In Magician's Embrace [BOOK 1 of Price Family Saga]

40. Chapter (To The Devil With The Scoundrels)

Eliza hastened toward the ballroom, and upon reaching its threshold, a lengthy shadow obstructed her view. Lady Kendall required only a single glimpse at the distressed countenance of the young lady to declare:

"Now, now, Lady Price, let us take a short stroll," the elderly matron rather forcefully linked her arm with Eliza's and turned her, placing her back toward the ballroom. "There is anguish seeping from every fibre of yours, my dear. Should I commend Lord Gray's utterances or whatever he possesses in his groin?" she smiled slyly, prompting Eliza to draw yet another deep inhale in a desperate attempt to regain her long-lost composure.

To her bewilderment, the instant she left Daniel behind the secured door, her heart resonated with hurt. She battled the treacherous will that urged her to return to that rogue and let him elucidate his demeanour... and mayhap even please her once more. However, as Eliza made her decision, she remained resolute in holding onto it. There was no happiness to be found in either the lord or the Magician. Both employed her to fulfil their desires; both were adept paramours, but merely paramours at the end of the day.

"Fortunately," Lady Kendall continued in a benevolent tone, "whatever you two were engaged in took a rather short span of time; I'm certain your esteemed brother hasn't won a round of whist yet," the matron continued and caught Eliza's gaze. "You're playing with fire and your reputation, Lady Price. Why don't you join yourself with Lord Gray and leave your mutual disdain to set your bedchamber ablaze?"

"Anyone but him," Eliza responded tersely. "Anyone but him."

In the meantime, Daniel, with profound curses parting from his lips, navigated his way outside the residence. Thankfully, the chamber was situated on the ground floor, permitting him to utilise the window for his escape. However, as was customary, a minor impediment presented itself in his otherwise splendid plan – in the form of thick rose brushes below the windowsill. 

Consequently, he suffered scratches on his ankles and prods in several places upon his legs. Thankfully, his delicate areas in the groin were spared of such torment. The servants and majordomo themselves were taken aback to witness the lord re-entering the premises, having already been granted entry without making an exit. They arched inquisitive brows, yet Daniel paid their gazes no heed. Soon, he found himself in the ballroom, appearing not far from where Lady Kendall and Eliza were standing.

The lord's eyes gleamed with arrogance, desire, and disdain simultaneously, his gaze sweeping over Eliza's countenance. She was the first to break their locked gazes, lowering her eyes. He continued to observe her for a fleeting moment, indifferent to Lady Kendall's perception of his audacity. Soon, he noticed his brother and gracefully walked over to him instead.

"Oh my," the venerable matron clucked her tongue, "I'm afraid, Lady Price, that you shall never escape his firm clutches. On the contrary, I'm certain you were gazing at your intended husband."

"Nay, that can't be," Eliza replied softly, though she felt a shiver down her spine.

She observed both Lords Gray engaging in conversation with several ladies, including Lord Rosewell. Soon, they both promptly departed the ballroom, likely heading homeward. Daniel paid no further attention to Eliza, who felt another pang in her heart. Cease, I cannot harbour any affections for that despicable rogue, she chided inwardly.

Once the Gray brothers took their seats inside their carriage, Felix couldn't help but smirk deeply at his frowning sibling.

"Pray, what is amiss, brother? Did your affair go awry in some way? It seems the woman soured your night in some manner."

"I do not comprehend your inquiry, brother," Daniel murmured without meeting Felix's gaze, prompting his younger brother to arch his eyebrows.

"I comprehended your audacious words to her quite well," Felix chuckled, "Damn it, I'd never take you for such a ravisher. You're full of surprises, Daniel Gray, I commend you for that."