Read into My Heart

Chapter Two

Alexander Archer stood at the edge of the ballroom, looking around with undisguised boredom. How he loathed the season and its social events. For the past few years he had been able to avoid most of it, choosing instead to concentrate on improving his estate Roseglen in Northumberland. But as the Earl of Carlisle, he had other responsibilities, mainly for his younger sister Evelyn, who had just made her season debut. Alex noticed that Evelyn seemed to be doing well, dancing with a not-so-unbecoming man. Viscount Stanton or something-or-other. But did she have to smile at him so much?

Alex shook his head. No matter how old his sister was, she will always be that little girl to him. It had now been five years since his father's passing and Alex had taken on a more fatherly role to Evelyn. Becoming both a protector and chaperone.

Continuing his observation of the dance floor, Alex could see a few ladies peeking at him over swishing fans. He ignored them. Alex had no interest in dallying with simpering ladies trying to land a rich husband. Inheriting an earldom at such a young age definitely had its drawbacks. How he wished his father was still alive.

And now at twenty-six, his mother had been pressing him to take a wife. Unfortunately for her, Alex had no such designs. It annoyed her to no end that he would not even ask a lady to dance at these events. Maybe being an Earl had one small benefit.

Alex took a turn around the room, making polite introductions as he went. Hardly anyone had seen him since taking the earldom, which meant ambitious mothers were constantly throwing their daughters in his path. One more empty-headed than the next. One even had the audacity of suggesting they go somewhere private to "get to know each other better". Alex had no intention of getting trapped into an engagement. Especially with someone who didn't mind compromising their innocence, as long as they got a husband out of it.

It wasn't the first time he had to put up with husband-seeking vipers, but at least he had been able to avoid it for the past several years. Alex heaved a deep sigh. He needed to get some air, as well as a little space from the matchmakers.

Moving towards the doors that lead outside to the gardens, Alex was just about to step through when a young woman came rushing through at the same time. Consequently, they collided, with Alex letting out a soft "oomph" as her shoulder connected with his solar plex. He lightly grabbed her by the elbows to steady her so that they both didn't go toppling to the ground.

The woman mumbled a soft "excuse me" without even looking up at him and continued hurrying off into the ballroom. "Pardon me," Alex said after her, but doubted she had heard him as she was already lost in the throng of people. He raised an eyebrow at the peculiar behavior. Alex was used to women literally throwing themselves at him, usually as a ploy to get his attention. This young lady had barely given him a second glance and his interest was piqued beyond measure. If this was a ploy, it was a good one.

Choosing to shrug off the encounter, Alex paused as he realized the young lady had run away from the direction of the gardens. Had she been running from an unwanted liaison with a man? He quickly reflected back to her appearance and didn't recall seeing her hair or dress mussed as if she had been in an altercation. However, for the brief second he had seen her face, she seemed...pale.

Alex blew out a breath of air. His sense of honor prohibited him from dismissing the matter entirely, he knew that he needed to at least check in on the girl to make sure that she was alright. Problem was, he had no idea who she was. But he knew who would.

Pivoting and heading in the opposite direction, Alex began scanning the crowded ballroom for an older woman with an ostentatious headdress. Thankfully he was able to spot her quickly as three bright red feathers stuck two feet in the air above everyone else. Alex had always teased his mother for her taste in fashion, but for tonight, he was actually thankful for her choice in headwear. Even if it was a bit over the top.