“I said nothing about love.”
“You did not have to. It is evident in your conflict and in the way that you speak. You have fallen in love with the daughter of your enemy.”
Michael didn’t like the way that sounded. He didn’t like thinking of Elaine’s name being so close to being labelled the enemy. Yet there was also no denying that he did care for her more than he ought to.
“She’s different,” he admitted. “Kinder and far more genuine than I ever would have expected. I am beginning to regret dragging her into this mess.”
“There is always time to stop it before you make a decision you will regret.”
That didn’t sit well with him either but he didn’t bother to voice it. “The letter was addressed to someone called The O. No matter how many times I think about it, I cannot figure out who that was. But I surmise it is someone close to our station.”
“Or perhaps that person is closer than you think,” Henry mused, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Someone who is not just a noble but runs in the same circle as we do.”
“I shall never find out unless I investigate the letter,” Michael sighed. “Unless I reveal it to the authorities and let them launch a proper investigation.”
Henry sighed as if he shared the weight of Michael's burden. He refilled Michael’s glass. “Whatever you choose to do, Michael, I hope you stay true to your heart. Too often we ignore the truth it is trying to tell us.”
Michael took a sip of his port. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Nothing in life is truly simple,” Henry said with a rueful smile. “You will come to learn that soon enough.”
The music swelled, signalling that the ball was now underway. Henry took that as his cue to stand. “We should head to the ballroom before your aunt comes to drag us bothout there. Perhaps when you see Lady Elaine, it will make your decision clear.”
Michael highly doubted it. If anything, seeing her would only make him far more conflicted. But he nodded and stood with his uncle, finishing his glass in one large gulp. By the end of the night, he would decide what to do. Surely, by the night’s end, it would be easier to. He hoped.
As Michael entered the grand ballroom, he only had a single purpose: to find Elaine.
He scanned the crowd and, at last, spotted her engaged in conversation with Lord Penly by the refreshment table.Jealousy seized him at Penly's broad grin as he looked at her. Michael drew closer, his feet propelled by determination as his grasp tightened around his glass.
"Elaine," he interrupted, his tone calm but impatient. "There you are! I think my aunt is trying to find you.”
Elaine turned, her expression brightening upon meeting his gaze. “Michael! Oh, I didn’t know—”
Before she could finish, he gently took her arm and guided her away from Lord Penly. “Come on, let us not keep her waiting. Pardon me, my lord.”
As they moved a few paces away, Elaine laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You were being quite obvious, you know.”
Michael shrugged, a grin breaking through his feigned annoyance. “I don’t care. I like having you to myself.”
Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she gazed up at him, arching an eyebrow. “Is that not selfish of you?”
“Yes,” he admitted, his tone playful yet sincere. “But I can’t help it.”
Elaine rolled her eyes, though her smile remained. “I am unmarried and make it no secret that I am looking for a husband, you know.”
Michael’s heart sank for a moment, the weight of her words pressing down on him. “And here I am, stealing you away from suitors.”
“You do not do it well enough. Lord Weatherby nearly asked for my hand prior to our promenade.”
Michael’s jealousy surged within him; he hoped it wasn’t evident. “Did he now?”
“Actually, he was quite close before you interrupted,” she said, her tone teasing. “You were my saving grace.”
“Thank goodness for small mercies,” he said, relief flooding his voice.
Elaine laughed, the sound light and musical, and he couldn’t help but join in. “What a declaration,” she teased. “I suppose you’ll just have to ensure I’m always in your company, then.”
“Count on it,” he replied, his heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and determination. “You deserve to enjoy your evening without being pursued by every eligible gentleman in the room.”
