When their eyes met Radford smiled and gave her a subtle nod while raising his nearly empty glass of champagne like a toast. His amiable display sent a cold shiver ran down Amelias spine. Her heart started to pound so loud it was almost deafening and she tightly clenched the fabric of her dress to conceal the tremor in her hands.
She somehow managed to maintain her composure. She needed to speak with him no matter how it made her feel since it had been her whole reason for coming here.
Amelia knew all too well how to get Radford's attention. Just like she'd seen the particularly young looking streetwomen do when she was little she nervously averted her gaze, then met his eyes once again with a hesitant smile. An innocent display that a vile man like him could not help but be tempted by.
Her assumption was right. The marquis handed his glass to a server and seemed to say something to a man beside him, then he made his way towards were Amelia and Rosemary stood. The closer he approached the more her body screamed for her to leave, but she remained on the spot.
Swallowing the bitter lump in her throat that made it feel like she would throw up, she put on her best attempt at a face that expressed she was glad to see him.
"Marquis" she greeted him and curtsied, as did Rosemary next to her.
Radford barely even acknowledged the girl.
"It has been far to long miss Ainsworth" he said and she could feel her eye twitch.
"Indeed, it has. It was a shame that we did not get the chance to speak more during his Grace's banquet."
"An easy remedy though, wouldn't you say? May I be so bold as to ask you for a dance?"
Radford held out his hand and Amelia hesistated briefly before accepting it, turning her eyes to Rosemary who gave her an affirming nod as if to say 'you go on ahead'.
He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her skin that lingered for a little to long. It took all of her willpower not to grimace.
Just like on the night of Dario's banquet everyone's stares was once again locked on Amelia as they approached to dancefloor. In the corner of her eyes some even appeared to blatantly whisper, surely about the unlikely pairing that was her and the marquis who'd denounced her family. This time she didn't mind the attention though. Rather, it offered a sense of security. In the public eye Radford surely wouldn't do anything unbecoming.
But Amelia knew that she would eventually need to speak with him alone.
When he placed his hand on her hip and pulled her towards him to begin the dance the surroundings became muffled and time seemed to slow down. Suddenly the only things Amelia could perceive was the painful hammering in her chest and him, along with the uncomfortable crawling sensation that crept across her skin from every place he touched.
She didn't even hear the music begin, only made aware by the start of the dance by Radford's lead.
"It is good to see you tonight, my Lord" she heard herself say.
"Is it now" Radford answered almost mockingly, a completely different tone from just moments ago.
This wasn't anything new. Even back then he had only ever treated her kindly in front of others or when she'd groveled for his comfort and affection.
"Of course it is..."
Amelia trailed off when she heard him scoff and nervously bit the inside of her cheek.
"I was rude to you last time we met, wasn't I? Please know that it was only due to chock after everything that happened. I know now that what you did was the right thing."
"I am sure you do. After all, you do look rather well taken care of now, don't you?"
His eyes swept across her done-up face, adorned neck and ornate dress, finally lingering on her bossum.
Amelia knew what he was implying. The marquis was well aware that she wouldn't ever seek him out willingly unless she had no other option. She had made that all to clear on the night when she'd refused him.
Fearing that she would say something wrong and have him leave Amelia didn't answer. This worry turned out to be unfounded though, as the marquis didn't seem quite done with pressing her just yet. Mid turn he suddenly leaned close and whispered to her the very thing that she didn't want to remember.
"I wonder though... does the grand duke know that you are barren?"