Lord Grenville's Choice by G.G. Vandagriff

adjourned to the card room.
    “Well, I would say Sir Winton’s idea worked perfectly!” Alex’s sister said.
    “And what idea would that be?” Felicity asked.
    “Surely you have realized the gossip surrounding Alex’s visit to Lady Beaton has been very dangerous to her reputation? Men may do what they like, but a woman’s good name is very easily soiled.”
    “And Sir Winton’s idea?”
    “That Alex should appear with you at this ball tonight, in the guise of adoring spouse. The object being to stop the tongues from carrying tales that his visit to Lady Beaton was anything more than the visit of a friend.”
    Somehow Felicity remained standing, though she felt the blood go from her face. Her heart, wide open to love, felt the blow full force. This whole evening was a charade for Elizabeth’s benefit?
    Hands trembling, she said, “Yes, I would say the plan has succeeded admirably.”
    Seeing the smirk on Anabella’s face, Felicity tried to muster anger with the woman, but the hurt stabbing her under her ribs was so great, she failed. However, she could not allow the woman to know that. Raising her chin, she said, “Alex and I both abhor gossip of any kind.”
    “Oh,” Anabella said, “I see Lady Marjorie Keaton. I have not spoken to her this age. I know you will excuse me.”
    As her sister-in-law sailed away, Felicity stayed rooted to the spot, the dancers in their bright silks whirling before her in a blur. The fact that Alex had managed to deceive her so completely, to manipulate her so handily, hurt so badly she did not know how she could face him again. She must get away. Immediately.
    Felicity saw Aunt Henrietta walking toward her. Before the woman could reach her, she ducked out onto the terrace. The night was cold and her wrap was inside. She could not go back for it. She could not face the ton with tears streaming down her cheeks.
    Moving blindly down the dark steps into the garden, she looked desperately for the gate out into the mews. The gravel crunched under her slippers and she began to shiver. Finally, led by the smell of the stables, she located the gate, slid through, walked in the pitch black darkness in the direction of the street, and there was lucky enough to find a hansom cab lit by a torch. Giving her father’s address to the jarvey, she gathered her skirts and climbed inside the welcome confines of the vehicle.
    Laying her head on the back of the seat, she took several slow, deep breaths, trying to calm herself. She took a handkerchief from her reticule and wiped her eyes.
    Nothing was really any different. Alex loved Elizabeth as he always had. But they would not go on as before. Felicity would live with her father, barring her tender, weary heart from further hurt. Let the gossips say what they would.
    Putting her hand over her swelling abdomen, she felt the tears start again.

{ 9 }
     
    A lex came out of the card room, smiling. He had won a tidy sum at piquet off a skilled crony. Looking around for Felicity, he could not see her. She was very popular tonight. Undoubtedly, she was dancing.
    Aunt Henrietta found him as he was pouring himself a glass of punch.
    “Felicity has gone,” she told him in a low voice. “She left through the terrace doors without her cloak. She has not returned.”
    Stunned, he stared at his aunt. Felicity gone? Without a word? It made no sense. “Perhaps she became ill,” he said at last. “It is very close in here. She must have needed some air. Undoubtedly, she came back in when you were not looking.”
    “No, Alex. I was worried. She was as white as a sheet. I went after her. She had disappeared.”
    “She must have been ill. Why did she not send for me?” Panic gripped him. Putting down his glass, he said, “There must be something wrong. She is inclined to miscarry. What if she is losing the baby?”
    Without excusing himself to his aunt, he moved swiftly to the ballroom’s open doors and out into the hallway. When he reached the street, he