feet away, well out of earshot before he spoke.

“She’s not here,” he whispered harshly.

“Who isn’t?”

“The Queen of England,” he replied sarcastically. “I’m talking about Lady Thornton. She isn’t here. Or perhaps she is here but her disguise is very good. Either way, I cannot see her anywhere.”

“Give it a rest, brother,” Jason said, patting him on the shoulder. “If she isn’t here, then we merely have to change our tactics. Perhaps I can visit her parents tomorrow? See if they will be able to distinguish between a stranger and their potential son-in-law?”

Jordon cursed under his breath, staring around the garden as though he expected lady Thornton to suddenly materialize before him.

“It could work,” he conceded finally. “We shall discuss this later. I’ve left Alyssa waiting, I’m afraid. Excuse me.”

Jason blinked at the abrupt dismissal, but he said nothing about the matter. He returned instead to his mysterious companion, who was just now stuffing an eclair in her mouth.

“Was it worth it?” he asked, startling her.

“It was,” she replied. “I’m certain of it.”

“Now, where were we before the intrusion?” he said leaning forward.

“Exactly where we are right now, as it happens,” she said, chuckling.

“I was referring to my request,” he said. “Would it be considered ill-mannered if I were to make an appearance at your residence tomorrow?”

“I’m afraid so,” she said. “You see, I’m... well, let’s just say it’ll complicate things a lot if you do.”

Jason felt his shoulders sag, but he struggled to keep his face straight. “Oh,” he said simply. “Well, there goes that.”

“But I see no reason why I cannot meet the man who has been so kind to me this evening,” she said. “Perhaps we could meet somewhere else.”

“I would be honoured,” he said, the smile returning to his face. “Where would you suggest? I’m afraid I’m new to this city, and not very familiar with the locations yet.”

“Green Park,” she said simply. “Tomorrow. An hour before noon. Just ask any carriage driver. You can’t miss it.”

“I look forward to it,” he said, bowing once again. “Now, may I have the first dance of the night?”

“Rather brash of you to imagine that I haven’t had the first dance already,” she said.

“I’m taking a gamble here,” he said. “But it wouldn’t matter even if I would be getting your fifth dance of the night.”

She smiled.

“As it happens, you will be getting the first,” she said, placing her hand in his.

“You flatter me, my lady,” he said, leading her towards the ballroom.