Chapter 194: v2- - 13: the opening ball VI

Clara saw that Marian was now looking at her brother.

A small, satisfied smile appeared on her face.

She had made her point.

"Come."

Marian looked at her.

"Where?"

"We’re going to ask him."

"Clara—"

But Clara had already taken her arm.

She guided Marian through the edge of the gathering, weaving between clusters of guests toward the other side of the ballroom.

Julian was standing there with several gentlemen, listening to a conversation.

Marian could see him more clearly as they approached.

"You really are doing this," Marian murmured.

"Of course."

"I haven’t agreed to anything."

"I know."

Clara smiled.

"You’re only considering him."

Marian sighed, though she was smiling.

"You’re impossible."

"And yet you followed me."

Marian had no answer to that.

They were almost there.

Clara lifted her hand.

"Julian."

He turned at the sound of his name.

His eyes moved toward his sister.

Then they settled on Marian.

For the first time that evening, Marian wondered what he might be thinking.

Clara, meanwhile, looked entirely pleased with herself.

Julian excused himself from the gentleman beside him and crossed the room.

Marian immediately felt a little self-conscious.

What exactly was Clara planning to say?

She was about to find out.

Julian stopped before them.

His gaze moved from Clara to Marian.

Then back to Clara.

"Yes?"

Clara smiled.

"I’ve decided Marian should dance with you."

Julian blinked.

Marian stared at her.

"Clara."

"What?"

"You can’t simply decide that."

"Why not?"

Marian opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

There was no point arguing with Clara when she had already made up her mind.

Julian seemed to find the entire exchange amusing.

A smile touched his lips.

Then he turned toward Marian.

"Lady Marian."

He bowed.

"Would you honor me with this dance?"

Marian looked at him.

Then at Clara.

Her friend looked far too pleased with herself.

The absurdity of it finally got the better of her.

Marian laughed.

"All right."

She placed her hand in Julian’s.

"I would."

Julian smiled.

"Thank you."

He led her away.

Marian was still laughing quietly by the time they had taken several steps.

She couldn’t help it.

The entire situation was ridiculous.

Clara had simply decided that her brother should dance with Marian and apparently expected everyone to cooperate.

And somehow—

they had.

Marian glanced at Julian.

"I’m sorry."

He looked at her.

"For Clara."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Ah."

"She’s simply enthusiastic."

"I had gathered."

Marian laughed again.

"I didn’t expect her to do that."

"Neither did I."

There was something reassuring about his amusement.

He didn’t seem offended.

He didn’t seem to think Marian had arranged any of this.

Still, she felt she ought to explain.

"She was just saying that if I were going to consider anyone in the room, I should consider you first."

Julian looked at her.

"Did she?"

Marian nodded.

"I think she was making a case for her brother."

"That sounds like Clara."

Marian smiled.

"She seems very confident in your behalf."

"She always has been."

They reached the edge of the dance floor.

Julian turned toward her.

Then, just before the music began, he said quietly,

"Although..."

Marian looked at him.

"Clara isn’t entirely wrong."

She blinked.

Julian smiled.

"To be honest, I would be delighted if you were to consider me."

Marian stared at him.

For a moment, she genuinely didn’t know what to say.

Then she felt the warmth rise into her cheeks.

"Oh."

Julian’s smile widened slightly.

Marian looked down.

She hadn’t expected that.

Not from him.

Not like this.

She had known Julian for years.

Yet hearing him say that—so plainly, so confidently—made something inside her flutter.

It was flattering.

More than she had expected.

She had never really experienced this before.

Someone simply telling her, without hesitation, that he wanted her to consider him.

Marian didn’t know what to do with that.

Her fingers shifted nervously in his hand.

She became suddenly conscious of the fact that she was smiling.

She tried to suppress it.

That only made it worse.

Julian noticed.

But, mercifully, he didn’t tease her.

Instead, he offered her the slightest smile.

"I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable."

"No."

Marian shook her head.

"No. I’m just..."

She laughed softly.

"Surprised."

"Fair enough."

The musicians began to play.

Julian offered his hand.

Marian placed hers in it.

They moved onto the dance floor.

For the first few steps, Marian concentrated on the music.

But her thoughts kept returning to what Julian had said.

I would be delighted if you were to consider me.

A smile threatened at the corner of her lips.

It was such a simple thing.

And yet it made her feel unexpectedly light.

She looked at Julian again.

Properly this time.

He was handsome.

Very handsome, actually.

She had simply never thought about it.

He was also pleasant, well-mannered, established, and the heir to a Marquessate.

A very reasonable choice.

Marian’s smile grew a little.

Perhaps Clara really wasn’t wrong.

And perhaps this was for the best.

She had wanted Adrian.

That much was still true.

But being Empress had never been the part of that future she had particularly wanted.

She already knew what the life entailed.

She had spent years being prepared for it as the future Crown Princess.

The ceremonies.

The formal dinners.

The endless appearances.

The obligations.

The constant expectation of being watched and judged.

She could do it.

She simply didn’t particularly want to.

A quieter life had always sounded more appealing.

And Julian could offer her that.

Marian glanced at him again.

He was smiling at something one of the other couples had done.

She smiled too.

Perhaps she really could consider him.

Not because Clara had told her to.

But because, now that she was actually looking, Julian wasn’t a bad choice at all.

In fact...

he might be a very good one.

The realization brought a small spark of excitement.

She was actually doing this.

She was looking at another man.

Seriously.

And somehow, that didn’t feel wrong.

It felt freeing.

Perhaps the Season would not be so disappointing after all.

--

Tbc