Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(6)
“You didn’t tell me that. I thought it was merely a threat, not a plan. I know you said he planned it, but I didn’t realize he’d actually made a specific plan. I thought it was just a figure of speech. Your brother never lets his plans go. Everybody knows that. Once he begins he is relentless.”
“I know.” Another stone dropped onto the pile still residing in her belly.
“Hmmm.” Angela suddenly smiled. “Perhaps you could convince Swanston that Duldon should marry Dahlia or Felicity. If it really is about a piece of land then what does it matter which of you he marries?”
For the briefest of seconds Bliss considered the option, despite the shiver of distaste that it caused. Her sisters? Why hadn’t she thought of that? Dahlia was so studious that she might very well not mind marrying any intelligent man. She might not even notice. And the earl was known for having a wonderful library. Strangely another rock dropped at the thought. “No, Felicity is still far too young. And Mirth has promised Dahlia a European adventure. I believe that he hopes to add a little life to her. He doesn’t know what to do with a child who doesn’t cause trouble. I doubt that Duldon wants to wait for either of them and as you say, once my brother begins a plan he is unmovable. No, I must find another husband or marry Duldon.”
“And that is why you want one of Lady Perse’s invitations?” Angela asked, putting the whole conversation together.
“Yes.” Bliss turned away and surveyed the growing crowd. Surely she would have received one by now if she was going to. A boulder swayed on the precipice, waiting to plunge. Her teeth sliced into her already swollen lip. If she was not careful she would draw blood. She looked about with care, noting those young ladies who bounced and swayed with that extra portion of joy. Miss Strong had received one, and she was most noted for frequently looking like a piece of fruit, her gowns incredibly ill-chosen. Even Miss Swilp was dancing on tiptoes. As if sensing Bliss’s gaze, Miss Swilp turned and wrinkled her nose in Bliss’s direction, her green eyes narrowing as she glanced back across the room. There was no way that Miss Swilp could know that Bliss had not received an invitation and yet Bliss could sense her feelings of superiority across the room. “Sarah Swilp has received one.”
“I can’t imagine that even Lady Perse can find her a husband. Perhaps she cannot resist a challenge.” Angela smiled at her own words.
And then it hit her; Bliss turned and stared at her friend. Angela had been bursting with happiness when she’d first spoken. “You received one also, didn’t you, Angel?”
Silence.
Angela’s voice dropped. “Yes, I think I may have been the first. I didn’t want to tell you until you received yours. I was so sure you were going to. You are always part of everything.”
That was because she always demanded to be part of everything and who would refuse the daughter of the Duke of Mirth? People might laugh behind her father’s back, but never to his face. Nobody would refuse him, and so nobody would refuse her.
Raising her head, Bliss glanced across the room to where Lady Perse stood surrounded by cronies, her eagle eyes picking out each lady who had received one of her invites. Lady Perse’s gaze fell upon Angela, and a soft smile lifted the thin lips and the gray eyes warmed beneath the white fluff of hair that resembled a cat asleep upon her head—and then her gaze landed upon Bliss.
For a moment she smiled—she had always been kind to Bliss—but then her lips thinned as if an unpleasant taste had filled her mouth.
Bliss could feel Lady Perse consider her deep rose gown, much too deep in color for one so young, the skirts forming a bell far more exaggerated than any other in the room. Bliss knew the dress was extreme, but it was so perfect for twirling, the skirts skimming about like a flower, but never rising above her ankles no matter how fast the dance. That was one mistake Bliss never intended to make again.
Lady Perse clearly did not see the sense of the design. Her eyes glided up Bliss’s body until their eyes met.
Lady Perse gave one sharp shake of her head, her eyes narrowed, her rejection clear.
Evidently there was one person who could refuse Bliss.
The boulder crashed down, almost bringing Bliss to her knees.
And then she stiffened. She’d never let public opinion bring her down before, and she would not allow the opinion of one old woman sway her, even if that woman was Lady Perse.
“I need to dance,” she said, turning back to Angela. “Fast and then faster. I want to spin until I cannot stand.”
“Bliss…”
She ignored the concern in her friend’s tone and turned into the crowd. She would find a man, any man, and flirt and dance until her feet ached. She would not think of the future, she would not.
—
She was looking for trouble. As usual.
From the moment he’d arrived at the ball and discovered she was here, Duldon’s attention had been consumed by Bliss, consumed by her lush curves contained in the tight pink gown, consumed by the soft glint of her corn silk hair in the light of the hundred candles, consumed with the carefree smile that couldn’t quite hide the shadows in her eyes. He drew in a deep breath as he watched those eyes flit over the gathering, looking, seeking.
A deep sigh. He hadn’t yet even greeted his aunt. Duty must be attended to before he could begin his own search—for the attention of certain delicate blonde.