“Oh, the ones I really want to read areThe Discarded SonandThe Munster Cottage Boy. Either would be wonderful,” Joanna replied.
Judith beamed. “Ah, yes! I’m sure I’ve seen the one about the son in the library. I thought the title was foreboding and a little sad, that is why I remember it. Let me go check for you! If I find it, I will ask my aunt if you can borrow it and if I can show you the library.”
As Judith hurried off in search of the novel, Sally turned to Joanna with a mischievous smile. “Well, it seems like this ball might turn out to be quite productive for your reading habits.”
Joanna chuckled. “Indeed. If I can manage to get my hands on that novel, it’ll be a small victory against our father’s strict literary preferences.”
“You continue to shock him. First by dashing his plans for a husband for you, and now this. Although I dare say that they are not on par with one another.” Sally snorted, and then her expression turned serious. “About His Grace, have you had a chance to talk to him before he went to speak with Father?”
Joanna bit her bottom lip. “Not yet. We spoke for a few moments, but he said he needed to take care of something related to the orphanage. I can hardly wait to speak to him. I thought all night about how our conversation might turn out, and I am… nervous.”
“But why? You know him well enough by now, do you not? At least, I thought so. You spent so much time together, and you were so elated with his note from yesterday,” Sally pointed out, while around them, couples continued dancing and chatting.
As Joanna spoke, realization dawned on her. “I do feel that I know him now, it is true. Seeing Kenneth work so diligently to prop up the orphanage along with everything I’ve learned about him has made me realize how foolish I’ve been to not consider our courtship as real. I held onto this fear that he might one day turn out to be like his father. It is curious how our fathers are so much alike.”
Sally raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in her eyes. “What do you mean, Joanna? Nothing like his father?”
“His father was…” Joanna’s stomach dropped, realizing she had come dangerously close to revealing not just the late Duke’s unfaithfulness but their own closely guarded family secret.
Sally didn’t know about their father and Miss Hastings, and it had to stay that way at least for now.
Joanna quickly deflected, a forced smile on her face. “Oh, I just meant that Father is always so underhanded in his dealings, just like Kenneth’s father was. I feared I might end up with a man like that. But Kenneth is honorable and genuine.”
Sally nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation, but the look in her eyes hinted at lingering curiosity. “Well, I’m glad you’ve realized that about His Grace. He’s a good man, Joanna.”
Not wanting to delve further into the topic, Joanna decided to excuse herself. “I could use some fresh air. I’ll be back in a moment.”
She gracefully rose from her seat, leaving Sally with a subtle air of mystery. The ballroom, with its glittering lights and swirling dancers, seemed stifling in comparison to the cool night air outside.
As she stepped into the garden, the soft rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the ballroom provided a quiet sanctuary. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unspoken words and the secrets that clung to her family.
The cool breeze whispered through the garden, offering a moment of solace as Joanna grappled with the complexity of her emotions and the challenges that awaited her.
CHAPTER 27
Kenneth had been searching for Lord Carlisle in the elegant halls of the grand manor but to no avail. He’d assumed he would find the man either in the music room or in the garden, but other than a few couples who’d snuck away on a clandestine quest for privacy, he hadn’t seen anyone.
Frustrated, he pushed open the door leading inside and made his way past the pianoforte and then to the hallway. He checked the drawing room once more but only found a group of older gentlementhere.
“Have you seen Lord Carlisle?” he inquired, but the group collectively shook their heads. Ready to concede defeat, Kenneth turned around to head back to the ballroom.
He was halfway down the hall when
a sudden cry of pain sliced through the air, sending a shiver down his spine. Without a second thought, he followed the anguished sound, realizing it had come from the library.
Kenneth rounded the corner and burst into the library, halting in the doorway in shock. There, on the ground, was Judith. Several books lay scattered on the floor, and she was sitting on the carpet, wincing in pain.
“Good heavens, Lady Judith, are you all right?” he rushed to her side, bending down to help her up.
Judith groaned. “I’m afraid not. I seem to have taken a rather undignified tumble from that wretched ladder. I twisted my ankle in the process.”
Gently, Kenneth assisted her into a nearby chair. “Let me have a look. Are you hurt anywhere else?”
Judith managed a rueful smile. “Just my pride, I think.”
Kenneth gently examined her ankle. “It might be sprained. You should be careful not to put too much weight on it. Should I call for your father and send for a physician?”
“Thank you, Your Grace, but it is not necessary. I do not want to interrupt my father or spoil my cousin’s big evening. Though, I’m grateful for your assistance.”
