“I want everyone to remember the parts they are to play this evening,” he said gruffly, eyes on the people waiting to be granted entry.
Theodora merely rolled her eyes, ignoring his statement. It wasn’t as if she knew anything in any case. He was more concerned about anyone talking to Livinia. She knew his secret now and held the power to feed information to anyone she chose. His heart beat a little faster as his anxiety grew.
Why did I trust her?
His suspicions grew as she smiled at a couple passing the carriage.
“Shall we go then?” she asked with a warm smile.
Lady Theodora was first to exit the carriage, unable to contain her excitement any longer.
Livinia was about to stand and exit when Benedict reached for her arm and held her back.
“Remember where your loyalties lie this evening,” he growled at her with his thumb gently running over her wrist in a circular motion.
Her lips parted slightly from the contact, and Benedict wished he could pull her into his arms right then and there. “You need not worry, My Lord; my priority is to you and this family,” she reassured him before gently removing her arm from his grip and exiting the carriage.
The air outside the carriage was cool and inviting as Benedict stepped out behind his sister and Livinia. Large torches had been lit beside the path leading up to the main doors. The sun was just setting, and the atmosphere was loaded with anticipation and excitement. Yet Benedict couldn’t help feeling on his guard.
The years he’d spent living a life of frivolity with the rest of the ton meant nothing when it came down to things that really mattered.
Loyalty.
The concept was a scarce rarity that few people possessed. Holding his arm out for Livinia to take, he led them up the path with people shooting curious glances in their direction. Most guests wore their best evening dresses and jackets with masks on the ends of long sticks that could be lowered.
A few of the ladies lowered their masks to get a better look before turning to their friends in hushed tones.
Benedict tried his best to ignore all the curious glances as they made their way up the steps and through the large doors that led into the lavishly decorated house. They followed the throng of people filing into what looked to be the house’s main hall, which had been converted into a ballroom.
The marble floor reflected the brilliant costumes with sparkles of jewels meshed in between.
“Is that Lord Sheffield?” A hushed silence filled the room as one of the guests announced their arrival to their friends.
Heads turned in their direction as the Beaumont family became the centre of fascination.
Livinia tightened her grip on his arm, and Benedict felt relieved by her presence at his side. Even if his suspicions had reared their ugly little heads, he was grateful for the one person who knew his fears.
“Lord Sheffield, we were not expecting to see you this evening, but of course, you are always welcome.” A tall woman with greying hair piled high on her head came forward and greeted them all. Her eyes wandered curiously over Livinia and rested on her hand grasping Benedict’s arm.
“Lady Stanton, may I present Lady Livinia. She is a friend of the family who is visiting from abroad.” Benedict came up with a lie while making the introductions.
“I hope you have a pleasant stay here with us this evening.” Lady Stanton seemed pleased and curtsied politely before rushing off to greet more of her guests.
Livinia shot him a questioning look that prompted Benedict to lean down and whisper in her ear, “I thought it would be best to stick to as much of the truth as possible.” His lips brushed the tip of her ear before he drew back again.
The guests gradually turned back to conversations as they made their way across the room—the curious glances they were getting made Benedict wish that he’d never agreed to the ball.
***
Livinia sucked in a sharp breath at Benedict’s side when she spotted her previous charges from across the room. Olivia kept glancing at her with her mask lowered to her side. Her pale green dress complemented her appearance nicely.
Please don’t recognize me …
She kept repeating the sentiment over and over again in her mind. If either of the Fletcher girls recognized her and made a scene, her cover would be blown, and Benedict would be placed in a difficult position. Her palms began to sweat as Olivia turned to her sister and whispered something in her ear.
Oh no.
Her pulse began to race when Adelaide looked towards Livinia with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Livinia had known that her disguise wasn’t foolproof, but she had hoped it would afford her a couple of hours at least.
Subtly shaking her head at the girls so no one else would notice, she gestured for them to meet her by the punch table. “Would you excuse me for a moment, My Lord? I would like to fetch us all a glass of punch,” she said, making her excuses to Benedict and Theodora before pushing her way through the throng of guests.
“Livinia!” Adelaide exclaimed excitedly when she met both girls at the table set in the corner of the room. “I knew it was you; I couldn’t believe my eyes, but I knew it had to be you!”
“Keep your voice down,” Livinia tried to hush the girl before glancing back over her shoulder.
Benedict’s eyes were dark with suspicion as he watched their every move. Theodora on the other hand, couldn’t have been bothered as she chattered away to a nice-looking young gentleman. Her heart thudded under the scrutiny of his questioning gaze.
“I will tell you everything, but please stop making a scene,” she admonished the eldest daughter in her sternest voice.
Adelaide pursed her lips and stood still as she always did when being reprimanded, while Olivia stood by in her quiet manner. If only Lady Fletcher had known how wrong she would be about Lady Theodora’s character being like Olivia’s.
“I am here in disguise to accompany Lady Theodora to her first ball. Lord Sheffield thought it would be a good idea if I came along to help. I must ask both of you to please not utter a single word of this to anyone.” She searched their faces with a severe look.
Olivia spoke first before Adelaide could open her mouth. “You know you can always count on us, Miss Campbell.” She surprised Livinia with how eloquent she had become in a few short weeks. She was the picture of a fine young lady and carried herself as such.
“Is Mr Sheffield that tall dark man with the scowl? He is awfully handsome. The two of you make quite a fetching couple. Everyone was talking about him as soon as you arrived,” Adelaide continued to babble in an excited whisper.
Livinia’s eyes wandered back to the earl, who was almost seething with irritation. His jaw was clenched as his deep green eyes bore into her soul. She just knew he was wondering what the discussion was about. She would need to break away from the girls as soon as possible and explain herself before he grew too suspicious.
