Chapter 16 ~ The Ball Part 1 of 4

Despite the warmth in the orangery, Ava could not shake the chill of the cool September night air. In less than two hours the ball would begin and her grandparents would make their announcement. She could not deny that she was nervous, tense and out of sorts. She felt as if she had lost complete and utter control of her life and actions, especially in reference to Alexander who had sent her spinning like a top with his emotional and kind attention. Although, she had to admit, things could be worse. At least he genuinely cared for her and she was developing an attachment to him as well.
Alex briefly debated entering the orangery as his vision fell upon the forlorn form of Ava lost in thought. “My lady,” Alexander murmured. The moment he had entered the orangery he had known that she was bothered by something or someone.

“Are you nervous, do you wish to wait?” he tenderly questioned as he placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder.

“Not in the least. It is inevitable and between you and my grandparents my choices have little bearing.” Ava did not make her statement harshly, but brokenly with each word thickly enveloped with the tears that threatened to spill yet refused to fall. “I would very much like to be alone my lord,” she whispered, shrugging off his warm hand and turning to face him.

“As you wish Mi Amor,” Alexander breathed sadly, leaning down to brush a chaste kiss over her quivering lips.

The simple yet sweet gesture was more than he could withstand as his arms encircled her, pulling the soft warmth of her body against his own. He felt terrible knowing he was partly the cause of her current state of mind.

He had never wanted to inflict a single iota of pain upon her and knew in the depths of his soul she was unhappy. “I promise I shall give you nothing but choices, my love,” Alex whispered in-between gentle breath stealing kisses.

His heart swelled as she reached her arms around his neck to pull him closer, nearly shattering his composure.

Henry purposefully walked through the entry of Wilshire Manor, his eyes darting from side to side as he looked for her, unseeing of Beatrice until she spoke.

“Viscount Grant,” her tone was cool and unwelcoming, “I pray that you and your wife had a comfortable trip.”

She spoke civilly with emphasis on the mention of his wife as she looked expectantly over his shoulder in search of the woman. Partly, she had to admit, in curiosity at what the child of Charles and Francis would look like.

Henry smiled warmly upon the Duchess who at one point had been his greatest ally. “Yes my lady, we had a very pleasant trip, she is currently occupied with Lady Catherine,” he murmured softly answering her inquisitive gaze and wondering if he should dare ask where he could find Ava. He changed his mind at the last minute. “I trust you and yours are well,” he finished penetrating her with his gaze.

Beatrice’s first reaction had been to tell him to speak directly, knowing full well he desired her granddaughter. Yet she welcomed his use of tact, for her and George’s insight.

“We have been well,” she added tersely, “Viscount Grant I must apologize for the oversight on our part, it was never intended…” she paused realizing how uncharacteristically rude she was acting. A wicked thought flashed through her mind as she realized the best way to put an end to his ridiculous affections.

“ I am sure that Ava would love to tell you her news,” she sweetly stated, changing direction. “As a fact, she is in the orangery as we speak, I do wish I could stay and chat more, but I’ve much to do for the ball.” Beatrice finished with a soft smile spreading over her face as she hurried away, her eyes gleaming wickedly.

He could hardly control his excitement at Beatrice’s kindness. “I apologize for keeping you my lady,” Henry hurriedly and ecstatically added.

He ignored the brief flash of concern at her hurried transformation of opinion and, waiting until she disappeared up the stairs, he all but ran towards the orangery. Henry could not deny his excitement at seeing Ava again.

All manner of thoughts ran through his mind as he turned the corner and peered through the glass… his heart sank at the sight… There was no denying the broad shoulders, the thick raven black hair. At first Henry attempted to dismiss it as his friend’s conquest of one of the many guests that were staying at the manor. It was a failing attempt as Alexander released the woman with whom he had been locked in a romantic embrace.

Henry’s eyes darkened with rage. A lightening quick flash of jealousy shot through his body. A bilious heart wrenching pain engulfed him as his vision fell upon Ava gazing lovingly upon Alex. It was a look, he thought, she had never bestowed upon him. It added further insult to his injured pride and his aching heart.

Alexander saw Henry through the doors. A brief flash of excitement at seeing his dear friend passed through him at the sight. “Mi corazõn, come. I wish to introduce you to my dearest friend,” he murmured happily. This feeling was soon replaced by confusion as he saw the blatant horror written on Ava’s face. “Mi Amor?” he tentatively questioned, concerned at her expression. He wondered what he had said or done to warrant such a reaction.

Ava blanched at the sight. After nearly two months of nothing, not even a word, he was here. Her heart was pounding forcefully in her ears as she saw the pained look in his eyes. She knew he had witnessed the entire scene and worst of all, he and Alexander were friends.

“M-my lord, I must decline,” she stammered brokenly, the thick air choking her. “I do not feel up to it just now,” she lamely excused herself before hurrying from the orangery, rushing past Henry without even a word.

Beatrice saw Ava’s harried figure as she ran to her room. The unmistakable sobs followed her, telling her the plan had worked.

Guiltily she followed after her granddaughter who stood in the corner of her suite with her shoulders violently shaking.

“Dear Ava, I am sorry that when we realized the error, it was too late,” Beatrice pitifully stated, knowing it would do little to ease the discomfort Ava suffered.

Ava turned with amazing quickness. The tears were flowing over her face as she glared angrily upon her grandmother. “You knew of this and did nothing to prepare me?” she snarled incredulously. “I begin to think you revel in my heartbreak,” Ava sobbed, breaking away from her grandmother’s grasp.

“You’ve got what you want, and my fate is sealed.” Ava could neither control the wavering in her voice, nor gain a grasp of her utter hatred for the woman before her.

Turning, she rushed from the room, unable to see her grandmother at this moment lest she commit murder.

“Henry I had not known you would be attending,” Alexander greeted his friend warmly as he hugged him in a brotherly way.

Henry found it hard to set his eyes upon Alex without relaying the contempt he felt at the moment. Displaced anger and hatred surged through him for he could never make an honest woman out of Ava.

“I had not expected it to be so,” Henry mumbled through the cotton thickness of his mouth. “When Duchess Beatrice told me I could find Lady Ava here, little had I known she would be so occupied.” His grin was far from the lecherous sight Alexander saw. It was an evil twist of his inner turmoil.

Possibly, if Alexander knew, he would not want any further experience with Ava, Henry cruelly considered. He was desperate to find a way to put an end to the madness.

Henry’s words did not fail to hit their target, as Alex swallowed at the bitter fear that rose in his throat. “So you and Lady Ava are friends?” he asked tersely, nervous over what Henry’s response may be.

“Yes you could say that,” Henry muttered, his heart feeling smashed. “More so she was the girl of whom I spoke,” he breathed bitterly, reveling in Alexander’s shocked and heartbroken expression.

“Why did you not tell me?” Alexander was stunned by Henry’s reply. His words hit him hard as he thought of the last time he had spent time with his friend.

“To think I went to her tonight…”

It played over and over in Alexander’s mind for Henry had never told him what had occurred.

Henry immediately felt guilty. He could see it in Alexander’s eyes, his dear friend was in love with her and judging by the way she had gazed upon Alex when Henry came upon them, her heart was not far from being his. “I could never make an honest woman of her,” Henry sighed sadly, the truth of his words sinking hard within him.

“Besides her heart is yours now and there is not a better man for her,” He finished coldly. He turned and began walking away, stopping as Alexander commanded him too.

“Henry, you never answered my question that night and I implore you to do so now. Is she innocent?” Alexander hollered. His voice was strong, commanding and determined despite the mixture of emotions that thickly coated his words. His need to know was unbearable, especially considering his future rested upon the answer Henry gave.

Henry could not withhold the small-satisfied smile that Alexander’s temporary weakness elicited. “I cannot answer that my friend, but I dare say Lady Ava will,” he responded without turning. He was unable to turn his gaze upon his terrified friend, lest the truth be told. Even now Henry was in conflict. He wanted her and if she were to become Alexander’s it could never be.

Yet he was guilt ridden for he was purposefully trying to place doubt and ruin anything that may have been forged in the short month Alexander and Ava had been in company. Finished with his statement he departed, ignoring the further calls.

A flash of color outside the door caught his attention and, immediately recognizing Ava, he followed after her…

Alexander felt as if his heart had been ripped from his breast by Henry’s cold, calculated answers. Still, he could not blame him, for he had overstepped his bounds in choosing the one woman to whom Henry’s heart had belonged. The constant replay within his mind infuriated him. Alex had always believed Henry to be nothing but honest with him. The thought crept into his mind that Henry had been trying to protect him and, not wanting to be the bearer of bad tidings, he had put it off on Ava. The mere mention of her name caused the bile to rise into his throat.

Had that been the reason she had reacted so horridly towards him because she had given herself to Henry and still held hope he would come for her? The memory of her stricken face was flashing before his eyes. Yes a stricken lover caught in the act of adultery… Why had he not understood it then? He wondered openly, each horrid thought infuriating him more and more until he could do nothing… see nothing. Angrily he rose from the couch and stormed towards her quarters. He wanted answers. He needed them with a desperation he had never known before. His heart was aching for truth and his loss.

Ava did not stop running until she reached the pond where, in a fit of rage she screamed as loud as her voice would allow her. She hurled insults into the thick woods, her anger melted away with each fitful sob and outcry, when she heard it, she heard him.

“My Lady, such language is not a desirable trait.” The smooth gravelly tone of Henry’s voice assaulted her ears igniting a new fury a new rage within her as Ava spun around nearly collided with him.

“Steady yourself my sweet,” he murmured seductively as he reached towards her only to be coldly rebuffed as Ava stepped away.

Her chest heaved as she caught her breath and narrowed her angry eyes on him, “Are you not intelligent enough to know that your coming is the most foolish of acts?” Ava spat out, “And I am not your sweet!” She snarled furiously. “Go back to your wife and let me to my own.” Ava’s tone, though still seething with anger and heartache, was pleading.

She could hardly bear to look upon him nor could she abide his scent or sound. The infuriating grin on his face, invoked a new surge of heartache especially, as she realized her love for him was never strong.

Her words hit Henry with the precision of a soldiers rapier aimed for the heart, invoking a sense of sadness and desperation as he gazed longingly upon her.

“Ava, I ache everyday for you. I love you with all my heart and soul. That is why I had to come,” Henry attempted to explain. His tone was soft and pleading as he stood there unsure of himself in her presence. His hands were aching to feel her soft skin. “I wanted to end this once more… to offer my escape. I shall take you to America , to your father.” He murmured sadly for the first time in the last weeks since the invitation had been accepted and his ludicrous plan began. He felt the unmistakable fear and lack of surety that Ava might turn him away.

With shaking hands he reached for her, took her into his arms and refused to let go. His need was evident and his hopes and dreams were prominent with every labored breath.

Ava sucked in a deep gulp of the chilled night air, her anger dissipated as she gazed upon his forlorn figure. Calmness overtook her mind and soul and she knew it had come to an end.

His touch did not ignite her as Alexander’s did. His words fell to the ground before them, failing to stir her heart.

“Once again Henry I cannot. In truth I felt very strong emotions for you that I believed were love. In believing so, I nearly missed my opportunity to be genuinely happy,” she whispered. She understood the truth for the first time as she attempted to explain. His stricken look hurt her terribly as Ava realized she was the cause.

Henry tightened his grasp, a surge of pain and heartache coursing through him. Disbelief fell before her words for he had been so sure that she loved him, needed him and desired him to the same capacity he loved her. “Ava you do not know what you say.

I know I have hurt you deeply this why I have come. I want to right my wrongs and give us the opportunity our families would not allow.” Henry’s voice quivered ever so slightly. Fear snaked through him at an alarming pace despite the forcefulness in his tone. He desperately needed to hear her heartfelt words about him, not Alexander. No not Alex…

Ava gazed in fright and concern upon Henry, her heart aching for the pain she had inflicted knowing that he would not take kindly to her next statement but she must continue, for this was their end. The time for closure had arrived. “Please Henry, you are frightening me,” Ava softly pleaded, her heart racing as he pulled her stiff uncomfortable form closer.

“Ava you are not serious,” Henry pleaded, the anger and frustration growing within his voice. The black curtain of doubt slowly veiled him. “Are you?” It was nothing more than a heart wrenching whisper.
Ava softly gazed upon the man she had once believed she was in love with…Henry… with his arrogance and sweetness. “I assure you Henry, I am utterly serious.” She maintained an even disposition despite the torment she saw in his deep blue eyes. “Your friend, Lord Alexander, suits me. Although my love for him is not strong as yet, I know it will someday be,” she softly explained. The mention of his name swelled her heart with emotion as she, for the first time, spoke the words that swirled through her mind.

She, for the first time, admitted her true heartfelt emotions toward him bringing forth an emotional outpouring of truth. “You will always be in my heart as a dear friend, yet I cannot allow you to ruin your own situation out of an infatuation with what can never be. I implore you, release me from your heart. Henry open it to your wife, and do not be bitter for I am in love with Alexander…” She finished her words with a breathy sigh as the hurried sound of angry footsteps broke through her thoughts.

Alexander had burst through Ava’s door not entirely sure how he would react if she told him that she had allowed Henry to take her innocence. The thought angered him even more. What he found was not Ava… Standing there weeping stood the Duchess…

The mask of fury written over Alexander’s face invoked a shuddering gasp from Beatrice, as her eyes went wide with fear and surprise. “My lord w-what brings you here?” she stammered, suddenly worried over what her granddaughter had done.

“Where is Ava?” Alexander growled, his composure lost. “Moreover, why did you not tell me that Henry had been the one that had broken her heart?” He needed to exorcize his anger and since part of it was induced by Beatrice who had sent Henry to the orangery he could not stop himself.

“I apologize for not having been forthright,” Beatrice whimpered, realizing she had made a far more grievous error than she had supposed in sending Henry to them.