Chapter 205 TEIGEN XXIX
ELARA
"Ryker is coming?"
He followed everywhere of course but why was she making sure he was dressed?
"Yes of course, Lord Sawyer personally invited him. What a gentleman he is"
She fawns in admiration.
I purse my lips. Lord Sawyer did not seem like Ryker's biggest fan, so why would he invite him for the ball? His presence irritated Lord Sawyer so terribly, so why willingly ask him to be in close proximity?
Strange.
The room emptied soon after, the silence quickly filled with my thoughts. So much had happened between Ryker and I, putting it all behind me was harder than I expected. The way I reacted towards him in the garden was not ideal, but I could not help myself. My heart was hurt, deeply. I was unsure if I was ready to meet him face to face and not act up again, or worse burst into pitiful tears. The last thing I needed was to mistake his pity with affection.
Stupid, stupid. His sense of obligation and duty was the only thing driving his actions, not desire of possession. How could I have been so blind? I must have put him in such an uncomfortable and impossible situation. But why did he still seem so concerned? He knows of father's wishes to have us wed so he should understand my situation.
Father would not be so easily convinced. I could not possibly tell him why I wished to avoid Lord Sawyer, it would mean exposing the veiled dancer. I needed to tread lightly, I did not feel comfortable around Lord Sawyer. I had to try not to offend father.
✴
The carriage rattled into ride, my gaze fixed on Ryker's form riding on the horse beside our carriage. I sat inside the carriage with Philippa, Camilla and Winnie while they chatted on about how the rumors surrounding the Lord's parties were always grandeur.
The space beside me felt cold, stale and empty. I shivered, hugging my arms around myself.
Winnie noticed my prolonged silence throughout the ride, she placed her hand on mine "Are you alright milady?"
I faked a smile, "Just peachy"
"Our lady must be quite nervous, as this is her first ball at the Lord's side. Now rumors of their alliance will surely spread" Philippa blurted excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
I laughed nervously, my eyes finding Ryker's through the window. Immediately I gazed away, pretending to be looking every which way. Ach, get it together Elara!
"Do not be nervous milady. You look absolutely stunning, you will surely be the Belle of the ball tonight" Camilla held my hand in hers, smiling encouragingly at me.
The ride went smoothly from there, little chatter filtering in while I remained silent, fading into the background. I was pulled from my reverie when the carriage rolled to a stop, the sound of travel crushed under foot reaching my ears. The door to our carriage was pulled open and Ryker came into my view. He presented a hand to me and I swallowed nervously, my eyes flickering from his hand to his eyes.
He looked up at me expectantly, his eyes softening as he addresses me "My lady"
Should he not be angry with me? Without delaying I placed my hand in his and he helped me out. The coach aided my ladies while Ryker lead me up to the front door of the manor. Other aristocrats poured in, the sound of the instruments blending in such sweet harmony pulling me in even further.
As we walked in the orator announced my presence and all eyes immediately went to me.
I felt my heart begin to palpate against my ribs, my eyes sweeping across the hall in search of some comfort. I felt a squeeze on my hand and looked up to Ryker's encouraging smile, his eyes twinkling with assurance and sweet familiarity. I got the message, sucking in some much needed air. Last thing I needed was another repeat of the park incident, how would I explain my glowing eyes to everyone. Father didn't even know.
"My lady" Lord Sawyer appears out of the crowd, coming up to us. "You are as stunning as ever" he murmurs just loud enough for Ryker's ears.
He picks my hand, leans down and presses a kiss to my knuckles. His action earns surprised gasps and snickering from people close by, the unwanted attention making me flush beat red.
"Please, come" he takes my hand and leads me inside, away from Ryker. I turn around, giving Ryker one last once over before he disappeared from my sight for almost the entirety of the dance.
A group of Sir Sawyer's associates has swarmed us, engaging mostly him in conversation. It became very clear, very quickly that my primary role there was just to stand and look pretty by his side, not to speak. I sighed, busying myself with watching other people converse and flock towards Ryker. He stood in a corner, a drink in hand, chatting not very excitedly with the noble lady that seemed too close for comfort.
But he didn't look like he despised her presence either. The thought of him enjoying her company left a bitter taste in my mouth that I disliked.
Concentrated amethyst eyes focused on a golden haired girl, his fingers tapping against the glass cup in his hand, the orange liquid slushing around. Her fan slowly fluttered against her cheeks, her dove eyes eating up every inch of his features. Her form too close to his, her fingers wrapped around her own glass, the cup tilted subtly towards Ryker.
I bit down on my lip, wanting nothing more than to look away but I could not. What was so interesting? What did they speak so fondly about? He never looked at me with so much focus and interest.
Splendid, I had begun to hurt my own feelings. "Were you not able to get the veiled dancer tonight?" The words caught my ears, snatching my attention.
My gaze snapped to the man speaking, "With much regret, I was unable to"
Lies. If Lord Sawyer really tried I would have received a letter. I had paid a very secure mail line to deliver every invitation card that was posted to the veiled dancer, most of the events she went to were not based on invites. Attending high social events were much too risky, I only attended the ones that paid the most for my back up dancers to benefit. I never took the pay, I did not dance for the money. I danced because of the freedom it brought me, it was a burning passion no amount of coin could satisfy.
So at this moment I knew Lord Sawyer was lying through his whitened teeth, "She is the hottest topic amongst us all. She hardly accepts our invitations, so anyone that does get her to perform becomes the most talked about noble. How precarious that an unknown dancer could influence the rich so much"