At last, the day of the ball arrived and brought with it a plethora of activity. The servants in the kitchen were hard at work preparing the last touches of the food to be served, while the housekeeper rushed around to ensure that everything was up to the Dowager's precise standards.

A gift had arrived for Cordelia in the mail, and as she stood in her bedroom, she gazed upon the stunning gown with awe. Her aunt had promised to send her a new gown for the ball, but she would never have thought for it to be such an exquisite garment as this.

The satin fabric was a delicate olive green, with the bust line enhanced by a tantalising arrangement of diamonds. When the skirts moved a shimmer of gold reflected from the fabric, giving her the impression of sunlight dotting through a thick canopy of leaves. She was not certain how many pounds her aunt had spent on such an elaborate gown, but the priceless jewels that she had sent to compliment the gown were a firm indication that it was more than most men's yearly wage.

"It is beautiful, Cordelia," Alicia said as she gazed upon the dress. "I dare say you will outshine me at my own ball."

Cordelia looked to her friend and noticed the sullen expression on her face, her mind perturbed and expression troubled, knowing what would come after the ball.

Alicia had met Mr. Harwood the evening that her father and the gentleman had first arrived. She had held her composure considerably well, but it was clear that she was not comfortable with him, judging by how quiet she suddenly became. Almost every word needed to be begged from her lips.

However, it was not just Alicia who was affected—no one seemed too impressed by the impromptu visitation of the Earl, all except her brother and the Dowager, who seemed to have become firm acquaintances with both the Earl and Mr Harwood. It was something that did not escape Alicia's notice either, and she seemed even more disinclined towards Edward than she was already because of it.

She was not as close to the Dowager as she once was either, and the rift between them grew more prominent when it was clear that there was no task considered too great when being catered for the gentlemen's preference.

Two days had passed without Alicia showing the slightest hint of warming up to her fiancé. She seemed to grow more withdrawn, escaping from the house at peculiar times and speaking less to everyone, including Cordelia.

Although Cordelia wished to ask her where she went, she did not want to pressure her. Just like Alicia never questioned her too much about her past, she would respect her privacy.

"Thank you, Alicia," she replied as she gently laid the dress back down on the bed. "But I could never outshine you even if I should wish it."

Alicia's smile was tight and no further words were uttered between them as their maids entered the room to assist in their getting ready.

Carriages began to arrive shortly after the sun had set, the deep metal and wood of their structures illuminated by the glowing lamps assembled outside. Since the ball was held in Alicia's honour, she was to remain beside the Marquis and Dowager's side for the duration of the arrivals, leaving Cordelia alone with her brother, Lady Topham, and her cousin.

"My, what a fabulous evening," Lady Topham commented. "This house is certainly much livelier with more people. Lord Midrake should have balls more often or at least more visitors. It was quiet around here."

"I did not mind the quiet," Cordelia commented as she watched the mingling people in their dazzling dresses and fine coats. "It is how the country should be."

Lady Topham laughed lightly. "Of course, you would approve of such stillness in your life. Honestly, my dear. If I did not like you so much, I would consider you a bore!"

"You did offer to be my chaperone," the young lady quipped with a sweet smile, causing the older woman to click her tongue in mock irritation.

"Your tongue can be very smart at times." She then turned to the man standing beside her. "Edward, you have been very quiet. Have you met any women here that have caught your attention yet?"

He glanced towards the lady and shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps or maybe not. I am still deciding."

Lady Topham's eyes gleamed at the thought of a bit of gossip. "Oh, how exciting! Do tell us who the lucky lady is?"

Edward smiled. "Your Ladyship could certainly not expect me to be so open about my affairs. You will discover who it is in due course."

She twisted her lips in annoyance before fluttering her fan lightly upon her face. "You are no fun at all, Edward."

"So I have been told."

It was as her brother was speaking that Cordelia noticed a gentleman in the far corner of the room, and her eyebrows rose when she recognised him to be Lord Tilbur. The gentleman had been called on business to town several days ago, and she was surprised to see him at the ball. The business had sounded urgent, and even from the distance that she stood, she noticed that he seemed fatigued in the shoulders with darkness surrounding his eyes which was a sure characteristic of inadequate sleep.

It was then that he looked in her direction, and he smiled upon noticing her. Taking a couple of champagne flutes from a footman with a silver tray, he moved towards her. As he did, Cordelia noticed the slight sluggishness of his movements and the tint of redness in his eyes.

"Good evening, Miss Sutton," he greeted with his charming smile before looking at the people she stood by.

He bowed to them in greeting, which they returned, before his attention focused on her once more. "Do you wish for a refreshment? I believe the dancing will take place soon."

Cordelia glanced down at the sparkling liquid in the crystal flutes. "Thank you, but I do not need a drink as yet. Are you . . . all right?"

"Of course, I am. Why should I not be?" he replied and took a sip of his champagne.

Cordelia struggled for a response, knowing it indecent to comment inappropriately on one's appearance, but failing to find a suitable answer. Thankfully, she was saved from embarrassment by the sound of the instruments being warmed.

Lord Tilbur smiled and handed a footman his empty glass. "Shall I have the first dance with you, Miss Sutton?"

She hesitated, still uncertain of what to make of his peculiar appearance as his eyes darted over her face. But an encouraging shove from Lady Topham forced her to follow after him towards the dance floor.

Cordelia had never been thoroughly impressed with the Viscount's dancing, but his movements seemed even worse this evening than they ever had before. He blamed it on not having danced in a considerable amount of time, and that he would soon warm up to dance in a livelier fashion. But he just did not seem to have enough energy within himself to match the vigour required for such a dance.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Alicia dancing as well, who did not seem to be faring much better with her partner, Mr Harwood. Though he moved considerably well in comparison to the Viscount, it was clear that her dislike for him was making the dance anything but enjoyable.

Instinctively, her gaze roamed the sea of dancing couples for one man in particular. But it was difficult to distinguish each face in such a crowd, especially when focus was needed on the dance.

She winced suddenly, pain blossoming on her foot that she was forced to bite her lip to keep from making any remark. The Viscount continued to follow the steps of the dance, completely unaware of the error he had caused, and Cordelia was extremely tempted to walk off the dancefloor mid-dance.

Her attention focused on his expression, how he did not appear to be present at the moment like his mind was far away. His cheeks were flushed and a heavy layer of perspiration coated his forehead. And when he reached out his hand to hold hers as was required by the dance, she felt it tremble violently against her hand.

Concerned, she asked, "Are you all right, Lord Tilbur? Do you wish to sit?"

He smiled at her, but his expression was one of extreme fatigue. "I am perfectly fine, Miss Sutton. It is only a little . . . hot . . ."

His face drained of colour completely and he stirred on his feet, his body falling forward to collapse against her. She gasped at the sudden weight, her arms instinctively darting around him to steady him as he lost consciousness.

The music stopped abruptly, as well as the dancing couples as everyone turned to see what had happened. Two gentlemen who were closest to her, reached for him to alleviate her from his weight, and she glanced around hoping to find a chair close by.

It was then that a familiar tall frame came into focus, and Cordelia looked up at the Marquis with panicked eyes. "I do not know what happened . . ." she began, but words failed her as she stared into his composed expression.

He had two footmen on either side of him, who quickly moved to the Viscount, and after slinging an arm over each of their shoulders, began to carry him away from the crowd. The Marquis and Cordelia followed after them, the chittering of the crowd growing louder and louder at the unexpected event.

Lord Midrake gestured to the musicians to continue playing, which they did so at once, and Cordelia just heard the start of a lively minuet before they entered a hallway and the heavy doors closed behind them.

She did not realize how fast her heart was beating in her chest until the muffled sounds of the ballroom were nothing more than a hum in the background. The Marquis walked beside her, confident and steady while she jittered and fretted over the occurrence.

He ordered the two men to take the Viscount to one of the spare bedrooms and a third man opened the door for them to enter. Lord Tilbur was laid down on the bedcover and while the men assisted in making him more comfortable, the Marquis turned his attention to Cordelia and gestured for her to leave the room with him.

"Tell me what happened," he demanded, watching her disconcerted expression carefully once they were alone in the hallway.

She licked her lips nervously, twiddling her thumbs anxiously. "I . . . do not know exactly. I noticed that he was not himself this evening. He seemed absent-minded and was trembling. He also did not seem to have much energy at all. Just before he fainted, he did say that it was a little hot in the room. But other than that, I cannot say what may have caused him to faint."

The Marquis frowned in contemplation, but he seemed unable to find a plausible explanation for the Viscount's sudden illness. With a shake of his head and a heavy sigh, he glanced at the closed door to the guest room.

"I will call on the doctor first thing in the morning, but all I can do in the interim is have someone tend to him."

Cordelia smiled, warmed by his compassion. "Thank you," she whispered.

Lord Midrake watched her carefully, but there was something hidden behind his stormy gaze. Something was bothering him, but what she could not quite contemplate.

He shifted from one foot to the other, his eyes moving between her eyes and lips before settling on her cornflower-blue gaze. "You seem very worried about him," he began at length, observing even the smallest of her reactions to his statement.

"Well, he has been a . . . good acquaintance for some time now. It is only natural that I would be concerned about his wellbeing."

"Is that the only reason?" he asked, lips tightening and expression darkening.

His direction of questioning perplexed her, and her delicate eyebrows dipped into a confused frown as she regarded him. "Yes."

He nodded then broke his gaze away from her.

"Is something the matter?" she asked softly, watching his troubled expression.

He glanced at her briefly before looking away, not uttering a word. A sudden tenseness settled between them, an awkwardness in the air that Cordelia was not ready for. And so she said the only thing applicable in such an instance.

"Thank you once more for your kindness, Lord Midrake." She dipped in a small curtsey and would have turned to leave had his hand not clasped her elbow gently.

Surprised, she looked back to him, only to see his gaze determined as he focused on nothing but her.

He urged her back to him gently, his stormy gaze causing her heart to flutter in her chest as he focused on her with an intensity that she had not experienced before. Slowly, he raised his hands to clasp the soft skin of her cheeks, causing her to jolt from the startling sensation of his gloves against her.

"How can you not see it?" he asked in no more than a whisper as he gazed upon her wide-eyed expression.

"See . . . what?" she stuttered, unable to focus on anything but his proximity.

His dark gaze was searching her, attempting to delve into every corner of her mind to find the answer to his question. But when he noticed her stupefied countenance, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"That first day you arrived at Midrake, and we walked in the forest together. You asked why I followed you. Do you remember that?" Gently, with a tenderness that made her grow weak, he stroked his thumbs against the softness of her cheeks. "Do you?"

"Y-yes."

His gaze latched on hers, a sudden urgency that could not be denied as his hands tightened their hold on her face. "Can you still not see that I will always follow you? No matter how much time and distance is placed between us, I will always find my way back to you. You must realize how important, how dear, how precious you have always been to me."

"And yet every time I hope to have you within my grasp, there is always something or someone to keep us apart. Do you not know how much it pains me to see you care for another man as though he was your husband? When all I have ever thought about for the last two years was to have you in my arms for all eternity?"

There was a desperateness in his gaze and hold the likes of which she had never seen before. He looked as though he was a man starved of food and water, and she was his only source of sustenance. The idea felt as though it squeezed the very breath from her lungs, and she was left trembling in its wake, vulnerable to the large wave of emotion that cascaded over her like a relentless sea.

"My sweetest Cordelia, you must realize. Please, tell me you do," he murmured, his face drawing closer to hers, capturing her within their tempest depths.

With a quiver in her voice that she could not control, she replied, "I do."

He smiled then, a true, radiant smile that seemed to shine brighter than the stars that dotted the landscape beyond the magnificent glass windows. His gaze was upon her with a gentle reverence as he caressed her cheeks, and Cordelia felt that it could not have been true, that what she was experiencing could not have been more than her imagination playing a cruel trick on her.

Because in that moment, she came to realize the truth.

She was undeniably, irrevocably in love with the Marquis.

[A/N] And the confessions are finally made! What do you think will happen next? I would love to hear your thoughts and theories. All I can say is getting ready because a lot is going to happen. Thank you once again for all your love and support; your likes and messages always make my day! As usual, the next update will be next week Monday.