“Joanna?” Kenneth asked and proffered his arm to her.
Joanna looked at Sally, worry evident in her eyes. “Would you like me to stay? We can do the reception line together.”
Joanna’s offer to stay by her side was tempting, but Sally knew she needed to stand on her own, to show the world that she was a strong, capable woman.
“No. I am capable of doing this on my own. I really am. I will see you in a little while.”
“If you are sure. Do call on me if you need me,” Joanna said and walked away, her taffeta gown crinkling as she went.
As Joanna departed to join Kenneth and her family, Sally’s heart raced with nervous anticipation. But her nerves were quickly replaced by a sinking feeling as Lady Millstone approached, her polite facade barely concealing the sharp barbs hidden beneath. She was clad in a mauve colored gown and a turban that matched in color. Gems were attached to it and dangled as she climbed the stairs to meet Sally.
“Ah, Your Grace, how lovely to see you,” Lady Millstone cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she eyed Sally with thinly veiled disdain. She looked around the space, eyebrows raised. “It certainly looked like a grand event but one cannot help but wonder. Where is His Grace?”
Heat rose in Sally because she’d know this question would be asked. She ensured the smile remained on her lips as she replies.
“He had business to attend to, unfortunately.”
“Ah, such a shame your dear husband couldn’t be bothered to accompany you tonight. My Henry always made time for my balls, people will talk, you know?” She looked around as if she wanted to make sure nobody overheard their conversation but Sally knew it was all for show.
Sally’s smile faltered at the thinly veiled jab, a wave of deflation washing over her as Lady Millstone’s words struck a nerve. The insinuation that her marriage was anything less than perfect cut deep, dredging up insecurities she had long tried to bury.
“Well, he is a businessman as well as a nobleman, so I cannot fault him,” she said with false confidence.
“Business,” Lady Millstone snipped. “I do not know why these modern aristocrats trifle with such things. It is most unbecoming to engage in business. But then again, your father also is involved in such endeavors, so who can blame you to accept such behavior?”
“I do not see anything wrong with wanting to make an honest living,” she replied stoically. Lady Millstone inhaled sharply and Sally could feel the entire evening slip from her control when suddenly, a familiar presence materialized at her side. Leonard’s familiar warm sandalwood scent penetrated her nostrils and then arm wrapped around her waist, his earnest gaze meeting hers with an apologetic smile.
“Forgive me for being late, my dear,” Leonard said with genuine remorse as he addressed Sally. “I wanted to ensure the orchestra had your list of music—I overheard them rehearsing earlier and the order was all wrong.” He looked up at Lady Millstone. “My wife worked so hard on every detail of this ball, it would be such a shame if the orchestra made a mistake and threw it all off, don’t you agree Lady Millstone?”
Sally’s heart swelled with gratitude at Leonard’s unexpected arrival, a surge of relief washing over her like a welcome tide. She couldn’t help but beam up at him, a sense of reassurance settling over her as she leaned into his touch.
Leonard’s words to Lady Millstone were like a balm to Sally’s wounded pride, his support a stark contrast to the subtle blows of her spiteful guest. Lady Millstone’s forced smile faltered at Leonard’s praise and she blinked rapidly.
“Well, Your Grace, it is good of you to make such an effort. Gentlemen usually do not get involved in such things,” she said but Leonard smiled broader.
“Perhaps they should, it will do any marriage good. Do you not agree?” he asked with his head dipped to the side.
“Well, I do not know about that,” the woman replied and quickly made her exit. As Sally watched Lady Millstone retreat into the ballroom, a sense of renewed resolve washed over her. With Leonard by her side, she knew she could get through this with ease. She didn’t like to have to rely on him, but in their society there were certain things that a man’s presence was expected for. No matter how much she wanted to prove herself and stand on her own two feet, his presence here would make her endeavor much easier.
One question remained though. Why? Why was he here?
She had no time to ask or even think about the matter because the reception line swiftly grew longer and longer. With so many people waiting to be greeted and waiting to get into the ballroom, there was no time to chat with either Leonard – or any of the guests – at length.
When they had finally welcomed the last guests and the ball was in full swing, Sally couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. “Leonard, I... I don’t understand,” she began, her voice laced with a mixture of confusion and gratitude. “I didn’t expect you to join me at all yet, here you are. You didn’t have to do this.”
Leonard’s expression softened as he met her gaze, his eyes filled with a sincerity that took her breath away after weeks of cold disinterest. “I know I didn’t have to, Sally,” he admitted. “But I wanted to. I owe you that much, after everything I’ve put you through.”
Sally’s heart clenched at his words, a pang of sadness washing over her at the reminder of their tumultuous past. “Leonard, I... I can’t go through another round of you changing who you are. I am grateful that you are here, but you’ve been so distance, and you wanted me to be the same so I truly didn’t think you’d be here. If you intend to simply go back to the way we have been, please tell me now,” she confessed. “It’s been enough.”
Leonard’s gaze softened as he reached out to gently caress her arm, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. “I understand, Sally,” he murmured. “But there’s something I need to talk to you about. Something that might help you understand why I’ve been acting the way I have.”
Sally’s heart skipped a beat at his words, a flicker of hope stirring within her chest. She’d always known there was something he’d kept from her but she hadn’t been able to figure out what it was. Despite her reservations, she couldn’t deny the earnestness in his voice. “What is it?” she asked.
Leonard’s expression grew solemn as he met her gaze. “I can’t explain it now, there are too many people here and it would take too long,” he admitted, his eyes flittering to the ballroom. “But please, Sally, after the ball, let me talk to you. Give me that chance to explain myself. I promise, once you hear me out, perhaps you’ll understand. I will hold back nothing and any decision you take after you hear everything I will respect.”
Sally hesitated for a moment, her heart torn between caution and curiosity. But in the end, she couldn’t deny the yearning in her soul for some sort of explanation. Besides, the flicker of hope that burned within her own heart and grown since he’d joined her and now it burned brighter than ever. With a silent nod, she agreed, her resolve firm as she prepared to face whatever truths lay hidden in the depths of Leonard’s confession.
CHAPTER33
